Mother's Day Babies (Holiday Babies Series) Read Online Free

face.
Had she said something wrong? Oh maybe Lou was hungry. A trim man couldn’t skip
meals the way an overweight woman did—although she’d shed so many pounds in the
last month, she’d graduated from the Overweight Group before her trip.
“Why don’t you grab something at the cafeteria while I stop by the information
desk?”
    Amusement crinkled the corners of
his eyes. “I’m just concerned about you. But you’re right, we can’t waste
another minute. We’ll have lunch at the Eiffel Tower or at one of the sidewalk
cafés.” They stopped by the concierge desk, grabbed a Plan de Paris, andasked for directions.
    “Finally walking the streets of
Paris.” They strolled for a moment. Barbara inhaled a deep breath. The lemon
scent of Lou’s aftershave mingled with the new smells of Paris, and stirred a
bubbling happiness in Barbara’s chest. Her first time overseas with a gorgeous
man. Why on Earth had she dreaded the trip? She repressed a satisfied smile and
surveyed the classy buildings along the elegant avenue lined with maple trees.
    Lou waved to an old church and to
a sumptuous mansion. “The American Cathedral of Paris, and the Spanish Embassy.
In this street, every building and every house have a story.”
    Barbara admired the various edifices
but focused on her goal. “Wait a minute. Hold this with me.” She opened the map
the concierge had given her and tapped on a point. “This is George V Street. It
should take us directly from our hotel to the river, La Seine , and the
bridge, Pont de L’Alma .” With her nail, she traced the blue line representing
the river. A chuckle interrupted her deliberation.
    “Look there,” Lou pointed up.
    “Oh my God,” Barbara’s chin
hitched up and her jaw sagged at the sight of the famous French landscape. “The
Eiffel Tower. Now I know that I’m in Paris.” She couldn’t contain her
enthusiasm. The most celebrated monument in France soared toward the sky in a
special greeting. “Walk faster, Lou. Should we go straight?”
    Lou tucked her hand in the crook
of his elbow. “Straight ahead to the river.”
    Tall buildings hid the monument. They
passed shop windows with nude silhouettes. Lou explained the history of Le
Crazy Horse de Paris , a famous cabaret, but Barbara accelerated her pace
until they reached an open plaza. “We are at the Place de L’Alma . See
that flame? It commemorates Princess Diana’s death.”
    “It’s not mentioned on the map.”
Barbara paused to look at it closer. The top of the Eiffel Tower had reappeared
but she wondered how to reach it and checked her Paris plan again.
    “We’ll continue along the Seine until the next bridge, Pont d’ Iena .” He showed her the directions on
the map and they resumed their stroll.
    “You know the place well.”
    “Not really. I come here on
business and spend my time at the KNR office or at official events, meeting
with the personalities we interview. I usually travel by car and never have
time to walk through the streets.” A frown of regret scrunched his forehead as
he scanned the area. “But last night, I studied the map on my laptop while you
were sleeping in the plane. I didn’t want to get lost while I show you the
city.” He winked at her like a young boy pleased with his special
accomplishment. But his mischievous smile created havoc in her heart.
    See, he’s doing his best to be
a good friend . She scolded herself, annoyed at the palpitations she
couldn’t control.
    They crossed a busy street,
strolled along an alley, and—
    “Oh my God, we’re there. At the
Eiffel Tower.”
    “Stand here. I’ll take you a
picture.” Lou shoved his hand in his pocket and extracted a tiny camera and
clicked on it a dozen times.
    She laughed. “One was enough.”
    But Lou stopped a passerby and
asked him to take a shot of him with Barbara.
    He casually wrapped an arm around
her shoulders, pressing her against him. Butterflies danced in her stomach. She
winced, her smile frozen on her