Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Merci, infiniment,” Amber thanked him with her very limited French that Rio had taught her. She didn’t miss the glance he exchanged with her Daddy as he turned to leave.
“Don’t tell me… He’s a Daddy?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Quite possibly, Little girl. Or perhaps just a Frenchmen who appreciates beautiful women. This is the city of love after all.”
“Thank you for bringing me here. Paris is all I dreamed it would be.”
“I’m glad, Ella. I have enjoyed seeing it through your eyes.”
“What are we doing today, Rio?” Amber asked before changing the name to “Daddy?” when he looked at her sternly.
“I thought we’d visit the bar I worked at when I was here years ago after we head up there.” He pointed to a white building perched on a high hill. “Montmartre provides a gorgeous workspace for many artists.”
“Will we get to visit the Louvre?” she asked, leaning forward eagerly. “I want to see the Mona Lisa.”
“Of course. I think we’ll see that tomorrow. Then, I’ll take you to a smaller museum I prefer. There are a couple of rooms there I know you’ll enjoy.”
“Really? More than the Mona Lisa?” she asked.
“I think so,” he said with a small smile that made her expect he would be right. Even after years apart, Rio knew her at her core.
“I’ve been thinking about those plans you showed me on the way over,” she said hesitantly.
“Yes. Did you think of something we need to change?”
“Is there any way my playroom could be off the master bedroom?”
“You’d feel more comfortable having it be more private? Just for you and me to know about?” he asked.
Amber nodded and waited.
“I think that is a very good idea. I will ask the architect to put in an extra-large dressing area attached to our bedroom. I’ll send him a note today and ask him to revamp the floor plans to allow for that.”
“Can it have a window seat for me? I always dreamed of having one to sit and read in.”
“Of course,” Rio agreed, pulling out his phone and making notes. He’d already jotted down their desire for an outdoor kitchen area with a pizza oven and seating for at least eight.
Her mind wandered as he sent a detailed message to the architect. When an idea popped into her mind, she asked, “Do you think anyone you remember will still be at the bar you worked at?”
“I won’t know until I get there. Perhaps not, and we’ll just have a glass of good French wine before choosing a restaurant for dinner. You don’t mind going with me, do you?”
“No. I’d like to see where you worked.”
“Perfect.”
Riding the Metro was an experience. Thank goodness Rio knew how to plot their destination on the interwoven subway lines. Amber hid her grin when her Daddy discovered that during his absence, the stations had updated to completely automated ticket sales instead of attendants at the windows. It had taken him several attempts to figure out how to order tickets.
They walked up the cobblestone streets leading to Sacré-Coeur, the gleaming white church that sat on the top of the hill. Small shops and cafés lined the way along with artists at their easels crafting beautiful creations as people watched.
A man finishing a portrait of a small child caught Amber’s attention. It was a remarkable likeness that captured not just the outward appearance of the toddler but a spark of life.
When she lingered watching, Rio suggested, “Shall we have him draw us?”
“Oh, that has to be expensive.” She tried to brush his suggestion aside.
“You have not asked for a single souvenir to take home. I think my wallet can handle this.”
Rio turned to talk to the artist who immediately seized on the opportunity to create something special for them. Rio sat in the chair carefully placed next to the easel and scooped Amber into his lap. As they sat, he regaled her with funny stories of the people he’d met in Paris.
Amber had almost forgotten about the artist who worked silently next to them until he announced, “Fini!”
Rio helped her off his lap and they rounded the canvas to look at the finished project. Her heart leapt in her chest to see the expression of happiness and laughter on their faces. The artist had captured them perfectly. Rio looked devastatingly handsome with his silvery black hair and dark eyes. And Amber looked lovelier than she’d ever thought of being. They looked right together.
Amber glanced up at Rio and tucked her hand into his. Delighted to have such a personal memento of their time together, she squeezed his hand and turned to thank the artist.
He responded with a fast slew of French that she couldn’t hope to understand. Rio, however, answered with a smile as he handed over the euros plus a tip for the artist. When the portrait was securely rolled into a protective tube, Rio guided Amber back onto the path.