“Which brings us to the discussion of how we might arrange to meet in the future and the frequency you think you can manage. I’m certainly willing to travel. Now that I’ve had a taste of it I’d like to do more,” Ben said with a smile.
“I think our first meeting may be in the United States. I will be flying to New York in a couple of months to attend a conference with some investment houses there. I could spend a few extra days to come visit you then continue on to our Hong Kong office,” she said with a smile.
“That would be amazing!” Ben exclaimed. “I’d love to show you where I live and our neighborhood. It’s no Paris but it has its own charms.”
She smiled at his enthusiasm.
Dessert was a light puff pastry and some field berries with a sweet cream. Margaux enjoyed Ben’s delight as he scooped up the last of the cream with the last bite of pastry. He leaned back with a happy look on this face and gazed back at her.
“That was wonderful! I was a little nervous at first with the art piece but even that was good! Dessert was delicious! I’m going to have to hit the gym tomorrow morning as I’ve really fallen behind. My wounds should be sufficiently healed for me to work out again.”
“Wounds?” she asked with a concerned look.
“Uh yeah. I suppose I should warn you I have some scars on my body. You can see the ones on my face. Some are very old. A dozen or so were from earlier this year. Eight more were from Paris and my back is still healing from being shot at with a shotgun and being knocked off my bicycle by a crazed motorist when were in Saint Pierre d’Albigny. If you find them hideous I’ll understand,” he said quietly.
“You were shot?!?” Margaux exclaimed a little too loudly in her shock and the people at the next table looked over at them with interest. Ben raised his palms to Margaux as a gesture to calm herself.
“Shot at. Only some of the pellets struck my back. There was a retired doctor nearby and he removed them and stitched me up. I heal well.”
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the man from the next table, big with a barrel chest and a larger gut get up and head in their direction. Ben turned to look and the man’s face split into a huge grin.
“I knew it! You’re that fella I saw on TV! The one who killed those white slavers and freed the girls! A gen-you-wine hee-row!” The man stretched out the words with his thick Texan accent and clapped his hands together once. He turned to his wife. “Dotty! Get over here with that camera!”
Ben was about to protest when he felt a soft hand land on his. He looked to Margaux and saw her eyes were twinkling with delight. She was enjoying this. He sighed.
The woman sprung to her feet and rushed over to join her husband. She was pleasantly plump and grinning from ear to ear as well. Her big head of brown hair seemed to be defying gravity as it formed a perfect bell shape around the back of her head. “It IS you! This is SUCH an honor! To come all the way to France to celebrate our anniversary and to bump into a celebrity at dinner! It’s a dream come true!” she gushed and Ben did his best to smile.
“Why, he’s a one man Seal Team 6 from what the newsies are sayin’!” her husband joined in on the gushing.
Ben was starting to get really uncomfortable. “It wasn’t that dramatic! It was an accident that I ended up in the room and there was only two men when I walked in.” This was the extent of Ben’s recollection until he had freed the ladies in the bedroom.
“What were you carryin’?” the big man asked with a grin.
“Carrying?” Ben blinked at him.
“Your piece! Your shooter! Your gun!” the man rattled off.
“I- I don’t have a gun,” Ben said.
The man’s eyes widened. “You went into a white slaver’s den unarmed, left four of the bastards dead, and freed the five captives! HO-LEE SHIT!”
“RENNY! Language! There are ladies present!” Dotty scolded him.
The man was looking at Ben like he was witnessing the second coming and Ben’s agitation rose. “You said something about a picture?”
“Yes sir! Uh, if you don’t mind that is.” Renny was suddenly conscious of his intrusion.
“A picture is fine.” Ben stood up and posed next to the man with his arm over his shoulder. Renny’s head only reached Ben’s shoulder and the man’s wife was shorter still.
Dotty handed her camera to Margaux and pointed out which button to press then scurried over to stand on Ben’s other side. She put her arm around his back and clutched his side.
Ben flinched. “Uh Dotty, could you move your hand down a little? You’re tugging on my gunshot wound.” He sighed as her hand moved lower. “Thanks!” He glanced at her and discovered it was her turn to look awestruck. “Everyone smile at the camera!” Ben said and they did.