Mountains of Dawn

"No problem, Vanessa. I must say you're looking wonderful yourself. And what is this? Thank you." Kevin took the package and removed the wrapping. "Santos by Cartier-my favorite cologne. You remembered, eh? Again, thank you."

"Come have a drink with me, and we'll discuss all the things I remember," she said with a slight smirk. "We have ever so much to catch up on, my dear. Months of events to discuss."

"I'm sorry, Vanessa. As I told you on the phone, I have a very full schedule. Appointments the entire time I'm here, starting this afternoon. I barely have time to breathe."

"Yes, I know. But I don't mind accompanying you…just as I did in the past. Come, have lunch with me and we'll talk about life and love, past and present."

Vanessa watched a reluctant Kevin sip his drink at the bar of the Grand Palais. "You said you're seeing a girl. Tell me about her," she demanded, twirling the ice in her glass.

"Yes, I am. She's my new neighbor. A bit young for me." He laughed self-consciously. "She keeps me on my toes. You remember the old mansion near my property? She's living there-temporarily, I believe."

"An Italian girl?" Vanessa curled her upper lip slightly. "A peasant?"

"No, she's Canadian. But come to think of it, she could pass for an Italian girl." He smiled. "Her name is Tanya. She's an artist."

"Well, well…what a coincidence." Her voice was tinged with sarcasm.

"Coincidence?"

"Yes. That you are a promoter of the arts and she happened to be there, just like that. I bet she's totally unknown."

"Maybe so. But she is very talented. She just mailed an entry to a competition. Wonder in Children is the title, if I remember correctly." He glanced at her across the small table. "But what about you? Aren't you going on a big trip? Turkey and Turkomenia…something like that?"

Vanessa frowned. "I'm not sure I'll be going," she replied. "There's been a delay. Besides, I've been feeling very tired lately." She looked deep into his eyes. "Really too tired. I need a bit of a rest. I'd like to come and stay with you at the villa for a few weeks."

Kevin hesitated. He pursed his lips, then sighed. "Vanessa, the timing couldn't be worse. I have scads of trips I need to take, appointments all over the globe. I'll be far too busy to pay any attention to you. No chance I'll be even half a decent host."