Christmas in Bayeux

By Stephanie Burkhart

Aiden is searching for that something he can’t define. After spending time in Iraq and losing his parents, he travels to France looking for that undefined something to give meaning to his life. Aiden reconnects with the one that got away, Noelle Rousseau, and quickly discovers that having purpose has ignited his life in a way he never thought possible.

Noelle is trying to make ends meet. After giving up teaching to run a bed and breakfast, she’s learning that new challenges can be daunting, even with help from her friends. When Aiden steps back into her life, she learns that trust is not only rewarding, but scary.

Aiden thrives as he helps Noelle prepare for the Christmas season, but can both of them learn to trust, hope, and believe that love will offer them a future if they can only dare to believe?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie Burkhart
• Release date: May 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798989144853

Stephanie Burkhart

I was born and raised in Manchester, NH. When I was 18, I joined the Army. I spent 11 years active duty from 1986-1997. Currently, I work for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher.As of APR 2024 the following books are avail on Amazon as an Ebook:Night of MagicJourney of the HeartMr. Christmas ElfChristmas in BayeuxArrow Through the HeartA Polish HeartMoldavian Moon Book 1:The Wolf's TormentThe following are available In Print on Amazon:A Polish HeartChristmas in BayeuxThe Wolf's TormentThe following Children's books are available at 4RV Publishing:The Giving MeadowBrady's Lost BlanketJoseph's CradleFirst Flag of New Hampshire

Book preview

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Smashwords Edition

Christmas in Bayeux

Copyright © 2021, 2024 Stephanie Burkhart

All rights reserved.

Digital ISBN: 979-8-9891448-5-3

Cover Design by: Karen Michelle Nutt

http://stephanieburkhart.com/

[Revised Edition]

All rights reserved under U.S. and International copyright law. This book is licensed only for the private use of the purchaser. May not be copied, scanned, digitally reproduced, or printed for re-sale, may not be uploaded on shareware or free sites, or used in any other manner without the express written permission of the author and/or publisher.

For permissions contact: [e-mail].

Christmas in Bayeux is a work of fiction. Though actual locations may be mentioned, they are used in a fictitious manner and the events and occurrences were invented in the mind and imagination of the author except for the inclusion of actual historical facts. Similarities of characters or names used within to any person – past, present, or future – are coincidental except where actual historical characters are purposely interwoven.

Author’s Website: http://StephanieBurkhart.com.

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Christmas in Bayeux

Seasonal Contemporary Romance.

After a rough year in a war zone and losing his parents, Aiden travels to Bayeux, France to find peace. There he meets up with Noelle Rousseau, who was an exchange student previously with his family. Noelle is happy to see him again, but faces her own challenges, trying to make ends meet at her estate, Mont Saint Theresé. Can a little Christmas spirt heal their wounded hearts, or will family demands keep them apart again?

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Available online wherever books are sold!

Night of Magic

Mr. Christmas Elf

Journey of the Heart

Young Witchcraft

Christmas in Bayeux

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Dedication

To my sister, Christine. I hope you get

to spend a Christmas in Europe.

# # #

2021 Dedication

Thank you Kathy and Frank E for

sharing your ideas and reading.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Author’s Bio

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Chapter One

2010

A light dusting of snow covered the Renault’s window. Aiden smiled, preferring moist snow to arid Iraqi dust. He flecked the wipers onto intermittent as he entered the small French town of Bayeux. It was his first time in France, and it had been a long drive from Paris. He appreciated that the journey was almost over.

Bayeux was a small town, but it held the key to what he wanted to discover. It was only seven kilometers from Omaha Beach, and the American World War II cemetery.

The streets narrowed as he drove into the town proper. Thank goodness for the GPS he had taken. The buildings were beige and grey, dull against the winter white clouds.

He was grateful Noelle promised to be there.

He turned onto a more prominent street and there it was – Cathédrale Notre Dame de Bayeux. It was one of the oldest gothic churches in France. Noelle Rousseau stood before the heavy wooden doors, her hands tucked under her armpits. A scarf wrapped around her chin. She was the spirited foreign exchange student he’d met years ago when she came to study with his family in America.

He didn’t think he could come to Bayeux if Noelle wasn’t here. He parked the car. The clouds above suspended the snow. A couple milled past the church on the sidewalk. Bayeux was a quiet town.

Aiden allowed a small smile to escape the corners of his lips. Since he’d last seen her nine years ago, she had gotten taller. Her brown hair peeked out from her cap, flecked with copper highlights. Her cobalt eyes pierced his defenses now, just as they had before. He took a long breath. Despite the heavy clothes, she was stunning. He hadn’t anticipated that.

Her eyes swept over him and then sparked with recognition. Aiden!

"Bonjour, Noelle!"

She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a quick hug. "Bonjour!"

Her warm glow infused him, cracking a stiff battlement. Her genuine embrace filled him with a spark of a feeling, something other than numbness, but he had no word for the feeling. He took a step back and offered a small smile. It’s good to see you, Noelle. You’ve changed…

Oh, I was just a girl when I was an exchange student in your house.

You were sixteen.

Her cheeks reddened. "Oui– now I am a woman. How are your parents?"

They passed away while I was in Iraq.

Oh, I am sorry to hear it. They had such kind hearts. I adored them.

That’s part of the reason I’m here.

Her eyes softened. I was surprised to get your call. Bayeux is such a small town. I know there must have been reason. Come inside and talk to me. Her voice was warm, full of concern.

Noelle motioned toward the church. He grabbed the metal handle to the large wooden door, and she led the way inside. The vestibule was as cold as it was outside. They passed a votive candle display dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The rosary above the door rained down red, orange, and yellow shadows on the altar, which had a nativity scene beside it, reminding all inside the season belonged to Christ. Noelle led him to a pew in the back and genuflected, making the Sign of the Cross, paying her respects to the Lord. Aiden did the same and sat down next to her.

She took off her knitted cap and gloves. The waves of her hair tumbled down her back. She was slender and fair-skinned. Her eyes pierced the dim late afternoon light. Her high cheekbones were colored now from coming in out of the damp cold. Noelle’s slim, yet strong hands rubbed together to generate heat.

"What happened, mon ami?"

Well, you know I graduated from Boston College…

"Oui, that was the last postcard you sent me."

I joined the Army.

Oh? How long were you in the military?

Two years. I went to Officer Candidate School and I was commissioned a second lieutenant. After that, the Army sent me to Iraq.

Is that what you wanted?

Yes. I felt it was my duty to serve my country, after 9-11.

She nodded her head thoughtfully. "Oui, it was a scary time. I remember. How was Iraq?"

It wasn’t what I thought it would be.

"Je suis désole, I’m sorry."

I saw things…I can’t. It plays on your nerves. October, I found out my parents died in a car accident. He couldn’t articulate his feelings. He was numb. Feelings were like stinging nettles he wanted to brush off.

Oh, Aiden.

He was drunk and blew through a red light. My parents were killed instantly.

She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him fiercely. He allowed it, her warmth penetrating the numbness. Nettles exploded, and he drew in a hard breath. Drawing back, he placed his hands on her arms. His eyes grew moist. Feelings pummeled his heart, and he stiffened his shoulders, reining them back. A tear threatened to dribble down his face.

She pulled away and cupped his cheek with her warm hand. He felt raw and confused - and grateful that she was here now. He opened his mouth, but no words came out, and he closed his lips.

Aiden, the Army told you what happened?

Yes. They offered me a discharge and I took it.

And your sister?

Caroline has her husband and children. He paused. I felt like baggage.

"Je comprends."

He sat back a little more and drew in a deep breath, calming his aching body. A faint whiff of her rose-scented perfume steadied him. Thank you for being here. He paused. I saw a therapist for a bit.

Was he helpful? she asked.

I think so.

Well, your family was wonderful to me when I came to study to America. Whatever you need, I’ll do my best to assist.

His composure grew. Thank you. I want to see Omaha Beach and the American World War II cemetery.

She arched an eyebrow. Why?

My grandfather landed on Omaha Beach. I want to feel close to him – to feel what he felt about war. Maybe figure out how he dealt with what he saw.

Did he die at Omaha?

No, he died twelve years ago. But he knew war – how it played with the mind. He never talked much about the war – just his time in basic training and England, mostly. He gave me his box of memories, his military mementos, a journal, pictures. I haven’t looked at them, not yet. I was hoping maybe if I came here, he might be here in spirit. He always wanted me to come to Omaha and see it.

Her mouth curved with tenderness. Did you rent a room yet?

Yes.

What hotel are you at?

Hôtel De Brunville.

She frowned. It is a nice hotel.

You seem annoyed?

It’s the competition. I run a bed and breakfast next to the shore – Mont St. Theresé.

I thought you taught school?

It was my aunt’s. She passed recently and left it to me. It’s hard work and different from teaching, but I find it…challenging. Is that the right word?

It’s the right word if you want it to be.

My English is rusty.

So is my French.

She smiled. You let me know how I can help you.

Thank you, Noelle.

Of course. She paused. You’re welcome to stay at my bed and breakfast.

I have a three-night minimum.

She chuckled. Everyone wants their tourist dollars.

Maybe you can come with me to check in and we can have a nice dinner somewhere.

I would like that. She paused. Do you have plans, Aiden? How long did you want to stay?

Well, I don’t know how long I’ll be here. However long it takes, I suppose.

Do you have a job in America?

He shook his head. No, I don’t. I… His voice trailed off and he stared past her shoulder. His gaze caught in the play of light from the rosary - remembering how bright the light was in Iraq…

She turned around to look as well. Ah, the rosary. It’s beautiful.

Yes, it is. He glanced at her and it brought him back to the present. I wanted to put this year behind me – what I saw in Iraq – losing my parents. I don’t know, I want to figure myself out a bit, I guess. He paused and drew in a breath. That took a lot out of him to share his thoughts like that, and yet it felt freeing in a way. He wanted to feel again – not just nettles or prickles of emotion – he wanted to come alive emotionally.