Page 15 of Forgiving Paris
Jessie’s eyes caught the ground a million miles below. If kids could do it, she could. A shrill scream came from her as she leapt from the platform and her feet fell loose. But at the same time the cable caught her and she began speeding down the line. Fast, but not too fast. Slow enough that she could appreciate what was happening. She was flying! Flying through the prettiest treetops and filled with an exhilaration she’d never known before.
Too soon her feet touched the ground, and another worker unhooked her. The woman helped Jessie out of her harness and moved her a few feet so Gabriel could land. A minute later he was at her side, both of them still breathing hard, walking along a path through the trees. “Well, Jessie… what did you think?” He stopped and faced her. “Good adventure?”
She looked at him and the moment shifted. They were alone here on this part of the trail. He put his hands on her shoulders and then he worked his fingers into her hair andtouched his lips to hers. The kiss didn’t last long, but it was warm and full and it took Jessie’s breath more than anything up on the ropes course.
“Yes.” Her voice was soft. All she wanted was for him to kiss her again. “The very best adventure, Gabriel.”
He brushed the tips of his fingers against her cheek. “Tu es belle, Jessie.”
You are beautiful, Jessie.Again his words filled her heart. She did a slight curtsy. “Merci.”
They held hands back to the car, their fingers woven together, skin to skin, and she remembered once more falling into his strong arms up in the trees. The warmth of his embrace. The feel of his lips on hers. And only one question consumed her.
How was she ever going to say goodbye?
6
Alice Arquette felt the brush of her husband’s elbow against hers as the two peeled potatoes for tonight’s dinner, the smell of his day-old cologne familiar and warm. Fifteen years had come and gone since their wedding day, but she still felt like a schoolgirl around Paul.
“So… this girl Gabriel is bringing home, she is special, then.” Paul caught Alice’s eyes and kept peeling. “Has he talked about her?”
“He has.” Alice felt the familiar concern in her heart. A twinge that reminded her of the truth—Gabe was growing up. He could do as he pleased after college. Even move to the States. “It’s new, but… he likes her very much.”
“Hmm.” Paul turned his attention again to the potato. “He can’t move to the United States for her. I’ll forbid it.”
An ache stirred in Alice’s heart. “Please do.” She smiled. If only it were that simple. “Can I tell you something?”
The corners of his lips lifted in a way that betrayed his stern tone. “Are you saying… I can’t stop him?”
“Exactly.” She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. “But I’m grateful that you care. So grateful, Paul.”
“I love him, Alice.” He put more effort into the potato. “More than my own life.”
That was the beauty of Alice’s story in a handful of words. God had brought her a man, strong and intelligent and willing to overlook her past. And though the two of them hadn’t been able to have children, from the beginning Paul had taken on Gabriel as if the boy were his own. Some children never get to be loved the way Gabe was loved by Paul.
Of course her husband didn’t want Gabriel to fall in love with an American girl and leave France. Neither of them did. But if that happened, if their only child did leave the country, all would not be lost.
Because they had each other. Their beautiful days. Their early coffee Monday through Friday and their quiet Scrabble games every Saturday morning. Their walks along the narrow streets near the Seine and their love for cooking.
And they had their undying faith.
Alice would never want for anything because of Paul Arquette. Because God had—in His limitless kindness—given her the man beside her. The cell phone in his pocket rang and Paul winked at her. “Be right back.”
After he stepped out, Alice finished the potatoes. Then she wiped her hands on her apron and moved into the dining room. There on the grand mahogany buffet that ran along the far wall, were a dozen framed photos. Moments that had defined Alice. One of them was the picture that never should have been.
The one of Alice and Gabe, when he was just six months old. Her mother had found a church by then and Alice had gone with her. It was dedication Sunday, the day the church brings new parents up to the front with their little ones. On that day Alice had publicly promised to raise Gabe to the light, to the love of Jesus. And their new church family promised to do all they could to help.
Both had kept their promises, and now here they were. Gabe was grown, still drawn to the light of God every hour, every day.
Alice studied the photo. Neither of them should be alive, not with the way Alice had lived her life all those years ago. They had been headed for the darkest, most destructive ending when suddenly everything changed. It was a miracle. Alice was sure of the fact. What other explanation could there possibly be?
The doorbell rang, and Alice untied her apron. This would be her first meeting with Gabriel’s new friend. Jessie Taylor. “Coming,” Alice called out. Her voice sounded young like a song. The way it had sounded these past two decades. Like the new life she’d found was still bubbling up inside her.
Paul met her in the foyer and they opened the door together. Alice knew two things from the moment she saw the beautiful brunette on the front step that evening. First, her eyes shone with the same light that lived in Gabriel. And second, Gabriel was in love with her.
“Do come in.” Alice stepped back and Paul did the same.
A warmth came from the girl as she hugged Alice. “Nice to meet you, madame.”
