Page 124 of Christmas at the Castle
Those words confirmed what she knew in her heart. She would never hurt him, Sophie, and Jacques. “That’s why I have to go. Your family is finally back together. I won’t be the one who comes between all of you.”
“That would never happen.”
“It will if I stay.”
“No.” The word echoed.
Oh, sweet prince. Kat wanted to believe as he did, and let him convince her to stay, but she couldn’t. “Look at what happened with Jacques.”
“That was different.”
“Are you sure about that?” she asked.
“I…” Realization dawned on his face. “You’re right. It’s not different. Jacques wanted to pick his own bride—the Church, but Mother didn’t agree. She wants to pick my bride, too, instead of letting me choose my wife. But this isn’t a hopeless situation.”
“I’m sorry, but it is.”
“You might as well take your knife out of your suitcase and stick it in my heart. That’s how you’re making me feel right now.”
She struggled to keep herself together when all she wanted to do was fall in a heap at Gill’s feet. But she was leaving because that was the best thing for him and his family. She hoped he understood that someday.
Tears stung her eyes, but she looked up to keep them at bay. If she started crying, she might lose what little strength she had left.
She squeezed his hands. “The one thing Sophie has shown me over the years is the importance of family. I always thought there was this perfect family, one that met every statistic, and that lived happily ever after. I longed to be a part of that kind of family because I thought I’d missed out. But I see families differently now. They are real, changing like the seasons, and far from perfect. Families take work and effort. Some people aren’t cut out for that effort. Others are, and they thrive.
“Your mother is a meddler. But she interferes because she loves you. Parents, even meddling mothers, need be a part of their children’s life. I won’t come between you and her.”
“Is there nothing I can say to change your mind?”
Kat took a deep breath. “I-I’m sorry. I wish things could be different.”
“Me, too.”
“I can’t come between a family. I just can’t do that knowing what it’s like to have parents, but never have them part of my life. I won’t do that to you or Sophie.” Kat stood, rose up on her tiptoes, and kissed him gently on the lips. “Goodbye, Gill.”
*
The days passedslowly, miserably, for Gill. Out in the stable, he sat by the nursing puppies. “Good job, Mama.”
The name suited her. She took good care of her little ones. The pups looked more like round balls of fur than dogs, but they seemed to be changing every day. Of the six, four had homes waiting for them once they were old enough.
Gill thought about keeping one himself, but he decided to give Mama a home at the castle instead. He had to do something to make Max happy. The dog acted miserable. No appetite. No desire to do anything but check on Mama.
A puppy squirmed between two others to eat.
He snapped a photo with his cell phone. Sophie would want to see this. And Kat…
Gill missed her. She was on his mind constantly. He wondered if her being gone was the reason Max was acting like he’d lost his best friend. Gill felt as if he had.
His mother entered the stall. She touched his shoulder. “You’re enthralled by those puppies.”
He wanted to shrug away from her touch. She was the reason Kat had left, even though he wasn’t without blame.
If he’d had more backbone or could walk away from his duty…from the throne.
But he knew how he’d felt when Jacques had done that. Sophie deserved to live her life. Still, Gill didn’t know if he could continue like this.
His mother moved closer to the puppies. “They remind me of you when you were little. All you wanted to do was eat. Day and night.”
