Cannes, France:
Aemilia walks around the manor house she just recently bought in France. She decided to put down roots in France, instead of heading back to England. Since her French was pretty good and she could easily pass as a French woman. She thought it was appropriate, and she wanted something different. The old manor house she bought dates to the early 1800s and has been renovated several times since then.

She couldn’t have any horses on the property, but the property did have a nice garden that had both flowers, veggies, and herbs planted in it. The housekeeper she hired to tend to the place came highly recommended, and her cooking skills were amazing.

The marina where her sailboat was docked was only thirty minutes from her home. So, she could go sailing whenever she wanted to. As for Little
Joe, she has stayed in contact with him and was planning on visiting him in the United States in a few weeks.

She decided to see what it was like to date again, with her being on the other end. As for her period, her niece wasn’t kidding about what she was going to experience. Everything her niece told her about happened, including the crabbiness and the bloating she felt. Luckily, her flow wasn’t too bad, and between using tampons and pads together, she didn’t leak. She did purchase some period underwear that she could wear.

Sophie spotted her new employer, Aemilia, exploring the manor. She knew Aemilia was new to owning the manor and left all the kitchen details to her. As for meals and food allergies, Sophie knew Aemilia didn’t have any.

“Ms. Aemilia, I’m leaving to do some shopping. Is there anything you would like tonight or during the week?” Sophie looks at Aemilia’s back.

Aemilia turns around to look at Sophie, “No, I’m fine. I’ll leave the meal planning to you, Sophie.”

“Okay, ma’am. Do you prefer to drink tea or coffee in the morning?”

“Coffee in the morning and tea later throughout the day.”

“Very well, ma’am.” Sophie grabs her purse and keys to the vehicle she drives.

“Sophie, if you want to. You can take the Clio, instead of using your car.” Aemilia didn’t know if Sophie used her car to shop or not.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Sophie was happy that Ms. Aemilia allowed her to use one of the four vehicles she owned.

Sophie leaves to do some shopping. She drives towards the village to do her shopping. She grew up here and knew all the owners of the places she shopped at.

Aemilia steps outside and explores the garden. The place reminded her of her Aunt Helen’s place in Yorkshire. She and her husband lived in a stately home that had been in her family for ages.

Aemilia wonders what she is going to do now that she isn’t chasing after enemy agents and such. She had plenty of money to support herself and her lifestyle, but she needed something to do so she wouldn’t get bored. Aemilia looks around and sits down on a bench the previous owners had left behind in the garden. She liked how the garden was laid out. There were areas in the design where you had privacy, where you could be by yourself or make out with someone.

She relaxes, enjoying the cool temperature and scent from the flowers. She thinks about installing a beehive on the property. The garden would benefit from having bees flying around. Her cell phone dings, letting her know she received a text. She looks at who sent it and notices it was Little Joe. A smile appears on her face as she reads it and looks at the picture he sent with it.

He was sitting on top of a powerful horse and was herding several cows towards a large group of cattle. She replies and sends a picture of herself sitting in the garden. She sent the picture and couldn’t wait to visit him.

The two of them text back and forth for a while before she heads back into the house. She spots Sophie putting away the groceries. She walks over and gives Sophie a hand putting things away.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Sophie knew Aemilia liked helping, which was an unusual trait for an employer.

“You’re welcome, Sophie. So, what is planned for tonight?” Aemilia wonders what Sophie had planned for them.

“I was thinking of a veal dish for dinner, ma’am. The butcher in town had a nice selection of fresh veal.” Sophie couldn’t pass up the deal.

“Sounds good to me. Is there anything I can do to help?” Aemilia wanted to help.

“No ma’am. I got everything under control.” Sophie knew Ms. Scipio.

“Very well.” Aemilia heads towards the living room and picks up her Kindle, and starts reading.

Aemilia had purchased a Western novel and had started reading it. The setting was in Texas, and the main character was an old gunslinger. She becomes engrossed in the novel and doesn’t hear Sophie letting her know dinner was ready.

Sophie serves Aemilia outside on the patio. The weather was still nice, and Aemilia could see the marina from her place. When Aemilia takes a bite of the food. A low moan escapes from her lips. Sophie did an extremely good job cooking the veal.

“Sophie, you did a wonderful job on the meal.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” A smile appears on Sophie’s middle-aged face.

The dessert Sophie serves after the main meal was just as good as the meal itself. Aemilia knew if she kept eating like this, she was going to need to exercise more.

After dinner, Aemilia goes back to reading the novel she downloaded.