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.
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