My Dedication for The Paris Connection

Nov. 30, 2015

 

A Note from  the Author…

 

When a saga ends there are tears of joy and saddest. This one was especially challenging for me, since I wrote THE PARIS CONNECTION, the day before the Paris attacks.♥

I never dreamed that a story I was writing would turn out as it did by including the tragic events in Paris.♥

 

I would like to dedicate my story to the victims and their families who were affect by this horrible event in Paris.♥

 

May you rest in peace.♥

 

You are forever in our hearts.♥

 

Barbara KisKis ♥

The Paris Connection #40

Victoria spent a few more days in the hospital before Andrew brought her home to her Paris apartment.

He had flowers sent to her place and even a small green Christmas tree for her to decorate when she was feeling better.

 

“Andrew, I must say, you have been the best boyfriend. I love the tree you placed over there, I think it’s perfect. The red pillows are a very festive touch.”

 

“Why don’t you find your Christmas ornaments and we decorate it tonight. What do you feel like eating for dinner?”

 

“Chinese, good with you, Andrew?”

 

“I might have guessed you would want Chinese food. I’ll bring some when I return tonight, about 6 p.m.”

 

“Yes, Andrew, that will be a good time. It will give me a chance to rest and pull out the ornaments from the attic storage.”

 

“Don’t hurt yourself, Victoria.”

 

“I won’t. Now get out of here and go to work.” Victoria kissed him as he walked out the door.

 

A few hours later, the door bell rang. Victoria thought that it was too early for Andrew but she rushed to door to answer it.

 

The delivery man was standing there holding a vase, with two dozen yellow roses.

 

“Miss Victoria Viceroy?”

 

“Yes.”

“These yellow roses are for you.

Please sign here.”

 

Looking surprised, “Who sent them?”

 

“I don’t know, I just deliver them.” As he left Victoria standing by the doorway.

 

Looking for a note, Victoria found it and read it out loud,

 

“Texas is still in your heart.”

 

THE END

The Paris Connection #39

 

“Doctor, I don’t understand, Victoria has been in a comma for five days now. When is she going to wake up?”

 

“Andrew, these things take time. She’s still recovering from

the gun shots. Be patient.”

 

Andrew sat back down in a chair next to Victoria’s hospital bed

and continued to read poetry to her, hoping that she would wake up soon.

 

“Lilly, did you bring more flowers for Victoria? How sweet, red roses,

they are her favorite flower.”

 

“Mr. Andrew, is Victoria any better, now?”

 

“No, Lilly. She is still the same. I’m reading poetry to her

and talking with her but nothing yet.”

 

“Have you tried music?”

 

“Do you think it will help? I wished I made her stay home that night.

This is my entire fault. I feel terrible. I never got to tell her that

I loved her.”

 

Andrew stayed by Victoria’s bedside for the next few hours.

It was around midnight when Victoria started to stir in her hospital bed. Andrew reached for her hand and kissed it.

 

“Sam?”

 

“No, Victoria, it’s me, Andrew. I’m so happy that you are awake.

I’ve been praying for you and reading poetry to you. Did you hear

any of it, my darling?”

“Am I in Texas? Where is Sam and James? I need to finish

the story. I haven’t finished it. I promised them I would have a report for them in the morning….”

 

“Victoria, you’re in Paris. You have been shot and in a coma

for days. Why would you be in Texas?”

 

“I saved the last dance for you, Andrew. We danced at a party

in Texas, don’t you remember?”

 

“I’m calling the nurse and doctor.”

 

“But, I have to finish my work, they are counting on me. I need to solve the mystery.”

 

“Who are you talking about? You have been in this hospital bed for days.  You were shot during the Paris attacks. You have not been to Texas, Victoria.”

 

“No, no that can’t be right. Aunt Beatrice and Julia and Charlotte where are they?”

 

“Who are these people?”

 

“My new friends from Texas.”

 

When the nurse and doctor came in to see Victoria, they could see that she was getting hysterical and they gave her a sedative to calm her.

“Andrew, it’s better that she get some rest, she is upset . I’ve seen this many times before, Victoria was dreaming that she was away somewhere, it’s a way for the patient to deal with the pain and trauma of the events that they experienced. Now, that she is out of the coma, she will sleep for a few hours. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep yourself. You have been here for five days. Come back in the morning.”

 

“Thank you doctor, I’ll do that. I could use some sleep.”

 

(to be continued)

The Paris Connection #38

Aunt Beatrice and Victoria chatted for over two hours about life on the ranch, the sting operation and her love of the family.

Victoria asked many questions and kept a tape recorder going the entire time. She didn’t want to miss a single word from Aunt Beatrice.

As long as the wine was flowing, Aunt Beatrice was talking.

Victoria grew fond of her during the interview.

The friendly conversation was interrupted by a phone call.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Are you about finished talking with Aunt Beatrice?” asked Sam.

 

“Yes, we are out of wine. She should be walking out shortly. Are you taking her back to the ranch?”

 

“I will be taking her back. Can we talk afterwards?”

 

“Certainly, Sam.”

 

“See you in a few.”

 

After Aunt Beatrice left Victoria’s guest house, she received a text

from James.

 

TEXT MESSAGE:  Sorry to put you through all of this nonsense with Aunt Beatrice. Be careful, she knows a lot. Have a pleasant evening.

See you in a few days. James

 

Victoria thought about the message from James but dismissed it. He was keeping track of her and the aunt. Interesting.

 

Sam came back to the guest house in less than a half hour.

 

“How are you doing, Victoria?”
“I’m fine, a little tired. She sure likes to talk. My tape recorder

picked up the entire conversation. I’ll make a report by morning.

How are you doing, Sam?”

 

“Lovely. Are you up for dinner in town or should we call

for take out?”

 

“Take out would be perfect. I don’t think I could pull myself together to

go out in public.”
“You look fine to me but I agree with you. Let’s have Chinese.”

 

Laughing at his response, Victoria confessed that Chinese was her favorite.

 

Sam and Charlotte ate Chinese food from those white containers

and laughed and told stories to each other. They were fast becoming good friends.

 

“I have many questions to ask you Sam, I don’t know where to start.”

 

“Why not give it a shot. I could just tell you that I won’t answer  that question.”

 

“Ok, here goes, why isn’t your wife living in Argentina with you?”

 

“Next, question.”

 

“Oh, so that’s how we are playing this game.

Is there someone else in your life?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Just a yes? Ok, now I think I’m on a game show.”

 

“You wanted to play this game, Victoria.”

 

Victoria took a deep breath and continued the questioning.

 

“Are you in love with this other person?”

 

“Not sure, yet.”

 

“Where does this other person live?”

 

“Argentina.”

 

“When are you going back to see her?”

 

“As soon as we are finished here.”

 

“Are you going to give me any details?”

 

No. None. Game over.” Sam laughed and Victoria joined

him laughing.

 

Sam was close to Victoria, so he reached over, grabbed her and kissed her.

 

(to be continued)

The Paris Connection #37

 

After a long walk around the ranch, Victoria and Sam made it back to the pool area just in time for brunch. Charlotte, James and Aunt Beatrice were already seated at the table making small talk when Sam and Victoria arrived.

 

“Good morning, you two. We wondered what happened to you.”

 

“Good morning, James and Charlotte. Sam and I went out on the

ranch for a walk to try out my new camera you loaned me.”

 

“Nice to see you are putting it to good use. Come and have a cocktail with us.

Look who joined us this morning, Aunt Beatrice.

I wished that Charlotte and I knew you were walking this morning. We could have joined you.”

Charlotte gave James one of her looks but James didn’t care he liked to tease her about not walking enough.

 

“James you know I don’t walk, except in the malls to shop.”

 

“Yes, darling, I know you just love to shop and shop and that’s how you get your exercise. I get the bills to prove it.”

 

“I thought you didn’t get any mail, James?”

 

“Charlotte and the mailman don’t think I live here because I only

get the mail with “occupant” on it.”

 

Everyone laughed at James’ comment.

 

“I hope you like the brunch that Miss Maples cooked up for us. She has amazing cooking skills. I tell Charlotte she should learn to cook like her.”

 

“Why should I learn to cook when we have Miss Maples.”

 

“Charlotte knows how to make cocktails. Don’t you dear?”

Aunt Beatrice said.

 

“Yes, I do know how to mix a drink or two.

Victoria, is your drink only French champagne?” Charlotte asked.

 

“For now, it is. I haven’t found a mixed drink that I care for,

so I stay with champagne and a few wines.”

 

“Maybe, Victoria would like the wines from Argentina.”

Aunt Beatrice said.

 

“We will have to introduce her to some our finest wines in Argentina.

Jesse and I own a vineyard outside of Buenos Aires.”

 

“Do you? That would be very nice. I look forward to tasting them

and how they fare against our French wines.”

 

Aunt Beatrice held up her glass and said, “Cheers.”

 

Everyone joined in with, “Cheers.”

 

“Victoria, since James is leaving tonight for D.C. I thought we could have lunch with Julia in town tomorrow. Would you like that?”

 

“It would be very nice, thank you.

 

“Maybe, Victoria could spend some time chatting with Aunt Beatrice

this afternoon. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind talking with Victoria.”

 

Victoria picked up the hint immediately, “Aunt Beatrice, I have

a bottle of French wine in the guest house just waiting to be opened.”

 

“I’ll be there right after our brunch.”

 

James winked at Victoria. “Oh, I forgot, I have a red rose for you

ladies. Have a lovely afternoon.”

 

(to be continued)

The Paris Connection #36

“Good morning, Victoria”

 

“Oh, Sam, I didn’t see you at first. Good morning.”

 

“Did I frighten you? Sorry. Did you get my package?”

 

“Is the package from you?”

 

“Yes, did you like it?”
“I haven’t opened it yet. I was sitting out here in the beautiful

Texas sun, soaking it all up so I will remember it when I’m back in Paris on gloomy day.”

 

“Today is not a gloomy day in Texas. Why don’t you open the gift and then we can go walking on the ranch. I’ll show you the beauty of Texas wild life.”

 

“Walking will be a good exercise this morning.”

 

Victoria opened the gift from Sam and was surprised that he followed through on bringing a camera for her to the ranch… just like he said.

 

“Sam, it’s a very nice camera. It’s even better than the one I use in Paris.”

 

“James told me to keep you happy. I’m doing my best, Victoria.”

 

“Thank you, Sam. I can’t wait to try it out.”

 

“Come on, let’s go for that walk and by the time we get back it will be time for brunch.”

Sam and Victoria walked along the railroad tracks when he snapped some photos of Victoria. They both laughed and made silly jokes about cowboys and camping out doors.

 

“Let me, say and now, I don’t do camping.”

 

“Victoria, I didn’t think you were that type.”

 

“What type am I, Sam?”

 

“The type that wants to stay in a four star hotel with room service.”

 

“You got me, Sam. That fits me exactly.” Victoria smiled at Sam

for a moment too long.

“Come on, let’s walk over by the lake. I think you can

take some good pictures over there.”

Sam knew if he stayed a minute longer in this spot with Victoria.

He would be disloyal to James. James’ words echoed in his head,

“Keep your hands off of her.”

 

 

(to be continued)

The Paris Connection #35

Sunday morning was always a favorite day for Victoria. She would relax in her Paris apartment and drink coffee, still wearing her pajamas until almost noon. Her life in Paris was good and even better when she shared Sunday afternoon with Andrew. They wonder through old book stores for hours. Read poetry to each other in the evening. They talked endlessly of what it would be like to live some where besides Paris. But their conversations always ended back to a feeling of being safe and secure in their present surroundings instead of adventuring out into the unknown.

Victoria was going to miss Andrew today.

This Sunday morning in Texas was different. She was alone without Andrew but in the company of two very handsome men. Unfortunately, both men were married. And this was a business arrangement  between them, so she was not crossing the line.

 

Victoria looked out the window of the guest house, which over looked the swimming pool, to see a package sitting on her door step.

Opening the door, Victoria picked up the package and brought it inside to inspect it further. That’s odd, there’s no note. Maybe the package didn’t belong to her. She set it aside and got dressed.

 

Miss Maples had delivered a breakfast tray to the guest house for Victoria.

 

“Good Morning, Miss Victoria. Did you sleep well?”

 

“Miss Maples, thank you, I did sleep just fine. Normally, the first night in a strange place, I toss and turn, but not last night, I must have been really tired. Your tray of breakfast treats and coffee looks like a Paris creation. Thank you. Are the others up already?”

 

“Oh, yes, Mr. James and his friend, Sam went riding early this morning. They should be back soon.”

 

“What about Victoria, is she up, yet?”

 

“Yes, she’s up because the nanny dropped off the twins.”

 

“So, everyone is accounted for this morning. Oh, before I forget, there was this package by my door this morning without a note. Do you know where it belongs?”

 

“Yes, Mr. Sam put it there this morning. It’s for you, Miss Victoria.”

 

“For me? Thank you, then I’ll open it later.”

 

“You are welcome. If you are still hungry, I’ll be serving Brunch

by the pool this morning about 11 a.m. Mr. James like to have brunch

by the pool on Sundays.”

 

“Thank you, Miss Maples. I’ll see you at 11, then.”

 

How delightful, brunch by the pool on Sundays. These people in Texas sure know how to live life to the fullest.

 

(to be continued)

The Paris Connection #34

Sunday morning was a perfect time of day for horseback riding on the ranch. James and Sam rode out before the women were even up and stirring.

 

 

“I really like it out here, James. Your ranch makes me homesick for Argentina.”

 

“When are you going back?”

 

“I’ll go back when this job is finished. I don’t want to leave poor Miss Viceroy alone here in Texas. Do you think she knows how to use a gun?”

 

“You know Sam; I think she might surprise you. She doesn’t come across to me as a “helpless” woman. With or without a gun, I think she could be dangerous.”

 

“By the way, we will know soon enough about her boyfriend. French Intel will have a report for us on Monday. They are sending it to your office in DC. I can’t wait to see what this guy has been up to, especially in the light of the Paris attacks.”

 

“You don’t think, he is mixed up with the terrorists?” James asked.

 

“I’m keeping an open mind on this one. It could go either way.

He’s a good guy or he’s a bad guy.”

 

“Sam, for our sake, I hope he is a good guy. Ready for more

riding the range this morning?”

 

“Yup, let’s ride.”

 

(to be continued)

The Paris Connection #33

After the guests were gone, James had a chance to tell Charlotte

 of his upcoming plans.

 

“Charlotte, you know I have to go back Washington DC tomorrow.”

 

“Yes, but what about Victoria?”

 

“She’s our guest, be kind to her. Don’t try to poison her with your cooking and don’t take her to a shooting range, OK?”

 

“Why James, I wouldn’t dream of doing that. Besides, you

are taking your gun with you. I don’t own a gun.”

 

“Did you want a gun, Charlotte?”

 

“I might need one for protection. I’ll think about it.”

 

“Let me know when you are ready for a gun and I’ll teach you to shoot. Now, promise me, you wouldn’t do something crazy here with Victoria.”

 

“James, I promise. Are you coming home next weekend so I can

make plans for us?”

 

“If something doesn’t happen, I’ll be home to see you and the twins.” James kissed Charlotte and turned off the bedroom light.

 

(to be continued)

The Paris Connection #32

 

Sam walked into James’ study to find him watching sports on TV.

 

“What did you do to Charlotte? She acted simply charming to Victoria.”

 

“We spent some time “talking” in the bedroom upstairs.”

 

“Oh, well that explains it. You both do look relaxed. Thank heavens.

I was getting to worry about you two and a possible love triangle

with Miss Viceroy.”

 

James laughed at the notion. “That’s not going to happen.” As he tossed the football to Sam.

 

Charlotte had invited Julia, Jesse and Aunt Beatrice over for dinner and of course, cocktails.

Grandpa Jesse stayed at home with the twins. It was his chance to play with his Great Grandson and Great Granddaughter alone with the supervision of Julia. He was in heaven.

 

Victoria joined the others already gathered in the main living area for cocktails.

 

“Everyone, let me introduce our guest from France,

Victoria Viceroy,” Charlotte announced.

 

All eyes were on Victoria as she floated through the room in a

beautiful white outfit looking like she just stepped out of a French magazine.

 

“James you know, I think she could win the hearts and minds

of just about anyone, even you,” Sam remarked.

 

“Cut it out, Sam. It’s business, just business.”

 

“Victoria, would you like a glass of champagne?” James asked.

 

“Merci.”

 

“Oh, so you speak French, my dear,” Aunt Beatrice made a special

move to sit next to Victoria. “Tell us about those terrible terrorists

and the attacks in Paris. It must have been awful.”

 

“Aunt Beatrice, I don’t believe she wants to discuss those horrible events,” James replied for Victoria.

 

“James, it’s alright. I’m sure Aunt Beatrice is curious about the attacks

just like most people from around the world. Let me say that

the French people especially the Parisians are strong people.

They were afraid at first during the attacks but afterwards, they went back to living their lives. They will not let the terrorists win. They are not afraid.”

 

“Were you scared, Victoria during the attacks?”

 

“Aunt Beatrice, yes, but I went to work at the magazine, where I work,

and helped out where ever I could until the early morning. It was a very sad day for France. Many of my friends lost friends in the attack at the concert hall. Very, very sad.”

 

“Enough sadness, let’s have dinner and talk about something

joyful,” Charlotte announced.

 

 

Walking into dinner, Sam took Victoria’s arm and led her to

the dining room with thoughts of sitting next to her but Aunt

Beatrice had a different plan.

 

“If you don’t mind, Bradley, I would like to sit next to Victoria

tonight. You can have her another night. I’m sure you have

many dinners planned for this lovely person, knowing how you operate.”

 

Julia came to the rescue and suggested that Aunt Beatrice sit on

Victoria’s right and Sam could sit on her left.

 

Victoria looked puzzled when she heard Sam referred to as Bradley.

 

After being seated, Victoria leaned into Sam and asked, “Who’s Bradley?”

 

“That’s a long story; I’ll fill you in later.”

 

The dinner conversation stayed off the topic of the Paris attacks and that made Charlotte happy. She and James held hands under the table during part of the meal. Charlotte was determined to keep Victoria away from her husband by keeping his hands and eyes on her only.

 

Aunt Beatrice chatted throughout the meal not giving poor Sam an opportunity to enter into the conversation.

 

Victoria was amused with the whole dinner party and eyed

both Julia and Charlotte suspiciously. She had a job to do and she

could tell it wasn’t going to be easy.

 

(to be continued)