Chateau de Paix: Nightmare Hiding in Paradise

By R. C. Jette

Whenever grief and stress rule our emotions, we can lose touch with reality. We begin to see what is not there and confuse realism with fantasy.
Margaret Anderson is a Christian who believed God would heal her mother. When her mother dies, her foundation crumbles and her world seems to be unbalanced.
She becomes angry with God for taking her mother. He had taken her father when she was only two years old. Now, she believes her fiance is going to call off their wedding. She accuses God of taking everyone she loves.
People try to convince her that she needs to grieve and heal from such a loss. Finding a brochure inviting her to get away for peace and tranquility at a chateau in the French Alps, she decides to take time off from work.
As Margaret meets others who are struggling with storms in their life, she realizes she isn't the only one going through a tough time. This reality allows her to begin receiving the healing needed.
However, as she begins to be enthralled by the serenity of the chateau, she discovers a nightmare is hiding in paradise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: Aug 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781725281738

R. C. Jette

R. C. Jette is a Christian author with a bachelor of theology, a master's in biblical studies, and an honorary doctor of divinity. Previous books published by Wipf and Stock Publishers can be found at www.amazon.com/author/rcjette. The author and her husband, Paul, live in sunny Florida. They have three adult children, four living grandchildren, and a granddaughter, Sarah, with the Lord.

Book preview

Prologue

A raven soars through the moonlight. Behind him, stands a gothic mansion silent and foreboding like a mysterious dark secret. From the raven’s vantage point is an old Oak tree below. As he descends towards it, the moonlight reveals the tree is centered in what appears to be a medieval garden with high walls. It is in full bloom with sweet bay, sweet myrtle, rosemary, sage, thyme, and beds of fennel, cabbage, onions, garlic, leeks, radishes, etc.

Strategically placed are almond, apple, cherry, fig, hazelnut, mulberry, pear, and plum trees. Red roses are planted near the South wall. Near each of the four corners of the wall is a statue of an ancient Hindu god positioned as if ready for war.

In the north corner is a statue of Brahma with his four heads and four arms. In the south corner stands a statue of Vishnu with his blue human body and four hands. Shiva with his human body, blue face and neck is situated in the west corner. Lastly, in the east corner is the goddess Durga with her eight hands carrying weapons of various kinds and riding a lion.

As the raven gets closer to the tree, a young woman, sitting on a bench under the tree comes into focus. Her pale complexion and long black hair seem to give her a bewitching appearance as she appears to be staring at one of the ancient statues that resembles a woman riding on a lion.

The raven, unnoticed by the woman, lands on the branch above her. Behind her two dark figures step out of the shadows and startle her. They smile, and recognition comforts her. The female offers her a nightcap. She takes the glass, the female and male join her in the drink.

The young woman realizes that something is wrong when she can no longer focus in her surroundings. As she struggles to stand up, she falls down to the sinister laughter of the male. When she awakens, she is in a foreign environment with prison bars.

Chapter One

The Water Cooler

That water cooler is beginning to be an adversary most formidable, Margaret mumbled as she went to sit at a table in the company cafeteria. She sighed heavily, set her tray down on the table, placed her pocketbook down, pulled out a book from inside, and sat down.

She held her book in her left hand and started to eat her low-calorie meal with her right hand. As she took a sip of her diet cola, she feels her blood boil as she views Carlotta heading for the water cooler. If Joel comes in and goes to the cooler, I do believe I’m going to confront them both.

Hey, a voice next to her said. Are you so overworked that you’ve begun to talk to yourself? Titus smiled and gestured to the seat opposite her. Do you mind if I sit here?

Of course not, Margaret said. But I guess I am talking to myself. She rubbed the back of her neck with her right hand. To be honest, I’m not sure what’s going on with your brother.

Joel? His eyebrows squished together. He’s an open book. I’ve known him since I was ten. That’s twenty-eight years, and my brother has never been anything but open and honest. He gave a throaty laugh. Of course, there were times when people didn’t believe this black guy was his brother. But when the Schneider’s adopted me at eight and brought me to America from Liberia, I know God can do anything.

Margaret’s blue eyes looked at him with sadness. I thought God could do anything, but I don’t know what to think now. She giggled. Sorry about that. I’m still trying to figure out why God didn’t heal my mother. She sighed. As for Joel, he seems to be paying a lot of attention to Carlotta lately. She nodded towards the water cooler. She looks like a fashion model.

Titus pulled his right eyebrow with his right thumb and forefinger. Margaret, Joel has been in love with you since you were in the Youth Group at church. His eyebrows squished together. Seriously, I think you should’ve taken time out of work after your mother died last month. According to Ecclesiastes there is a time to mourn. People need time to heal from such a loss. As a matter of fact, Joel has been concerned about you.

She shrugged her shoulders. I’m fine. I believe work keeps me busy and my mind off the grief. She giggled. Besides, I’m almost at the level for a nice bonus this year. She paused as her peripheral vision viewed Joel walking towards the water cooler.

Joel glanced her way, but Margaret pretended she didn’t see him. Watch. See what I mean, she whispered to Titus.

Titus glanced towards Joel and saw Carlotta slip a note into his hand. As Joel read the note, they both grinned at each other.

That’s what I’ve witnessed almost daily for some time now. There’s clearly something going on. She gestured with her right hand. Do I go over there and confront them? Do I just give him back his engagement ring? How can I ignore what’s happening before my very eyes?

Have you asked him about it?

Of course! She rubbed the back of her neck with her right hand. Well, not right out. I just mentioned how beautiful Carlotta was to see his reaction. She gestured with both hands. He just said the only beautiful one to him was me.

There. I’m sure there’s a good explanation to this water cooler thing. He gave a wide grin. I think we need to wait and see what Joel is doing. He patted her right hand. Believe me, if there was something, he would’ve mentioned it to me. We’ve had a David and Jonathan relationship since he was about six or so.

Margaret placed her long black hair behind her ears with both hands. I’ll heed your counsel and see what’s what. Her blue eyes widened. But what if he hasn’t said anything to you because he doesn’t want to be reprimanded? She gestured with her right hand. What if he’s waiting for the right moment to break the engagement?

Titus gave a throaty laugh. Margaret, Margaret, Margaret! What’s happening to you? I’ve never seen you so insecure. You must trust the Lord and quit leaning on your own understanding. He paused. My brother has never done an underhanded thing in his life. It’s not his nature to be deceitful. He pulled his right eyebrow with his right thumb and forefinger. "I’m not trying to seem controlling, but please pray about taking some time to grieve your