“I think so.” He nodded. “Saint-Véran is close enough to Avignon to take advantage of the tourists. At least that is what I’m banking on.”
“Still, after all these generations...”
“There’s virtue in returning it to its former glory and opening the doors to the public—if it’s still salvageable, that is.”
“You think it’s that far gone? Some of the floors are slanting, and there are cracks in the walls, and a few leaks, but still... it seems solid.”
“I can’t know for sure until I have it properly inspected. My cousin hasn’t allowed it, and the situation is... It can be awkward. Not only is Fabrice not the friendliest guy in the first place, but I don’t want him thinking I’m anxious for his demise.”
She nodded. “I can understand that.”
Jean-Paul’s eyes shifted to something behind her. “Excuse me, please, one moment. I see someone I must speak to.”
“Of course. I wanted to check my e-mail anyway.”
She logged on to her e-mail and was thrilled to find a message from Olivia:
You are too much, my friend. I leave you alone in a foreign country for a few days, and already you’re living with an old man and his dog? In a CHÂTEAU???
Olivia continued with a funny story about their latest adventures in home renovation, during which Sebastian had stepped in a bucket of water while attempting to strip the wallpaper off the walls of their old Victorian and uncover the original plaster.
They say couples learn a lot about each other during a home renovation. I have learned that Sebastian has many sterling qualities but being a handyman is not among them. I fear for the future, as ladders will soon be involved. The over-under for our next trip to the E.R. ($$$!) is three days. Care to make a wager?
Olivia’s chatty tone and good humor brought a smile to Cady’s face. She liked to think of herself as a loner, but the truth was she wouldn’t have made it without Maxine, and then Olivia. Even Jonquilla, now that she thought about it. Each had been an echo of her character, in a way—a big part of how she came to know who she was. What would life be without a single friend?
Did Fabrice have anyone? After eighty-something years on this planet, how could he walk so alone? With family nearby, no less.
Cady was writing a short missive to Olivia when Jean-Paul appeared, holding by the scruff of his collar the teenager she had seen throwing rocks.
“Cady, I would like to introduce you to Johnny,” Jean-Paul said in French. “He has something to say to you.”
“Désolé,”Johnny said in a sullen tone.
“Thank you,” Cady replied. “You should apologize to Fabrice as well.”
He shrugged and avoided eye contact, looking around the bar.
“I’m not sure what the minimum wage is in France, or even how much it would cost to repair the damage you’ve done,” Cady said, channeling the words Maxine had used on her after she’d stolen several items from her shop. “Luckily I had insurance on my rental car that will pay for the tires, but you owe Fabrice several hours of your time. Come to the château tomorrow after school and you can start to make it up to him.”
“Yeah, sure,” he said. “Can I go now?”
Jean-Paul released him and the teenager slouched out the door.
“He won’t show up, you realize,” said Jean-Paul, taking a seat.
“You never know,” said Cady. “It worked on me, back in the day.”
“I have a feeling there’s more to that story.”
She smiled. “I’m a woman of mystery.”
“Another coffee?”
“No, thank you. I have to go grocery shopping. Pasta’s on the menu tonight.”
“I like pasta.”
“Oh, I... it’s not really my place to be asking people to dinner.”
