I Promise You This (Love in Provence Book 3) (20 page)

Kat nodded sympathetically. Annette continued, “Then I moved her to the seniors’ residence after a year because she was not happy alone in their big house. At first she was okay with the idea, but after we had her moved, she became even angrier. My brother is no help, so it all falls on me.”

“It’s the luck of the draw whether we’re dealt a hand with senility or Alzheimer’s or whatever else,” Kat speculated. “This is all a reminder to seize each day as it comes.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Annette told her. With a pleading look in her eyes, she asked Katherine to help her. “Now that you know, perhaps there is someone you can think of who might be able to offer some advice.”

They talked and sipped and sometimes just quietly watched people passing by.

“I have to admit . . .” Katherine began and then hesitated. “Please forgive me for my assumptions, but I thought Thibaud was hurting you. I noticed your bruises.”

Annette’s eyes were sympathetic. “That’s the natural suspicion, isn’t it? But that is not the problem. I mean, we don’t have the best relationship—he is very aloof—but he is caring in his own way. Although right now he is upset with me for not letting him interfere with this problem with Maman.”

They sat quietly again, lost in thought, and then Katherine had an idea. “Are residents allowed to have pets in your mother’s building?”

Annette nodded, “As a matter of fact, they are. Why?”

“Has your mother ever had pets?”

Annette nodded again. “We always had cats when I was growing up.”

“I keep reading how pets are a positive addition to the lives of seniors. I often thought about getting a cat for my mother but never got around to it. That’s one of those things I look back on with regret.”

“But do you really think your mother would have liked it in her later years?”

“I do. I think a small dog would have been too much work for her, but cats are so easy. I think it would have been good company for her after my father passed. I should have done it.”

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing, Katherine.
La recherché du temps perdu
. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

Katherine smiled. “We can’t undo the past. But now I wonder if a pet might make a difference to your mother?”

“You know, you might have an idea there. A kitten. Or, wait, maybe a more mature cat that would be a bit docile.”

A few seconds of quiet passed. Annette was clearly considering the idea. “I could get it from the animal shelter.” Her voice became more excited. “I’m going to phone the residence right now and check this out with the
directrice
.”

“You never know. It might not work, but it’s worth a try. Let me know if you’re going to the shelter and I’ll go with you.”

Annette took out her cell phone. “
Pardon
, I’m going to call right now.”

Katherine sipped her tea and thought about where the local animal shelter might be. She couldn’t recall having seen one. Checking her watch, she was startled to see how much time had passed. She had an appointment with André to talk about the exhibit he was planning in March—they were going to finalize what pieces Kat would enter.

Annette was speaking French at lightning speed, but Katherine could tell from the looks her friend was giving her that the conversation was going well. As she ended the phone call, Annette gave her the thumbs-up signal. “
Oui! C’est bon!
In fact, she said it was a good idea, as she thought my mother was very much a loner and could use company. She said to be sure the cat is up to date on shots and has been neutered.”

Katherine grinned as Annette thanked her effusively. “I’m going to give this a lot of thought, and I’ll let you know what I decide. I’m excited to think it’s something that might make my mother feel happy again.”

After they exchanged
bises
, Katherine took Annette’s hand. “I’m so, so sorry you had to experience this with your mom.”

Annette blinked back tears. “Thanks for pushing me to tell you about it. I appreciate that more than I can say.”

They waved good-bye, and Katherine hurried home to shower and change.

Her friend Véronique had left a voicemail message. She said that she and her husband, David, were looking forward to having dinner with Kat and Philippe at their
pied-à-terre
in Nice on Saturday night.

Katherine smiled in anticipation of catching up with those dear friends. She would always be grateful to Véronique for encouraging her to become more serious about photography and consider exhibiting. Meeting Véronique in Entrevaux the previous November had been the good part of that fateful day with the terrifying car chase. That autumn day had been the only time Kat had truly feared for her safety. A secret from Philippe’s past had surfaced, and unsavory criminals had disrupted Katherine and Philippe’s life together. She suddenly shuddered at the memory.

Now, after a quick bowl of soup, Kat packed up her laptop and notebook for her afternoon with André.

The prospect of exhibiting her photography was scary and exhilarating at the same time. She knew André was extremely talented with a well-established reputation, and Kat was flattered he wanted to include her in the show. Véronique had also talked her into exhibiting in a mixed-media art show in Nice in the spring.

On the way out to meet André, Kat grabbed an umbrella from the stand by the door. The drizzle had turned into a downpour, so she put on her flashy rubber boots with colorful patterns. If there was unpleasant weather, those boots made her smile in spite of it.

The walk was just a matter of minutes, but it gave her pause to consider winter in that part of the world.
I have to admit, I didn’t expect to be wearing these boots as much as I am in Antibes. Winter has its bad moments even here in paradise
.

Then, as if to emphasize those thoughts, her umbrella blew inside out.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“Am I glad to see the rain has stopped,” Katherine said as she stretched and took her time getting out of bed on Saturday morning.

It was still dark as Philippe prepared to leave for what was always the busiest day of the week at the market. Kat had decided to walk over with him and then carry on to the beach a few minutes further to capture some sunrise shots.

Earlier in the week, when she and André met to discuss her photography, Kat became acutely aware that she had nothing to show from France at this time of year. She was excited about the challenges of working with the winter light now as she packed her tripod and a variety of lenses in her backpack.

The quiet stillness accompanied them as they walked along Cours Masséna. It was a little too early for the restaurants to begin their morning routine of setting up heaters and seating on the terraces. Most of the market vendors would not arrive for another half hour.

Philippe and Gilles used this time to drink an espresso or two, review how the week had gone, and plan for the next. The two old friends’ partnership was easy and flexible.

“I’ll come by when I’m finished shooting,” Kat said, kissing Philippe lightly on the lips. “Remember, I’m going to the animal shelter with Annette this afternoon. I might not be back home until around four.”

“D’accord,”
Philippe said with a smile, “That reminds me! Now that we’re back, I’ll call the Lab breeder about a pup. She said they would keep a pup for us out of the next litter, scheduled for this summer.”

“Good plan,” Katherine agreed. “It’s too bad we missed out on this last litter, but who knew how long I would be in Toronto. Anyway, by summer we’ll be organized and hopefully living on the Cap with all that garden for the pup to play in.”

They had talked about it on and off all week. Since it was certain Molly was coming to France, they didn’t have to be concerned about getting the pup and then having to leave to return to Toronto. They could focus on that busy initial puppy potty-training time without interruption.

Now Katherine turned into the narrowest of winding streets in the
vieille ville
, her most favorite part of Antibes. She pictured herself walking the same route in the autumn with her very own dog at her side. She smiled inwardly as she carried on through the cobblestone laneways, past the Musée Picasso and down to the waters edge at the Plage de la Gravette.

Memories of her walks with Pico filled her mind, and she wondered if they would be able to train their dog to walk without a leash like he did.

She couldn’t wait!

Annette swung by to collect Kat at 1:00 p.m. In the backseat of her car, she had a cat carrier along with a crate filled with a litter box, cat food, and toys.

“Well, you are clearly serious about this. What if they don’t have exactly what you’re looking for?”

“
Mon amie
, I’m not in research for nothing. I did my homework, and that’s why we are going to the
refuge des animaux
near Mougins. I made a lot of phone calls in the last two days. This one has a two-year-old female tabby that sounds perfect.”

“I just had a thought,” Katherine said. “What if your mom has pet allergies now? It happens sometimes as people age.”

“If that happens, they will take the cat back. It’s on a trial basis. I had a long conversation with a worker at the refuge, and then we did a Google Hangout so I could see the cat for myself. Unless I am very wrong, she’s adorable. I even heard her purr!”

“I’m happy you are so enthused about this,” Katherine said. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if adopting a cat became a way of helping your mom . . . and you.”

Annette gave Kat a hopeful look. She maneuvered the winding, switchback corners in a way Kat had come to understand only locals could do. “You know, Annette, someday I hope to drive these roads half as smoothly as you do.”

Annette laughed knowingly. “I’ve had a lifetime of practice.”

Traffic was heavy on the scenic drive up the meandering road to the medieval hilltop village of Mougins, just fifteen minutes north of Cannes. “There must be something special going on, which is not unusual for this active community!”

“I love this drive, in spite of the traffic,” Katherine told her, admiring the sweeping views down to Cannes and the sea beyond. “And cycling here is even better—especially the ride down. I’ve spent so much time at the museum of photography here, they’ve told me I’m definitely the winner of the Most Frequent Visits award!”

“I can imagine! That Picasso photography exhibit is unique, isn’t it? Such an intimate look at his personal life. I guess you know that Picasso lived just outside Mougins in the
mas
Notre-Dame-de-Vie for the last thirteen years of his life and that his old studio is the tourist office in town now.”

“Villers’s photography of Picasso living his life is unbelievable,” Katherine raved. “But there’s also the iconic photographic portraiture of so many avant-garde European artists, writers, and intellectuals. It’s a fascinating place for me. There’s always something new to discover there.”

“Have you been to the new Museum of Classical Art here? It’s supposed to be amazing as well, but I haven’t made it there yet. Even though this village is small, there’s a lot to keep you here.”

“
D’accord!
We haven’t been there yet, but it’s on the list,” Katherine said.

She made a mental note that the village would be a good place to bring Molly once she could walk again. She knew Molly would be thrilled just to know Edith Piaf had once hung out there and had owned a home nearby for years.

Kat pointed out, “This is another village that holds its history in the ancient buildings still in use. Even though the restaurants draw a crowd, there’s still a feeling of authenticity here, don’t you think?”

Annette nodded her agreement. “Driving up here isn’t as much fun as it used to be, because of the traffic, but once you’re here, it’s definitely worth it.”

“L’Amandier is my favorite restaurant, sitting out on the terrace with that panoramic view in the other direction across the valley and forests and over to Grasse . . .” Kat’s voice trailed off.

The road climbed, passing through the modern urban spread that lies below the original village. Soon the stone buildings perched on the hilltop came into view.

As she parked the car beside the former olive mill that was turned into a
refuge des animaux
, Annette worried aloud, “I hope I’m not disappointed!”

Katherine had never been to an animal shelter before and didn’t know what to expect. She anticipated something noisy and smelly. This one was immaculate. They walked into a small office to be greeted by a young woman with exaggerated black eyeliner and lipstick, and more tattoos and piercings than Kat had ever seen. She was wearing serious goth attire with fishnet stockings and leather boots, towering on high wedge heels.

Kat hoped she wasn’t staring as overtly as Annette. It was hard not to, she had to admit.

Annette quickly recovered her manners. She explained she was the woman who had called the day before about a cat for her elderly mother.

The young woman’s eyes lit up immediately. “Wait just a moment, dear ladies, and please have a seat. You want to meet Felicette! You will love her.”

As they sat and waited, Katherine looked at the posters, in French, English, and Russian, along with photos of dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and mice that adorned the walls.

Grinning, she read out loud, “Adopt me. I’m pawsitively perfect.”

Annette was still getting over her first reaction to the young woman. “Have you ever? I couldn’t stop staring! I didn’t think she would be able to put two words together or to articulate properly with all of those piercings around her mouth. Yet her English is as good as her French, and she seems like the sweetest, most polite young lady. Fascinating!”

Katherine nodded and was about to respond when the girl returned with a healthy-looking gray tabby in her arms. There was something about the way she held the cat that gave a sense of innate affection for the animal. She sat beside them and said, “Meet Felicette, one of the sweetest cats we have ever seen. All she wants to do is cuddle,
oui
?”

With that, the cat stretched her head up and affectionately rubbed underneath the girl’s chin, purring loudly. “See what I mean?” she laughed, and then asked Annette if she would like to hold the cat. Katherine could see that Annette felt very comfortable with the animal as Felicette settled in a ball on her lap.

“She is adorable, and her coat is as soft as silk,” Annette said, stroking the cat’s back. “Plus, she’s a nice size. Not too big. I think she might be just what we are looking for. What do you think, Katherine?”

Kat agreed that the cat seemed very sweet. The girl gave them her background and explained she had belonged to an elderly woman who had died. The woman’s family had allergies and couldn’t take the cat, so she had ended up at the refuge. “We were hoping someone would take her and here you are! I love happy endings.”

Smiling inwardly, Kat thought again how first impressions are so wrong sometimes. This young woman’s manners were expressed with warmth and sensitivity. She was absolutely delightful, not at all what one’s first glimpse of her suggested.

“I’ve never been to a pet shelter,” Katherine told her. “How many animals do you have here? It’s so quiet—I don’t imagine there are many.”

The girl chuckled. “Come with me.”

Looking up from the floor, where she was playing with the kitten and a piece of string, Annette said she would wait there.

“My name is Delphine and I hope to be a veterinary technician one day,” the young woman introduced herself as she pushed open a heavy door and they walked into the immaculate room. The sound level was definitely at a higher volume.

This area was much larger, with a white tile floor and white walls lined with shelves of animal crates. A few were empty. But inside most of the crates, curious furry faces pressed against the wires. A chorus of meows and barks greeted them.

At a quick glance, Katherine estimated there were thirty animals in the room. Her heart felt sad suddenly to think all these animals needed homes.

Delphine had treats for them and called them all by name. A few cats and dogs were sleeping deeply, and some kittens were too busy wrestling with each other to pay any attention, but even so, Delphine stopped to leave a treat or offer a gentle scratch as she passed by.

“You seem to love working here with all of the critters,” Kat said.

Delphine’s face lit with a sparkling smile. “It is the best place to work. I come every day after school and on weekends. I adore animals and want them to feel loved. Some of the pets that come here have never felt that, we can tell. So what a sweet job I have to deliver that kindness to them. We keep every one until they have found a home.”

“Cats and dogs—oh, and a rabbit and turtle—in the same room. That’s not a problem?” Kat asked.

“Not at all,” Delphine assured her. “Do you have a pet?”

“We’re getting a pup, a yellow Lab, once the litter is born in a few months.”

“Labs are such fun. We have some here, though not purebred, of course.” Delphine stopped by a large crate in which two balls of chocolate brown fluff were having way too much fun, leaping on and nipping each other and tumbling about. Kat knelt down, and two wet noses immediately protruded through the wires. “They’re so cute and so funny,” she said as they quickly resumed their rough-and-tumble routine.

“Here,” said Delphine, spreading a throw sheet on the floor, “we can let them out.”

Katherine squatted down to pet the pups and was instantly bowled over by them charging into her. Laughing, she attempted to scoop the wiggling bundles into her lap. They bounced around, trying to lick her face and scramble all over her.

Delphine joined her on the floor to play with them. “These two were from a litter of ten, and they were the only ones alive when we found them. I heard the heartbreaking tale. So these are a feisty pair, brother and sister, with a strong will to survive.”

Looking around the room, Katherine said, “It’s hard to believe that people can mistreat such innocent creatures or simply abandon them.”

“C’est la vie,”
Delphine replied with a rueful expression. “We do our best to fix that.”

Annette came through from the front room, the cat still comfortably ensconced in her arms. “What’s all the hilarity in here? I didn’t want to miss out.”

“Look at these two fluffballs! Aren’t they adorable? Oh, this makes me so eager to get our pup!”

“Why wait?” Delphine asked. “Take one of these.”

“Well, no. I mean . . . well, what do you know about them?”

“I know their mother was a chocolate Lab. We don’t know what the father was, but they seem to have all the strong Lab characteristics. We found them when they were very young, so they have been with us for just over two months. They were too young to be adopted until now. That means they’ve been well treated by us, and not abused like some older ones that arrive here.”