“You’re a language teacher. Instead of teaching French in the United States, you could give English lessons here. There’s a huge demand for it in Paris.” He gazed down at her, his handsome face alight with hope. “We can put a sign in the window of my shop, and recruit clients to sign up for your classes. So that, when your program ends next week, you’ll have a source of income to help pay your rent in Florida.”
His convincing gaze held hers. “If no job offer materializes… you could stay here with me.Indefinitely.”
Ella shook with emotion.I wouldn’t need to leave Jean-Luc.He wants me to stay!
His deep voice picked up momentum. “You could sell the jean skirts you make—the Renaissance Denim Couture. We can get you a sewing machine. Set you up in a corner of the living room upstairs. You can find vintage jeans and lace in thrift shops. Display your finished creations in the window. And sell them in here in the shop. You’ll have custom orders… make a decent profit. And maybe…you’ll stay in Montmartre.With me.”
Ella threw her arms around his neck, too overcome to speak. After a moment, she took a deep breath and exclaimed, bursting with joy, “I would love to stay here with you. I’ve been dreading next week. Flying home to my empty apartment. Leaving you and Montmartre behind.” She kissed the dense hair on his chest, inhaling his scent deep into her lungs. “Now, I look forward to the future. And living here with you.”
Exuberant, filled with renewed hope, Ella straightened her rumpled skirt. Brushed her tousled hair. And, hand in hand with her bohemian flamenco dancer, went out to celebratela Fête de la Musique.
****
For her final presentation in the summer immersion program for teachers, Ella comparedLa Alma——the painting of the flamenco dancer she’d bought from Jean-Luc onla Place du Tertrethe first night she had arrived in Paris—with the vivid color and intense passion of Vincent Van Gogh’s famous works, and the intimate portrayal of performers in the masterpieces of Edgar Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec. The enthusiastic response from her colleagues and professors was the highlight of the last week of classes.
The farewell dinner took place in the same private banquet room ofla Maison Rosewhere the teachers had been welcomed at the start of the program. Ella profusely thanked her instructors andles moniteurswho had organized the cultural excursions to the various museums. She exchanged contact information with several new friends, including Carmen and Sofía from Argentina, promising to keep in touch through social media and email.
With tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat, Ella hugged Yelena goodbye.
And—rolling her suitcase across the cobbled stone square of Montmartre—went home with Jean-Luc to theAtelier des Lumières.
Chapter 7
La Fête des Vendanges
Jean-Luc had been right. There was indeed a high demand for English lessons in Paris, and Ella quickly recruited a dozen clients. She established three classes of four students who met twice a week for hour-long sessions in the small studio where Jean-Luc gave his art lessons on alternate days. All of her adult students had studied English in school to varying degrees, and Ella was able to teach them not only conversational skills, but American culture as well.
She and Jean-Luc had found a sewing machine, and Ella had carved a nook in a corner of the bedroom where she created couture. She loved finding vintage denim, antique lace, and sparkly embellishments in nearby thrift shops, returning to theAtelier des Lumièresto work upstairs while Jean-Luc greeted customers and sold paintings in his workshop on the lower level. Ella was thrilled to have already sold two jackets and four skirts, with orders for several more custom pieces of Renaissance Denim Couture.
Every afternoon, like many merchants in Paris, Jean-Luc closed his shop for lunch. And frequently made love to Ella in the sumptuous black bed. Although he worked five nights a week—dancing at thetablaoor sketching onla Place du Tertre—they had afternoons, Wednesday evenings, Saturdays…and every glorious Sunday together.
Ella finally received notice that the French teaching position she had been hoping for had been filled by a tenured instructor requesting a school transfer. Since Ella now had no job to go back to, she rescheduled her return flight for late August—within the required ninety days of her arrival in France.
Jean-Luc accompanied her to thePréfecture de Paris,where Ella completed an application for an extended visa, which would allow her to remain in France for another six months. If granted, Ella could remain in Montmartre with Jean-Luc and decide whether to renew the lease on her apartment in late November or apply for aVisa de Long Séjour,which would allow her to remain in France for an additional year.
In her heart, Ella knew she wouldn’t want to renew her lease. She had no desire to go back to Florida. For the first time in her life, she felt wanted and needed. She was blissfully happy with Jean-Luc.
And in love with the vibrant bohemian life of Montmartre.
****
One Tuesday afternoon, while Ella hunted for treasures in local antique shops, Jean-Luc sat at the computer in his atelier downstairs, pouring over ledgers and inventory of supplies. At the sound of someone entering his shop, he looked up to find his landlord, Alphonse Béchamel, accompanied by a striking brunette whose ultra-chic hairstyle and impeccable clothing exuded power, position, and prestige.
“Bonjour, Jean-Luc,” Alphonse said with a cordial grin and a firm handshake. “I’d like you to meet Colette Ducharme, curator of the upcoming exhibition forle Musée de Montmartre,scheduled to coincide withla Fête des Vendangesin October.She and I recently met at a fundraiser for the annual event, and when she mentioned this year’s theme—L’ Art de la Danse—I immediately thought of you.” He smiled politely at his female companion. “I’ll leave you two to discuss the details. And meet you for lunch at noon.” He kissed Colette’s elegant, bejeweled hand. “À bientôt.” With another handshake and a friendly nod, Alphonse said goodbye to his astounded tenant. “Au revoir, Jean-Luc. Bonne journée.”
Jean-Luc watched Alphonse exit the atelier, then turned to welcome Colette Ducharme. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” he asked hospitably, offering her the chair beside his with a gallant sweep of his arm.
“No, thank you, Jean-Luc,” she replied, tucking her tailored skirt with a flawlessly manicured hand as she settled onto the red velvet tufted chair.
Jean-Luc smiled hesitantly as he lowered himself onto his seat.Why is she here?Adrenaline coursing through his veins, he swallowed forcefully to calm his jittery nerves.
“When Alphonse mentioned that you painted flamenco dancers, I was intrigued.” Colette glanced admiringly at the paintings displayed on the walls of the atelier. “My colleagues——Olivier and Guillaume——perused your work last week when they stopped by this studio. They also observed you sketching onla Place du Tertre.” Colette’s dark eyes glittered like black obsidian jewels. “Alphonse had told the three of us that you were a dancer yourself, so my associates and I attended the performance last Friday night at theTablao Flamenco.” Her ruby red lips curled upward in practiced, polished perfection. “You were most impressive. No wonder you’re able to capture the passion and precision of flamenco in your work.”
Jean-Luc wondered where all this was leading as he wiped damp palms along the side of his jeans. “Thank you,” he murmured uncertainly.
“This year’s exposition atle Musée de Montmartrewill be held inOctober during thela Fête des Vendanges,” Colette crooned, flashing Jean-Luc an utterly beguiling smile. “As Alphonse mentioned, the theme isL’Art de la Danse,and we plan to promote local artists who portray dance in their work.” Her pretty white teeth sparkled in the soft, streaming rays of summer sunlight. “I’m here today to invite you, Jean-Luc Cortés, to exhibit your exquisite paintings of flamenco dancers in our unique exposition. As the featured artist of this year’s event.”
Jean-Luc’s pulse hammered in his throat. Nearly four hundred thousand people flocked to Montmartre each year forla Fête des Vendanges. For him to be the featured artist of the exhibit would mean incredible publicity and exposure. Contacts with art connoisseurs throughout Europe. Increased sales and recognition. Fortune and fame.
