“I only got to come on this trip because I saved my tip money from my barista job and did a bunch of housesitting last summer.”
“Good for you.” An ambitious kid. She’d go far.
“I’m getting my AA and then transferring. My parents said if I did that they’d help me pay for two years at Western so I can get my BA. After that I’m going to get my master’s and then a doctorate. I want to be a history professor.”
Harriet had her whole life mapped out. Good for her.
“I’m not going to get married, though. Commingling money is a bad idea.”
“Sounds like you’ve got your life pretty well planned,” he said.
“I do. All that’s missing is the right man. I want someone mature and successful.”
Here she paused to give him a coy smile. Oh, boy.
“Someone who wants a woman who’s smart. You’re a businessman. I bet you want a smart woman.”
Now he was feeling squirmy.
Giggles danced back to him from where the sisters were sitting. Yeah, easy for them to laugh. They weren’t stuck sitting next to Miss Big Bang.
“I think I’m a little too old for you, Harriet,” he said.
“Age is just a number,” she informed him.
The bus doors shut and their guide picked up his microphone. Thank God.
“Welcome to beautiful Cologne,” said the guide as the bus started moving. “Or, as we call it, Köln. I am Karl, and it will be my pleasure to tell you all about our wonderful city. Cologne is two thousand years old.”
“Told you,” Harriet whispered.
“It spans the Rhine River and is the fourth largest city in Germany. We are famous for our medieval cathedral with its twin towers. Cologne is one of the key inland ports of Europe and remains a banking center as it was in the Middle Ages.”
“I knew all that,” Harriet said in disgust.
“He’s just warming up. I’m sure he’ll eventually tell you something you don’t know,” Trevor said, feeling a little disgusted himself. Harriet knew a lot of stuff, but somebody needed to make her take a class in social interaction.
“The city was heavily bombed during World War II, and our cathedral was badly damaged, but it survived the bombing,” said the guide.
“I read that the towers were used as an easily recognizable navigational landmark by Allied aircraft,” Harriet said to Trevor. She shook her head. “Poor Germany. It has such a dark history, doesn’t it?”
“I think most of the people here would as soon try and forget it,” Trevor said.
“Some things you shouldn’t forget, though. You know that saying, if you don’t learn from history you’re bound to repeat it.”
Trevor was familiar with the saying but he was surprised she knew it. “I don’t think anyone’s planning on repeating that particular history,” he said.
“No. And Germany isn’t the only country with a dark past.”
Oh, no. Was she going to start listing them?
Thank God their guide was speaking again. “We have many Christmas markets here in Cologne for you to enjoy. The oldest is the Angel Market in our city center with over one hundred and fifty wooden booths selling merchandise and good things to eat. But you will also find good shopping in the Alter Market in front of our town hall and the Cathedral Market in front of the cathedral.”
The guide continued, telling them about points of interest as they passed, showing them the various Christmas markets. Harriet kept up her own running commentary, as well. The minute the bus let them off, Trevor grabbed his brother’s arm and hissed, “Help.”
Kurt took pity on him and called Harriet over to join the rest of the group for some last-minute reminders about meeting times. Trevor breathed a sigh of relief and wove through the crowd to the sisters.
“Would you ladies like a Christmas present pack mule?”
“A good idea,” said Sierra. “I know Sophie’s going to go crazy.”
“I am not,” Sophie said. Then admitted, “Well, maybe a little.” She looked around her, taking in the galaxy of twinkle lights and myriad booths offering everything from soaps and candles to candy, meats and, of course, Glühwein, the popular spiced wine drink. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Let’s start over here,” said her sister, pointing to a booth selling a selection of painted glass candleholders.
“Ooh, those are beautiful,” Sophie said.
Trevor had to admit, they were pretty cool. Blues, reds and greens, with colorful winter city scenes painted on them.
“I think I want to get some of these small ones for Mom for Christmas,” Sophie said. “Oh, and maybe for Carla and Marina.”
“I thought you already had something for them,” said Sierra.
“I do, but you can never buy too many presents for your friends.”
Trevor decided that was a good idea, and bought some for his mom and his business manager.
Every booth held something fascinating—incense burners shaped like little cottages, nutcrackers, ornaments, scarves and Lebkuchen, the favorite German cookie. The sisters couldn’t seem to pass a booth without buying something. Actually, neither could Trevor, and it wasn’t long before he was not only helping them carry their purchases, but had several of his own, as well.
He had just bought them all Lebkuchen hearts when Sophie sneezed. “Oh, no,” she fretted. “I think I’m coming down with a cold.”
“You’re downwind from that booth selling incense,” said her sister. “That’s enough to make anyone sneeze.”
“I don’t know,” Sophie said dubiously, and shivered.
“You need something to ward off the cold,” Trevor said. “There’s a booth selling Glühwein. I think that would help you feel better. Wine has a lot of healing properties in it.”
“You could be right,” Sophie said, and her sister rolled her eyes.
“Come on, ladies, let me buy you something to drink.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Sierra protested.
“I know, but I want to.”
The wine came in special collectible mugs. “These are adorable,” Sophie said. “I’d like to collect a whole set.”
“With all the Christmas markets we’ll be hitting I bet you’ll be able to,” Trevor said to her, and vowed to buy her one at each stop.
Part of their excursion included lunch and they arrived at the specified restaurant to find the German class already at tables and enjoying bratwurst and sauerkraut and, of course, beer. Trevor steered the ladies to a table as far away as he could get.
His brother did stop by to say hi and see how their shopping had gone. “Looks like you got into the holiday spirit,” he observed, pointing to the pile of bags on the chair next to Trevor.
“We found so many treasures,” Sophie informed him happily. “We’re really going to be spoiling our family and friends this year.”
“I hope you spoil yourselves, as well,” Kurt said.
“I did buy myself a nutcracker,” Sophie told him. “I love those.”
Trevor saw her reaching down to rub her ankle. “Is it hurting?” he asked.
“A little,” she said.
He snagged a chair from a nearby table. “Here, let’s prop it up.” He helped her prop up her leg, then signaled for their waiter. “I’ll see if we can get some ice for it.”
“Good luck with that,” Kurt said. “Europeans aren’t into ice.”
“It’s okay,” Sophie said. “I brought some ibuprofen.”
“Let’s ask, anyway,” Trevor said.
This particular restaurant did cater to tourists, though, and fortunately, the waiter was able to return with some ice in a glass.
“Not exactly a lot,” Trevor said as Sophie wound a napkin around the tiny pile.
“I’m surprised you got any,” Kurt
said.
“This is kind of tacky taking off my boot in a restaurant,” Sophie said, looking around at their fellow diners.
“Everybody’s too into their food to pay any attention to us,” Trevor assured her. “Better to be tacky than miserable. You don’t want it to swell.”
She took her boot off.
Harriet had spotted them and was making her way to the table. “Be right back,” Trevor said. Then, to his brother, “Where’s the can?”
“I’ll go with you,” Kurt offered, and fell in step with him. “So, how much money have you blown trying to impress Sophie?” he teased as they made their way to the restroom.
“Not nearly enough. I’ve just begun to impress.”
“She seems pretty nice.”
“She is.” She was more than nice, though. She was enthusiastic, obviously generous and fun to be around. He could see this going somewhere.
Harriet was still stationed next to the seat Trevor had vacated when he returned, visiting with the sisters. More like pumping them actually, asking where all they’d been.
“Mind if I join you after lunch?” she asked.
“Sure,” Sierra said. “The more, the merrier.”
For who?
Harriet happily turned her back on her professor and her fellow students and practically glued herself to Trevor when they left the restaurant.
“You probably shouldn’t be walking so much on that ankle,” she said to Sophie. “It’s gonna swell up. You should go back to the ship.”
“Maybe I should,” Sophie said.
Trevor was aware of Harriet next to him, oozing hope that Sophie would do a vanishing act. “Does it hurt? Want me to take you back?” he offered, and Harriet frowned.
“Do you want to go back?” asked her sister.
“Not really,” Sophie said. She looked in the general direction of where their ship was docked and bit her lip, considering.
“You did just ice it and take a pill. And your ankle is wrapped.”
Sophie looked down at her ankle. “I think I’ll be fine a little longer.”
“You’ll be sorry. It’s gonna swell,” Harriet predicted. Then she pulled on Trevor’s arm. “Hey, look. Chocolate stuff. Let’s go check it out.”
“Okay, ladies, it looks like we’re checking out the chocolates,” he said as Harriet started towing him away. The girl was surprisingly strong. He looked over his shoulder to make sure the sisters were following. Please don’t desert me.
One minute they were behind him and the next they’d stopped at the booth selling scarves. Harriet steered him on mercilessly, right up to the counter of the chocolate booth.
“Look at these awesome chocolate Santas,” she said.
“Yeah, cool.” Trevor watched as Sophie held up a scarf to her sister. Sierra shook her head. Sophie nodded, and dug into her purse.
“Oh, and a reindeer,” Harriet enthused.
Sophie bought the scarf and handed it to her sister. Then they started strolling toward Trevor and Harriet. Sophie glanced in the direction of the cathedral and her eyes lit up. She said something to her sister and pointed.
Trevor looked to see where she was pointing. There came Rudy and his daughter and Catherine.
Sophie took off in that direction, her sister following.
Trevor watched them, feeling suddenly sour. Of all the Christmas markets in town. Bah, frickin’ humbug.
* * *
Awkward was the one word that kept coming to mind as Catherine, Rudy and Athena strolled between the different booths, admiring the artisans’ wares. Still, she hadn’t let the awkwardness diminish her enjoyment of Cologne.
She had been awed by the beautiful Gothic cathedral with its twin towers. And those gorgeous stained-glass windows had left her breathless. She took a picture of one and sent it to both Lila and William. Just in case they were wondering if she was having a good time.
The market was a sweet finish, dessert for the soul. “I’m so glad you convinced me to leave the ship,” she said to Rudy as the three of them turned into the maze of booths, her on one side of him and his daughter on the other.
“I’m glad you could join me,” he said.
“Us,” Athena corrected.
“Both of you,” Catherine said diplomatically.
Although, really, glad wasn’t the word that came to mind when she thought of Athena’s presence. The woman was like some mythological creature, standing guard over her father.
It was a little mystifying. Catherine could understand Athena’s love for her mother and could appreciate her missing her mom. But this guardian at the gate thing seemed extreme. Her father probably had many years left. Surely his daughter would want him to be happy.
“I think we need sustenance,” Rudy said. “How about some Glühwein?”
“That would be lovely,” Catherine said.
“Yes, it would,” Athena agreed.
He offered an arm to each of them and they walked as a threesome to a booth decorated with fir boughs and red ribbons that was doing a brisk business selling the seasonal drink. It was pleasant to walk arm in arm with a man, Catherine thought. She missed that kind of comforting closeness.
Mugs of spiced wine in hand, they began to stroll down one of the many aisles of booths offering holiday goods. Catherine was drawn to one with some beautiful Christmas ornaments, and she bought royal blue and silver bell-shaped ones for both her daughter and her daughter-in-law.
“I know they’ll both love these,” she said to Rudy.
“You should buy one for yourself, too,” he said.
“I have plenty of ornaments. There comes a time in life when you have to stop filling up your house with things. And I do want to watch my budget.”
But she was tempted to forget everything she’d just said when they stopped at the booth selling German pyramids, the charming table decorations where little candles turned the paddles and base. Catherine found herself entranced by a three-tiered one that offered varying Nativity scenes.
“These remind me of the one Mom always put out every year,” said Athena.
“I remember my mother had one when I was a child,” Catherine said. “I have no idea what happened to it.”
“I don’t know what happened to ours, either. Things get lost when people remarry,” Athena said, her voice tinged with bitterness, and Catherine was aware of Rudy stiffening next to her.
Ah, so was there more to Rudy’s story than simply losing his wife?
Another booth was selling jewelry, including silver charms. “Oh, Daddy, look, charms,” Athena said to her father, walking him toward the counter.
“Come on, Catherine,” he said, making sure to include her. “Let’s see what they have. Whenever we traveled I always bought Athena a charm,” he explained. “She’s got quite a collection on her bracelet.”
“What a lovely idea,” Catherine said. She stepped up to the counter and looked at the bracelets and various charms. One of the cathedral caught her eye.
She was suddenly aware of Rudy at her elbow. “Would you like that?”
“It’s sweet, but I don’t even have a bracelet.”
“That can easily be fixed,” he said, picking one up.
“I couldn’t let you,” she protested. They barely knew each other. It wouldn’t be right. Anyway, she could afford to buy her own charm. And the bracelet.
Before she could say anything more, though, he’d picked up both, saying, “Just to get you started.”
“I really can’t accept,” she protested.
“Sure you can.” He turned to his daughter, who was observing their interaction with a frown. “It’s only a charm, Athena. Don’t worry.”
What on earth did that mean?
“Did you find one you like?” he asked Athena.
Still frowning, she handed on
e over, murmuring her thanks, and he paid the seller.
“Always nice to have a memento,” he said, handing Catherine hers.
“Thank you. That was very kind of you,” she said.
But she felt uncomfortable. What was happening between her and Rudy had all the makings of a whirlwind romance, but Athena’s reaction to her father’s generosity was an indication that nothing good would come of the wind that was kicking up. This wasn’t going to go anywhere. Living in the moment was one thing, but leading someone on to expect a future was quite another.
She should say something, tell Rudy that she wasn’t looking for a man, let him know what was waiting for her in the future. But the idea of sharing all that with a new friend felt like the equivalent of going on a first date and blurting everything bad about yourself before the main course had even arrived.
If she were being honest she’d have to admit that her dilemma went beyond awkwardness. This was a lovely ride she was on and she hated to get off. Surely the ride would end soon enough as it was.
“Rudy!” called a voice.
Catherine turned to see Sophie Miles hurrying toward them. She wore a black parka that was short enough to show off her slim legs. The skinny jeans didn’t hurt, either. Her gloves were also black, but she had a red knitted hat on her head. Looking at her, Catherine thought of a young Christie Brinkley. Top that with a bubbly personality and she was the whole package. Merry Christmas to Rudy.
She wasn’t limping so it appeared her ankle was better. As she got closer Catherine saw the bandage rising up from inside her sneakers. Still wounded but not badly enough to affect her. The young healed so swiftly. Catherine could remember when nothing hurt. Stiff knees and a stiff back went with the territory once you got older.
Her sister was with her, as well, shaking her head, and trailing behind them came Trevor and one of the German students. Like Sophie, he was smiling, but his wasn’t quite so enthusiastic. It wasn’t hard to see he was smitten with Sophie—that had been clear from the moment he carried her from the windmill back to the boat. She, however, seemed determined to make a connection with Rudy.
Honestly, she looked younger than his daughter. Catherine couldn’t imagine him taking her seriously. Admittedly, she didn’t want to imagine him taking Sophie seriously. If only she wasn’t facing the health challenges she was. She’d give the girl a run for her money.
One Charmed Christmas Page 13
