Page 82 of The Summer of Christmas

Chapter 25

Drew wasn’t the only one who was figuring out his next job. Most of the crew were also searching for their future film gigs, including J. B. As a caterer with a great reputation, J. B. usually had his pick of film shoots. He liked to combine his love of travel with paid employment, so he usually chose the more unique or exotic places. Or he chose home. Not his U.S. address but his familial home in Provence, where he’d been born and raised.

J. B. was lying in bed next to Frannie. It was close to midnight, and he was on the phone with a French producer that he’d known for years. He nodded as he listened. “Oui. Ça semble bien. À bientôt. Bonne nuit.” Then he hung up the phone and turned to Frannie. “Looks like I’m going to the South of France. My old friend is filming a comedy there for Netflix.”

“Lucky you.”

“Why don’t you come with me?” Frannie didn’t say anything, but her mind was swirling. J. B. interrupted her thoughts. “Come on, run away and join the circus.”

“It’s not too soon?” She wondered to herself if they were in love.

“I have a cottage in Provence.”

“Provence?”

Frannie quickly Googled it. She read aloud: “This sun-drenched countryside bursts with charm and historic attractions, including enchanting medieval hilltop towns and ancient Roman ruins. Small farms, fields of lavender, and colorful open-air markets add to the rustic appeal.” She put down her phone. “It sounds magical, J. B.”

“Yes. And it would be more magical if you were there with me.”

“But the winery?”

“Nick can handle it.”

“The restaurant?”

“That’s what your staff is for. You’ve created the recipes. I’ve seen your sous chef. He’s good.”

“That’s not a sous chef. That’s a kid I hired for the summer.”

“Time to let him fly.”

Frannie thought about it some more. She’d never really left Upstate New York. She’d grown up in Syracuse, gone to Cornell, settled in Geneva. She and her husband had always planned to travel once the winery was on stable footing, but when that was about to become a reality, he had gotten sick.

J. B. took her hand and looked into her eyes. “Viens avec moi, s’il te plaît.”

She melted. She couldn’t resist him when he spoke French. “That means please come with me,” he said.

“I know. I remember that from high school French.”

“Good. Then I am sure you will remember this too.Je t’aime.” And J. B. leaned in to kiss Frannie.

She whispered back, “I love you too.”Is this really happening?It was the first time that they’d saidI love youto each other. Frannie hadn’t said those words to anyone but her husband, and that had been over three years ago. SayingI love youto J. B. was a moment that Frannie knew she’d never forget. It also made her feel young again, and she liked that.

***

The next morning at Shepherd Winery, Nick unlocked the door for the crew. Large equipment trucks were in the parking lot. Gaffers and grips unloaded the lighting and dolly equipment. Nick walked into the adjacent family restaurant to grab a cup of coffee. His mother was already in the kitchen, prepping for the day’s meals. Frannie turned to Nick. “Bonjour, Nick.Un café?”

Nick was confused. “Huh?”

“Oh, I’m practicing my French. I’m going to go on location with J. B.”

“You’re what?”

“Going on location is how the film people say they’re going to go film a movie in a different place.”

“Oh.”

“J. B. has invited me to go to France with him. He’s working on a new French comedy there.”