Wednesday, June 12, 1940

Paris, France

 

Eva Edwards exited the métro into a Paris she didn’t know. She was all alone.

Total quiet.

No horns blaring.

No engines sounding.

No automobiles passing by.

Nobody on the street.

She shivered.

What would the city be like after the Germans marched in? She wouldn’t stay to find out. If she could only get Madame Chapelle to leave with her.

Eva hastened down the sidewalk and around the corner to L’ecole International, the boarding school she’d attended for four years of high school. What she wouldn’t give to experience those happy times again, even for one day. Her former classmates were scattered around the world.

She approached the front gate of the school and pushed the buzzer. The sound was so loud she jumped. It was certainly out of place in the eerie silence surrounding her.

A middle-aged woman with graying hair exited the girls’ dormitory and neared the gate. Madame Chapelle. A smile bloomed on her round face. “Eva, my dear. I didn’t expect you, but I’m so glad you’ve come.”

The gracious dorm mother opened the portal and let Eva inside. “You’re just in time for tea and a visit with one of your former classmates.”

“Oh? Who might that be?”

Madame Chapelle grinned. “It’s a surprise … for you and him.”

Him? Which one of her male counterparts would still be in Paris now? She wasn’t aware that any of them were in the city. She followed the dear woman to the parlor and preceded her into the room.

Eva’s breath snagged in her throat. Daniel Miller lounged on the sofa. The scoundrel’s face lit with glee, but her stomach dropped.

“Hi, Red! I didn’t expect to see you!” He stood and beamed at her.

She bristled. Likely story. Daniel had probably scouted around Paris looking for her. He was good at tracking people down. He could keep secrets too—when it was in his best interest.

No one called her “Red” and got away with it. Except Daniel. She hated the nickname, and he knew it. It didn’t help that he said it with a sly look in his eye. He’d tormented her throughout high school, but back then, she ignored him. Unfortunately, it never made a difference. It seemed he hadn’t changed. It was time to switch tactics.

“Why, Daniel, how nice to see you. Are you in Paris for long?” She eyed his casual suit. Last she’d heard, he was in the British Army. What was he doing here?

“No, no. I’m just passing through. What about you? Are you on an assignment?”

Wouldn’t he like to know. He’d probably insist on telling her what to write and how to word it better. They’d always tried to outdo each other in school but occasionally joined forces when it was to their advantage. But only then.

Madame Chapelle added an extra cup and saucer to the tray in front of Daniel. Unfortunately, Eva had to sit on the same sofa with the insufferable man.

“I’m always on assignment, but I came by to talk Madame Chapelle into leaving Paris with me in the morning.” Eva glanced at the dear woman then watched Daniel return to his seat and pour tea into three cups.

Madame Chapelle took her cup from him. “Merci, Daniel.” She gave him an adoring smile. How did he do it? He always had women practically eating out of his hand.

Madame turned her attention to Eva. “I’m sorry, my dear, but my place is here. Even though we have sent all our students home, I need to stay and watch over the property. The cook is also staying. All the American pupils have left the city.” She sipped her tea.

Daniel poured a bit of cream and stirred a teaspoon of sugar into another cup and handed it to Eva. Amazing. He remembered how she liked her tea.

Before drinking his own brew, Daniel glanced at her. “Where do you plan to go?”

Here came the questions, and he’d be sure to interrogate her thoroughly if she let him. Well … Why not?

“Tours. I’ll follow the government. And in answer to your next question, I’m riding with a friend of mine who has her own automobile.”

Madame Chapelle set her cup and saucer on the table. “Eva, you may be the answer to Daniel’s predicament. He needs a ride out of the city. Where was it you said you were going, dear boy?”

“Bordeaux … by way of Tours.”

How could she get out of this politely? Riding in the same vehicle as far as Tours would be pure torture. Not that she couldn’t stand him. Actually, when he wasn’t aggravating her, he was a likable fellow. At least everyone else thought so.

She swallowed the last of her tea and eyed Daniel. “Would Mrs. Miller object to you riding with a carload of women?” She used her sweetest voice.

Madame Chapelle bit her bottom lip, but she couldn’t hide the amusement in her eyes.

Daniel dipped his chin and peered at Eva. “If you’re speaking of my mother, she would be very happy for me to head south in any safe conveyance available.”

Eva laughed. “I can’t guarantee you’ll be safe. Marie is a rather fast driver. Reckless at times. But how will your wife feel about all the female attention you’re bound to garner in such close quarters? Daniel didn’t wear a ring, but not every man did, especially when fighting on the battlefield, if that’s what he’d been doing.

“My wife would be jealous. Indignant.” He cocked his head to the side, but his lips turned up at the corners.

Eva’s stomach dropped for the second time in less than an hour. Somehow knowing he was married took all the fun out of razzing him—of trying to stay a step ahead of him in the conversation. Of enjoying his attention too much.

Madame Chapelle chuckled.

Daniel shook his head and reached for Eva’s cup and saucer. “My wife would definitely be upset … if I had one.” He jiggled his brows.

Oh, why did she always let the man get the best of her? Well, he mustn’t think she cared one way or the other.

“But why ever not?” She didn’t wait for him to put words to the question in his eyes. “Why don’t you have a wife? Won’t anyone have you?”

He looked her straight in the eye. “The truth is … I’m partial to red, and I’ve never met a woman with hair the color of yours. Or eyes the color of summer grass.”

Now he was trying to flatter her. Well, it wouldn’t work. She kept her eyes locked on his, determined to make him look away first. But he didn’t.

“You two children have always sparred like siblings. You know what I think? You’re so much alike, you’re always competing with each other. Maybe you can agree to get along, at least as far as Tours?”

Not likely, but she wasn’t about to leave Daniel to the Nazis either. Whatever his scheme—he was wearing civilian clothes and wasn’t in uniform—she didn’t want him to run into trouble. Not when a war was on and his side was losing.

“I suppose we can find room for you in Marie’s Peugeot. You might have to ride in the boot, but it sure beats walking.”

She rose and turned to Madame Chapelle. “I’m sad you’re not coming with us. Please be careful. Be safe.” If anything happened to her mentor, Eva would be sorry. “I’ll return when I can.”

Madame Chapelle rose and hugged Eva. “You take care out there. Don’t take any foolish risks just to get a story.” Then she faced Daniel, who was already standing. “You especially need to be careful. If the Germans figure out who you are, you’ll be in grave danger out of uniform.”

Daniel kissed Madame Chapelle on the cheek. “Au revoir, madame. Until next time.”

Eva nodded at Daniel. “We’ll pick you up here at 8:00 tomorrow morning. Then she turned to leave.

“Wait, Eva. I’ll walk you home.” Home. She didn’t have a home in Paris. She stayed with friends whenever she was here, but now they were all leaving.

Madame Chapelle followed them out to the gate. “Adieu, dear ones. Until we meet again.”

Tears pooled in Eva’s eyes. Their lives were about to change forever.

***

Daniel accompanied Eva down the sidewalk toward the métro. The silence of the city was broken by the distinct sound of mooing. “Do you hear that?” he said.

“If you’re referring to the cows lowing, I certainly do. I wonder how they got here?”

He and Eva rounded the corner and encountered several white cows with black spots wandering the street. They appeared lost and in pain from swollen udders.

Eva glanced up and down the road. “The poor things. They must have come a long way, and there’s no one to take care of them.”

“If I had a stool and bucket, I’d help them out of their misery. But I’ll notify the police after I return to the school. Where are you staying?”

“With friends in the 16th arrondissement. But you don’t need to go with me. I can make it just fine on my own.”

Eva had made it clear she didn’t want his company, but he wasn’t ready to let her out of his sight yet. How opportune that she’d come by the school while he was still staying there. Riding with her to Tours would give him a head start to Bordeaux and was preferable to walking, but he’d also like to spend more time with her. He’d expected the fiery redhead to have found her match by now, but every year she’d attended their Circle of Hope reunions alone. Although she’d been polite when he attempted to converse with her, she always avoided personal topics.

She was a talented freelance journalist, and he’d seen her stories in a variety of publications. She managed to get the scoop on the latest news and conveyed it with emotion.

“Your description of the invasion of Denmark was very good. I felt like I was in the middle of it myself.”

Her jaw dropped. “You saw that story?”

“Of course. I always look for your byline. I know I’ll get the truth from your reporting.”

“Why, thank you, Danny Boy.”

Daniel cringed inside. He didn’t like her nickname for him anymore than she liked his for her. But he enjoyed riling her. Even if she tried to ignore him, she wasn’t always successful.

They reached the métro entrance, and he gently grasped her arm before they started down the stairway. He was surprised she didn’t pull away. At the bottom, he turned to her. “I’m headed to the 16th arrondissement too. I plan to see David and Natalie before I leave Paris.”

“David and Natalie? Are they together again?”

Daniel chuckled. “I guess you didn’t hear the news.”

Eva wrinkled her nose. Ah. He’d caught her interest. “They tied the knot less than two weeks ago, and they’re both working at the American Hospital. They told Madame Chapelle they don’t plan to leave Paris unless they’re forced to.”

Eva’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think they’d ever get back together. I just arrived in the city a few days ago, so I missed all the excitement. Wow! I wish I’d known.”

“Why don’t you come with me to see them?”

She hesitated for a moment. “Are they expecting you?”

“Yes, but you’ll be a nice surprise.”

The train pulled in with few passengers aboard. The doors opened, and he and Eva entered a car. She slid onto a wooden bench, and Daniel squeezed in beside her, although there were many empty seats. She didn’t seem to mind their proximity.

“I’d like to see them. Who knows when I’ll be back. What time are they off work?”

“I’m meeting them at the hospital. They’re working long hours but need to stop and eat like everyone else.”

They exited at the Pont de Levallois-Bécon Station, about a ten-minute walk from the hospital. Unfortunately, the army had set fire to the local oil reserves to keep the fuel out of the hands of the Germans. The noxious smoke fouled the air, spoiling what could have been a companionable stroll. Trash was also piled up by the road, adding to the fetid smell.

He and Eva traversed the hospital’s long driveway, passed several buildings, and entered the main door. The perky receptionist at the front desk phoned David’s office, spoke for a moment, then hung up. “Dr. Jensen will meet you at the cafeteria. It’s in the basement. The stairs are at the end of the hall, then follow the signs.”

Daniel hadn’t seen David and Natalie since their Circle of Hope reunion last year. He couldn’t wait to see their reaction when they spotted Eva with him.

He and Eva snagged an empty table for four, and David and Natalie arrived moments later. The couple beamed at each other like the newlyweds they were. He couldn’t imagine how they felt. Would he ever know himself?

David, also known as Dr. Jensen, noticed Daniel and Eva first and did a double-take. Then Natalie saw them and broke into a wide smile. The girls hugged, and David slapped Daniel on the back.

“What a surprise, Eva! Where did you pick up this fellow?”

She rolled her eyes. “I found the rascal hiding out at the school. He even had the nerve to ask for a ride out of Paris tomorrow.” Eva chuckled and didn’t look too upset at the prospect. Maybe something good would come out of this journey.

But he did need to set everyone straight. “I did not ask to go along. Madame Chapelle did the honors.”

David sobered. “It’s a good thing. For both of you.” He glanced at Natalie. “We should be safe here at the hospital, but the two of you would be better off moving on—Daniel for certain.”

They all walked through the line and selected meals, then they settled back at their table.

After David asked the blessing, he and Natalie related their experiences during the recent German invasion of Norway and the battles in Belgium and northern France. Their story was astounding. Daniel and Eva listened, asking questions as they ate.

Once she’d cleaned her plate, Eva laid her fork down. “I’m very happy for you two and so thankful you made it here safely. Have you had any word on Jonathan and Irena? Do you know where they are?”

David nodded. “We sent a telegram to Jonathan’s office in London, and he replied from Lisbon. He and Irena have settled in Portugal with the four children they’re caring for. We don’t know the details of their flight from Norway, but we’re glad they made it out safely. Oh, and Jonathan added that Baby Huntwell will arrive in December.”

Daniel’s heart warmed at the news.

Natalie leaned forward. “I knew it before they did.”

David took her hand and gazed at her with tenderness. “Natalie’s a top-notch nurse. I wouldn’t have survived Norway without her.” He squeezed her hand, and she returned his loving look.

All this affection caused Daniel’s scalp to prickle. He was happy for them, but couldn’t imagine anyone ever feeling the same way about him. He glanced at Eva out of the corner of his eye, and she was focused on something across the room. Obviously, he wasn’t the only uncomfortable person at the table.

Their time visiting together was soon over. David and Natalie had patients to see, and he and Eva needed to prepare for their early morning trip. Not that he had much to do.

Daniel escorted Eva to her friend’s apartment. “I’ll just meet you here in the morning. There’s no need for you to return to the school.”

“In that case, be here by 7:30.” She peered at the sky. “I’ll be glad to leave this smoke behind.”

“Me, too.” He nodded. “See you in the morning then, and thanks for taking me along.”

She eyed him, and her brows pulled in. “I hope I won’t regret this.” Then she laughed. “Of course, if you don’t behave …” She left the rest unsaid. The coming days would be interesting—if Eva didn’t dispose of him first. For some reason, he looked forward to the challenge.