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Chapter One

"You're Annie from the ICU, aren't you?" Jeff asked. "I didn't know you were going to be on this tour."

"Anna. I'm Anna Mulligan, Dr. Andrews--"

"Please call me Jeff. I don't want to be called Dr. Andrews during my vacation."

"Okay, Jeff it is. I didn't see your name on the travel roster." She offered him her hand and flashed her brightest smile.

Jeff took it gently but firmly in his. "I signed up for the tour at the last minute since I wasn't sure I could get the time off," he said as he gazed into her eyes.

Anna brushed her long blonde hair out of her face and smiled again. "I'm glad they gave you your vacation time. You work so many hours, you need it."

"You're right, I do. I haven't had a real vacation since I started medical school. What brought you here?"

"I've wanted to come to Paris for as long as I can remember. I signed up as soon as I saw the offer posted on the activity board at the hospital."

She couldn't believe her luck. To be on her first trip to Paris and to have Jeff suddenly appearing was more than she'd ever dreamed possible.

Just then, a leggy brunette approached Jeff. "Come on. We found our bags. We're supposed to meet the guide outside."

The brunette flipped her long ponytail, ignored Anna and turned in the direction of the exit. Jeff shrugged apologetically and followed after her.

Anna was crestfallen as she watched them walk away. For just a brief moment she'd allowed herself to think that maybe this was going to be her big chance. She'd been waiting for an opportunity to show Dr. Jeff Andrews that she was more than just a nurse. She retrieved her suitcase from the carousel and reluctantly followed the group out the door of the airport.

Standing outside was a young black woman holding a sign that said EuroTours. She was short, wore a brown wool coat, sensible leather walking shoes, a beret, and carried a closed umbrella. She smiled and introduced herself.

"Hello everyone. I'm Lurline, your guide for the time you're here. I'm American, but I've lived in Paris for six years, so I know the city quite well. Let's board and go to the hotel. I'm sure you're anxious to get freshened up." She started for the bus but stopped and turned back to the group, saying, "I hope you slept on the plane. We have a full day planned for you."

Anna spied Jeff as he put his luggage in the compartment under the bus. She felt a pang of disappointment, but vowed to herself that she wouldn't let this ruin the trip she'd planned for so long.

Her disappointment quickly turned to disgust, however, as she did a double take. A second leggy brunette joined Jeff and the first brunette. One wasn't enough? How could he bring two women on a trip arranged by the hospital he worked for? Everyone was going to be talking about him. She'd thought him to be a man with higher standards.

* * *

@/

Fatigue passed away as the group whizzed through the streets of Paris. Even though they'd been awake and traveling many hours, all in the group agreed they would be ready for their first walking tour of Paris as soon as they reached the hotel. They hadn't come all this way with the idea that this would be a restful vacation.

Anna felt like she'd come home. She didn't understand why since she'd never been in Paris, yet everything felt familiar. Los Angeles didn't feel this comfortable and she'd lived near there her entire life. She thought of her French ancestors and decided it must have something to do with her ancestral/genetic memory theory. She may have lived in Southern California her entire life, but her DNA remembered Paris.

The Hotel Champlain was quaint and old, built in the early 1800s, with a dining room that only seated twenty at a time. The group would be served breakfast in two shifts, with times being assigned alphabetically. A scrawny, dried out Christmas tree stood in a corner of the lobby. There were two elevators, each only able to hold four people and their luggage. Anna pressed the button to go up and the door opened, revealing Jeff and his companions.

"Come in. We can make room," Jeff said as he rearranged the luggage and brunettes.

"Thanks, but it's too crowded. I'll catch the next one or wait for this one to come back down."

Anna stepped back and watched the door close on the man she'd had a crush on for so long. She stared at the closed doors and thought about how unfair life was at times. Here she was on her dream trip to Paris and the dream man in her life shows up with two women. The elevator returned, and she entered it alone to go to her room.

She found her accommodations to be warm and comfortable. A private bath with a window looked out over an inner courtyard. In one respect she felt quite lucky not to have been assigned a roommate, but in another she felt saddened that she was traveling alone. Remembering her vow to herself to make the best of things, she turned her thoughts to the days ahead.

She unpacked and changed into warm and comfortable clothing for the walk to the Montmartre district and the Metro orientation that would be given by Lurline. Racing down the stairs to the lobby, she almost ran into two other women in the group. Both had gray hair and were plump. They wore long wool coats, hats, scarves and gloves.

"Hello. I'm Vicky, and my friend is Mary." She held a hand out for Anna to shake. "We work in the medical record department of the hospital."

Vicky was tall and wore her hair in a bun while Mary was a good foot shorter and wore her hair in a frizzy perm. They seemed as eager as Anna to see the sights.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Anna. I'm an ICU nurse."

"Nice to meet you. I'm so tired, but I don't think I could sleep a wink right now. I'm too excited," Vicky commented to Anna.

"I know what you mean. There's no way I'd miss out on this first day in Paris," Anna replied. "Besides, they tell you that the best way to get over jet lag is to get into the rhythm of the local time zone as soon as you arrive."

The rest of the group was already clustered in the lobby, chatting animatedly. Jeff was there with his two traveling companions. He smiled in Anna's direction and motioned for her to join them.

The brunettes were conversing with one another. They were tall and slender, almost identical, with wavy hair that cascaded down their backs. One of the brunettes glanced at Anna, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she did so. Their eyes met, but Anna turned quickly away, acting as if she hadn't seen the brunettes or Jeff. She couldn't believe how she'd misjudged him.

* * *

@

The excited tourists didn't mind the cold air nipping at their cheeks as they stepped outside. Prices for tours were much less expensive during the winter months and there were fewer tourists to contend with. They walked briskly, covering the two short blocks to the Metro stop nearest the hotel in just a few moments. A sweet scent emanated from a stand on the corner where a woman was cooking what looked like pancakes. Lurline explained they were crepes spread with a hazelnut filling. The group stopped so a few people could buy crepes, and then headed on to the Metro. They descended the stairs into the subway, and Lurline demonstrated how to buy tickets from the automatic vending machines located there.

"We're in Rome station. Paris' subway system is arranged to enable passengers to easily get anywhere using the Metro," explained Lurline. "Most people who live in the city use the subway instead of their cars. The subways are clean and safe. Frequently musicians will play as they ride along, leaving their guitar cases open for tips. Occasionally a drunk or homeless person will get on a car just to sleep."

The map on the wall showing all the lines in Paris mesmerized Anna. Each line was color coded in red, orange, yellow, green, pink, or one of two shades of blue. Each station and stop was clearly marked. They boarded the subway with instructions to exit at Place de Clicy.

Following their exit, they began the walk through the winding streets of Paris towards the Basilica of the Sacre-Couer of Montmarte. The houses were right next to each other, but were distinctly different from one another, having been painted and decorated with their own individual style.

"You know, Sacre-Couer was built as a symbol of national revival after the disastrous Franco-Prussian war in 1870," Vicky said as she caught up to Anna.

"I see you've been doing your homework," Anna said.

"Well, I am a bit of a history buff."

They climbed the rue Ravignan and entered the Emile Goudeau, the little square where Picasso and Braque had their studios. Around the corner the rue Orchampt led to the steep and winding rue Lepic where Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo once lived. Small shops opened onto the sidewalks. Frenchmen and women hurried along carrying the day's groceries in woven bags, long loaves of crusty brown bread sticking out the sides.

"I'm glad I work out on the elliptical trainer. These hills are steep."

Anna turned towards the male voice and was surprised to see Jeff smiling at her.

"What's an elliptical trainer?" she asked.

"It's one of those cardio machines at the gym. I just mean these steep streets would be hard to navigate if you weren't in shape."

Anna looked over her shoulder at the two giggling brunettes that didn't seem to be having any trouble walking up the hill.

"I guess it's important to keep in shape for anything that might come up," she commented before rushing off to join Mary and Vicky.

It was winter, cold and gray with a dreary light rain misting around them. Some of the group opened their umbrellas, but Anna preferred to feel the cool rain on her face. Her hair was getting damp and would dry to a mass of frizzy curls, but she didn't care. She wanted to live it all, to taste and to feel Paris throughout her whole being. She found the damp rain to be much more invigorating than a nap would have been. She thought about how romantic this would be if she had the man of her dreams walking with her, holding her hand to keep her from slipping in the rain. Too bad he was walking arm-in-arm with those other two women.

She turned her attention back to the tour. "Paris must be magnificent in the springtime, but it is really special now," Anna said. "It's so mysterious, so brooding. I feel like Paris knows all and has secrets to share with me. Don't you agree, Vicky?"

"Sure, Anna," answered Vicky. "I think you have jet lag. Right now all I feel is cold and wet. I hope we get to that old church soon."

Sacre-Couer came into view through the mist, a spectacle of beautifully ornate white domes and arches. A long flight of steps led to the entrance. Anna thought the view from the top of the stairs must be magnificent on a clear day and was disappointed she couldn't see much now. Inside, the cathedral was curiously quiet considering the crowd of people within. All who entered treaded softly and reverently upon this site where the first martyrs of Paris had met their end. Anna was awed to think that at one time Saint Joan of Arc had walked upon the same steps she was now walking on. The interior was cavernous, the ceilings high and held up by large stone columns. It was dark and warm despite the lack of any type of heating units. Candles throughout lent a soft glow reflected on the stone walls, adding to the feeling of warmth. It was January 6th and the Christmas Nativity was still in place in one alcove of the cathedral.

As they exited, the devout dipped their fingers in holy water provided at the door and slowly crossed themselves. Anna looked to her left and caught Jeff as he crossed himself. His blue eyes smiled invitingly at her. She did not return the smile as she watched him approach her.

"I'm learning a lot about you," Jeff said. "I knew you were a first class ICU nurse. You're Catholic, I'm Catholic, we both have an interest in France. I'm anxious to find out what else we have in common."

What's he doing? It's almost like he's flirting with me. "I'm afraid it will be awhile before you find out. Your traveling companions are looking for you." Anna turned on her heel and walked out of the cathedral just as the brunettes reached Jeff, each taking one of his arms.

Upon leaving the church, the group walked a short distance to the Tertre Square, which was a hodgepodge of artist's stands. The misty rain continued, but the artists were dry underneath canvas canopies. Each artist painted a different scene of Paris, many copied from postcards. Anna stopped to watch a man in a beret painting an image of the Eiffel Tower from a postcard. Next to him, an artist was painting the Arc De Triomphe. She thought about how odd it was that they were copying instead of painting the actual object as they viewed it.

Anna strolled among the artists hoping to find a painting that would look good in her apartment in Long Beach. She stopped to watch a female artist reproducing a post card portrait of a man and woman. The woman wore a beautiful emerald green gown and was seated on a velvet settee. Her curly brown hair had streaks of blonde running through it. She wore it up, and wayward curls had sprung loose and were framing her face. The man was very handsome and stood behind her with his hand on her shoulder. They looked familiar to Anna.

"Excusez-moi." Anna tried out her high school French on the artist.

The woman turned and smiled at Anna. "Yes. May I help you?"

"Oh, you speak English. I was hoping to practice my French."

"You can if you want to, but I don't speak much French. I'm from New York."

"I guess I'll have plenty of time to practice while I'm here. What is this you're painting? Is it a famous painting? It looks familiar to me."

"No, it isn't terribly famous, but it is in the Louvre. An artist named Jacques Rouleau painted it. He called it The Engagement."

"Then I probably haven't seen it?"

"Probably not. I like it; it speaks to me and the people strike me as being very much in love. Perhaps it looks familiar because the woman looks a lot like you," the artist suggested.

Anna was drawn to the painting. She had to have it to take home with her. She didn't care how much it cost.

"Yes, we do resemble each other. Will it take you long to finish?"

"Another week maybe. Are you interested in buying it? I'll sell it for a hundred US dollars."

"Yes, I would like to buy it." Anna was relieved at hearing the price. It wouldn't hurt her budget at all. "I'll come back in a week. Please save it for me."

"It's yours for a small deposit."

"Will twenty dollars hold it?" Anna took another look at the painting and felt a chill go up her spine. Something about the painting was making her feel uncomfortable. She walked away and looked over her shoulder. The people in the painting seemed to be looking right at her. It was eerie.

The artist smiled as she pocketed the twenty dollar bill.

Anna scanned the square for members of her group, and seeing them, hurried to catch up.

* * *

"The Arc De Triomphe was built between 1806 and 1836 to commemorate the victories of Napoleon. Beneath the vault of the arch is the Eternal Flame and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," Vicky volunteered.

"I'm impressed," Anna retorted. "Lurline better watch out or you'll be taking her job."

The more entrepreneurial artists wandered around offering to do quick charcoal sketches of the tourists for a large fee. Only one in the group succumbed to a sales pitch. The rest found souvenirs to buy, and tender crepes or sandwiches on hard rolls to munch on. A few took seats at tables outside cafes and ordered thick, very black coffee in tiny cups, or red wine. Finally, they began the walk back. They were exhausted upon their arrival at Hotel Champlain.

"Okay, group," said Lurline as she began a series of instructions. "Everyone meet back in the lobby at five-thirty p.m.... That should give you enough time for a nap and to freshen up before dinner. I've reserved the banquet room of a little bistro. They're preparing you an authentic French meal. We'll try to get in at a reasonable hour tonight so we can get an early start tomorrow. Unless there are questions, I've got to run. I have to go back to the airport and meet six more people who are joining our group. They flew in from Chicago and are late because their plane was delayed due to a snowstorm."

Anna watched Jeff and his traveling companions board the elevator first. The sight of the three together caused her to sigh deeply. She chose to take the stairs to her third floor room, partly in order to avoid having to talk with anyone. She had a lot to think about, now that she was going to have to give up her dream of getting together with Jeff. A chill went through her again as she thought of the painting she'd seen and put a deposit on. A strange thought came to her. What if that painting somehow held the key to her future?

Chapter Two

Anna unlocked the door to her room and stepped inside. It was warm and inviting. The heating register on one side of the room sputtered and hissed as water flowed through it. She was so exhausted that she ignored the advice about how to avoid jet lag and flopped down on the bed. She set her alarm and instantly fell into a deep sleep.

* * *

The alarm rang all too soon. She showered and made a mental note to try to find a washcloth to purchase when she went shopping. She wondered if the French used them, since all the maid had left were terry bath towels. She brushed her long hair back and secured it with a clip so it cascaded down her back in a tail. Selecting a black skirt, she chose an oversized red sweater to wear over it. Deciding it looked too sloppy hanging loose, she belted it with a low-slung hip belt. Large dangly earrings were put on next, followed by knee-high black leather boots bought especially for the trip. She was pleased with her reflection in the mirror. She looked French and not at all like a tourist. She grabbed her heavy raincoat and was in the lobby by five-twenty p.m..

The bus arrived promptly at five-thirty with Lurline and the six new group members already on board.

"I'd like you all to meet the Stewart family," Lurline said as the bus began moving. "They're from St. Louis, Missouri. This is Carl and Judy, their son Mark, and their daughter Diana, and Judy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hastings. I don't think I'll try to introduce each one of you right now, so I'll leave it up to you to do so on your own."

"Anna, in case you hadn't noticed, that young man that just arrived, Mark Stewart, is incredibly handsome. If I'm not mistaken, he seems to be just the right age for you," said Mary.

She shook her head. "I'm not in the market for any men. I've been burned one too many times by incredibly handsome men who were less than loyal. I don't have time in my life right now to complicate it further."

"Come on, honey. There are lots of wonderful men in the world. Give love a chance. He's a real hottie."

"A hottie? Where did you hear that?" Anna asked.

"I may look old, but I'm young in here." Mary placed her hand over her heart. "Take another look at him. I say you should go for it."

Anna ventured a glance over her shoulder at Mark and decided Mary was right. He had wavy black hair and dark brown eyes. He was tall and well built and resembled an actor whose name she couldn't think of. He felt Anna looking at him, turned and flashed her a big smile. She flushed and quickly turned away.

* * *

The bus pulled up in front of the St. Lazare restaurant and stopped at the curb. The group exited and Lurline guided them up a narrow flight of stairs to the banquet room above. Long tables were set with open bottles of wine, mineral water, and vases of fresh tulips and irises.

Anna was amazed that it was the dead of winter and she'd already seen more flower stands, people carrying bouquets home, and flowers displayed on tables than she ever saw in California. The French must really love flowers.

"Is this seat taken?"

Anna turned to find Jeff standing beside the empty chair next to her. He looked wonderful dressed in a black turtleneck sweater and a leather jacket. His hair was still damp from a shower.

"No, it isn't. Where are your traveling companions?" Anna asked.

"The girls were too tired to go out again. They never eat, anyway, so this would be wasted on them. They're probably sleeping by now."

Anna glanced self consciously at her abdomen. It was the one area of her body she wasn't pleased with. Despite all her hard work, she still didn't have washboard abs. Maybe she should have stayed in the hotel and skipped dinner.

Jeff sat down and poured two glasses of red wine. He raised his glass in a toast. "Here's to our first night in Paris. I'm so glad someone is here that I know from the hospital. This is going to be a memorable trip."

Anna touched her glass to his. She imagined it was going to be more than memorable for him, with those two waiting for him back at the hotel.

"Cheers, Jeff. I've been looking forward to this trip for a very long time."

They clinked their glasses together and took a long drink.

"What do you want to see while you're here?" Anna asked.

"Everything I possibly can. I especially want to see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. I don't want to miss the Mona Lisa and Wingless Victory, either." Jeff paused, then asked, "What about you?"

"Versailles. That's number one on my list," Anna replied.

"Why Versailles, especially?"

"I became interested in Marie Antoinette when I was studying French in school. I read a lot about her and felt sorry for her. I think she was misunderstood."

Jeff looked amused. "Misunderstood? That's the first time I've ever heard that."

Anna flushed and looked uncomfortable.

Jeff reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm just teasing you. All of those places are on our tour, aren't they?"

Anna smiled and relaxed. She knew Jeff hadn't meant the comment the way it sounded. She was being too sensitive, probably because she was tired.

Dinner was served. It was ‘Blanquett de Porc', a roast pork dish in a creamy white sauce, accompanied by rice and overcooked vegetables. The usual salad served in American restaurants before the main course was absent. The pork was tender and the sauce tasted richly of butter. The rice and vegetables were passable, but the traditional French bread was not what they expected, being too hard and greasy for their tastes. The French wines were wonderful and the éclairs and tarts served after dinner were exquisite. They were beautiful with their pastel colors, and the sweetness melted in their mouths. After dinner coffee was extremely strong and would take some adjusting to.

Anna poured cream into the cup until the coffee was diluted to pale beige.

"You like your milk with a little coffee in it I see," remarked Jeff. "I'll have to file that away for future reference."

Anna was feeling warm and relaxed from the wine. She was also feeling brave. "I've worked with you a lot in the ICU when you would come up to help us out. I really admire you. I didn't think you'd even noticed me, though."

Jeff looked sheepish and raked his fingers through his reddish brown hair. "I'm sorry if I've given you that impression. I've noticed you, but I try to maintain a professional distance at work. I guess that might have been a mistake."

"Not one that can't be corrected." Anna twined her long hair in her fingers, then thought of the girls he'd left back at the hotel. "But, what about your two friends that are traveling with you?"

Before Jeff could answer, Lurline announced, "Okay, group. The bus is ready to take us back to the hotel. I'd like to present some options to those of you who aren't ready to go to bed yet. There are some pleasant hotels and bars with plenty of nightlife in Paris. One of my favorites is the Hotel Concorde. It has a lovely bar with live music and a nice area for dancing. We'll make a stop there and drop off those of you who want to stay."

"I'd like to go but I'm just too exhausted," Jeff explained. "I didn't nap before dinner so I'm really tired now. I shouldn't leave the girls alone too long, anyway."

She must have been wrong. He wasn't interested in her after all. "That's fine with me. I'm sure the girls would worry about you. I'm wide awake and I'm not going to miss anything that Paris has to offer me."

Anna turned away and left a confused Jeff standing on the sidewalk.

* * *

"Is anyone sitting here?" Anna asked Mark as she got on the bus.

"No one but you. Please, be my guest." Mark picked up his muffler and hat so Anna would have more room.

Anna settled next to him.

"I'm Mark Stewart. We got a late start on our tour, but I can see it isn't going to matter too much. And you are...?"

"Anna Mulligan. I'm from Long Beach, California. Are you familiar with Long Beach?"

Jeff walked by on his way to his seat, a look of bewilderment on his face.

"Yes. I have some relatives that moved there from Iowa years ago. Have you ever been to the Iowa picnic?" Mark asked.

Anna smiled. "No, I've managed to avoid it. I'm not sure they even have it anymore."

"Is this your first trip to Europe?" asked Mark.

"It is. I've wanted to travel to Paris for a long time but I've been so busy with school and work, and I cared for my Great-Aunt Tillie until she died this past year." Anna sighed. "She left me the money for this trip."

"I know how that is. I just graduated from law school and am due to take the Bar Exam in California in February."

"Why in California? Don't you live in Missouri?" asked Anna.

"My uncle is an attorney in Los Angeles and has offered me a job with his firm, O'Malley and Moyer. I decided to jump at the chance to leave the snow and cold of St. Louis behind and move to sunny Southern California."

"It's a great place to live," Anna said.

"Los Angeles isn't too far from Long Beach, is it?" asked Mark. "I don't know where I'm going to live yet but I'm sure it won't be in LA proper."

"It isn't far from Long Beach at all. Lots of people live in Long Beach and take the Blue Line train into LA daily."

Anna considered all the possibilities. Mark was attractive and was going to be successful as well. He had plans for the future. He was pleasant to be with. He wasn't Jeff, but Jeff wasn't available to her.

The bus pulled to a stop in front of the Hotel Concorde.

"Let's stop off for a little Paris night life," Mark said with enthusiasm. "I'm not ready to go to sleep. We can sleep at home and we're only here for a few short weeks."

"You're right, who needs sleep?" answered Anna. "I've heard about the Concorde. It was completely renovated in the 1980's and is decorated in art deco."

Anna and Mark got off the bus along with three other couples. As they entered the hotel lobby they could hear soft music coming from the lounge just inside the entrance. Several Frenchmen were sitting at the bar sipping brandy and smoking as they talked. The Americans chose couches and chairs grouped around a low cocktail table. The music was coming from a pianist who sang as he played. As soon as the group entered, he started singing in English. His choices ranged from Oldies but Goodies to some Billy Joel numbers. The little group was flattered that the pianist was welcoming them in that way and got up to dance to a slow tune.

Anna closed her eyes for a moment and imagined herself in Jeff's arms rather than Mark's. The sound of Mark's voice soon jolted her back to reality.

"This is better than I ever dreamed it would be. Paris, music and a beautiful woman in my arms. Life couldn't be any sweeter," Mark murmured into Anna's ear, holding her tightly.

The rest of the evening passed all too quickly. Soon the bar was closing and it was time for the walk back to the Hotel Champlain. They arrived to find the front door locked and had to knock for a few minutes before the desk clerk awakened to let them in. Mark walked Anna to her room. They lingered outside the door, reluctant for the night to end.

"Thanks, Anna. It's been a very special first night in Paris. I'm looking forward to many more like it," Mark said as he took her in his arms and bent to kiss her.

His lips were soft and gentle, the kiss expert. His embrace was strong and masculine. Anna reluctantly pulled away.

"Goodnight, Mark. We really should get some sleep now."

"You're right. We have an early day scheduled. See you in the morning."

* * *

Closing the door behind her, Anna turned the light on in her room. As she readied herself for bed, her thoughts turned to Jeff. Long Beach seemed so far away. So did Jeff, even though he was here in Paris. She needed to just forget about him and concentrate on Mark. Jeff wasn't interested and Mark clearly was. With that last thought, she turned out the lights and fell into bed.

She stared at a crack in the curtain where a streetlight was sending a thread of light through. She tried to think about the next day and the trip to Notre Dame Cathedral but her thoughts kept returning to Jeff. She'd been fantasizing about him since he had begun working at Memorial Hospital as a young resident. He was always kind and pleasant to the staff, patients, and their family members. She knew him only to work with but had fallen hard for him. She'd been too afraid of rejection to even hint to him about how she felt. Obviously, it was a one-sided infatuation.

* * *

Sunlight streaming through the curtains woke Anna from the sound sleep she had finally fallen into. She was irritated at having her sleep disturbed until she remembered where she was. She prepared for the day, and then rushed down the stairs to breakfast.

Chapter Three

"Good morning, Sunshine. I saved you some of these wonderful rolls and croissants," Mark said as he pulled out a chair for her.

"Thanks. You're really thoughtful." Anna smiled as she sat next to Mark. "I'm glad our last names are on the same half of the alphabet so we can have breakfast at the same time."

"I'm glad I decided to come on this trip," Mark said.

"What's in this pitcher?"

"It's hot milk. Europeans put hot milk instead of cold in their tea and coffee. It makes more sense, don't you think? The waitress should be bringing some more coffee shortly. There's only one waitress, so she's really running this morning."

Anna helped herself to a roll, broke it open and spread it with fruit jam from a pot on the table. The roll was hard and crusty and fell apart as she bit into it. A piece of the crust with jam on it stuck to her chin.

Mark reached over and gently wiped the bit away with his napkin. "Messy, aren't they? They're not very filling, either. I'd really like some bacon and eggs."

The waitress brought hot, steaming coffee and poured a cup for each of them. They sipped the hearty brew and nibbled at croissants. Mark reached over and gave Anna's free hand a tender squeeze.

"Do you have a special interest in Paris?" asked Mark.

"I'm more interested in Versailles. I have an ancestor from that area."

"Mulligan isn't a French name, is it?" asked Mark.

"No. It was on my mother's side. A great-great-great grandmother, I think. It was around the time of the Revolution. She disappeared and no one knew where she went."

"How do you know that much?"

"She had taken her children to live with a farmer and his wife. They raised them after their mother disappeared, and the children took on the name of the farmer. Their history was passed down, but not hers. I don't know what her name was. I wish I could find out somehow."

"Maybe you will when we go to Versailles," Mark offered.

"I hope so. What are we going to see today, besides Notre Dame?"

"We'll be taking a driving tour of the city and stopping at Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Then they're dropping us off on the Champs Elysees for lunch. We have the afternoon free and Lurline is planning something special for tonight. We'd better get to the lobby. Our bus will be here in a few minutes." Mark stood up and waited to help Anna on with her coat.

They chose a seat in the rear of the bus where they could privately take in the city. It was chilly and Anna removed her warmly lined coat so they could use it as a lap robe. She moved closer to Mark just as Jeff entered the bus with the brunettes. He looked into Anna's eyes questioningly, and then slid into a seat next to an older gentleman who was alone on the tour. The brunettes sat together in a seat across from Jeff.

"I was reading about Notre Dame in our tour information," Anna began. "Building started on it in 1163 but wasn't completed until 1250. During the Revolution a lot of destruction took place."

"Really? Why did that happen?" asked Mark.

Anna continued, "Much of the façade was hacked away because the mobs thought that the statues represented the royal line of France. By the early 19th century it was fully restored and fulfilling its religious functions again."

The bus pulled to a stop on the street next to the cathedral for the group to exit.

They simultaneously approached the entrance to Notre Dame.

"Vicky, did you and Mary notice all the souvenir shops across the street? I hope we have time to do a little shopping. My souvenir money is starting to burn a hole in my pocket," Anna said.

"You have to be really careful in those places," interrupted Mark. "Some of that stuff is just junk, and they charge way too much for it."

Anna felt a twinge of annoyance at the unsolicited advice, but brushed it aside as they entered the cathedral. The interior of Notre Dame was cold and dark, while at the same time being impressively beautiful. Sunlight filtering through the multicolored rose window reminded Anna of looking through a kaleidoscope. The window was every bit as beautiful as she had expected it to be. She thought of the myth she had heard that you would be granted two wishes each time you entered a new church. Her first wish was that she and Jeff would somehow end up together. Her second was that she would find out the truth about the disappearance of her ancestor so many years ago. She crossed herself and said a silent prayer after making her wishes.

As they exited the church, Lurline pointed out the gargoyles framing the top of the building. As they walked around to the rear of the cathedral, the River Seine came into view. The waters were dark and forbidding.

"That looks cold. I wouldn't want to fall in," commented Mark.

"Everything is cold at this time of year. Don't get too close to the river and you won't fall in," answered Anna.

"I was able to schedule a cruise down the Seine tonight on a Bateaux Mouches. That's a barge-type boat converted to a floating restaurant. We'll have dinner on the boat and see a very different view of Paris' lights at night," announced Lurline.

"That sounds like we're going to be right on the river," Mark said. "It's going to be hard to avoid it."

Anna giggled. "We're going to cruise, not swim."

"For now, let's do a little shopping, then we'll get back on the bus to tour the city," Lurline continued. "We'll be making a stop at the Eiffel Tower. Those of you who are brave can take the trip to the top. After that we'll drop you off on the Champs Elysees. The remainder of the day then is free."

"That sounds exciting!" exclaimed Anna. "I've been to the top of the Space Needle in Seattle and it's not nearly as high as the Eiffel Tower. I can't wait to see Paris from the top."

"Well, I'll do it if you really want to, but I'm not too sure it's safe," said a skeptical Mark. "I have to think about my future."

"What on earth does going to the top of the Eiffel Tower have to do with your future?"

"I just worry about putting myself in danger, that's all."

Was he a wimp? If she wasn't afraid then why was he? He sure looked masculine and fearless, but he wasn't acting it.

"That's okay, Mark. I'm not afraid to go to the top by myself. Give me your camera and I'll take pictures of the city for you, then you can tell everyone back home that you were there," Anna offered.

They shopped briefly for souvenirs, then boarded the bus. Anna sat silently for the remainder of the bus tour while listening to Lurline's rambling monologue. Mark either failed to notice her change of mood or didn't feel it was significant.

As the bus pulled to a stop in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower, Mark let out an involuntary sigh. "Whew! That thing sure is tall!"

Anna exited the bus and went to the end of the line to buy a ticket for the tower. Mark reluctantly followed.

Jeff and his entourage were already in line. The girls were giggling and acting completely out of character for two statuesque model types. Jeff was reading a guidebook and ignoring the antics of his companions.

He glanced up and smiled at Anna. "Hi. I was just reading some trivia about the tower. Interested?"

Anna turned to look for Mark before answering. Finding that he was staring up at the tower in abject terror, she focused her attention back to Jeff.

"Sure, it looks like we're going to be here awhile. The line is pretty long."

"You're in for it now. I'm a bit of a trivia buff." His blue eyes sparkled as a bit of sunlight shone through the clouds. "Anyway, the tower is painted once every seven years and it takes fifteen months to paint."

"Really, fifteen months?" Anna asked.

"Yes, and that's not all. Who do you think does the painting?" Jeff quizzed.

"Painters, I assume."

"Well of course, but they're a special kind of painter. They're mountaineers."

"That's interesting," Anna said, thinking that Jeff could make anything fascinating.

Jeff flashed her a grateful grin, showing two rows of perfect white teeth. "They use three different colors of paint. The darkest color is painted on the bottom, the middle section is lighter, and the lightest color is on the top third."

Anna looked puzzled. "Why is that?"

"If it were all one color, the top of the tower would disappear into the clouds. It's an optical illusion." Jeff paused and gazed towards the top of the tower.

Anna felt someone tugging at her sleeve and twisted her head so she could see who it was.

"Anna, I need to tell you that I have Heightaphobia," a pale Mark offered.

"That's Acrophobia, not Heightaphobia," Anna corrected.

Mark shook his head and said, "Yeah, well whatever. I'm still afraid of heights."

"Look, Mark. You don't have to do this, you know," Anna said. "I'm perfectly capable of going by myself."

"Really, I want to go. I was just teasing earlier about being afraid," Mark replied.

Sure you were, Mark, Anna thought as she presented her money to the cashier.

They, along with other tourists, were herded into a cage-type apparatus resembling a ski lift. Packed in like sardines, it was difficult to see out the tiny windows to view the city. The cage soon lurched to a stop and they were then driven out the opposite door.

"This is the first stop. There's a snack bar on this level," said the operator, first in English, then in French, then in other languages Anna didn't understand. "Anyone wishing to go higher can follow the arrows to the elevator."

The tourists followed directions and crammed into one of six tiny elevators to go to the next level. At first the door wouldn't close on the elevator Anna and Mark were on. Finally the operator discovered Mark's backpack was jamming it. Once it was freed, the elevator slowly made its way to the next stop.

"Why are you wearing that thing, Mark? We're not on a camping trip. Do you really need a backpack?" Anna asked.

Mark ignored her question.

"It's cold up here," Mark said as the doors opened and they stepped out. "You can feel the tower moving! I don't think I like this!"

"Come on, Mark. Don't whine. Look at the view. It's magnificent. You can see all of Paris from here. Let's take the stairs up and go all the way to the top. We can take pictures from up there," Anna said.

"You go. I'm feeling a little queasy. This motion is making me dizzy. I'll wait for you right here on this bench," Mark said as he sat and put his head in his hands.

Jeff approached just then. "Is he all right?"

"He's having a minor panic attack. Apparently he's afraid of heights."

"Go ahead, Anna. I don't want you to miss out because of me. I'll be fine. Here's my camera. Take some pictures for me, please."

"Are you sure, Mark?" Anna started for the stairs, not waiting for an answer. "I won't be long. I'll take lots of pictures for you."

She glanced back to see the brunettes and Jeff hovering around Mark in a concerned manner.

The view from the top was amazing and Anna quickly forgot the scene from the lower level. Cars looked like tiny toys and people resembled ants crawling all over the city. She took picture after picture. Then, feeling a twinge of guilt, she hurried back down the stairs to see how Mark was.

"How are you feeling?" Anna asked with genuine concern. "Are you ready to go back down? It's lunchtime."

"I'm better. I think I'm just hungry. The croissants this morning didn't fill me up. Let's go back down now. I'm ready for lunch," replied a pale Mark as he put his arm around Anna's shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

Mark continued, "Jeff and his sisters were really nice. They were truly concerned about me. He said he works with you at the hospital."

"His sisters? Those are his sisters?" Anna asked.

"Yes. They have an ancestor that came from Versailles. Jeff promised them years ago they would make a trip someday to see where their great-great...I don't know how many greats...grandfather was from. His sisters just finished college, so this is his graduation gift to them," Mark explained.

"Are you sure? Those are his sisters?" Anna asked.

"Yes. Who did you think they were?"

"I had no idea. They don't look like him, so I didn't think they could be his sisters. Pretty silly of me, huh?"

Mark chuckled and shook his head. "Actually, it's pretty kinky of you. You thought it was a threesome, didn't you?"

Anna blushed but didn't answer.

* * *

As the bus drove around the circular place, Etoile, Lurline pointed to the Arc de Triomphe. "This structure was completed in 1836. It was commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate his victorious armies. Unfortunately, there is currently some renovation taking place and we're unable to get a good look at it. It's mostly covered by the scaffolding and drapes that you see. This is commonplace in Europe with the ancient structures that are constantly in need of work to keep them from deteriorating. We'll proceed on down the Champs Elysees to the area where most of the restaurants are."

The bus soon pulled to a stop. Lurline made sure everyone had maps and were certain they knew how to get back to the hotel before allowing them to disembark.

"What do you feel like eating?" Mark asked.

"I don't really care. Let's walk until we see something that looks promising."

As they walked, Anna noticed other couples strolling along. Many of them held hands or linked arms together as they meandered, frequently turning to one another to exchange a few words and smiles. Feeling a bit lonely and certain she had ruined any chances with Jeff, Anna linked her arm through Mark's.

"Oh, good. Are you finished being upset with me over the Eiffel Tower affair? Don't say you weren't upset, because I know you were," Mark replied.

"I was just a little disappointed. It was silly of me but I have this old fashioned idea that men are always supposed to be strong and brave," Anna said and then laughed. "After all the work my mother did for women's liberation in the 60's, she would be really upset if she heard me say that!"

"Maybe I'll just tell her what you said when I get to meet her," Mark said.

"I'm afraid it will be a long time before you meet either of my parents." Anna shook her head as if she was unable to comprehend what her parents had been thinking.

"Why's that?" Mark asked.

"True to their liberal hippie roots, they waited until my sister and I left home, then joined the Peace Corps. They're off in a jungle somewhere in South America doing God-knows-what."

"That's awesome," Mark exclaimed.

Anna's facial expression let Mark know he shouldn't pursue the topic.

"Let's eat. I'm starving. That restaurant over there looks good," Anna said.

Mark pointed in the direction of the restaurant he thought Anna was referring to. "You mean the one with the horseshoe over the door?"

Anna grinned. "Yes, maybe it means this is our lucky day."

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