“Can I help?” Katherine peered around the kitchen.
“I was just going to peel the potatoes.” Julia pointed to a large bowl in the sink. “They’re washed and scrubbed. I’m making mashed potatoes.”
Katherine pulled up a stool to the large island in the center of the kitchen and held out her hand. “Give me a peeler.”
Julia obliged and the two women sat side-by-side, peeling potatoes and transferring them from one large stainless steel bowl to another.
Katherine held her potato peeler aloft. “Richard is very nice. He’s handsome and a true gentleman, and certainly the man can dance. But as much as I appreciate younger men, I’m not getting involved with him.”
Julia’s mouth dropped open.
“So please tell Rachel.” Katherine circled her potato peeler in the air. “She’s a good girl, but remarkably persistent.”
Julia almost choked. “Uh, I’ll mention it to her.”
“Now, I want to talk to you about Cecilia Marinelli.”
Scheisse, Julia thought but did not say.
Katherine continued peeling her potato and lowered her voice. “Tell me what happened.”
Julia stared into the bowl of potatoes and gathered her thoughts. When she was ready, she recounted the conversation that had occurred in Cecilia’s office.
“Codswallop,” said Katherine. “So how were things left?”
“I didn’t want to argue with her. I told Gabriel I’d like to speak to her again when I have the list of courses from Edinburgh. Maybe Cecilia will be more receptive then.”
Katherine efficiently finished her potato and began working on the next one. “You have to decide what you’re going to do, of course. I will take you on as a doctoral student, if you wish.”
“Thank you,” Julia said quickly. “I’d hoped to have you and Cecilia on my dissertation committee.”
“That may not be possible, if Cecilia is stubborn. But, Julia, Gabriel can’t turn down the Sage Lectures.” Katherine fixed her gaze on Julia.
“Of course not.” Julia reacted in horror. “He isn’t going to.”
Katherine lowered her potato. “Are you certain?”
“He hasn’t said anything.”
“That’s what I thought. It isn’t my business to psychoanalyze him. He’s a grown man and a friend. But there is something in him that’s self-destructive. And I fear even now he’s contemplating throwing the invitation to Edinburgh away, just so he can stay in Boston with you.”
Julia looked stricken. “He can’t do that. It would be a scandal and he knows it.”
“He had a scandal in Toronto and as much as I’ve forgiven both of you for keeping me in the dark, I’m still put out.” Katherine’s expression was one of irritation.
“Katherine, I am so sorry. We never meant to—”
Professor Picton interrupted her. “You are going to have to work out this situation with Cecilia. Otherwise, your husband is going to find himself all alone in a dark wood, having strayed from the sure path.”
The Dante reference was not lost on Julia. She nodded quickly.
Katherine lifted her potato peeler and held it like a scepter. “Cecilia is a friend but that doesn’t make her infallible. She’s punishing you and Gabriel because she’s jealous, and that is a poor look for anyone. You need to take control of the situation and not be manipulated like a marionette.”
“I will.” Julia’s tone was resolute.
“Good. And for the record, I am in good health and have no plans to expire.” Katherine recommenced potato peeling with new vigor, leaving Julia’s potato-peeling skills far behind.
* * *
“Come upstairs,” Gabriel whispered to Julia, after dinner. His blue eyes sparked with promise.
“What about our family?” she whispered back.
“Everyone is fine.” Gabriel gestured to the living room.
Diane, Julia’s stepmother, was chatting with Rachel, who was playing with Tommy.
Tom, Julia’s father, was doting on Clare and sitting with her on the floor.
Katherine, Aaron, and Richard were sipping sherry that Katherine had brought from Europe.
“Okay, but only for a few minutes.” Julia relented. “Otherwise, they’ll notice.”
Gabriel took her hand in his and escorted her upstairs. When they entered the master bedroom, he locked the door.
Julia stood expectantly, waiting for him to kiss her.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he entered the walk-in closet, switched on the lights, and emerged shortly thereafter, holding a tacky plastic pink flamingo that looked startlingly familiar.
Julia laughed. “Did you go back to the house and dig that out of the snow?”
“I removed it the day I met with the security company. And yes, I washed it.” He handed it to her, his lips twitching.
“What am I supposed to do with it?” She took the flamingo dubiously.
“Open it.” Gabriel pointed to an envelope that was strung artfully around the flamingo’s neck.
Julia placed the lawn ornament on the floor and removed the envelope. “What is it?”
“It’s your Christmas present.”
“You already gave me my Christmas present.” Julia gestured to the boxes and tissue that were strewn across the bed. Gabriel had insisted she open her gifts privately, and she was glad he had. He’d bought her underthings of various sorts, ranging from the elegant to the erotic.
She had gifted him with a new set of Montblanc fountain pens. And she’d had a very large black-and-white photograph of him and a newborn Clare printed and framed. The picture was so beautiful it made Julia’s heart ache.
“Open it.” Gabriel repeated.
She slipped her finger under the envelope’s flap and stuck her hand inside. She retrieved a paper palm tree.
“Paper dolls?” she asked.
“No.” Gabriel chuckled and turned the palm tree around so she could see what was printed on the other side.
Miami.
“I’m taking you and Clare on a holiday. We’re staying in South Beach, overlooking the ocean. Merry Christmas.” He appeared very pleased with himself.
Julia looked down at the palm tree. “I’ve never been to Miami.”
“It’s warm, there isn’t any snow, and the food is exceptional. We’ll be able to take Clare for walks in the sunshine and dig our toes into the sand. A true vacation.”