Christmas at the Castle

by Melissa McClone

  Christmas at the Castle

  An Ever After Romance

  Melissa McClone

  Christmas at the Castle

  Copyright © 2016 Melissa McClone

  EPUB Edition

  The Tule Publishing Group, LLC

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-945879-18-0

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  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About the Book

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  The Ever After Series

  Other Holiday Books

  About the Author

  A royal wedding. A meddlesome mother. An unexpected union.

  A European getaway during the Christmas holiday is exactly what veterinarian Katrina “Kat” Parsons needs. She can’t wait to be a bridesmaid in her childhood friend’s royal wedding, but she hopes to steer clear of the bride’s arrogant older brother.

  Crown Prince Guillaume wants his younger sister’s wedding day to be perfect, but he’s suspicious of Kat. He and his mother on are on high alert, afraid Kat is not just there for the wedding, but also to find a prince of her own.

  But when Kat’s kindness and generosity prove them wrong, the prince realizes there’s more to her than he ever imagined. Can he trust his heart or will he lose the one woman he can’t live without?

  Prologue

  ‡

  June – Fifteen Years Ago

  Katrina Parsons stood on the edge of the dock at Camp KooKoRomo. She’d left her fishing gear—borrowed as an excuse to check out the lake—near the tall grass. If she jumped into the water and pretended to drown, would the counselors send her home?

  Camp will be good for you, Kat. You’re too young to be stuck on the farm with a couple of old fogies.

  So instead of being with her grandparents, whom she loved, or visiting her parents in Africa, whom she missed, she was stuck spending eight weeks of her summer vacation with kids who thought farting was a group event.

  She groaned. Her angst and frustration carried across the mirror-flat water.

  This was a ginormous mistake. She was going into eighth grade and should have known better than to agree to come, but she’d been swayed by the glossy brochure with pictures of fun in the sun, s’mores by the campfire, and cute boys.

  Especially the cute boys.

  The ones at her middle school wanted only to copy her homework. They ignored her otherwise.

  But so far, in the two hours since she’d arrived, she hadn’t seen one cute boy. She’d looked. Twice.

  How many others had fallen for the brilliant marketing scam?

  “Help! Someone, please!”

  A panicked voice came from somewhere on shore. The tall grass and reeds blocked Kat’s view, so she ran off the dock.

  “Where are you?” Kat yelled.

  “Here,” a girl called. “Please help my brother.”

  Kat tromped through the grass and saw two teens.

  The girl was around the same age as she was. She had shoulder-length blonde hair and wore a flower-print sundress and white sandals.

  The boy looked to be a couple of years older. He lay on the ground and clutched his leg. He was dressed in khaki pants and a navy polo shirt.

  Odd clothing choices for summer camp compared to Kat’s jean shorts and tank top. Maybe they’d come straight from church.

  “What happened?” Kat asked.

  “My brother got caught on something and fell.” She spoke with a slight accent.

  English, maybe? Kat couldn’t tell.

  The girl stood a few feet away. Her face was pale, and she wrapped her arms across her stomach. “There’s…blood.”

  Blood didn’t bother Kat. Last week, she’d helped Dr. Monroe deliver a colt at the next-door neighbor’s barn. So cool.

  She kneeled on the ground. “Let me see.”

  The boy grimaced. “Who are you?”

  His accent was stronger than his sister’s.

  “It’s okay.” Kat placed her hand on his shoulder the same way she comforted an injured or sick farm animal. “I know first aid.”

  The tension on his face remained, but his green eyes didn’t look nearly as dark. He raised his pant leg as much as the fishing line tangled around his calf allowed. Blood streaked the skin. A hook was caught above his ankle.

  Not any hook, either. The one from the pole she’d borrowed and left on the ground when she went to the dock.

  “I’m so sorry.” Her throat thickened. “You tripped on my fishing pole. But I’ll fix this.”

  “No.” The lines around his mouth deepened. “Go get help.”

  “I can do this.” Kat removed her pocketknife from the back pocket of her shorts.

  He flinched. “What are you doing with a knife?”

  “I live on a farm where carrying a knife comes in handy.”

  This one had been a birthday gift from her parents when she turned eight, though she had a feeling her grandparents had purchased it. Her mom and dad were too busy with their research on primates to remember special dates and holidays. Sometimes, Kat wondered if they remembered they had a daughter. Too bad spending the summer with them hadn’t been an option.

  She opened up the knife. “When you’re in the wilderness, you should always be prepared.”

  “We’re at a summer camp with a ridiculous name.” He spoke through clenched teeth. “Not the Białowieża Forest.”

  Kat had no idea what or where that place was, but the exotic name conjured up images of a grand adventure. Someday, she’d travel to places like her parents did and see the world.

  “True, but I can use the knife to remove the fishing wire so you won’t stumble again.” Sunlight glinted off the silver blade. “If you stay still, I won’t cut you.”

  His clear, green eyes turned cold and looked like frozen peas. He must be in pain.

  “Go ahead,” he said finally.

  He didn’t sound happy. Kat didn’t blame him.

  Blood seeped through his pants. A large red spot covered his knee.

  Ouch. He must have hit the ground when he fell.

  She cut away the fishing line and then closed the blade. “I’m going to pull out the hook. This might sting.”

  His jaw tensed. “Get it out now.”

  She was tempted to salute but thought better of the idea. He didn’t seem like he was in the mood to laugh or smile. She didn’t blame him.

  Kat pulled on the hook.

  He grunted.

  His sister shrieked. “Oh, please, be careful.”

  Kat was. She tried again. Each time she worked to dislodge the hook, the boy’s face reddened and the girl’s paled. Finally, it came out. “Got it.”

  He squeezed his eyes closed.

  Kat
placed the hook on the fishing line she’d cut off.

  The boy opened his eyes. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “You shouldn’t leave your things unattended.”

  “I didn’t think anyone would be out here.” She gathered the fishing gear, stood, and extended her arm to help him stand. “We need to get back to camp and clean you up. You don’t want your wounds to get infected. And someone should check your knee.”

  The boy hesitated and then slowly, as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to touch her, grabbed hold of her hand and stood.

  His strong grip surprised her given he was so thin. In spite of his cold gaze, his skin was warm. He was taller than she expected, and she had to look up at him, which was nice. She towered over many of the boys in her class.

  She couldn’t tell if his light brown hair was curly or messy. The wild style might look good on him if he smiled, but his lips pressed together so tightly she could barely see them.

  He must be in pain.

  Kat slipped her arm around his waist.

  Brushing her hand away, he stared down his nose. “This was your fault, and I am capable of walking on my own.”

  “I said I was sorry.”

  Silence.

  His I’m-better-than-you glare prickled. So not polite.

  She’d tried to help after her mistake, but if he fell again, that would be on him this time. “Let’s go then.”

  He limped.

  “Thank you for helping my brother.” Color had returned to the girl’s face. She fell in step with Kat. “I’m Sophie von Strausser.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Kat Parsons.”

  The boy made a face. “You’re named after an animal?”

  “Kat with a K. It’s short for Katrina. But I wouldn’t mind being named after cats. I love animals.”

  The boy rolled his eyes. A reaction she knew had nothing to do with his injury. As her grandmother would say, he had an attitude with a capital A.

  “You’re American,” Sophie said in a pleasant singsong voice that belonged in a cartoon.

  Kat smiled. “Well, this camp is in America.”

  “Oh, yes. I forgot amid all the excitement.” Sophie grinned. “This is my brother Gee—”

  “Gill.” His harsh glare traveled from Kat to his sister and sharpened along the way. “My name is Gill.”

  The sooner Kat could leave Gill with those in charge at the camp’s office, the better, but Sophie seemed friendly. “Nice to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is mine.” Sophie walked with a bounce to her step. Not quite skipping, more like a hop. “I’d be delighted to be your friend.”

  Sophie was bright and cheery like a meadow of wildflowers, as pretty, too, but Kat wasn’t used to anyone wanting to be her friend. Well, except the animals at the farm.

  “Sure. You can never have enough friends.”

  “Who is your BFF?” Sophie asked.

  “I, um, don’t have a best friend.” Kat left off that her closest friends had four legs and were covered with fur. Well, except the chickens and ducks. Only two feet and feathers for them.

  Sophie hooked her arm with Kat’s. “Now you do.”

  That was easy.

  “I’m from Palouse.” Kat supposed BFFs should know something about each other besides their names. “It’s a small town in Eastern Washington. Where are you from?”

  “Europe,” Gill answered.

  Kat could relate to his want-to-be-anywhere-but-here look given her mood less than ten minutes ago, but he didn’t have to act like a jerk. Gill reminded her of the popular kids at school who looked down on everybody else unless they wanted something, but she knew better than to say anything.

  On second thought… “An entire continent is a bit general, don’t you think? Or are you nomads?”

  Sophie giggled. “Nomads. I love it.”

  The lines on Gill’s face deepened like canyons. “We live in a small place that’s virtually unheard of outside of Europe.”

  His authoritative tone reminded Kat of the school’s new vice principal, who passed out detentions like Halloween candy. Best to stay far, far away from Gill. That should be easy to do.

  “But I’m assuming an American might know the continent,” he added.

  Gill not only thought he was better but also smarter than everyone else. The urge to brush him away like a swarm of gnats was strong.

  “Don’t mind my brother,” Sophie said before Kat could respond. “He’s always moody and wanted to spend the summer at boarding school instead of camp.”

  Boarding school? Kat had never met anyone who went away to attend school. She couldn’t imagine what that must be like.

  “So Kat from Palouse, have you seen any of the cute boys from the brochure?” Sophie asked.

  Kat hadn’t been the only one who’d fallen for the sales pitch. She glanced at Gill. He could qualify as cute if you liked the tall, silent, hates-everything type.

  She didn’t.

  She focused on Sophie. “No, I haven’t, but I’m hoping not everyone is here yet.”

  “Unbelievable,” Gill said. “The two of you are the same.”

  Kat took that as a compliment. She straightened.

  “Which is why we’ll get along splendidly.” Sophie stuck her tongue out at Gill before turning her attention to Kat. “My brother is going to be miserable the entire time he’s here, but I promise I won’t let him ruin our summer.”

  Our summer.

  A warm feeling flowed through Kat, as if liquid sunshine poured through her veins. She couldn’t help but smile.

  Maybe Camp KooKoRomo wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Chapter One

  ‡

  December – Present day

  “Dr. Parsons…Kat. Wake up.”

  The familiar voice of Jojo, a vet tech at the Cedar Village Veterinary Clinic, cut through Kat’s sleep-fogged brain. She’d been making one last round before heading home. She must have fallen asleep.

  Kat stretched her arms. Something scratched her hands. Hay.

  She opened her eyes.

  Sunlight filled the stall.

  Uh-oh. She scrambled to her feet. “What time is it?”

  “Seven-thirty.” Jojo, a forty-three-year-old woman who had blue-streaked black hair, petted the sick calf. “I came in here to check on Mabel. Found you asleep.”

  Mabel needed more care than the farm where she lived could provide. Earlier, the calf had been restless, so Kat had wanted to calm her. Not fall asleep.

  “Don’t you have a plane to catch?” Jojo asked.

  “Yes, but my ride isn’t picking me up until eight-thirty.” And they had a two-hour drive to reach an airport that offered commercial flights.

  She brushed hay from her scrubs. “I have time to get home and shower.”

  And finish packing for her European vacation.

  Sophie might be her summer camp BFF, but she was also a princess. More than yoga pants and T-shirts—Kat’s typical attire at home—was required. Although, she did plan to wear those on her flight across the Atlantic so she could be comfortable and sleep.

  Kat grabbed Mabel’s chart and jotted down notes for the other vets who worked at the clinic. “If you need anything—”

  Jojo raised her hand. “This is your first vacation since you started working here. Forget about this place, enjoy your time off, and catch the bridal bouquet.”

  “I don’t know what wedding traditions they have in Alistonia, but if there’s a bouquet toss, I’ll go for it.”

  Kat wanted a family more than anything, but she had zero hopes of getting married in the near future. Not only did she have to fulfill a three-year commitment at the rural clinic as part of a veterinary school loan repayment program, but her work schedule made dating difficult, if not impossible. Being the newest vet on staff meant her shifts consisted of late nights at the twenty-four-hour hospital, weekends in the mobile clinic, and holidays.

  Not that she minded. She
loved her job, but she couldn’t wait for this trip. She’d been saving up vacation time and trading on-call shifts so she could be in Sophie and Bertrand’s wedding.

  A princess marrying a duke’s second son on the twenty-third of December.

  A royal Christmas wedding.

  A sigh welled.

  This would be the best wedding ever.

  Kat brushed off more hay. “I have to keep pinching myself that I’m really going on this trip.”

  “Just don’t forget your bridesmaid dress,” Jojo said.

  “It’s in Alistonia along with my shoes. I’m taking three flights today. No one wants to chance my suitcase getting lost.”

  “Be sure all the hay is out.” Jojo picked out a piece from Kat’s hair. “A shower won’t do that.”

  Kat touched her head and poked her finger. Oops.

  She put Mabel’s chart back into place and then reached out to the calf. “Good morning, beautiful girl.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” Jojo dragged Kat out and into the clinic. “Get your stuff and go. The clock is ticking.”

  Jojo was right, but leaving was never easy for Kat. This morning was no different. Dogs barked from the treatment room. A cat yowled, not a patient, but a border in the kennel. Sasha, part Siamese, did not like being away from home.

  The sounds weren’t unusual for the small animal section of the clinic, but Kat’s chest tightened. Fighting the urge to take one last look at their patients, she touched Jojo’s arm. “Promise me—”

  “I’ll check on Sasha as soon as you leave.” Jojo placed her hand over heart. Amusement twinkled in her eyes, but her voice was sincere. “I’ll take good care of Mabel and the rest who are here, too. We all will. Promise.”

  Everything would be fine while Kat was away. She knew that. Jojo and the staff had been caring for animals long before Kat had started veterinary school, and they’d be here long after she left.

  “Thanks.” She grabbed her tote bag. “Merry Christmas.”

  “You, too.” Jojo hugged her. “Take advantage of any mistletoe you see.”

  Kat grinned at the thought. She hadn’t kissed a guy in way too long. “Definitely.”