The thought of what lay ahead rolled in like a dark cloud and she kicked herself mentally for letting it invade the adventure she was having. Don’t go there, she scolded herself, and stepped a little closer to Rudy. You’re still on the ride. You don’t have to get off yet.
“I see you found the Glühwein,” Sophie said, beaming at first him, then Catherine. For Athena the beam went from bright to low. “It’s delicious, isn’t it? And wine has lots of antioxidants, doesn’t it, Rudy?”
“It does have resveratrol,” Rudy said, “but you’d have to drink a lot more wine than this to receive any benefit.”
“Then we’d better get drinking,” joked Trevor, who had joined them in time to hear.
“Chocolate’s better,” said the student, “and it’s got antioxidants in it.” She dug out the chocolate Santa she’d purchased. “It’s probably not as good as yours, though,” she said to Trevor, eyeing him like he was a giant chocolate delight.
It was plain to see he wasn’t thrilled to have her along, but he still managed a smile for her and a “Thanks.” Trevor March had a good heart.
“What all have you bought?” Sophie asked Catherine.
“Not much yet. I’m pacing myself.” Speaking of pacing, she was beginning to feel tired. How soon before she could suggest going back to the ship?
“Me, too,” Sophie said.
“At a fast pace,” Trevor joked, and held up several bags.
“You have to spread the wealth around,” Sophie said.
Catherine noticed that everyone seemed to find that amusing but Athena. There was something in her that was at war with the general joviality of the rest of them, the human equivalent of a bad smell in a house that one could never quite locate the source of.
“Speaking of spreading the wealth, shall we look a little more?” Rudy asked Catherine.
She’d have liked to, but she was beginning to feel tired. “You know, I think I’d as soon go back to the ship. But if you’d like to stay longer, please don’t let me stop you,” she added. “There’s still so much to see.”
“I think I’m ready to go back and relax with some hot chocolate laced with schnapps,” said Rudy, looking at Catherine.
“Me, too,” said Athena.
Enjoying hot chocolate sounded great to Catherine, too. So did a nap. Hot chocolate first and then a nap.
“All right,” said Sierra. “We’ll see you all back on the ship.”
“If you two want to stay longer, please don’t let me spoil your fun,” Catherine said as the three of them started for the pickup spot where the buses were running.
“I’m good,” Rudy said. He turned to his daughter. “You didn’t want to stay longer and shop with Sophie and Sierra?”
“No. There will be lots more chances to shop,” Athena said. “Anyway, I’m here to spend time with you.”
It wasn’t hard to see what was going on. Rudy wanted to be free to enjoy himself and his daughter was determined he wouldn’t have so much as one moment of freedom.
In a way Catherine found that sweet and couldn’t help feeling just the slightest bit jealous of how very much his daughter adored him. Of course, Catherine’s children loved her. But not with this level of devotion. She was part of their lives, but she was something they took for granted as much as they did the air they breathed. They sucked it in every day without noticing.
“You are so lucky to have a daughter who truly enjoys your company,” she said to him as the three of them left the busy market.
“Yes, I am,” Rudy said, looking fondly at his daughter. “But then I imagine your children enjoy your company, too.”
They certainly hadn’t last Christmas, and they wouldn’t be this one, either. “They do,” she said, and left it at that.
Back on the ship she shed her coat and made her way to the lounge, where Rudy had already gotten drinks for them. It felt good to simply sit and look out the window at the houses perched along the bank of the Rhine.
“It’s so pretty over here,” she said. “I almost feel like I’m in a fairy tale.” It felt like one—charming Christmas markets with festive lights and decorations everywhere, their beautiful ship. A handsome prince.
Guarded by a dragon.
“I never tire of coming to Europe,” Rudy said.
“What’s your favorite country?” Catherine asked him.
“Hard to pick. They all have their own special flavor.”
“Where all have you been?” she asked.
“Oh, let’s see. I’ve seen Italy, cruised the Mediterranean.”
“You and Mom did that for your thirtieth anniversary,” put in Athena.
“We did. It’s a very romantic country. But then, so is France. Ever been to France, Catherine?”
Only in my dreams. “I’d like to go someday. I’d also like to take one of those cruises down to Mexico. I’ve never been.” There were so many places she’d never been.
“That’s a good one,” he said.
“Maybe I’ll have to try that next,” she said.
Once she was done with chemo she’d treat herself to a cruise, she decided, and felt pleased with herself for thinking so positively. How could you not think positive when you were living a fairy tale?
“How about you, Athena?” Catherine asked, determined to draw her into the conversation.
She shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?” her father chided. “How about that trip to London?”
Her face brightened. “That was special. Daddy had a patient who owned a second house just outside of London. He let us have it for a week and Mom and Daddy took me there for my twenty-first birthday.” She looked at her father, adoration in her eyes.
“We used to go to Hawaii a lot when she was growing up. She’s done a fair bit of traveling since.”
“After my divorce,” Athena said with a scowl, “I don’t care if I ever see Paris again.”
“Maybe someday you’ll see it with someone wonderful and that will take the bad taste out of your mouth,” Catherine suggested.
“Maybe,” Athena said with a shrug. Then added, “I would like to visit Greece.”
“So would I,” Catherine said. So many places she still wanted to see, so many things she wanted to do. Was she going to get a chance to do them?
“Let’s toast to more adventures in the future,” Rudy said, and raised his glass mug to her.
“To more adventures,” she said, and she, too, raised hers.
“To adventure,” Athena said a little less enthusiastically.
Catherine found herself feeling sorry for the woman. Apparently, all had not gone as planned in her life.
But then, things often didn’t go as planned, and if there was one thing Catherine was coming to realize it was that you had to make new plans. There was no point in sitting around moping over what hadn’t gone right, no point wishing things could be different. She couldn’t bring back her husband, she couldn’t reraise her children. Life was what it was and you had to grab on to those good moments and enjoy them while you could.
“You know,” she said, “I think I’ll go sample some of those cookies. Would you two like me to bring you back some?”
“Sure,” Rudy said happily.
Cookies and hot chocolate and a pretty view from aboard a river cruise ship, and a nice man to enjoy it with—this was a good moment.
* * *
“The Lindt chocolate museum isn’t far from where we’re docked,” Sierra said as she and Sophie and Trevor rode back to the ship. “I was really hoping to see it. How’s your ankle holding up?”
Sierra had actually been having a good time and Sophie was willing to do anything to keep that happy vibe going, even though she was beginning to worry about her ankle.
“I can handle another hour on it
. Trevor, do you want to check out your competition’s home base?”
“Sure,” he said. “Anyway, I’m sure you two will have more bags you’ll need help carrying.”
The Lindt store attached to the museum was a veritable chocolate treasure chest, and they did, indeed, make more purchases. Sierra bought some chocolate for Mark, and Sophie bought some chocolate truffles for Trevor as a thank-you for his chivalry. She also took pictures for Instagram and some selfies of the three of them to post on Facebook. But by the time they were done with their visit her ankle was starting to hurt.
“I think I’d better get back on board and ice up,” she finally said.
“Want me to carry you?” Trevor offered.
“I think you’ve got enough to carry,” she said, pointing to the extra bags. They might have gotten a little carried away with the shopping.
“Thanks for helping us out,” Sierra said to him as they left the store.
“Happy to.”
Sierra smiled as they started to walk along the riverbank. “This has been a good day.”
Her sister’s words were music to Sophie’s ears. “Yes, it has,” she agreed. But boy, was she ready to put her foot up.
“I’ll second that,” said Trevor. “Or should I say third it?”
They strolled along the bank past trees decorated with white lights perched in their branches like shimmering fairies. On the water several river cruise ships were lined up, all uniquely decorated with strings of lights and wreaths. People walked past them, bundled up in coats, hats and scarves, all chatting and laughing. It felt a little like being inside a travel brochure come to life.
Their own ship, clad in lights, was glimmering in the late-afternoon dark, and Sophie could see lights on in the dining room and staterooms, which made it look like one long, elegant houseboat. In a way it was—a festive escape and home away from home for holiday travelers. As they walked up the gangplank, members of the crew were on hand to greet them with trays of hot chocolate.
“I could get used to this,” Sophie said as the sisters made their way to their stateroom, Trevor by their side.
“Me, too,” said Sierra.
She looked happy and relaxed. The day had been a success.
“You gonna have room in your luggage for all this stuff?” Trevor asked once they were inside and he’d set the sisters’ bags on their bed.
“Oh, yes,” Sophie assured him. “We each brought extra luggage just for our goodies.” She looked at the collection of bags, filled with scarves, candleholders, ornaments and nutcrackers. “I am going to enjoy displaying that nutcracker and making my friends jealous.”
“They’re going to be jealous when they see all those selfies you took with Trevor,” Sierra said after he left.
“He is gorgeous, isn’t he?”
“He’s more than that. He’s really sweet. If you’re smart, you’ll give up on Rudy and pay attention to Trevor. Anyway, Rudy’s not interested.”
“Maybe he doesn’t realize that I’m interested,” Sophie said, ducking into the bathroom to wash down another ibuprofen. “Maybe he just thinks I’m being friendly.”
“And maybe he’s too busy looking at Catherine to see you. If he does at all he probably sees you as a kid,” Sierra said as Sophie came back out to get the ice bucket.
“Well, he shouldn’t. I’d make a great trophy wife.”
Sierra gave a snort. “Yes, just what every woman aspires to be. Honestly, you don’t need to marry a doctor. All you need is good insurance and someone who doesn’t mind driving you to the emergency room every other week and keeping you off WebMD.”
“Ha ha,” Sophie said.
There was nothing wrong with being practical when looking for a life partner, she thought as she went to fetch ice for her ankle. A doctor would understand her health concerns.
She returned just as Sierra’s phone pinged with a text from her husband. “Finally,” Sierra said, and Sophie could hear the relief in her voice. But reading his message stole her smile. She dropped onto the side of the bed, staring at her phone screen. “‘Glad you’re having a good time,’” she read to Sophie. “No ‘I miss you’ or ‘Wish I was there.’ I could fall off the ship and he wouldn’t care.”
Very underwhelming. “At least he texted,” Sophie said. It was better than nothing. But not much.
“Only because he got tired of me blowing up his phone. He doesn’t even miss me.”
“You shouldn’t jump to conclusions,” Sophie told her. “Maybe he was so busy working...” Right. Even Sophie wouldn’t buy that.
“What husband doesn’t tell his wife he misses her or say he loves her?”
Okay, yes, Sierra should jump.
The pain in her sister’s eyes was heartbreaking. Sophie set aside the ice bucket and sat next to Sierra and put an arm around her shoulders.
“He doesn’t deserve you,” she said.
“I shouldn’t have gone.” Sierra pressed her lips tightly together. It wasn’t enough to keep the tears from spilling.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have stayed,” Sophie said softly. Sierra didn’t owe forever to a man who didn’t deserve it. “Maybe it’s time to—”
“Don’t say it,” her sister said sharply.
Sophie sighed and shut up. Instead, she sat there, hugging Sierra while the tears flowed down her cheeks. Men were pigs.
But not all men. And not doctors. They were just clueless turkeys.
10
Catherine’s body finally insisted she go lie down, and she excused herself and went to the room to rest. She was still napping when Denise came in.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been in here all afternoon,” Denise said, dumping her purchases on her bed.
“No. I wound up seeing the cathedral and spending a little time in one of the Christmas markets.”
“By yourself? I’ll wager not.”
“No, I went with Rudy and Athena.”
Denise made a face. “That girl. Such a sourpuss.”
“I think she’s got trust issues.”
“Haven’t we all?”
“Looks like you spent a fair amount of time in the market,” Catherine said, pointing to the bags.
“Oh, yes.” Denise pulled out a red wool scarf from one. “Charlie bought me this. Isn’t it pretty?”
“Yes, and it matches his Santa hat,” Catherine teased. “What did your other admirer get you?”
“Glühwein.”
“I can tell who’s the most determined. Does this put Charlie in the lead?”
Denise chuckled. “They’re both nice men, but I’m not interested in anything permanent. I rather like being on my own. You, on the other hand,” she said, pointing at Catherine, “are meant for marriage.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Catherine demanded. “Are you saying I can’t make it on my own?”
“Not in the least. I’m saying you’re not wired to be selfish. You need someone to do things for. I like being in charge of my own schedule, doing what I want when I want. You like taking care of people. Which,” she added, “is why your kids take such advantage of you. And that is why you can’t stay a widow. The little bloodsuckers will suck you dry.”
Catherine frowned. “My children are not bloodsuckers.”
“You need a life of your own,” Denise said, unrepentant. Then, before Catherine could get properly insulted over her friend’s assessment of her life, she grinned and said, “I’m glad you came on this trip. You really do deserve to have a special holiday. I hope you milk every moment for all it’s worth.”
How could you stay irritated with such a good friend? “Thanks for getting me to come. I am making some great memories.”
“And we’ve barely begun. Come on, it’s almost time for that predinner talk from our social director. Let’s go find out what’s on the schedu
le for tomorrow.”
They made their way to the lounge, stopping to grab a cookie from the cookie bin. “I won’t need a car to get home from the airport,” Denise said as she bit into one. “With everything I’m eating I’ll be able to roll myself home.”
“Me, too,” Catherine said.
But who knew if or when she’d ever be able to do something like this again? She grabbed one last cookie and a latte from the fancy coffee machine before following Denise through the automatic sliding door into the lounge.
“There’s the gang,” Denise said, pointing to where Rudy and his daughter and one of the sisters sat, along with Trevor. “Looks like they saved us seats. Shall we join them?”
“Might as well,” Catherine said, although she was sure Athena would be none too happy to see her.
On their way they passed some of the students who had staked out seats by a window. One girl in ripped jeans and a faux leather jacket over a low-cut snug-fitting top was typing away on her phone with dark purple fingernails. A blue-haired, chunky boy in jeans, boots and an old, beat-up leather jacket was idly checking out something on his phone and sneaking looks at the girl seated across from them, the same little, plain-faced girl who kept popping up on the fringes of their group. It wasn’t a bad face, Catherine thought, but one that could have benefitted from some embellishment.
Unaware of the boy across from her, she was staring across the room at Trevor as he passed out chocolate to the sisters and Athena. She watched with the intensity of a dog sitting next to the dinner table, hoping for a treat. Catherine couldn’t help feeling sorry for her. Youth so often specialized in aiming love the wrong direction.
The lounge was already three-quarters full, but the group had claimed their same section of the lounge, draping sweaters and jackets over the chairs. All were happy to welcome Denise and Catherine. Even Athena was smiling, although it looked a little forced.
Catherine would have liked to ask her, “Is there a particular reason you seem to wish I’d fall off the ship?” But manners forbid such directness.
One Charmed Christmas Page 14
