The Promise of Provence (Love in Provence Book 1) by Patricia Sands Read Free Book Online

feel destroyed.”
    “I can stay tonight, Kat,” Andrea offered without hesitation.
    “No, really, I’ll be okay. I just needed to say that to you. It helps to say it out loud.”
    “Call me. Any time. You know that.”
    “Of course I do, and I will. I have no doubt about that. You’ve been a rock, as always.”
    They both teared up slightly and then gave each other a shake.
    “Enough already,” said Katherine. “I’m done for now.”
    They had decided Katherine and her mother would go up to St. Jacobs the following weekend, and Kat would focus on that. It would be Canadian Thanksgiving, her family’s favorite celebration. James had even enjoyed it. That was going to be a tough one.
    In the bedroom, she stripped the sheets from the bed, gathered all the towels from the bathroom, and stuffed everything in the washing machine. His scent was everywhere, despite her efforts to ignore it. The freshly showered and shaved smell she knew so well. His allergies kept any fragrances out of the house.
    She had loved how he smelled. Now she wanted to be rid of it.
    Immersing herself to her neck in a steaming bubble bath, she distracted herself by staring at the map of the Riviera at the foot of the tub. She thought about some of the French perfumes she had enjoyed wearing before she met James and his allergies. Maybe it was time to enjoy them again.
    Sipping a mug of warm milk in bed afterward, she found the sleep she had been seeking.

    Shortly after noon on Monday, Katherine walked into the office and broke the news, apologizing for not being honest when she called in sick.
    Sitting on the edge of her desk, she could easily connect with everyone in the small open space . “I have something to tell you and don’t want to have to say it individually, so please bear with me. James and I are divorcing, and that’s why I was away.”
    Sympathetic responses and shocked expressions were the collective reactions.
    “Let us know if there is anything any of us can do,” Dr. Henderson said as he went over and put his arm around her shoulder.
    Katherine clutched tissues and swallowed hard, nodding silently for a few seconds. “Right now the best thing for me to do is to get back to work and think about something other than myself. I really appreciate your support.”
    Laura put on the kettle and suggested a cup of tea, which Katherine gratefully accepted.
    Later, Lucy came over to hug her and deliver a note that included some Chinese characters intended to be empowering and energizing. She offered to help in any way she could. Typical Lucy , Katherine thought appreciatively.
    She was glad everything else in her life was under control.
    At least I have plenty of work to keep me busy.

    Looking back on it a month later, Katherine was astounded at how quickly everything about the separation and divorce proceedings was organized. With no children involved and all financial and property holdings in both their names, it was a straightforward arrangement: cut it all right down the middle.
    There had been one brief, awkward telephone conversation that had ended with Kat hanging up in tears. Then there was the voicemail tirade he left upon discovering the remains of his bicycle. In fact, she had not even needed to see James in person. The thought of it made her feel ill, so the few issues they needed to discuss were handled by e-mail. It was all kind of surreal, but it worked.
    Katherine and her mother had spent Thanksgiving weekend at Andrea’s farm. It had poured rain most of the time and they passed the time reading, cooking, and playing board games. It had certainly not been the usual happy time, but they had made the best of it. Andrea’s three kids were around and helped to keep the energy levels from flagging.
    The wheels had been quickly set in motion by Kat during the week before they went out to St. Jacobs.
    The townhouse was up for sale.
    Katherine had no desire to stay on and be surrounded by memories that now felt tainted and