Her brow furrowed. Probably not the best combination of smells. And what a strange thought anyway.
She smiled and shook her head. Flights of fancy about sweet memories in pretty bottles ... goodness, it was like she was eleven years old all over again.
“Mel, we’re here.”
Melanie’s eyes popped open and she lifted her head. “I must have dozed for just a minute.”
Chaisley patted her hand. “At least you didn’t snore.”
“I donotsnore.” She gave Chaisley’s hand a soft pinch.
They exited the car, giggling.
“I’ll park the car and join you in a few.” Rick tossed Mel a light salute from the brim of his hat.
“Now”—Melanie released the word on a sigh and pulled Chaisley’s arm through her own—“back to Rick.”
Chaisley smacked her arm as she laughed. “Stop. He’ll be back any moment.”
“He’s good for you.”
“I think so too.” Her smile diminished. “But these aren’t exactly easy times. I—”
“Don’t. Don’t worry about bad timing, or how he works for the SIS and you’re a concert pianist, or any other excuse. Don’t doubt what you two feel. Just promise me you’ll tell me the minute you’re completely in love with him. Okay?” As if it wasn’t obvious that her best friend was already halfway there.
Chaisley paused her steps. She bit her lip. “All right. I promise.”
“Good. Now, do you remember anything about our first visit here?”
Chaisley lifted her face toward the sun, closing her eyes. “Only that it was heavenly. Describe it for me.”
Melanie let her eyes take in the scene before her. Large walkways framed a shallow reflecting pool and on this warm September day, the tower was perfectly reflected in the water. On the outskirts of the walkways were large swaths of grass that led to the groves of trees shrouding the small park. One particular pathway led under the tower, and Melanie could see the large field of grass where families were picnicking.
As she described the scene to Chaisley, Rick approached.
An idea struck Melanie, and she gave her friend a sweet grin.“Rick, would you mind walking with Chaisley for a bit? I see a street vendor and would like to get some postcards to send back to the manor.”
Rick’s eyes twinkled in the sunlight. “It would be my pleasure.” He tucked Chaisley’s hand in the crook of his arm and led her down one of the walkways. It wasn’t long before their heads were drawn together in conversation. Good. Perhaps this would be one more friendly shove toward accepting that they belonged together.
Melanie bought her postcards but took her time catching up to the couple. The chance to stroll and take everything in was too tempting to pass up. Oh, she loved being with Chaisley. Helping her navigate each new situation, building, and city had taught Melanie so much. What an honor to help her friend not only share her talent with the world, but also simply live her life as unhindered as possible by her blindness.
But now that Rick knew how to help Chaisley and took great pleasure in doing so, Melanie relaxed. She had time to stroll. To pray. And she had so much to thank the Lord for. Thus far their travels had been good, relatively free from danger and invasive German checkpoints. Especially once they recognized the world-famous pianist in the car. But after the Nazi soldier burst into the dressing room at Hitler’s private concert, and then the two that had been watching them here in France, they were all prepared for much worse in the near future.Please continue to strengthen us. And lead us in Your will.
Mel stayed twenty to thirty paces behind her friends, letting the sun warm her skin. She hadn’t felt this good since—
Her stomach dropped.
No. Please, Lord. Please keep the memories of that horrible night at bay.
But they rolled through her mind like a film strip. She shivered and fought the tears gathering in her eyes. She would not let thosehorrid memories ruin a perfect day. She was fine. Unharmed. Rick had gotten there just in time.
But Melanie couldn’t stop her eyes from darting to the left and right as she hurried to catch up with Rick and Chaisley.
“Are you all having a good time?” She prayed the note of cheer in her voice slipped past Chaisley’s internal lie detector.
Rick raised an eyebrow at her, but Melanie shook her head and slipped her arm around Chaisley’s.
“It’s been wonderful. I feel so refreshed.” Chaisley tipped her face toward Melanie. “Did you get your postcards?”
