sitting next to you,” Catherine ventured. Trevor had been sure to make himself scarce until Harriet had gotten settled, luring Sophie to a table with some chocolate.
Harriet rolled her eyes. “Hugh? He’s such a child. I prefer older men.”
Ah, so little Harriet was suffering from a superiority complex. “When it comes down to it they’re all children, no matter what their age,” Catherine said. “But the fact that this—Hugh, was it?—is taking such a difficult language, just as you are, says something, doesn’t it? So does the fact that he wanted to come on this tour.”
“He just came for the beer,” Harriet scoffed.
“I can’t blame him. I came for the food,” Catherine joked. And to get away from my pathetic life.
Harriet’s plate was already piled with pastries. “The food is good.”
“Are you going to see the castle?” Catherine asked.
“Oh, yeah. Everyone is.”
“Even your beer-drinking friend?”
“Yeah.”
“Sounds like he’s interested in something besides beer,” Catherine said.
“He’s got to do something.”
“Interesting that he chose the castle. A man with an interest in seeing the world, now there’s a treasure. I bet he’ll give some woman an exciting life.”
She saw Harriet cast a speculative glance to where the boy sat with some of the other students. Maybe she’d planted a seed.
Rudy and Athena had found Catherine and Denise’s table as had Sierra and Sophie. Trevor had stopped by to visit and, though Sophie was talking to him, it was plain to see from the looks she cast across the table that Rudy was still her primary interest.
“Funny how people often can’t see what’s right under their noses,” she remarked to Denise when it was time to embark and they were walking to their room to brush teeth and get their coats.
“Like you’re one to talk. Can’t you see how smitten Rudy is?”
“Of course I can. I can also see how unsmitten his daughter is.”
“That girl definitely has issues.”
“Yes, and I’m one of them.”
“She’ll come to love you. We all do.”
“You’re so full of frijoles,” Catherine said, embarrassed by her friend’s praise.
“I speak only the truth. What’s not to like?”
What indeed? There was certainly something Athena didn’t like. It had to be the threat of another woman, because Athena didn’t appear to be any more fond of Sophie than she was Catherine. Sophie’s sister had opted to stay on the ship, so Sophie attached herself to Catherine during the tour, which meant she was also attached to Rudy.
“Sierra’s still not feeling well?” Catherine asked her as they all entered the impressive old fortress high above the river.
“She’ll be fine.”
“I’m sorry she’s missing so much,” Catherine said.
“She’ll join us later.” Sophie’s tone of voice added, I’m going to make sure of that.
She was also going to make sure she got next to Rudy. As they walked the castle, taking in its massive stone walls, the rooms with their cavernous hearths, the old cannons and suits of armor, it was almost comical watching as Sophie maneuvered to stand near Rudy and make snippets of conversation while Trevor hovered at her elbow. Then there was Athena, never leaving Rudy’s other side and dividing her frowns between Catherine and Sophie. At least she was an equal opportunity antagonist.
“You all looked like you were hooked together with invisible rope,” Denise teased once they were back in their room on the ship. “At this rate your shipboard romance is going to wither on the vine.”
“That’s okay,” Catherine assured her. “I’m having a great time, anyway.” She sat on her bed and sighed.
“You look pooped,” Denise observed.
“I am a little tired.”
“Want to stretch out for a while? I can bring you something from the lunch buffet,” Denise offered.
Catherine stretched out and snuggled down against the pillows. “That would be great. But if I fall asleep wake me up in time for the coffee demonstration.”
“Will do,” Denise said, and started for the door.
“And, Denise.”
She turned.
“Thanks for being such a good friend.”
Denise smiled. “That goes both ways. Pleasant dreams.”
No need to wish her that. Catherine was already living one.
* * *
Athena was both surprised and relieved to see Denise entering the lounge alone with no Catherine in tow. Daddy had already staked out a table in the small dining area at the bow of the boat not far from the buffet and was enjoying a prelunch cup of coffee. Maybe, for once, it would be just the two of them and they could enjoy some worry-free father-daughter time.
“Your friend isn’t joining us?” she asked as Denise stepped behind her in the buffet line and