Page 44 of Christmas at the Castle
“I was thanking your brother for calling Olga.”
“He can be a sweetheart when he wants to. I wish you two could get along better.”
Kat couldn’t miss her friend’s hopeful tone. “We’re trying.”
At least she was, and she would try harder for Sophie.
Part of her job as a bridesmaid was to keep her friend’s stress level low.
“I can’t believe I ever thought the two of you could fall in love,” Sophie said.
“We’re very different, and, be honest, you only wanted that to happen so we’d be sisters.”
“That’s true.” Sophie climbed the porch steps. “We might not be related by birth, but we’re sisters by heart. Still, I wish…”
The cottage door opened. A woman in her fifties with a chic, jet-black bob hairstyle motioned them up the porch steps and inside. She wore black leggings, a black-and-white striped tunic, and red boots.
Kat thought a retired nanny might look more conservative, but nothing in Alistonia was what she expected—from the castle to Gill.
She stepped inside. The cottage was charming and inviting with no wands or potions in sight. Worn wood planks with more dings and marks than she could count covered the floor. Thick dark beams crossed the low ceiling, and arched wood-paned windows let in natural light.
The woman placed her hands on her hips and gave Sophie a hard stare. “It’s about time you arrived.”
“Oh, Olga, you know you’re not mad at me.” Sophie hugged her former nanny and then stepped back. “This is Kat Parsons. My BFF from camp. I’ve told you about her. Kat, this is Olga. She’s creating my wedding dress.”
Olga smiled. “So nice to meet you, Kat, but we must hurry.”
“Are they disagreeing already?” Sophie asked.
“I believe a six-figure wager may be in the works over whose older son gets married first.”
Sophie shook her head. “A bet is better than them starting a war.”
“That might be next.” Olga lowered her voice. “The queen and duchess are losing their patience with each other.”
“I’m sorry.” Sophie sounded contrite. “You know how hard being on time is for me.”
“Not hard, my sweet girl. Impossible. And your mother should know that by now.” Olga pointed to a doorway covered with a patterned fabric. “Wait in there with the two mothers, Kat. I’ll help Sophie into her gown, and we’ll join you shortly.”
Olga took Sophie by the hand and led her down a hallway.
Kat stared at the cloth. The bright colors were inviting, but she had no idea what she’d find on the other side. She took a breath.
No reason to be afraid. Gill had been joking about his mother, only trying to scare Kat.
She took another breath. This one deeper.
Exhaling, she walked through the cloth and found herself in a small living room with mismatched styles of furniture—a Queen Anne loveseat, a wingback chair, a barstool, and a wooden rocking chair.
“Hello,” she said to the two beautifully coiffed and fashionable women sitting with their hands clasped on their laps.
Olga hadn’t been kidding.
The friction in the room was palpable. If Kat pulled out her pocketknife from her purse, she could slice the tension and serve up pieces.
One woman’s stunning features suggested she’d modeled in her younger days. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a French twist. Her gaze studied Kat like this was the first day of sorority recruitment, not a wedding dress fitting.
The other wore a pale green suit and matching jacket. Her light brown hair was pulled back off her face and highlighted her cheekbones, wrinkle-free skin, and impeccable makeup. Her eyes…
