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)
“I love this,” she said, clutching the cardboard to her chest.
“You chose wisely, Little girl. It helps that he was captivated by you as he worked. He was very inspired to capture your likeness,” Rio shared.
“How sweet. I liked him, too.”
When they’d finished exploring the artistic area, Rio guided her back down the hill to conquer the subway system once again. “Let’s stop for a drink and some lunch at Harry’s.”
“That sounds very American.”
“Oh, it is. An American shipped a New York bar to Paris and put it back together here. It was a fun place to work.”
Getting off at the L’Opera stop, Rio told her all he knew about the gorgeous gilt-embellished building as they passed it. When they reached the bustling bar, Rio took her hand and led her into the crowd.
She turned to look when a man called, “Voici Rio!” and tossed a white apron his way.
Amber let the French tumble over her without even attempting to understand as employees came from all sides to hug and exchange the traditional kisses to the cheeks. As Rio introduced her, she was surprised to be swept up in the celebration when everyone greeted her with equal enthusiasm.
She hovered by his side as he held her hand to ensure she wasn’t lost in the crowd. A woman carrying a tray swept past to deliver food to a table before returning to stand near Amber.
“So, it was you he left to grow up?” she asked in English with a hint of a Parisian accent.
“Pardon me?”
“Rio told us he’d left the US so the one he loved would have every opportunity to live her best life. That was you, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“And you are together now?” the server demanded.
“Yes.”
“Good. I always told him he was an idiot.”
“You haven’t changed a bit, Eloise!” Rio said, stepping forward to hug the attractive woman to his chest.
“Sit there. I will bring you your favorites,” Eloise ordered.
“And a glass of Bordelaise for Amber,” he requested quietly.
“Of course. I’m glad to see you together, Rio.”
Amber watched her Daddy hug the woman once again before following him to the table Eloise had indicated. She guessed that when Rio had been here before, they would have made a very eye-catching couple. Amber didn’t get any romantic vibes from the two of them—just companionable ones.
“Did you two date?” she asked, unable to resist the urge to double-check her hunch.
“No. Eloise is as dominant as I am. Her Little boy works here at the bar. You’ll pick up on their relationship soon if you watch,” Rio assured her with a smile.
It took a while. Amber was halfway through her delicious wine when she saw it. Eloise patted the bottom of a huge man restocking the bar with a giant keg of something alcoholic. There looked to be the same age gap between them as her and Rio.
“He’s the owner?” Amber asked, leaning forward to talk to Rio privately.
“He is now. When I was here before, he was the youngest son of the owner. He took one glance at Eloise and it was over. They’ve been together for years.”
“I’m sorry we lost so many years we could have been together,” she said, feeling sad.
“Our path was different. I don’t plan to be separated from you again.”
“Even to come work here? I bet it was fun.”
“It occupied my time. I needed to be busy,” he shared. “Enough of the past. Our time is growing short in Paris for this trip. Let’s go change for dinner.”
CHAPTER 16
For their last day in Paris, Rio had promised her something special. Amber couldn’t imagine that this small museum could hold anything more special than the Louvre with its vast collection of world-famous masterpieces. She followed him into a room and stopped in disbelief.
“Daddy?” Amber whispered in awe before turning in a slow circle to take in the beauty surrounding her.
“This room and the next inspired your playroom. I sat in here for hours and planned for time I hoped to have with you.”
She collapsed onto one of the padded benches as people walked through the room admiring the huge panels that lined the oval wall. “Who painted these?”
“Monet. These are four landscapes from his waterlily collection. He crafted them from the grounds of his Giverny estate.”
“I want to go there,” she breathed, taking in the incredible display of colors flowing together.
“Next time,” he promised.
“My room has more green,” she whispered.
“Your favorite color is green,” he reminded her.
“How do you remember all those things about me?” she asked. “I don’t have a clue what color you like.”
“Pink.”
She blinked at him. “Really?” Pink seemed way too girly for such a masculine man.
“Truly,” he promised, plucking at the deep rose-colored T-shirt that hugged his chest.
Amber nodded. She’d decided she liked pink a lot more than she normally would when he’d pulled that garment on this morning. “It fits you.”