There were breathtaking panoramic views far across the countryside that demanded they stop to take photos and enjoy the beauty of the winter landscape. Like a vast patchwork quilt, vineyards, orchards, olive groves, and fields waiting for spring planting spread into the distance.
* * *
At the end of their two-hour walk, the hikers were welcomed back at the farm with a party scene on the terrace, which was warmed by propane heaters. Atticus and Fantôme rushed ahead to greet two new canine visitors.
The hikers had been invigorated by the exercise and the crisp clean air up in the hills, and there was no shortage of enthusiasm for food and drink. Everyone quickly blended together and animated conversation flowed and laughter frequently erupted.
A copper pot of mulled wine hung over a wood fire, and several adults sat and stood around it. Neighbors had dropped by, bringing platters of seafood, including one heaped with a glistening selection of oysters. The table became filled with an array of wooden boards: some offered homemade pâté and terrine forestier as well as fois gras and fig jam, alongside crisp crostini. Others featured bowls of olives and an assortment of young and old local goat cheeses accompanied by honey and slices of baguette.
Nora was aware Pierre had been involved in organizing the appetizers and watched as he was helpful to his parents and hospitable to everyone. His short temper, gruff replies, and air of irritation were nowhere on display now. She made a point of keeping out of his way but wondered why he was such a conundrum, with his fluctuating moods. Although he only seemed to be grumpy around her, and not so much when others were around.
As the sun set, everyone went inside to enjoy le Réveillon. Two tables had been set in the dining room to accommodate them all, and the food was placed buffet-style on the long sideboard. Main dishes included roast turkey stuffed with chestnuts, rabbit stuffed with olives, leg of lamb with rosemary, and a daube provençal, a hearty red wine stew. Vegetables included gratin dauphinois, green beans with garlic, and roasted root vegetables. Guests had brought another bûche de Noël, and Nora swore the cheese board was the most abundant she had ever seen.
Nora had been to many dinner parties through the years, but none like this. She discreetly took photos to send to the Girls. Chloe hadn’t exaggerated when she’d described it as a feast, and yet it did not seem extravagant, just one delectable dish after another. Good will and laughter filled the room, and Nora stumbled in French while others did the same in English.
The atmosphere seemed unhurried and grounded in tradition, reunion, and joy. Nora’s heart was full as she observed how Chloe was embraced by the family and their friends. She loved her daughter’s life in France and was grateful to feel welcomed into it.
She couldn’t say she had warmed up to Pierre, but she saw his edges soften. He was relaxed and friendly with all the family friends, even if his interactions with her were infrequent.
Mami and Papi Moreau had brought her the greatest joy. They seemed to live each day so openly and honestly, as if it were second nature. The way they listened to each other, leaned in when the other spoke, and smiled like they’d been smiling at the same face for a lifetime and still hadn’t tired of it—it was the kind of happiness that made her believe in lasting love. She had believed in it once, when she lived it with Jeremy. It just hadn’t lasted as long as it should have.
She often reminded herself she was lucky to have lived it for as long as she had. Some people never got to experience it.
So now it was the kind of happiness she often wrote about in romance novels under her pen name. The kind of happiness she never expected to find in her own life again.
By the time all the good nights were said, and the dogs had been brought in for the night, Nora couldn’t wait to sink into a hot bath before falling asleep. Her heart was full, not to mention her stomach.
She thought about a few quiet conversations that had occurred on Christmas Day, moments which unexpectedly revealed more about Pierre. It was fascinating to learn pieces of his history, each one adding depth and clarity to the larger picture of who he was.
Chloe and Olivier had had several conversations with Pierre about their exhibit at his gallery in Nice. It would be their first exposure in the south of France, and they were excited about it.
Mami and Papi were interested in hearing all about their work and the exhibit and promised to visit Nice when it was on. “It is just a few hours’ drive from here, and we love going to visit Pierre, which we do several times a year.”
“Always in the off-season,” Mami explained. “We avoid those hot summer months and all the tourists. Although we loved taking dips in the Med and partying with the crowds when we were young!”
“But wait,” Papi added, laughing. “When we were young, there were no crowds there!”
Nora learned from these chats that Pierre had been a serious artist in his youth but gradually had become more interested in discovering and supporting up-and-coming artists rather than promoting his own work.
Eventually he’d opened his own gallery, and his timing was perfect. The south of France had always been a haven for artists throughout history, and in the 2000s the arts life in Nice blossomed. Since the Covid years, it had virtually exploded with exciting new artists bursting onto the scene, and collectors made the Riviera the place to discover them.
Plans had been made for their departure the next day, and she drifted off to sleep thinking it would be nice to stay at the mas longer.
She, Chloe, and Olivier planned to take the train back to Paris the next afternoon. Pierre was also leaving at the same time, in his van, to return to Normandy for a week. Then he would go back to Paris to begin loading the artwork.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Nora was slowly awakeningthe next morning, when Chloe knocked on her door and crawled into bed with her.
They both groaned and declared they would not eat for the rest of the week.
“Sweetheart, this was a Christmas to remember. Even after hearing about all the food and traditions from you in past years, it was truly something I could not have imagined. Thank you for convincing me to come to you for Christmas.”
Chloe snuggled in as they held each other tightly. “It means so much to me to have you here. To Olivier as well. He often worries about having taken me away from our life in Canada, so it made him very happy to see how you’ve blended in with his family. He hopes you’ll come more often.”
They laughed when Atticus surprised them on the bed.
“I have to admit, I do feel right at home here … and in Paris. Who knew dog-sitting could be so wonderful!”
