Danielle L. Jensen's Reader Group discussion

As I mentioned in this week's fun facts, Catherine's character went through several iterations. This deleted scene is an intro to Cecile going to visit her for instructions back when she was more of a teacher/mentor type character.

“What excuse did you give your employer?” I asked Chris, keen to break the silence that had sat between us since he’d retrieved me and chased away my trepidation.

He shrugged. “Didn’t really have to give one. Told him that Fleur had been acting up and you’d requested she be exercised. It’s one of my duties.”

I nodded, glad that his accompanying me wouldn’t jeopardize his job. “Do you enjoy working there?”

Chris looked over his shoulder at me, one eyebrow raised. “You’re full of questions.”

The smile I gave him was a weak one, but I couldn’t seem to muster much more. I’d been restless all night, and what sleep I’d gotten had been plagued with nightmares. My head had throbbed continually and the need to be out on the streets searching had been almost unbearable. Twice I’d woken up to find myself dressing in dark clothing, and the third time, I didn’t wake until I was halfway down the stairs. After that, I’d refused to let myself fall asleep again for fear of what might happen.

“I’m curious about what you do,” I said. “I feel like all we ever talk about when we’re together is our hunt for her, and our problems to do with them.”

He turned forward, reining Fleur around a large puddle so it wouldn’t splash up on us. “It’s probably more important to talk about her and them than about how many loads of horse shit I shoveled this week.”

“How many?”

His shoulders shook with laughter. “I think I lost count after the first hundred or so.”

I giggled. “I remember how that feels. Just be glad it’s horses and not pigs.”

“I give thanks everyday for that!” He was quiet for a minute. “It’s hard work, but I like being with the horses. Taking care of them, brushing them, riding them. We get lots owned by travelers who are only here for a few days, and I like seeing the different sorts. Then there’s the regulars, like old Fleur here.” He patted my mare on the neck.

“She isn’t old,” I protested. “She’s not yet six.”

“I know, I know.” He looked back over his shoulder at me. “Do you remember when my Pa and I brought her over for you on your thirteenth birthday? I’ve never seen anyone so excited over a horse before.”

“I was happy!” I grinned at the memory, but it slipped away as I remembered what else had happened that day. “That was the birthday my mother asked me to come to Trianon. It seems so long ago. And yet like yesterday.” I watched the shoddy houses slipping past us, my brief moment of good humor fading away.

“Can I ask you something?” I said the words quietly, not sure if I wanted the answer.

Chris nodded.

“What happened when you realized I was gone?”

He shifted in the saddle, slowly my horse to a walk. “I saw Fleur running through our fields, saddle and bridle on. She was all lathered up and spooked something fierce, and it took me ages to catch her. I should’ve left her and gone looking for you straight away, but all I could think was how upset you’d be if anything happened to her.” He shook his head and made a soft noise of frustration. “Can’t say the number of times that I’ve wondered if maybe I could have stopped Luc from taking you if I hadn’t stopped to catch your horse.”

My eyes burned at the idea that he’d blamed himself, just like Sabine.

“Pa and I went opposite directions on the road, and that was when I found the broken eggs. I thought maybe you’d fallen off and taken no harm, and had gone to look for your horse. So I went up and down the road calling your name, and my Pa went into town. Fred arrived about that time, and he talked to Sabine, who, by our reckoning, was the last person to see you.”
I bit the insides of my cheek, trying to chase away pain with pain.

“We figured by then that something bad had happened to you. That maybe you’d run afoul of a bear or a mountain cat. But there wasn’t any blood or tracks. So we kept looking. The whole bloody town came out to search the woods and fields for you. Sabine even saddled up her little pony to come with me and your brother, and you know how she fears horses.”

A shudder ran through me. “She blamed herself. Last night she told me that when everyone thought I was dead, that she believed it was her fault.”

Chris was quiet for a minute. “I know. She told me as much herself.” He sighed. “It was after the first time I had seen you in Trollus, and I felt terrible about not being able to say something to ease her conscience.”

i love her interaction with her father, her father sure thing is one of the bestest father in the world

Nice scene, I like that it shows more of Cécile's friendship with Chris :)

Aaaw I love Chris and Cécile. I wish more could have been kept in between them. I also wouldn't mind Chris and Sabine ;P

Ellie wrote: "Aaaw I love Chris and Cécile. I wish more could have been kept in between them. I also wouldn't mind Chris and Sabine ;P"

I'd read that fan fic ;-)

I wouldn't mind some Chris & Sabine fan fic either!!

I like seeing how Cécile and Chris can be friendly and allies after all that happened in Trollus and his feelings for her!

Thank you for sharing, Danielle!