The motorcoach was rolling into Old Quebec City down the Grand Allie through the Port Saint Louis into the old walled city. There where 42 passenger on board from the mid-west. Dave was busy giving directions to the driver as they navigated the narrow streets to the quaint little hotel on the Jardin de Governor. The check in went smoothly. All the bags where in their proper room and he had briefed his clients on the evenings events, dinner reservations, the next days tour of the area, when to be at the coach in the morning, and all the little things that would make their tour run smoothly. She would be there tomorrow, Melanie.
Dave loved this city more than any other place on earth. In his fifty years of traveling, as child with his family or the twenty-four years had had spent at sea, no place was so much like home as here. It wasn't the vague familiarity of a place known but home a place where he truly belonged. The people with there open friendliness, the slower pace of life, there was always time for bonjour ca va (hi how are you) even to the stranger as they entered the shops, or met on the streets. The French charm uniquely its own, Canadian not Parisian. He loved it all.
The evening was a whirl of activity, dinner, small talk, helping them with their French, playing the prefect host, making them feel at easy in a foreign environment. Then back to the hotel, the room, paper work, calls, all those little things that make a tour run smoothly. Time for a hot bath, God not a shower too many of them when he was at sea, relax, then turn in for the night. As he drifted off to sleep his thoughts returned to her, Melanie.
The morning was over cast. The suns playing hide and seek with the clouds. There was a chill in the air as fall turned into autumn. They where gathered in the lobby ready to go, the coach outside, when she walked through the door, Melanie.
Melanie was wearing her blue blazer, yellow scarf, gray skirt, and low comfortable back pumps for walking. She wore her auburn hair short; it framed her lovely face, little or no makeup, just the glow of youth. Melanie's figure was perfect, long athletic legs, narrow waist, firm breasts, a picture of balance and proportion. It had matured over the years from schoolgirl to womanhood. Her greeting was friendly as ever as she kissed both of his cheeks. "So good to see you again. Are we ready."
Off they went the city tour in the morning, lunch, then the countryside in the afternoon. They followed their now well established routine. They lunched together away from the group. Small talk about her boyfriend Jean Claude. The fight over who would pay for lunch. They where colleagues comfortable in each other's company. Then off again to finish up the day
The coach pulled up in front of the hotel in the early evening. Dave's clients where in a good mood as they drifted off to make their plans for the evening.
"Melanie, thanks, a great job as always."
"Do you have time for a drink? We could go to Napoleon's." Melanie asked.
This also was part of their routine.
"Well I don't know..."
Dave never got to finish. Melanie's cell phone range.
"Hello, Jean Claude"
Her faced brighten. Then slowly a change came over it. There was just a hint of a tear in the corner of her eye.