It felt awkward. Stephanie had said she shouldn’t feel embarrassed, but still, she couldn’t change her feelings. She took a deep breath. “It is important. Very.” She took a sip. “It’s kind of hard to share.”
“No worries.”
Camille gazed into his honest eyes and took another cleansing breath. “Okay, here goes. Before coming to Austria, I suffered a heart attack. During it, I had an experience where I watched the EMTs resuscitate me. I don’t remember much about it except the time in my shop while the rescue workers hooked me to a machine.”
She took another sip, realizing this wasn’t going to be as hard as she’d thought.
“My sister-in-law is my doctor. She thinks stress, due to my work habits, was the cause. So she and my mother cooked up this idea and actually forced me to take this holiday.”
Günther listened patiently, gazing at her over his tented fingers.
“At first I resisted. I’ve never left my business before for any length of time. Or my daughter, Kristin. She’s at a crucial age, where she doesn’t think she needs me but she really needs me a lot.”
“How is your health now?”
“According to Stephanie, with diet and exercise and managing my stress, I should be fine. My father died at forty-nine, so that’s also a factor for me. But all this medical history is not really what I wanted to tell you about.”
“No?”
“No,” she replied, slowly shaking her head. “You see, Friday night after I talked to you, well, the storm kept me awake for a rather long time.
“It was quite the storm.”
Camille repositioned herself nervously, trying to get comfortable. “Let me back up an hour.” She put up her hand, finger on her lip. “This is going to sound rather…strange.”
“Go ahead. You’ve caught my interest.”
“If you remember, I was home alone. When I was getting out of the shower, it was quite steamy in the bathroom. As I wiped off the mirror so I could see my reflection, I was terrified because it looked like there was a person, actually a woman, standing behind me. It was so real. When I turned around, it was just a picture of the Alps hanging on the wall.”
She paused and took a drink of her water. “I was a complete basket case. After our conversation, I finally fell asleep, but experienced this dream, or it was more like a reoccurrence of the day before Valentine’s Day when I had the heart attack and left my body. I’m sure it was something I had experienced at that time and was just now remembering. Or, and this sounds even stranger—that I was actually experiencing it again in reality? I don’t know. But”—Camille felt her face brighten—“it was wonderful. I was weightless and it felt so right. I went flying past all the people I loved, not even worried that I wouldn’t be seeing them anymore. I ended up in the most beautiful place.”
Günther was smiling now, too, a captivated look on his face. He came around his desk and took the chair opposite her.
“Go on, please.”
“It was dazzling. I won’t even try to describe it, except to say, I’m sure it must have been heaven, or a place before heaven, paradise, or something. I don’t know. What I do know is that it was not of this world.”
The jarring sound of Günther’s office phone rent the stillness of the air, making Camille jump. It rang three times, but Günther chose to ignore it. The answering machine picked up and the caller left a message.
After it was quiet again, Günther prompted, “And?”
“I was alone. At least, that’s what it seemed like at first. I didn’t see anyone around me, but soon felt a presence of someone. I wasn’t scared, but happy and I knew in my heart that I’d died, and was on my way to my new destiny. Suddenly, out of nowhere came a voice. It was a woman’s voice, coming from over a small hill. I couldn’t see who it was. The woman called me by name. Before I could see her, I awakened.”
Günther sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his chin perched on his folded fingers. Wonder gleamed in his eyes. “How marvelous. Is that all? You can’t remember anything else?”
“Isn’t that enough?”
“Yes.” He laughed. “And no. One can never get enough firsthand experience of heaven. We can try to understand our true destinies, the best we can through our hope and faith, but actual eye witness…”
When he stood, Camille did too, although a little shaky. They embraced. “Don’t worry. You were given a great gift,” he said next to her hair, then stepped away. “You have been chosen for something wonderful.”
Yes, that was how she felt. She just wanted to know what it all meant. “What about the face? Do you think that was just my imagination because I was edgy from what had happened with Sasha and then with the storm?”
“I don’t know.”
Günther took her drink and set it next to his on his desk. “Now, let’s go celebrate your big day. I know a little neighborhood spot that serves a wonderful Sunday brunch. It’s close. Just around the corner. You must be starving by now. I know I am.”
He opened the door and waited until Camille exited.
This wasn’t a date, Günther told himself. They would just enjoy a meal together. Drink some coffee. Pass an hour in conversation.
Chapter Twenty-Four
They were just exiting the building when the tower clock chimed ten thirty. Clouds had gathered, covering the sun, and the air had turned frosty. As they walked along his phone rang again, bringing a moment of annoyance. “Christove,” he answered. “Ja. Ich verstehe. Ja, OK.” He disconnected and slipped it back in his pocket.
“I’m very sorry, Camille, but I have to cancel our outing,” he apologized. “Something very important has come up.”
Camille looked lovely standing there with the breeze ruffling her skirt. Instinctively, she pulled her soft-looking wrap closer around her body. He could see the disappointment in her eyes, and felt his all the more.
“Please, don’t be sorry,” she said. “Bob and weave, I always say.”
He reached out and gently squeezed her elbow. “You can get home then?”
“Of course. I walk this every day.”
Günther glanced down at her fancy heels. “But normally with your athletic shoes. It will be quite a different matter in those. Let me call you a cab.”
She made a silly face. “Günther, stop worrying. I’ll take it slow. Do a little window-shopping. Stop and have a cup of coffee. If I find it’s too unbearable,” she reached into her purse and pulled out her own cell phone, “I’ll call a cab myself. I am capable, you know.”
“That you are.” He was reluctant to leave. “If you insist then.”
“I insist.”
He backed away a couple of steps. She was disappointed. Her eyes looked sad to see him go. He would make it up to her before her two months were over and she left for home. They’d do something fantastic. Something she would remember for the rest of her life. The coming Bonbon Ball, held at the Vienna Symphony Konzerthaus, popped into his head making him smile. “Don’t talk to any strangers.”
She laughed.
The sound of her happiness fueled him, making him want to stay a moment longer.
“I’m totally serious.” He grinned broadly, taking pleasure in teasing her. His reward was a defiant stance and pointed finger.
“Go on now,” she chastised. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Indeed you will. Bright and early.”
Camille quashed her disappointment as Günther disappeared down the street. She wanted to have brunch with him, get to know him better. See if this feeling growing inside her was real.
She felt relieved she’d finally told him about her heart attack. He hadn’t thought her weird at all. In fact, he’d seemed in awe of her.
She would use this Sunday morning to learn more about the city. She would have fun on her own. What should she do? Nobody had returned to the house yet, but Wolfgang had called and left a message on the answering machine telling her he’d be home sometime today. Helene was staying
with Sasha; the children were still with their grandmother. They had no answers yet concerning Sasha. He said he and Helene were sorry about leaving her alone.
The street was much less crowded today than on a busy weekday, but still the Viennese filled the eateries and coffee houses with laughter. All the retail shops were closed but the restaurants, pubs, and bakeries were taking up the slack.
For a change of pace, she’d take an alternate route home. See something new. Her sense of direction was getting quite good, and after just the few days she’d been here she felt she was getting to know the area well.
Was it too late to call Kristin? She didn’t want to wake her. Besides, the cell phone charge would be astronomical. Deciding to Skype when she got back to the house, she started off.
After several more blocks, Camille sank onto a sidewalk bench. These shoes weren’t made for walking. A blister had already formed on her heel, and both toes pinched cruelly. Not only that, but the temperature had dropped and it was bitterly cold. She looked across the street to a sports shop and the blue Nikes on sale. If only the store were open, she’d march right in and purchase them. As much as she hated to admit it, Günther was right. She needed to call a cab.
“Cabbie, stop here.”
Camille rummaged around her purse for her euros. They’d only gone a few blocks when she spotted a darling restaurant tucked between two brick buildings. It was especially busy, a good sign that the food was worth sampling.
She was starved. If she went home now, no telling what there was to fix. Besides, it was Sunday, a day she usually went out to brunch with her mother and Kristin. She would show her independence and go alone.
After a completely scrumptious breakfast, Camille set her fork into her empty plate and sighed. She was rejuvenated. The strawberry torte and several cups of coffee had revived her, but still she sat. In actuality, she was avoiding getting up on her sore feet. Even the walk to the curb to get in a cab was too long. Under the table, she wiggled her shoeless toes and decided to have one more cup of coffee.
Camille had her coffee cup halfway to her mouth when she noticed Johann hurrying past the restaurant window. His cheeks were candy apple red in contrast to his bright yellow jacket. A mountain of worry marked his face. He glanced back quickly, and then darted away, making her think someone may be following him.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Adrenalin shot through Camille. Instantly, she gulped down the remainder of her lukewarm coffee. With a grimace, she pulled on her shoes and jumped up, bumping the table in the process. Dishes rattled dangerously and water sloshed over the rim of her glass onto the white tablecloth. Ignoring the razor-sharp pains in her feet and the waiter’s flabbergasted expression, she limped as fast as she could out the door, thankful she’d already paid the bill.
On the sidewalk, she grasped a flower-basket-topped pole for support. She searched down the street. Johann was gone.
No way was she going to be able to follow him anywhere in these blasted, feet-mangling heels. She kicked them off, then stuffed them into her bag, running to the corner of the block.
“Johann,” she called loudly between cupped hands. Too late. He was rounding the next corner, too far away to hear her.
“Oh my gosh. I’ll never catch him,” she said to no one in particular. She didn’t care now how many people wondered why a woman was running down the street in her stockings. The boy had looked distressed. She was sure he was in some kind of trouble. Günther had said he was not to go around unescorted. Maybe Bernhard was trying to steal him away again. She had to help.
Leaving the business area behind, Camille noticed the blocks had changed into a neighborhood. Her feet were cold and numb. She wondered if she was still going in the right direction.
From of the corner of her eye, she caught a flash of yellow as a small figure climbed several steps of an old home and disappeared inside.
It had to be Johann. She wondered now at the wisdom of following him on such a goose chase. What if he was fine? Just out visiting or going home? She didn’t know where he lived. Could this be it? He was already suspicious of her. She’d seen the distrust in his eyes as he’d looked at her. Well, there was only one way to find out. She’d never sleep tonight unless she knew he was okay. Let him be mad. Better angry with her than abducted, never to be seen again.
Before she stepped onto the porch, she paused, and as gingerly as she could, put her shoes back on. She took the stairs very slowly, each sending shooting pains up her legs.
She knocked.
An older woman wearing an apron opened the door. “Kann ich Ihnen hilfen?” She asked if she could help her.
Oh dear. She needed to put her German to the test. “Ja, bitte.” Her mind went blank. Each second felt like an hour. All she could remember was, I am American. “Ich bin Amerikanerin.”
The woman waited patiently.
Feeling pressured, Camille blurted out in English. “I’m looking for a small boy.” She held out her hand waist high. “I saw him enter here. Can I talk to him, please?”
The woman was trying to understand what she was saying. Camille could tell she wasn’t getting any of it. The woman shrugged.
Camille paused, then said, “Johann.” She put her hands out again and pretended to give the imaginary boy a hug.
The woman’s eyes lit up. “Ahhh, Johann. Ja. Ja. Bitte, hereinkommen.” She opened the door and stepped aside, motioning for Camille to come inside.
The entry was small and cluttered with a coat rack and two straight-back chairs against the wall. It certainly wasn’t Helene’s home, smelling of fresh-baked bread and apple strudel.
The woman retreated down the hallway. “Einen Moment, bitte.”
Camille felt like an intruder. What would she say to Johann when he appeared? I thought you were running from an abductor. Is your drunken uncle chasing you? Compared to her German, Johann’s English was excellent. He was much more accomplished than she. He’d have no problem understanding anything she would say. But would he appreciate the intrusive behavior in his life?
Her stomach clenched with nerves. She glanced down at her feet. The bottoms of her stockings had worn through during the pursuit, and the dirty, tattered ends were now pulling up around her calves. If there were a bathroom handy, she would hurry and take them off. She glanced around. Too late, the door was reopening and the woman was on her way back.
“Bitte.” The woman motioned to one of the chairs, then disappeared into another room.
Camille nodded and took a seat. Muffled voices floated down the hall. A long, rattling sentence followed by a shout startled her. Was that cursing? Camille fidgeted, seriously regretting coming here at all.
The door opened and Johann appeared. Not a step behind was Günther.
Stunned, Camille stood. She wanted to evaporate into thin air. Their walk down the hall seemed to take a lifetime as she felt her world spinning. As sure as she knew the nose on her face, Günther was not happy to see her.
She waited for them to reach the entry before trying a wobbly smile. Johann’s face was dark and foreboding, and Günther’s? She couldn’t tell. His eyes were masked. But it was the first time she’d seen him without a welcoming smile and friendly “hello.”
For a moment, they all stood staring at each other. Without a word, Günther went into a side room, and motioned for her to follow.
“What are you doing here?” His tone was harsh.
“I-I,” she stammered. Hurt. She hadn’t meant to intrude into Günther’s private life but that was exactly what she’d done. If he didn’t mean so much to her this would be a lot easier. “I saw Johann,” she began again, “from a restaurant window where I was eating. He looked like he was running away from someone, or in some sort of trouble. So I followed.” She glanced at the boy, not wanting him to know Günther had shared with her the circumstances about his uncle. He stood a few feet from the adults, listening.
Another shout came from the room down the hall. Günther jammed h
is fingers through his hair, perturbed. He turned and stared out the window.
“Günther, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
Günther turned to Johann and gave him a curt order in German that Camille couldn’t understand. Johann just stood there, his face defiant, and she knew he was disobeying whatever it was Günther had told him to do. After a moment of Günther’s hard stare, the boy hurried back down the hall.
“I really thought Johann needed me. I would never have imposed on you like this had I known he was coming to see you,” Camille said, trying to get it all out before he interrupted.
“The boy called me soon after I left you this morning,” Günther replied, annoyance still written in his face. “He wanted to come with me. I told him no. He disobeyed and slipped out of the house.”
When he glanced down at her feet, she swallowed nervously. She ignored the angry clenching of his jaw and said, “You were right. I should have called a cab right away. Running after Johann didn’t help.”
Shouting was followed by another loud crash. A nurse ran down the hall to the room.
When Günther turned, she placed her hand on his arm, stopping him. “Günther, who’s in there?”
Günther looked at her for a long second. “Aggie. My wife’s mother. I’ll be right back.” He moved away and her hand fell, leaving her insides cold.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Camille gathered herself together and quietly left the house. She was not sorry for following Johann but she was desperately sorry she’d stepped into Günther’s private world, upsetting him. Even though the blunder had been totally accidental, it didn’t make her feel any better.
Mother-in-law?
Where had that come from?
Had he actually said his wife’s mother?
It was too hard to believe. Where was his wife? He’d never even hinted that he had one. He didn’t wear a wedding band. Although, by no means really had he ever done anything out of line with her even if he were married. She certainly would not have let her imagination run wild concerning him if she had known.
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