“Bonjour,” she replied, using the sparse French she knew. She issued a wide smile to compensate for her lack of knowledge in their language.
They returned her smile, making her grin inside. Some languages were universal, and that created a sense of belonging within her to a world larger than her own little space.
An individual stepped onto the bus. She glanced toward the front and locked eyes with James. She hadn’t expected to see him, but she wasn’t disappointed.
“What happened to the art tour?” she asked after he’d walked toward her.
“There was a mix up with the booking system. The guide asked if anyone would be willing to reschedule and since everyone else was with a family or group, I volunteered.” He gestured toward the seat next to her. “May I sit there?”
“Go ahead.” She scooted over and grabbed her purse from the empty seat, making room for him.
“They gave me a choice of the ruins tour or ballroom dancing lessons as compensation. That was an easy choice.”
“Since you’re here, I’m assuming you weren’t drawn to dancing?”
He rubbed his jaw. “Let’s just say at my wedding, I stepped on my wife’s toes during our first dance. She had to sit out the next two dances until her foot felt better.”
“Ouch.” She jerked her head around when the full weight of his words processed in her head. “You’re married?”
He bit down on his lip and his eyes darkened to a full black. His face said it all, but he uttered a single word. “Widowed.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize.”
“You couldn’t have known.”
Pieces of the little she knew about him began to make sense. “You weren’t always a workaholic?”
A hint of a smile flickered on his lips. “Who said I’m a workaholic?”
“No one had to, but bosses don’t generally force vacations on their less dedicated employees.”
“Fair enough. You could say since Crystal, my wife, passed away, I’ve thrown myself into work. It’s easier that way.”
“How long-” She cut herself off before she asked the invasive question. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.”
“It’s okay. Crystal’s been gone for two years, and she was sick for three years before that.” James sucked in a deep breath. “There are days it’s felt like a lifetime, and days it feels like yesterday.”
“You loved her deeply. I can hear it in your voice when you speak her name.”
“She was incredible. Not perfect, but we complemented each other perfectly.” A low chuckle made his cheeks twitch. “I’ve always played life safe. I like rules and organization. My parents bought me a palm pilot for Christmas one year when I was a kid. Remember those?”
“I do.”
“Crystal threw a wrench into my perfectly ordered life. She was anything but organized but she could pull a dinner party together in an hour. What she lacked in organizational skills, she made up for in hospitality and love. Everybody was welcome wherever she was. She was an interior decorator and made our home into an oasis of peace where we could escape our hectic lives.” A pensive expression swept over his face. “We were so different, but our relationship worked in the best way.”
“She sounds wonderful.”
“Thank you.” A brief tremble passed through his shoulders. “Anyway, I didn’t mean to bring your day down. I don’t talk about her much, and I guess it came pouring out.”
“I don’t mind at all. Thank you for sharing about her.”
“What are we expected to see on the ruins tour?” he asked, creating a clear change of topic.
Following his cue, she answered. “There are actually two ruins tours to choose from. This one will take us to see a castle, an abbey, a bridge, and a stone circle.”
“Like Stonehenge?”
“Yes. It’s believed the people groups who created Stonehenge are related to those who built the similar site in Finlovia, but no one can know for certain, though they are positive it was built in the same neolithic era.” She met his eyes and grinned. “Before you ask for more information, that’s all the brochure told me.”
