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

seen for years, and for sure since Jozsef left us. We have only recalled happy memories. There’ve been some painful moments, but we’ve tried to find the good in even those.”
    Katherine moved behind her mother, putting her hands gently on her shoulders. “We decided that nothing was going to spoil the time we’re sharing right now.”
    Molly raised her eyebrows quizzically at Katherine while Elisabeth wasn’t looking. Kat responded with a move of her hand that indicated they would talk later.
    Stifling a yawn, Katherine suggested they all get to sleep. “ Anyu , I can’t believe you stayed up this late!”
    Her mother smiled, a gentle look in her eyes. “Just like when you girls were teenagers, nem ?”
    “Except this time, I’m not sharing a bed with Katherine so we can yak until the early hours!” Molly said. “I need to sleep!”
    In the morning, after a typically delicious breakfast, Katherine walked Molly out to her car.
    “For Christ’s sake, Kat, are you really handling things as well as your mom makes it sound?”
    Putting her hand on Molly’s arm, Katherine spoke with assurance.
    “Molly, I’m not saying this is easy or that I’m not hurting, but one night when I was at my lowest point, I went for a long walk. I thought about this mess and decided I only had one way to go—up! I felt I couldn’t get dragged down any further, and I was darned if I was going to let James ruin the rest of my life—”
    “The shit-for-brains bastard . . .” Molly interjected.
    “Exactly!” Katherine agreed. “I’ve spent every minute from that evening on attempting to move forward, and I have to tell you, my mother has been my biggest inspiration. I look at her every day and think about what she had to move on from in her life. Then I realize my problems are nothing compared to that. It’s that simple.”
    Molly shook her head, followed by a look of pure admiration. “I don’t know how you can do it, Kat. You know how I used to go off the deep end whenever I had a fucking breakup—hence my aversion to any kind of relationship . . .”
    “Excusez-moi,” said Katherine. “What exactly is your . . . let’s see . . . how many years . . . ?”
    “Seven,” muttered Molly, looking up at the gathering snow clouds with a grumpy expression.
    “Okay, I would say seven years qualifies as a relationship . . .” Katherine replied. “With the enigmatic Antonio.”
    “Friends with benefits—that’s what it’s called these days. They just made a movie about that,” Molly curtly informed her. “We see each other maybe once a week—and it’s strictly physical.”
    “Ha! It’s got to be more than strictly physical if it’s gone on that long.”
    As Molly always did when the conversation turned to this secretive affair, she changed the subject. “Wait a frickin’ second, we’re talking about you, not me! I just wanted to say that I think you’re doing a helluva job dealing with everything. And the fact that your eighty- five-year-old mom is such a positive influence is a bonus. She’s a great lady, and you’re lucky to still have her.”
    Hugging, they wished each other a Merry Christmas. Molly had a busy singing schedule through the holidays, and Katherine knew that somehow the trysts with her elusive suitor also factored in.
    She is a character , Katherine thought as Molly hopped into her Zipcar and backed out to the street. She often wondered what on earth Molly’s secret might be.

    Christmas Eve was on a Saturday, making it very convenient for Katherine and her mother to visit the local tree lot at the nearby Anglican church. The pickings were slim, but they were happy to choose a needy-looking little blue spruce to be delivered that afternoon.
    Warmly bundled up, they slowly strolled the few blocks in the sunshine, Elisabeth’s arm securely tucked in Katherine’s.
    “It feels good to be out this morning with everyone dashing about taking care of last-minute details,”