Chapter 6

“Merci, monsieur,” I said graciously as the kind French man extended the bouquet of wildflowers toward me. His smile was wide and genuine, and I handed him a dozen euros for the bouquet.

I settled the flowers into the crook of my arm—along with the two baguettes I’d purchased at the boulangerie earlier—and set out into the chilly morning. It had rained before the sun rose, so the air felt crisp and damp. I couldn’t sleep for long, dreams of the pretty girl at the Louvre consuming every one of my thoughts. Willa was asleep when I left a couple hours ago, determined to run my errands for the day and enjoy the season before it turned to summer.

In a few weeks, the cherry blossoms would bloom and decorate the city in shades of pink. The last time I was in Paris during the spring, I was in love.

It was 1999. I had never been to Paris before and wanted to experience the city for the first time. On my first night here, I wandered through the streets, appreciating the cherry blossoms and wishing the world looked so extravagant all the time. I saw a pretty woman sitting on a bench, the sun shining in her hair and her brown eyes glittering when she looked up from her book. There was a small, yellow dog at her feet.

For weeks, we explored the city in daylight and fell into bed together each night. When spring turned to summer, she revealed she was engaged to be married and was only in Paris to study abroad for the semester.

She returned home to England.

I didn’t come back to Paris for twenty-five years.

I shook the memories away, admiring the breeze through the trees. I passed a couple sitting on the edge of the Seine, eating croissants for breakfast and laughing—utterly in love.

For all the pain this city brought me, it sure was beautiful.

I cut through the Luxembourg Gardens on the way back to my apartment, holding my flowers and bread to my chest. My ears perked up at a familiar laugh; I looked into the grass to see my brother and Addie sitting on a gingham blanket. A picnic basket was between them, and Holland held his guitar and strummed softly. Addie had a bright smile and traced circles on Holland’s knee.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen my brother so in love.

I crossed the garden and plucked a pink flower from my bouquet. Before Holland looked up, I extended the carnation to Addie.

“Pardon me, but you are the most beautiful woman in the park. May I offer you a flower?”

Addie burst into laughter, taking the flower I offered. “Sophie!”

My brother grinned and lowered his guitar. “Your timing is exceptional, sister. Goodbye.”

I lifted my foot to nudge him in the knee while Addie shoved him in the shoulder. Holland tilted his head back to laugh heartily, motioning for me to join them.

I shook my head. “I didn’t want to walk by without saying hi, but I’ll leave you to your date.”

“See you tomorrow,” Addie chirped.

I left them behind, finding my way through the gardens with a skip in my step. I planned to return my things to the apartment, and then visit Ghost at the barn for the afternoon.

Until I saw her.

Eliza sat in the shade of a tree near the fence line, a fleece blanket over her lap. Her head rested against the tree, and her breathing was deep and even. Her pink backpack rested in the grass next to her. In her sleep, she appeared softer—devoid of whatever haunted her.

Looking around, I found a bench to sit on and pulling a pen from my purse. Tearing a piece of paper from the top of my baguette bag, I wrote a small note across it, then plucked another flower from my bouquet.

Don’t forget to smile today.

Love,

Sophie

Tiptoeing across the grass, I set the flower in her lap and returned to gather my things. When I made it to the garden gate, I looked back at Eliza, unable to help myself.

She was awake and sitting up, twisting the flower in her hand and watching me go.

I raised a hand in a wave.

She returned it.

I paused in my departure, unsure whether I should stay or go. Eliza tilted her head and watched, waiting. Now that she was awake, a guardedness had returned to her gaze and a frown decorated her mouth. The look on her face made my stomach flip, freezing me in my tracks. Did I walk back across the park? Did I leave? If I left, would I ever see her again?

The last question set my feet in the direction of her.

Eliza arched her brow, straightening and narrowing her eyes as I approached.

“I did not expect to see you again,” she said when I stopped in front of her. “Are you following me?”

I snorted and shook my head. “No, I’m running errands and appreciating the city.”

Eliza wrinkled her nose. “Appreciating the city? What is there to appreciate?”

Before I even realized what I was doing, I extended my hand. “Would you like to find out?”