All Things New

by Felicia Mires

  Weeks turned into months as the residents of Cachet slowly returned to a semblance of their former lives. They began repairs on the vineyards and houses. Though there was no shortage of work to do, Chloe continuously felt useless. No one else would have thought so, but she no longer belonged in the town of Cachet. Her heart cried out to the Father for an answer.

  Lord, I'm new to hearing your voice. Could you make it plain to me? What is my purpose? How can my life bring you the most honor? I want to please you.

  When the answer came, it was from an unexpected avenue. A knock sounded at the door early one morning just as Chloe and her mother were cleaning up after breakfast.

  Remy set down his coffee cup and pushed back his chair. "I'll get it."

  The sound of surprise in her father's voice drew Chloe to the front room.

  "Yes," nodded Remy. "I'm the prefect."

  "My name is Claude Bernaisse. I've come about the Vicomte and Vicomtess. Might I have a word with you and your daughter, Chloe?"

  "Of course. I was just having a cup of coffee in the kitchen. Would you care for a cup?"

  Chloe rushed to the kitchen. "Maman, there is a man coming in for coffee."

  They barely had time to smoothe their dresses before Remy cleared his throat. "This is Rachelle, my wife, and Chloe."

  They all sat at the kitchen table, and Monsieur Bernaisse explained in great detail how the Vicomte and the Vicomtess had registered a last will and testament with a lawyer in Vichy. It provided for the distribution of their belongings if they did not survive the war.

  "I came to see you personally, Chloe, because the will stated that you knew where the Vicomtess hid the more valuable heirlooms. Then I saw the Chateau. Such a shame the Nazis blew it up."

  "Excuse me, but I sent a letter explaining where the heirlooms had been hidden."

  "What? Do you mean to say the treasure is intact?"

  "I can't say for sure, but as far as I can tell from an examination of the ruins, the hidden room survived. It was planned that way by the Resistance soldier that blew it up."

  The official fanned himself. "You mean to say the Resistance blew up the chateau…not the Germans as we were led to believe?"

  Remy interceded. "For the sake of the town, we thought it best to let the Germans think they'd accidentally blown up their own armory…held in the wine cellar. At the time, German reprisals against villages that aided the Resistance usually ended with the destruction of the entire town."

  Monsieur Bernaisse shook his head back and forth. "But why…why should the Resistance destroy the chateau?"

  "The Germans had completely ignored the boundaries of the Unoccupied Zone and seized total control of our town. They were using the chateau as a fortress through which they shipped troops and supplies for the upcoming advance on the Unoccupied Zone."

  "Ahh. The Resistance would never allow the Germans to utilize a nearly impregnable fortress as a means of further domination against the Unoccupied Zone."

  "Exactly. There was no question that the fortress had to be destroyed before it was too late to do so. If the Germans had been able to control the canal locks on the river, it would have meant doom for the Resistance teams escaping along the river, and the Germans would have controlled all shipping in this sector."

  Monsieur Bernaisse' eyes held the sadness of many Frenchmen when confronted with the unavoidable destruction of their way of life.

  "Too many things have been taken from us, solely to protect us from the Germans. The Nazis have a lot to answer for." He turned once again to Chloe. "Then how, young lady, were you able to protect the treasures? Did you remove them?"

  "Impossible. The Germans lived inside the chateau and inspected anything going out or coming in. We simply told the Resistance officer we wanted him to save the treasures. After sneaking inside the chateau, he studied the framework and claimed it might be possible. He set the charges to take out all walls except the one where the treasures were hidden."

  With his hand to his mouth, Monsieur Bernaisse chuckled. He took out a handkerchief and mopped at his sweating brow. "This is magnifique! Why, he is brilliant! Who is he? Did he survive the war? Do you know his name? We have to thank him."

  Remy glanced at Chloe, and she nodded. "His name was Jacques Conran, but his real name is Jacob Cohen. He was an agent sent in by the British to help the Resistance. His codename was the Lion."

  "That might be difficult to check. There was Resistance in every area of France."

  "Actually," interrupted Chloe, "he was with the Alliance. They worked very closely with the British, and they kept records. You should be able to find him. He was quite unique. He's a Jew from Germany. He escaped before the war and joined British intelligence."

  He cocked his head at her. "You seem to have found out quite a lot about someone in the underground."

  "I traveled with them for many months after the chateau was destroyed. They had no way of knowing the Germans would think their own soldiers responsible for the explosion, so, at my parents' request, they removed me from the possibility of reprisal."

  "I see. Your story is fascinating." He tapped his pen on the table several times, deep in thought. "Really, there's something else I was sent to tell you. I wanted to see for myself, but I have no doubts now. They made a wise choice."

  The Fabius family stared at one another then at Monsieur Bernaisse.

  "As you know the Vicomtess was never able to have children. Furthermore, she viewed Chloe as the closest thing to a daughter she'd ever have. Thus, it was her wish that Chloe be provided with a dowry."

  "I'm sorry…did you say Madame wished me to have a dowry?"

  He nodded. "More to the point, they left you everything. Except that which was already given to the state. But Madame had a sizable inheritance of her own. She listed every possession in the Chateau. If Germany ever makes reparations to the French government, you'd be able to claim all that Madame has shown here. She was a very thorough woman."

  Chloe nodded. She wasn't exactly going to receive anything then. For a moment, she'd thought about the opportunity to leave Cachet without being dependent on earning her livelihood. That had been holding her back.

  "Now…this list here…" He slid a piece of paper to her and one to her parents. "This covers the items Madame was able to hide away. Those starred items…now belong to you."

  Chloe's mouth gaped. She'd always thought all the heirlooms in the Chateau belonged to the State of France, but Madame had retained ownership to some very valuable pieces. If Jacob had truly managed to save the hidden room, Chloe would be very wealthy. She was struck by the parallels in her life with that of Rahab. Rahab had asked to retain all her possessions when the Israelites struck Jericho. One slender scarlet thread had protected her, her family, and all that she owned. The same had been done for Chloe and her family.

  In asking that Jacob protect the treasures of France, she'd unwittingly protected her own treasure. From prostitute to the lineage of Jesus, Rahab had been redeemed. And the same could be said of Chloe, from prostitute to the bride of Christ, Chloe had been redeemed.

  Monsieur Bernaisse was discussing a celebration, a memorial, and the presence of the Resistance when they opened the hidden room, but Chloe's mind was in a fog. They had to find Jacob! She had to tell him what God had done for her. If only he hadn't been in love with Marie-Madeleine, they could have been so happy. She would help him anyway. If there was anything salvageable in the room, she'd give it to Jacob's son. Surely that was something Jacob couldn't refuse. He'd sacrificed years of his life, his relationship with his child, even their very livelihood, for Chloe and the rest of France. She would repay them by making their lives a little easier.

  "Monsieur Bernaisse, I want you to find Jacob Cohen. I won't open the hidden room until you find him. And make him bring his son, a boy about fifteen. In fact, have him bring his entire family. They should see what he's done."

  "But…but, Mademoiselle, what if we cannot?"

  "He's
alive, I'm sure of it. Ask British Intelligence. Ask Marie-Madeleine of the Alliance Resistance. She was his superior."

  Monsieur Bernaisse left rather hurriedly, muttering about the vagaries of young women, but he agreed to search for Jacob.

  After he left, Chloe had a long overdue discussion with her parents. She had refrained from telling them that she had told Jacob to stay away. They had refrained from asking what had happened to him.

  "I sent Jacob a letter and told him to tear up the marriage certificate."

  "Why, Chloe? You loved each other. I could see it." Rachelle looked more confused than ever.

  "I was afraid he married me in place of what he really wanted. I set him free to go after it. I knew he'd feel honor-bound to come back for me. So, I told him not to."

  "Is this still what you want?" asked Remy quietly.

  "I want him to be free to love whomever he chooses." Tears sprang to her eyes. "But I'll never stop loving him."

  Her parents comforted her as best they could, and they helped her make decisions about the best way to treat the opening of the secret room.

  Chloe read the story of Rahab in the Old Testament and decided that a permanent memorial should be set up, using the stones from the Chateau. She wanted to have a record of her brother's sacrifice and what the Resistance had done for Cachet and for France. She designed it herself, twelve stones, just as in the book of Joshua. One with her brother's name, one each for Madame and the Patron, one each for Jacob and Joshua, one with her name because she wasn't ever going to forget what God had brought her through. She included one for Cachet, two for her parents, though they argued with her, one for France, another for the Jews of the Holocaust that Jacob had tried so hard to save, and the last she had inscribed with this, The Battle of Jericho, a monument of freedom for France.

  Two weeks later Chloe received word from Monsieur Bernaisse. Jacob had been found! All was ready. Would she be available for the ceremony in three weeks' time?

  Chloe sent word that she would. In the meantime, Chloe sent an invitation to Ferdinand and Antoinette Darnel.

  The townspeople of Cachet began construction on a new bridge to span the moat around the ruins of the Chateau. The town mason built the stone memorial and embedded a plaque on the face of each stone with the names Chloe gave him. When it was completed, Chloe kept it covered for the celebration.

  On the outside of the tower, they built a rampart that would sustain considerable weight. It was difficult to tell exactly where the hidden 'key' stones were, since all the walls looked identical. Chloe studied every inch of the remaining structure, and thought she had the correct location for the platform that would allow them to reach the hidden door.

  Her nervousness grew with every passing day. How would Jacob look? Would Marie-Madeleine resent Chloe's intrusion in their lives? From all Chloe had heard about her, she didn't think that possible. Marie would be proud of Jacob and all that he'd accomplished.

  Jacob received the official-looking envelope with the French postmarks with foreboding. Had Chloe pushed through a divorce without his consent? He ripped it open, baffled to find an invitation to a celebration in Cachet, where the French government wished to thank him for his work in the Resistance. They would be opening the vault, containing the hidden treasures, and they wished him to be present.

  The Prefect of Cachet urgently requested that he bring his entire family with him. Jacob found an airline ticket for his grandfather, his parents, Jacob Jr., his wife, and himself. No mention of Chloe. Why had Remy asked him to bring his wife? Chloe was already with them.

  Well, Lord, I've been asking you for a way back to her. I'm going to take this as a sign. Prepare her heart for our reunion.

  Then Jacob prepared his family. He hadn't spoken much of the horrors he endured during the war, but he had spoken of Chloe and her family. He'd explained that circumstances had kept them apart, but he hoped to see her again. Now he was able to tell his family that they were all going to get her.

  He and Jacob, Jr. took a long walk to the wharf. Jacob nodded at a fisherman who passed with his nets then settled at the end of the pier.

  His son dropped beside him and patted his back. "What is it, Papa? You didn't drag me down here to stare at the water."

  Jacob smiled. In just a few weeks, they'd grown so close. "You're pretty smart, young man. Well, it's just...you know some terrible things happened to people during the war?"

  "Yes. I read the newspapers and I've been to London...what's left of it."

  "London's a mess. I think some of the people are just like that...broken and lost. Jacob, I met someone who was hurt by the Nazis. You remember I mentioned Chloe to you. It took her a long time to get well. I love her, and I asked her to be my wife." Jacob stared into the blue eyes of his son, hoping. "I think Chloe's ready now, and if she says yes to me, then you'll have a new Mama."

  "I don't really need someone to take care of me anymore, but I think you do. Can she come live with us?"

  Jacob had already learned that his son had a way of declaring his needs through other people, perhaps a reflection of the war.

  "Yes, I hope so. I do need her…very much. Do you think you could pretend to need her…to make her happy? She wants a child...though you're practically grown now."

  "Of course. I have lots of chores she can do, especially feeding the chickens."

  Jacob laughed and rubbed his hand through his son's blond hair. "That's not exactly what I had in mind, but thanks."

  From that day forward Jacob, Jr. planned all the ways he'd show his new Mama that he needed her. And Jacob prayed. He prayed for God to give him a sign that Chloe was ready for them. He prayed fervently that all their hopes wouldn't be lost.

  News got out about the unveiling of the secret room and the memorial for the Resistance. Cachet filled with well-wishers and the merely curious.

  The Darnells replied that they would be happy to attend and would motor up for the day. Monsieur Bernaisse sent word that he would drive Jacob and his family to Cachet.

  The great morning came, and Chloe prepared for the celebration. She could have her choice of any number of outfits for the day, but she chose the worn yellow dress Jacob had bought her long ago. It was another way she could show him how much their time together had meant.

  She was finally ready and headed for the stairs, passing Jean- Claude's room. The door had been closed since his death, and Chloe stopped and opened it. She looked around the room, briefly reliving moments with Jean-Claude. So many things bespoke a story. Her eyes closed, and she drank in the faint remnant of his scent. Yes, the Nazis had a lot to answer for, yet God was bringing restoration into her life. She closed the door and proceeded downstairs, meeting her mother at the bottom.

  "Chloe, how do I look?" Her mother pirouetted before her in a new dress. Years of rations had left her mother trim and dainty.

  "Ooh la la, Maman, but you're a shadow of your former self."

  Her mother gave her a gentle smile, leaning forward to bestow a kiss on Chloe's forehead. "Aren't we all, darling?"

  Chloe was seized by sudden doubt.

  "How will I let him go again, Maman?" Tears sprang to her eyes.

  Rachelle put her arms around Chloe and stroked her back. "I don't know, but God does. He'll give you the strength when you need it."

  Remy clomped down the stairs, wearing a new suit and pulling at his collar. "I don't see why we have to get dressed up for a bunch of broken blocks! The ruins will not rejoice at our magnificence."

  "Now, Papan, do you want everyone to think Cachet is full of country bumpkins? Our Prefect must be resplendent."

  A knock sounded at the door, and Remy answered it.

  Monsieur Bernaisse stood outside with a big smile on his face. "They're waiting for you, Mademoiselle."

  "Did they all come?"

  He nodded his head, beaming like he'd done something positively grand.

  "Jacob Cohen and his family?" Her eyes were wide with hope.

&nb
sp; "Every last one. It wasn't easy finding him, either, I can tell you. We had to convince the British government we were honoring him."

  "What about the Darnells, the family that hid us?"

  "They're all in a place of honor. Now, if you don't appear, they will all leave."

  Remy took Rachelle by the arm, and Chloe followed with Monsieur Bernaisse. They strode proudly down the street as the citizens of Cachet cheered them on. Chloe kept her eyes fixed firmly ahead of her, afraid of what she might see when she reached the front of the crowd.

  Jacob kept his hand on the shoulder of his son as he watched for Chloe, but the citizens were so excited that he barely got a glimpse of her.

  Oh God, give me a sign. Give me a sign.

  As the crowd parted to reveal her and her family, Jacob wanted to jump off the dais where they'd made him stand. One look at Chloe convinced him that God had given him his sign. She was wearing the dress he'd bought her on their first mission together.

  He leaned toward his son and whispered. "She wants us, Jacob. We're going to be a family."

  "She's very pretty, Papa. I like her."

  Chloe took one look at Jacob Jr. and offered him a smile of welcome that would light his heart for a long time. Before she would make eye contact with Jacob, she searched the crowd for some sign of a wife. There was no one. Her heart beat erratically as she gazed into his eyes. She saw acceptance and adoration, and her heart knew. She wanted to cry, to scream, to forget the whole celebration if she could just jump into his arms.

  Monsieur Bernaisse nudged her to keep walking, and they stood near the new bridge. After a short speech in which he extolled the virtues and courage of the Resistance, he introduced the Darnells and Jacob. Then he explained that it was the genius of Jacob Cohen that had saved the priceless heirlooms in the castle's secret room.

  "Hopefully, when we open that door today, the treasures of our heritage will need very little restoration after their long sleep." He held out a hand, inviting Chloe and Jacob to join him at the bridge. "Mademoiselle?"

  Chloe kept her eyes on Jacob and raised her voice. "Madame. Madame Cohen."