Paradise Found by Dorothy Vernon Page A

little perturbed, though, at the way Tony was ordering freely from the drinks trolley. She hated to sound as if she were nagging, but she wondered if he was being quite wise.
    â€˜Don’t forget you’re on medication, Tony. The painkillers and what-have-you that the hospital prescribed might not mix with spirits. And anyway, I read somewhere that alcohol is more potent when you’re airborne.’
    â€˜Great little reader, aren’t you? If you were in as much pain as I am, you’d want something to dull the edge.’
    She sighed. Who could argue with that? ‘Yes, I suppose you’re right.’
    * * *
    Just as Matt had promised, a chauffeur-driven car was waiting at the airport to take them to Les Pins, where his mother lived. Zoe was tired after their flight, but her exhaustion dropped away on the fascinating drive. Her eager eyes darted everywhere, much to Tony’s amusement. As she pointed out, he had been there many times before, but it was all new to her. She had never even been to France, much less the South of France, which had always had a special charisma.
    Although the fashionable resorts of Nice and Cannes were near to hand, Les Pins was not one of the luxury Riviera resorts. It didn’t have a casino or a nightclub; there wasn’t one millionaire’s yacht anchored in the bay. It was a charming old town set against a backdrop of vineyards and fragrant pine woods, with a promenade flanked by acacia, eucalyptus, palms, mimosa, and sidewalk cafés. Zoe fell in love with it at first sight and knew why Matt’s mother had chosen to forfeit the country of her birth and settle here.
    The houses rose in tiers. The one the driver stopped in front of was, as Matt had said, a split-level and had a quaint charm all of its own, with steps at odd angles and an outside staircase curving to the upper level. But the ground story had no steps; it was completely flat all the way back to the small sheltered garden, which Zoe spied through an arch.
    The house was called Les Charmettes. As a tall, keen-eyed, very straight-backed lady came forward to greet them, Zoe knew that she was going to be as truly charmed by the owner as she was by the house.
    If they had met in the street, she felt that she would have known this lady to be Matt’s mother, even though they didn’t share the same coloring. Her hair was white, but a silvery white that suggested she had been fair, and despite living in a sunny climate, she had retained her girlish English rose complexion. The similarity had something to do with the forthright way she looked at Zoe. It wasn’t until the assessment was complete that her chin gave a complacent nod and a smile curved her mouth. ‘Yes, you’ll do. And just as beautiful as Matt said you were when he phoned to make the arrangements.’
    Zoe didn’t know whether the wild blush stinging her cheeks was because of the close scrutiny she had been subjected to or because Matt had said she was beautiful.
    â€˜It was kind of you to say you’d have me, Mrs. Hunter.’
    Her hand was taken in a very English handshake, yet she was kissed on both cheeks in the French way.
    â€˜It will be my pleasure. I don’t get out as much as I used to, and I will appreciate some feminine company and chatter. We must start out as we mean to go on. Mrs. Hunter sounds much too formal. Tony always calls me Nan. I have a rather attractive first name, at least I’ve always thought so. It’s Hannah. I suggest that’s what you call me. Hannah means “full of grace and prayer.” After four boys, my mother could have used some grace in a girl, and after four boys I was the answer to a prayer.’
    â€˜I think it’s a charming name, and you have a charming reason for wanting to be called by it. I’d love to call you Hannah, if you’re sure it’s all right?’
    â€˜Zoe, when you come to know me better, you’ll find out that I