The Tulip Terror

by C L Bauer

  “I speak for the Saudis now. We didn’t need your help in the first Gulf War. We needed you to protect our oil fields. We don’t like to get our hands dirty. We also needed you to protect that wonderful mall in Kuwait. Thank you for that.”

  “You’re welcome. It’s too pricey for me. The FBI doesn’t pay me that kind of salary.”

  “That is a shame for you.”

  Claude Barbin stood watching the comedy. She had been frightened of her future, but now that she knew the boys would be the ones to finish taking her statement, fear was replaced by laughter. She hadn’t laughed in a very long time, well except with Lily. She was missing her already.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “How much more chocolate did you buy?” Dev asked as he handed Lily’s duty-free bags to the flight attendant.

  Lily watched her every move. “Where is she taking those?”

  “You look like a pet when a favorite food bowl is removed. You won’t need them during the flight, and she will place them safely in storage. I’ll remember them when we get off the plane.”

  “You better, buddy.” Lily still had the magazine she’d purchased.

  “Are you really going to read that?” Dev saw a couple of the headlines. Some celebrity’s wedding was featured on the cover.

  “I like weddings.” She wiggled her nose at him. “Remember?”

  Dev settled into his seat beside her. “I do remember you like weddings, especially your own.”

  “By the way, this return flight will be the perfect time for you to tell me about all of your devious plans with Gretchen, Abby and members of my family. I still want to know how you put it all together?”

  “I made lots of lists, Mrs. Pierce, and I used a copious amount of post-it notes.” He’d turned his head close to hers and was smiling.

  She kissed him quickly. “I do love a man who uses post-it notes.”

  “I’ll tell you all about it, somewhere mid-Atlantic.”

  She flipped casually though her magazine. She yawned. “I am so tired. Going back from a trip always seems to take so much out of me. Besides, I had to stand in the long line while my husband was checked in privately, in the short line. I’m sure it had something to do with all the adventures we just had?”

  “Actually, it was about a certain item I have in my possession, my souvenir.”

  Lily looked into his eyes. For a second she couldn’t figure it out. The realization showed on her face. “Oh. So I have to stand longer in the line for my chocolate purchases,” she lowered her voice, “than you do with a gun?”

  “Chocolate can be dangerous.”

  “Right, it melts.”

  “There is that. There are those bad guys who are allergic. You could take out an entire gang with your wicked chocolate bar.”

  Lily yawned again. “I am so tired.”

  “Well, honeymoons will take a lot out of you, besides, we did try to save the world.” He winked. Her heart melted.

  “There is that. But we failed.”

  Dev gathered her right hand and kissed it. She seemed to like it when Ari did it. “Sweetheart, you didn’t. You found the drugs, you realized that Remy was poisoned by Khalid, and you discovered the fake bowl. You were better than the professionals.”

  “But I want to leave it to the professionals. I don’t want to ever discover drugs again, anywhere. I don’t want to meet drug dealers or smugglers, art thieves, or even international police of any kind.”

  Dev frowned. “What about me?”

  “I want you. You, I will keep.”

  “That’s comforting to know.”

  “But, if we go back to Paris let’s just stick to the restaurants and shops. I’m not sure I’m ready to go back into an art museum for a few years.”

  Dev chuckled. “You know, today you would’ve made Jessica Fletcher proud.”

  Lily pretended to wipe a tear from her eye. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  His laughter stopped as soon as the final preparations for take-off began. She did make him laugh.

  The flight seemed to go by very quickly with several meals served, Dev’s tale of the wedding planning, one movie watched (the latest Tom Cruise action movie), a nap, and plans for the future. They agreed she should redecorate the master bedroom. By the end of the discussion, Dev suggested she make any changes she wanted. It was her home too.

  It was, wasn’t it?

  As they landed in Virginia, Dev held her hand. “Well, we’re here.”

  Lily looked out the window and then back at her husband.

  They were definitely there. Her new life was ahead of her.

  She sighed out loud. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m finally home.”

  Notes from C. L. Bauer

  I hope you enjoyed The Tulip Terror. I had a great time writing it, and enjoyed remembering a special trip I once took to Paris. Lily certainly seemed to love the city despite the new characters she meets and the circumstances she faces. She is becoming a danger magnet, just like Abby said!

  Paris is the ultimate “foodie” city (all of France has amazing food) where you can experience crêpes from street vendors and over-the-top Michelin rated dinners. The coffee (don’t expect them to refill your cup) is so good you really just want to sit at a café all morning with a warm cup in your hand. One of my favorite places, Angelina’s, has the best hot chocolate. They bring you a cup of melted chocolate and a container of whipped cream, real cream. You mix it together and you are transported to heaven, seriously it is heaven. I enjoyed duck and fresh olives. Butter is really butter, and bread is its own food group. Don’t even get me started on the cheese. Fromage forever!

  During my special Paris trip, we rented a flat not too far from the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. I began writing The Tulip Terror before the devastating fire of 2019. I can not explain on paper what the Cathedral was like, when you walked up to it, and stood inside. There really are no words that are adequate, and so I cried as I watched the fire take the spire. We always used to light a candle there, just like Lily did.

  Once again, the wedding stories are based on real events, except for the largest wedding in the story. Were you surprised that Lily didn’t plan her wedding, except for the selection of her dress? And how much do you love Devlin Pierce? His plans really proved how much he really cares for her and needs his wife in his life.

  In every adventure, we are pulling back a layer of Devlin Pierce. He has some intriguing friends, and enemies. Our Lily is becoming her own force of nature. She is finding her way, and maybe she discovers a new path.

  One more interesting item--the fleur-de-lis has been used by the monarchy in France for centuries. It is translated as “flower of the lily” and it is also a design for boy scouts. Lily and Dev are both represented by its meanings, but I never did plan it that way!

  So what is next for our lovable couple? The Sweetpea Secret will be out soon. Lily and Dev will each have to face their pasts while continuing to plan their future. We have realized they both like to plan out everything. Sometimes, you can’t plan for every little thing; life happens and when it does, the post-it notes are thrown in the trash. You can’t make a list when you’re busy fighting for your life. What we do know is Lily and Devlin Pierce will do it together, and together they can’t be stopped.

  C. L. Bauer has been in the wedding flower business almost all her life. Her family’s business has existed in Kansas City serving nearly six generations of families on their special days. Clara’s Flowers has been recognized as a “best of” on several wedding sites and in magazines. Her first love, writing, provided an early career in journalism. During highschool, she began as a sports writer, became an editor in college, and then continued professionally in every writing medium.

  Her first novel The Poppy Drop was well received on the top 100 books of Independent Publishers with Corrugated Sky Publishing. Her past and present clients are looking forward to more “Lily” stories.

  C. L. Bau
er enjoys her family, travel, a good book on a rainy day, bulk post-it notes, and meeting her readers of The Lily List Mystery Series. She can always be swayed to enjoy Mexican food, hockey, and the occasional libation...and of course, Kansas City during the holidays.

  You can reach her on all forms of social media and at www.corrugatedsky.com. Her author page on Facebook has updated information and you can email her at clbauerkc@gmail.com. Visit her site www.clbauer.com

  Please review this and any of C. L. Bauer’s published works on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads. As always, happy reading!

  Coming Soon

  Does Gretchen miss her bestie?

  Will Lily give up weddings forever?

  Does Dev have more secrets?

  Will Lily find more illegal drugs for the DEA?

  Has terror followed the happy couple home from Paris?

  The Sweetpea Secret may hold all the answers and may be Lily and Dev’s biggest challenge yet! Coming your way in 2020!