While she was still in Mrs. Lee's office, Brooke had met Father Luc and Brother Lucas. Captivated by the splendor of the young priest and by the sex appeal he gave off, completely in spite of himself. She was still unable to utter a single word and tried, as best she could, to regain her senses.
DEBIE : As I was saying to Miss Davis earlier, we had to adapt a little... Following the absence of Sister Lydia who is currently ill. Poor woman!
FATHER LUC : May God free her from this illness that weakens her and restore her to lasting health.
Brooke watched as the Abbot made the sign of the cross to accompany his words, followed by Debie and Lucas.
FATHER LUC : Amen.
Faced with her lack of reaction, the three pairs of eyes turned to Brooke, perplexed and an awkward silence fell.
BROOKE : What!? I'm not a believer... I never have been and I never will be, sorry if that shocks you...
A few seconds then passed until Debie spoke again.
DEBIE : The Abbot has generously offered that Brother Lucas accompany you for the rest of the time.
It took Brooke a few seconds to realize that she was going to spend the next few weeks in his very charming company.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : This is going to be real torture... A delicious but extremely sadistic torture!
Brooke then looked at the man of God who had just been assigned to her for the next few days.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Looking without touching... What cruel torture!
While assessing the handsome Lucas, Brooke noticed that she was not the only one to display a troubled and hesitant look. Mrs. Lee quickly perceived Brother Lucas's slight discomfort and the slightly heavy atmosphere that weighed in the room.
DEBIE : Brother Lucas, I can count on you to take over for me with Miss Brooke, right?
Lucas didn't answer and just glanced quickly at Brooke, followed by a more insistent look in the direction of the Abbot.
LUCAS : Of course... I defer to the enlightened judgment of our guide, Mr. Abbot.
Despite what he said, his tone of voice remained feverish. Brooke noticed that his features tensed and his jaw tightened.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Apparently, the idea of being my chaperone doesn't enchant him as much as it does me...
Faced with these rather obvious signs of tension, both in his speech and in his attitude, the Abbot intervened.
FATHER LUC : Let me enlighten you on Brother Lucas's reluctance and what worries him somewhat... My brother is, shall we say, more used to collaborating with male delinquents...
At the same time, Lucas turned to Brooke. She did not appreciate the way he studied her with a cold and impassive look.
FATHER LUC : We do not usually mix the sexes except for the office and on feast days... A close collaboration with a young woman would be a big first for a brother of the Community...
BROOKE : And why, then!? I may not be a believer but we are in the 21st century... It is time to evolve a little!
Brooke knew that she should try to control her nerves, at least the first day... But it was stronger than her.
BROOKE : With all due respect... I really can't stand sexism or any other form of misogyny! The church has always been a male-led institution. Respect for women's rights and their emancipation have never been one of its great concerns, quite the contrary!
Abbot Luc looked at Brooke without any expression, patiently waiting for her to calm down. Brooke frowned as she stared at him then turned to Brother Lucas. She noticed that he was sketching a weak smile.
FATHER LUC : Let me clarify that this is not about sexism or deviating from a thousand-year-old parish model... Let's just say that Brother Lucas's considerations are not progressive but rather moral... And that our fears are more about the undesirableeffects which could cause diversity, Miss.
Brooke blushed instantly when she understood that he was talking about a sexual temptation.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Oops... I missed another opportunity to keep quiet apparently!
A feeling of embarrassment and awkwardness took hold of Brooke but Mrs. Lee came to her rescue again.
DEBIE : But we will make an exception since it is the only solution...
FATHER LUC : Especially since I have complete confidence in Brother Lucas. He has always behaved more than exemplary, whether in the observance of his vows of abstinence and chastity or in those of obedience and poverty. And it would be very damaging to deprive oneself of his experience with people like you...
The Abbot seemed to search for his words for a few moments... Just enough for Brooke's anger, barely calmed, to resurface.
FATHER LUC : ... The delinquents.
Brooke stiffened and pursed her lips. Her nose curled up and she was ready to explode with anger at the Abbot again.
LUCAS : Dear Brooke, it is true that I have some experience with people I would rather describe as lost... Whether it is with the most destitute or those, like you, who have had some run-ins with the law... I am convinced that by discussing your journey and your ambitions, we will be able to shed light on your path together... Even if, I grant you, these introductions are at the very least questionable in terms of building trust.
Lucas's voice was simply captivating... Calm, calm, serious and suave too.
LUCAS : Your rather tough and spontaneous character promises some challenges that I will try to take up with courage and humility.
Silence reigned again in the room, but Brooke already felt a little relieved... Everyone else seemed to be, by the way.
DEBIE : Well, gentlemen, thank you very much!
FATHER LUC : Ladies, if we are finished, we will take our leave of you in order to go to the office...
The Abbot gave each of them a little nod and without waiting, he headed towards the door to leave.
LUCAS : As for me, I will meet you tomorrow morning... Be ready for eight o'clock, Brooke.
His gaze was gentle and his tone benevolent, but categorical. He noticed Brooke's slightly surprised look and then added:
LUCAS : Our days start early... But you will see, we get used to it very quickly.
The frank and relaxed smile he gave Brooke was the last thing she saw of the front of his body. But her eyes irresistibly followed his silhouette as it moved away towards the door and then towards the corridor, drawn like magnets towards his firm and muscular buttocks that she could unfortunately only imagine.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : See you tomorrow ... I'm really going to have to calm my ardor by then!
Later, Brooke was touring the immense estate with Sister Karen, the hotel sister of the Women's Community.
SISTER KAREN : You see, we live here very simply ... And we regularly welcome guests into our parish. Most often they are retreatants in search of spiritual renewal and calm ... We are also visited by couples about to get married, or by simply curious people ...
They were now walking in the garden of the estate. Like the courtyard at the entrance, it was magnificently maintained.
SISTER KAREN : It's pretty, isn't it!? We work hard on it every day ...
BROOKE : Why don't you hire gardeners!? It's a hell of a job!
Karen chuckled slightly at Brooke's remark but regained her composure to answer her.
SISTER KAREN : During your stay, you will learn that there is not a single thing that we do not try to do by ourselves. We work in the gardens but also in the fields, in the library, in the kitchen, in the linen room and in sewing ... There are also all the external missions ... You will participate in several of them, I think.
BROOKE : What kind of activities? I am sorry but I have a little trouble imagining what there is to do in the area ...
SISTER KAREN : Think again, we have a lot to do! There is the rest home, the hospital, the prison, the children's home ...
BROOKE : And you still find time to pray with all that!?
SISTER KAREN : Of course, let's see... What a strange idea you have there! This is our main activity! We devote ourselves at least five times to meditation and individual or collective prayer...
BROOKE : In a single day!?
SISTER KAREN : Of course! Come, I'll show you... It's here.
The nun opened a wooden door and Brooke entered a dimly lit room.
SISTER KAREN : This is our chapel! This is where we address our prayers to God, my child.
BROOKE : And like you pray here all together!?
SISTER KAREN : You don't think about it, my daughter... This is only for the nuns! The brothers, they pray on their side...
Curious, Brooke skillfully tried to get some additional information... Especially about Lucas.
BROOKE : So you each have a side, is that it!?
SISTER KAREN : Exactly, the monks are on the other side of the garden. We meet at the cathedral only on holy days.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : So there is only a small garden separating me from my hot priest... That's always good to know.
At the same time, Brooke felt her cell phone vibrate in the pocket of her jeans... She rushed to it.
SISTER KAREN : Did you hear me, my dear?
Too focused on unlocking her cell phone, Brooke only half heard the words she had spoken.
BROOKE : No, sorry... I'm expecting a very urgent call and uh...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : False alarm. It's not Owen! What the hell is waiting for to contact me!? I'm going crazy waiting! I'm even starting to fantasize about a priest... Total nonsense!
Disappointed, Brooke put her phone back in her pocket... And turned her attention back to Sister Karen.
BROOKE : Sorry! I think we were talking about the garden... And you were saying something about it...
SISTER KAREN : Indeed, I told you that one of our rules was about not crossing it. But I see that the rules seem to cause you some difficulties, don't they!?
BROOKE : I don't really like it, that's true. Just like authority in general!
SISTER KAREN : If I ask you this it is because another of our rules could cause you more trouble ...
BROOKE : But still!? Do not drink from a glass that contains the blood of Christ ...!?
SISTER KAREN : No. The one concerning cell phones and communications with the outside ... They are, let's say, limited.
Brooke then remembered the first words spoken by Mrs. Lee in the hallway of her office. She then played the innocent.
BROOKE : Oh really!? I didn't know! I will be more discreet then because I don't count on me to do without my cell phone ...
Karen observed her hesitantly ... Brooke expected to be scolded like a capricious child.
SISTER KAREN : Okay. But to avoid any trouble, I would advise you to reserve its use for your room.
Surprised by her answer, something told Brooke that she should thank her... But she didn't give her the chance.
SISTER KAREN : Well, it's time to show you to your room and let you settle in!
BROOKE : Good, because I'm really starting to get cold in here... My nipples are even pointing because I'm so cold!
SISTER KAREN : Brooke!
Later that day, Brooke accompanied Debie to the village... She had to go to the town hall. They left the estate and walked silently through the alleys, it was quiet and a little cold. While Brooke observed the bucolic landscape and the charming architecture of the surroundings...
DEBIE : So Brooke... What do you like to do in life? Do you have any hobbies, passions?
Debie was apparently trying to break the ice and put Brooke at ease... She appreciated the initiative.
BROOKE : It was a few years ago but... I used to love drawing!
DEBIE : Oh really!? Now that's a nice distraction... I've never been very good at it personally. And what were you drawing?
BROOKE : A little bit of everything... But what I liked best was the landscapes.
DEBIE : Oh! Well, I think your stay here would be an excellent opportunity to reconnect with this occupation... What do you think?
Brooke didn't answer him... Too busy diving back into her memories. She spent hours drawing the views that pleased her and inspired her...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : And I really loved it...
Brooke spent the rest of the afternoon following Debie and meeting with officials and beginners. She had learned at the same time that two important events were being prepared ... promising finally some animation! A charity gala on a regional scale to raise funds for the Stuttgart Foundation and the Community ... As well as a festive day intended to welcome the families and relatives of the monks and nuns. Even if it was nothing very exciting either, Brooke felt a little reassured about the rest of her stay. And appreciated the fact that she should finally not die of boredom in the village of Le Bec-Hellouin .