Page 16 of Christmas at the Castle
“I will have your suitcase unpacked by the time you finish.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
Liv smiled. “It’s my job.”
“Okay, then.” Kat didn’t want to get anyone in trouble, especially the person who was supposed to be helping her. She unzipped a suitcase and removed her cosmetic bag. “I’ll, uh, be out soon.”
“Would you like a cup of coffee and a snack when you’re finished showering?”
Kat remembered what Claude had said. “Black tea would be great. No snack right now. Thanks.”
A burst of caffeine and a hot shower would have her feeling as good as new. Many times in college and at work, she’d survived longer with no sleep. She would do it again today.
For Sophie.
An image of her pretty friend formed in Kat’s mind. The sooner she adjusted to the time, the bigger help with the wedding she could be.
The picture of Sophie slowly morphed into one of Gill with his disapproving gaze and the harsh set of his mouth.
If Kat was staying in the family wing, did that mean his room was nearby?
If so, avoiding him might be harder, but she could figure something out. She would do anything for Sophie. That included putting up with her brother.
*
After showering, Katdried off with a fluffy towel and then put on the luxurious white robe she found hanging on a hook in the bathroom. The thick, soft cotton made her feel like she was wearing a cloud. She’d been at the castle less than thirty minutes, but she was getting a taste of how royalty lived.
Talk about being spoiled.
In the bedroom, a tray with a teapot, creamer, sugar dish, and cup set on the round table. “I could get used to this.”
Except she couldn’t stop thinking about the animals at the hospital. Was Mabel eating better? Had Sasha stopping meowing? The list of patients scrolled through Kat’s mind.
She should call.
No, because she remembered two things—the time difference and what Jojo had said about leaving work behind, so instead of phoning the clinic, Kat poured herself a cup of tea. She added two sugar cubes. The first sip warmed her insides. The second made her feel less drowsy.
Kat wiggled into a pair of dark blue jeans, and then she put on a pretty green sweater that reminded her of Christmas. The clothes had been purchased for this vacation. Casual, but a step up from what she normally wore.
The door to her room burst opened. Sophie ran inside, squealing in delight. “You’re really here.”
Six summers at camp together, and Sophie had never learned the fine art of knocking. Kat didn’t mind.
She hugged her friend and then stepped back.
With hazel eyes, a clear complexion, and long, blonde hair, Sophie looked stunning. Even in December, she had color on her face. Not from makeup but natural, as if she’d been spending time outdoors.
“You’re positively glowing,” Kat said.
Sophie struck a pose. She wore a plain gray skirt, a red sweater set, and tall black boots. Work clothes, Kat imagined, but these looked like high fashion on her friend.
“Thank you,” Sophie said. “How do you like this room?”
“Love it. The blue is perfect,” Kat said. “But did you just forget to mention you lived in a castle?”
A sheepish expression formed on Sophie’s beautiful face. “I didn’t tell you on purpose.”
“Why?”
