“She’s a little tired. She decided to rest a while.”
Athena nodded, taking that in. Catherine Pine sure was out of shape. Another reason she was no match for Daddy, who worked out at the gym and played tennis three times a week. He needed someone who could keep up with him.
What was she saying? After what he’d gone through with Nicole he didn’t need anyone. Period.
* * *
Catherine awoke in time to go watch Chef Bruno demonstrate how to make Rüdesheim coffee, a tasty drink made with strong coffee, sugar cubes and Asbach brandy, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A drink was provided for everyone present.
“I am going to find that brandy and make this for my friends when I get home,” Sophie announced. “I bet Dad will like this, too,” she said to her sister, drawing her into the conversation.
“He probably will,” Sierra said.
Her enthusiasm and her smile had slipped to the bottom edge of lukewarm. It looked like this cruise was losing its shine for Sierra Johnson. Catherine wished there was something she could say or do to help.
If anyone else was noticing how subdued she was no one was saying. Which was what you did in situations like this with people who were acquaintances. Sierra was doing her best to hide her feelings and when someone did that you had to pretend they were well hidden.
“If I buy you some of that brandy will you make me Rüdesheim coffee when we get back to Seattle?” Charlie asked Denise.
“I might,” she said coyly, and Arnold, who was with them, frowned and took another drink of his.
Sierra finished hers, then excused herself. Her sister bit her lip as she watched her go.
“Are you and your sister going to join us on the monastery tour?” Catherine asked Sophie.
She pulled her gaze back from the sliding glass door. “No, I think we’ll walk around the town.” She downed the last of her coffee and excused herself, as well.
“We’ll see you later tonight, then,” Catherine said as she left.
“I hope so,” she murmured.
“Whatever is going on with the girl, you’re not her mother and you can’t fix it,” Denise said to her that evening as they got ready to leave for their tour of the Erbach Monastery and the wine tasting and dinner to follow.
“I know,” Catherine said.
“She’s young. The young are resilient.”
“Resilient or not, I hate to see anybody sad on a trip like this.”
“Right now, making sure you don’t get sad is all I care about,” Denise said. “Come on, let’s go.”
Catherine felt far from sad as she walked in the monastery’s cloister. She could almost feel the presence of the monks who had once lived there. She thought of the old saying God is in His heaven and all is well with the world. Taking in the simple beauty of the place reminded her that her life was in hands bigger than hers. Whatever lay ahead, surely she could face it with if not a smile at least courage.
After the wine tasting, their group, along with several other cruisers, was taken to the restaurant on the monastery grounds and served a meal with traditional German bread and salad and steak in a sherry-mushroom sauce.
“I’m going to explode,” Catherine said to Denise as they followed the others back onto the ship later.
“Don’t do that. Think of the mess for the maid. Come on, let’s ditch our coats and get a seat for the glassblowing demonstration. It will take your mind off your overstuffed stomach.”
In addition to shedding their coats, the two women also brushed their teeth and freshened their makeup.
By the time they entered the lounge the glassblower already had samples of his work on display—everything from jewelry to ornaments. Catherine was glad to see Sierra there. She and Sophie were perusing the ornaments. So was Athena, her father by her side.
“Let’s go look at the pretties,” Denise said.
Catherine half feared that if she went over to look Rudy would feel the need to buy her something, and she didn’t want him to think she was the kind of woman who came on a trip like this looking for a wallet.
“You go ahead. I’ll help Trevor hold seats for everyone,” Catherine told her.
Trevor had thrown a coat over a couple of seats and was sprawled across the love seat. He looked relieved to see Catherine.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he greeted her. “People were starting to give me dirty looks.”