The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes by Patricia Sands

The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes by Patricia Sands

Author:Patricia Sands [Sands, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patricia Sands


15

Katherine drove Andrew to the Nice airport and hugged him tightly at the “Kissing Spot” just before he went through the security area. “It was so good to have you visit us, my dear. But four days was not long enough,” Katherine said, her voice filled with emotion. “Keep in touch and bring Magda another time. I wish you only joy in the days ahead.”

“It was wonderful to have this time with you and Philippe, Simone, the pups … everyone! What a life you are building here, Aunt Kat. I’m so pleased for you. As a kid, I never knew of the unhappy marriage you had with James—actually, we didn’t really know James at all. He wasn’t in our lives much.”

Kat nodded. “It wasn’t something you kids would really notice.”

Andrew continued, “In the short time I’ve known Philippe, I can see how connected you are.”

Kat blushed. “Never too late, right? I keep pinching myself.”

Andrew hugged Kat again quickly, then waved as he left. Before he disappeared down the corridor, he called out, “You are going to have the best holiday season ever. Keep believin’!”

Katherine grinned all the way into the old town of Nice as she went to meet Véronique for lunch. Her thoughts took her back to the years when Andrew and his siblings were growing up. Those are all such wonderful memories to add to getting to know him as a mature young man. I can’t wait to tell Andrea and Terrence all about his visit.

She and Véronique continued that conversation over lunch at the restaurant they both agreed served the most delicious salade niçoise in town. Afterward, they took their time browsing along the narrow, winding streets of the old town, where they were successful in finding a few gifts.

“We’ve decided not to go overboard with gifts this year, and that’s actually making the shopping more interesting,” Katherine said. “We are going in with a group of friends on a charity donation, which has turned out to be a lot of fun.”

Véronique chuckled. “We decided that about gifts a few years ago, and only give big gifts to the grandchildren, small ones to our kids. It makes so much sense when we all have what we need.” She looked at her friend thoughtfully. “How are your holiday plans coming along, Kat? I thought I detected some tension the last time we spoke about it.”

Katherine groaned dramatically. “I can’t believe how I let it all get to me, but I’m coming out on the other side of my anxieties. I think I let nostalgia for my parents overwhelm me, and instead of appreciating memories, I struggled with them. Then I also let loose a lot of pent-up anger over the years that James ruined Christmas.” She chose not to mention anything about the Russians.

Véronique offered soothing words. She was one of the most calming women Katherine had ever met. She was also the major force, through her own group of artists, in convincing Kat to seriously pursue her photography in France.



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