Lyza's Story: Book One of The Lane Trilogy. Vicki Inc. Andree

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СКАЧАТЬ land on it in an attempt to mate?”

      Lana gleefully answered, “Darling, you are so right. Before they discover the trick, the butterflies have already pollinated the plant. When you think about it, it could be a little like this benefit. A little flower here and there may charm the money right out of their bank accounts.”

      ***

      Paris did not disappoint. The women awoke to pleasant temperatures mixed with sunshine.

      Leesa sang the lyrics to “I Love Paris,” slightly off-key, as they rode the elevator down to the hotel coffee shop. They ordered espresso and French pastries. After breakfast, they ventured onto the streets of Paris.

      Leesa spread her arms wide to embrace the day. “Just breathe in deep that fashion air.”

      Leesa and Lyza strolled down the streets of the fashion district. They ogled the latest fashions by designers Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and Hermes.

      Leesa stopped to look up and down the street. “I love this place.”

      Lyza looked at the dress in the window and her task-oriented personality kicked in. “Leesa, you are such a funny one. Anyone can tell I’m older, even if it is just by eight minutes. Let’s get down to shopping business. Did you see that Versace creation? Too much! I’m getting it.”

      Leesa grabbed Lyza’s arm. “No, no, no, not yet. It’s much too early to buy. Slow down. Stop and smell the roses, as they say. We have all day.”

      “We may have all day. But time goes fast in Paris. Let’s move on to Chanel and Dior shopping over on Avenue Montaigne and Avenue des Champs-Elysees. There’s a Zara’s there, too.”

      Leesa stopped and looked across the street. “It’s not a race. Can’t we stop at Ladurée for one of their legendary macaroons? Designer shopping can wear you out.”

      Lyza wrinkled her nose. “We just ate breakfast.”

      “I don’t care. We’re in Paris. Besides, it can be lunch. Humor me.”

      After devouring designer coffee with exquisite macaroons for an early lunch, they leisurely wandered through familiar streets taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Paris. Both Lyza and Leesa lost track of time, and as predicted, the women were still in the thick of shopping, picking, and choosing when shadows grew long and evening fell. Still they ventured on.

      The Louis Vuitton shop manager invited the young women to sit down. “Please sit here. Let me get wine or coffee or whatever you would like to enjoy while watching our fashion show.”

      The twins sank into the white leather sofas, slipped off their shoes, and curled up for their private show. Three models showed off several new fashions.

      Leesa pointed at the long black gown. “I like that one. The way the fabric moves looks so elegant.”

      “I liked the miniskirt with the blazer; red polka dots remind me of Red Hots. Remember that candy we used to chew on in school?”

      On the way back to the hotel, the driver passed a dock. “Look, Lyza—there’s our yacht. Remember when we were little and all of us spent time cruising the Seine?”

      “Those were fun days. I remember how you had to take that stupid teddy bear everywhere you went. You were such a baby. I can’t remember what you used to call him.”

      Leesa got a faraway look in her eyes. “Oh, how I loved that teddy bear. Mr. Ted went everywhere with me. He made me feel safe at night. I still remember how good it felt to hug him as I fell asleep—until he mysteriously disappeared. After he was gone, it took me weeks to get to sleep. Cook sat with me for hours before I would fall into a fitful sleep.”

      Lyza burst out laughing. “Can I help it if he decided to take a swim?”

      Leesa felt her face get hot. “Is that what happened? You wouldn’t… Did you…?

      Lyza couldn’t control her laughter. “You should have seen Cook. She almost fell in trying to save him.”

      “Really?” Leesa’s back clenched. “You and Cook shared this little secret for a long time. I can’t believe you did that. And you never told me before tonight.” Innocence and shock turned to accusation. “You always were such a little sneak.” Some things never change. You’re still a little sneak, Lyza Lane. It’s a good thing I’m not vindictive. I loved Mr. Ted, and you drowned him.

      They watched the Eiffel Tower in the distance, lights illuminating its sleek, tall form against the black night.

      Their limo passed a young couple on the sidewalk holding hands. Further down the street, a young man held his lover close in a long, passionate kiss. Paris was romantic, but romance was one area of their lives that lay completely barren.

      Leesa nudged Lyza. “That guy could use a hair cut.”

      Lyza shook her head and snickered. “Love is blind.”

      Chapter Four

      Chuck O’Malley signed up for the geological hiking group, fulfilling a vow not to spend every Saturday in his IBM cubicle in Brisbane, Australia. I am not Dilbert. Now sweating with a small group of college students in the outback, he remembered collecting rocks as a kid. I had a good time then. Collecting rocks kept me active and enjoying nature. I still love being outdoors and getting my hands dirty. I haven’t done it for a long time. The group stood around the trailhead at dawn, waiting for the man getting out of the dark green pickup.

      Walking up to the group, the lanky Aussie with unruly sun-bleached hair used his forefinger to push up the brim of his straw hat. “G’day, how ya goin’? Let me introduce myself. I’m your group leader.” He put his hands on his hips and stood with his feet planted about shoulder width apart. “You can call me George, because that’s my name.”

      The group chuckled while George continued, “And because I’m your leader, we’re going to have a lot of fun today learning about various rock formations and minerals that abound here in the Australian bush. Here’s my sidekick, Sam.”

      George smiled and nodded toward a black lab jumping from the back of the pickup. “Be nice to him. He’s a good dog, and he likes bushwalkin’ just as much as the rest of us.”

      Sam slowly walked to George’s side, stopped wagging his powerful tail, and meekly sat.

      George studied the list of participants on his clipboard. Most of the group were from the United States; no locals attended. The group, mostly college-aged young men, with the exception of Chuck O’Malley, gathered around to ask questions.

      A short young man with a crew cut spoke up. “What’s bushwalkin’?”

      George pulled off his hat and wiped his already sweating forehead. “That would be hiking to you foreigners.”

      Yet another of the young students piped up. “Will we find any precious stones out here?”

      “You might. Anything’s possible. Opals are mined, but we aren’t going below ground today. The major mines are at Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge, and White Cliffs. We’re nowhere near any of those.”

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