Page 43 of A Song in the Dark

And though He would undoubtedly bring others to them, the brief respite from logistics and Chaisley’s performances was a welcome one.

She drained the last of her coffee and settled the cup on the saucer. Looking at her friends with a smile, she leaned forward. “I think we should visit a few fun sites before going to the Palais Garnier . What do you think?”

Chaisley nodded. “It’s been so long since I’ve been here. It would be lovely to walk in a park or go to the Louvre. Even to walk around the base of the Eiffel Tower. I feel like it would do all of us some good.”

Rick tossed his napkin on the table and stood. “I agree. I’m sorry for my tense attitude of late—I know, it can’t be helped, but I do apologize for pestering you, Melanie.”

“I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have snapped like I did. The stress of it all has just been a bit too much, I guess.”

Chaisley’s grin was lovely to see. “It’s wonderful to hear my two favorite people getting along again.” She dipped her chin and leaned in over the table. “I know this hasn’t been easy. But thank you both for all you’ve done.”

Melanie winked at Rick and mouthed favorite as she pointed to him.

Rick’s eyes sparkled as he bounced his eyebrows up and down. “I’ll pull the car around. You ladies figure out where you want to go first.”

Melanie glanced at her best friend. A soft smile played at Chaisley’s lips and Melanie resisted the urge to chuckle.

“I can feel you staring at me.” Chaisley wiped at her chin. “Do I have croissant on my face?”

“Oh no. You just look ... besotted. That’s all.”

A rosy flush crept into Chaisley’s cheeks. “I do not.”

Melanie let her laughter out in full force. Her friend looked so bashful and adorable. “You do. And that is perfectly acceptable!” She grabbed Chaisley’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “If it makes you feel any better, Rick looks the exact same way when he thinks no one is watching.”

The dreamy look was back. “Really?”

“Would I lie to you? Oh, let’s talk about it later. Rick just pulled up.” Melanie stood and helped Chaisley stand from the table. “Fifteen paces to the curb. Then the same four-inch drop to the street to get in the car.”

They made their way to the waiting vehicle. Rick held the door open, aiding both women down the curb and into the car. Once everyone was situated, he turned and looked at them, his eyebrows high on his forehead. “Well. Where are we headed?”

Melanie bit her lip. “I liked Chais’s idea of walking around the Eiffel Tower. There are so many pretty spots with sidewalks, and that reflecting pool is lovely.”

Chaisley nodded, and Rick pulled into traffic.

Paris sped past her window, people and landmarks blurring as they navigated a roundabout. And then, there it was.

The Eiffel Tower, drawing closer and closer.

She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes for just a moment. When was the last time she felt this much peace? Wouldn’t it be lovely if she could capture this moment in a bottle, like one of those fancy perfumes sold in the high-end shops in their hotel?

It would be in a pale pink bottle, the color of a pink rose just as it blooms. It would have a crystal stopper and when she opened it, the fragrance of croissants and café au laits and roses would waft over her.

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 do not snore.” 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 those horrid 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?”

“I did. I’m sure your grandmother will love the picture I found of the Arc de Triomphe. And an update as to how we’re all doing.”

Chaisley nodded as the trio came to a stop in front of the Eiffel Tower. The sight of it took Melanie’s breath away. As she described it to her friend, Rick shifted beside Chaisley and Melanie saw his gaze fixed on something in the distance. She tried to follow where he was looking but saw nothing.

“Are you ladies all right here for a bit? I need to run a quick errand before I forget.”

An errand? Now? Melanie’s brows drew together, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Chaisley spoke up first.

“Of course. We can walk the green and meet back in a half hour. By then we’ll probably need lunch.”

Rick smiled and pulled the keys from his pocket. “Perfect.” He strode away from them.

Melanie frowned. Where was he off to? And why was he still looking back and forth like someone was following him? He’d promised to tell them the truth, but she had the distinct impression he’d just broken that promise.

“Mel? Are you ready to walk?”

She looked at Chaisley. Wait. Had she not heard the discomfort in Rick’s voice? Or sensed how quickly his demeanor had changed? Melanie licked her lips and forced a smile. “I’m ready if you are. While we walk, let’s discuss which of your new pieces you want to debut at the Palais Garnier.”

Chaisley’s face lit up, and she began discussing her ideas. Melanie cast one last glance over her shoulder.

Rick was gone.

Well, when he got back, she would make sure he answered every question she had about what was happening.

And if he’d just broken his promise to them.

Thursday, September 29, 1938

Minister Chamberlain was still trying for peace.

Rick shook his head. Why the world thought they could negotiate with a man like Hitler was beyond him.

Mussolini and Count Ciano from Italy had joined the prime minister in Munich along with the French Premier Monsieur Daladier for meetings to discuss how to move forward and keep the world from another war.