Chapter 7: Sketches and Shared Silence

The pattern of the days began to establish itself, familiar yet filled with novelties. Mornings were reserved for labor, with Vincent and Abigail working side by side in the lavender fields. The afternoons were calmer, dedicated to leisure, discovery, and shared experiences. Abigail learned more about Vincent’s art, his love for music, his connection with the land, and Vincent learned about Abigail’s fascination with the new, her determination to understand this past world, her love for the unexplored.

One afternoon, under the canopy of an old, wise oak tree, they found themselves sitting on a blanket with a picnic spread out before them. It was a typical Provencal lunch, with fresh baguettes, local cheese, a selection of charcuterie, and a bottle of wine Vincent had fetched from the cellar. The food was simple yet delicious, the flavors a symphony that danced on Abigail’s tongue, awakening her senses to new gastronomic experiences.

As they savored their lunch, the sun playing peek-a-