Christmas at the Castle

by Melissa McClone

  “Hold his muzzle and keep him steady.” No emotion was in her voice. “Got it?”

  Surely, college and work at an animal hospital had only improved her skills with animals.

  Gill nodded. He had to trust her.

  He held Maximillian’s muzzle with one hand and kept his upper body steady with the other.

  Please be okay.

  “I’m going to pull these levers to release pressure on the jaws.” She took a breath and moved the two levers toward her. The jaws opened. Not fully, but enough. “His foot is free.”

  Gill released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

  Kat examined the paw. “It doesn’t look like he needs stitches, but call your vet. They may want to examine him and put him on antibiotics to ward off an infection.”

  “But he’s going to be okay?”

  Smiling, she nodded.

  Thank goodness.

  “You can let go of him,” she added.

  Gill did, and the dog stood on all fours, but he seemed to be favoring his injured paw slightly. He’d carry the dog back to the castle to be on the safe side. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Max licked her face. She laughed and gave the dog a hug.

  One of those might be nice. A hug. Gill wasn’t tempted to kiss her.

  “You’re welcome, too. Such a handsome boy.” Laughing, she patted the dog. “But let’s not do this again. You might not be so lucky.”

  “And you might not be here. I’m relieved you were.”

  And taken charge in spite of his doubts. Gill trusted her vet skills. Yes, he’d hesitated, and he felt bad for doing that, but he didn’t trust her. Or know if he could. Still, he owed Kat for helping Max—make that Maximillian.

  Gill picked up his dog and was greeted with a lick, too. “I’d like to show my gratitude.”

  “That’s not necessary.” She stood. Her pants were wet from sitting on the ground, but she looked beautiful with her pink cheeks and warm smile. “I was only doing my job.”

  “I understand that.” He wanted to make this effort, but he needed her to go along. “Please allow me to do this. If not for me, then for Maximillian. And Sophie,” he added, to make Kat saying no more difficult.

  “Okay.”

  Uncertainty filled her voice, but she hadn’t said no. He needed to set a date and time or she might change her mind about allowing him to thank her.

  “Keep tomorrow afternoon free.” If his calendar were full, he’d have Frederick rearrange the schedule. And he’d make sure Jamie had something to do, too.

  She brushed off her knees and backside. Something Gill would have helped her with if asked. What was he thinking? The last thing he needed to do was touch any part of her.

  “What do you have in mind?” she asked.

  Gill was about to tell her, but then he remembered her first night at the castle. Had that been only a week ago? It seemed like she had been there longer.

  “I’m not going to tell her, but I’ll tell you the way she did,” Gill whispered into the dog’s ear the way Kat had in her room, and then he looked at her. “If you want to know, ask him.”

  *

  The next afternoon, Kat checked her reflection in the mirror one last time. She hadn’t forgotten to put on makeup or earrings. She brushed her hair one last time.

  That was as good as it would get.

  The door to Gill’s room was open. She peeked inside.

  A soccer game was on the television screen. Jamie lay on the floor with a pillow under his head and Max at his side. The two looked comfortable and cozy.

  That brought a smile to her face, so did knowing her diagnosis had been correct. Maximillian had been treated by his vet yesterday and sent home with antibiotics, pain medication, a cone around his neck, and a big appetite.

  “How’s it going?” she asked.

  Jamie looked over but didn’t move. She had a feeling he didn’t want to disturb Maximillian. That was sweet of him.

  “He’s resting.” Jamie kept a hand on Max. “He doesn’t like wearing the cone of shame. I wouldn’t want to wear, that, either.”

  “His paw will heal faster without him licking it.”

  “That’s what Gill said, but Max doesn’t understand.” Jamie rubbed the dog. “But you’ll be better soon.”

  So cute.

  Max’s injury seemed to have had brought Jamie and Gill closer. Last night, when Jamie had arrived back at the castle, he’d brought enough treats and bones to feed a dozen dogs. And when she checked on Max before going to bed, Jamie and Gill were in here sitting with the dog and discussing the changes in the European Union.

  “Thanks for watching Max,” she said.

  “Least I can do. He’ll be family soon.” Jamie blew her a kiss. “Have fun with Gill and be good.”

  He was such a flirt.

  She had to laugh. “Always.”

  But a part of her was wondering what might happen if she wasn’t as good as she usually was.

  Chapter Nine

  ‡

  Walking downstairs, Kat’s emotions bounced from anticipation to apprehension over the outing. She wondered what Gill had planned for his thank you. His invitation appeared genuine, but he didn’t seem like the kind of man to go out of his way for anyone who wasn’t family. On more than one occasion, Queen Louise hadn’t hesitated in letting Kat know she wasn’t one of them.

  Sophie stood in the foyer. “You look so nice.”

  “I’m wearing jeans, snow boots, and a parka.”

  “And you look good in them. Too bad that’s wasted on Gill.”

  “I said goodbye to Jamie.”

  “Never waste an opportunity when you look hot.” Sophie laughed. “Nervous about what my brother has in store for today?”

  “A little. I understand your honeymoon-packing dilemma better.” Kat’s fingertips dug into the fabric of her hat and gloves. “It’s hard to know what to wear when you don’t know what you’ll be doing.”

  Inside or outdoors? Town or countryside?

  The possibilities were endless, but best not to think of this as a grand adventure. Rather, an afternoon one. This was Gill, a man who was as practical as he was proper. Keeping her expectations low was the smart thing to do.

  This was his way of saying thank you. Kat hoped she would get to know Gill better without anyone else around.

  Strictly for Sophie’s sake.

  “I’m so happy Bertrand gave me a temperature range. Twenty-two to thirty-one degrees Celsius.”

  Kat did a quick conversion. That was low seventies to high eighties in Fahrenheit. “Bikini weather.”

  “No robe required.” Sophie straightened one of the garlands on the staircase banister. “I’m thrilled Gill wants to do this for you. I should have known Max would be the catalyst. I always hoped you could be friends.”

  An outing was a long way from being friends, but Sophie being so pleased made Kat happy. “I just hope Gill knows he doesn’t have to do anything to thank me.”

  “He knows, but you saved his dog.”

  “I removed a trap, and Max wasn’t that injured.”

  Gill still hadn’t figured out where the trap had been placed or why. The groundskeeper and his crew swore none had been used on the grounds. Yet, somehow, Max had found one. That bothered her as much as it did Gill.

  “Not injured worse thanks to you.” Sophie glanced at the front door. “I heard what the vet said. Gill has something nice planned.”

  “A tour of the dungeon complete with torture device demonstrations,” Kat joked.

  “He loves his dog too much. I’m sure this will be special.”

  Kat wanted to know what Gill considered special.

  The front door opened. He walked in wearing a green parka and black pants. Snowflakes rested on his hat and shoulders.

  Wow. She wet her lips. Tailored suits weren’t the only things hanging in his closet. The casual clothes suited him. He looked less crown prince and more
everyday guy. She liked that. A lot.

  He adjusted his gloves. “Ready?”

  She pressed her shoulders back. “Yes.”

  “Have fun.” Sophie shifted her weight from foot to foot. Her arms moved back and forth. She acted more excited than Gill and Kat combined. “And no matter what, get along.”

  “We will,” they said at the same time.

  Their gazes met, and they exchanged smiles.

  Okay. This wasn’t so bad. Maybe becoming friends was a possibility. Kat walked out the door.

  A shiny silver sports car idled in front of her.

  “Where’s Claude?” she asked.

  “I’m driving today.”

  That was a surprise. Especially since Claude did more than chauffer the royal family. “No security concerns?”

  “We’ll be fine.” Gill opened the passenger door. “Your chariot awaits.”

  Chariot was the right word given the engine’s horsepower. She got inside, sank into the black leather seat, and fastened her seat belt. Heat blasted her from the air vents. Christmas carols played on the stereo.

  She had no idea how the prince earned a living—a salary from the country or if the family was old money—but everything from the dashboard to the armrest screamed luxurious and expensive. The car even smelled rich.

  He closed her door, walked around the front of the car, and slid into the driver’s seat. Windshield wipers swished away the falling snow.

  Gill buckled in. “Sit back and enjoy the ride.”

  “You’re not telling me where we are going?”

  “Maximillian didn’t tell you?”

  “Haha. I suppose I deserve that.”

  “You do.” He grinned. “I will tell you that you’re dressed appropriately.”

  That was a relief. “I’ll have to thank Max for the clothing suggestion.”

  Gill drove past the guard station and away from the castle.

  Snow covered the foothills. The tree branches looked covered in thick white icing. She sighed. “Christmas-card perfect.”

  “Snow makes it feel more like the holidays.”

  Kat leaned closer to the window. “That’s for sure.”

  Carols had been playing at the castle, but all the white blanketing the landscape made it feel more like Christmastime.

  “The scenery is gorgeous.” She pressed closer to the window. “I half expect to see Santa and his reindeer flying overhead.”

  He laughed. “It’s still daylight. Santa only travels when the children are asleep.”

  “It’s nighttime somewhere in the world.”

  “Back home?”

  “Yes.” Cedar Village seemed so far away from here. She hoped everyone was doing well at work, both her coworkers and the animals.

  “Homesick?” he asked.

  “More than I thought I’d be.”

  He glanced at her. “How so?”

  From this angle, he looked like his father in the photographs in the sitting room. The late king consort had been an extremely handsome man, tall with curly brown hair and an ever-present smile.

  “Cedar Village has a population of less than twelve hundred. I’m halfway through a three-year commitment at a veterinary clinic there, and though I love my job, the town is so—”

  “Small.”

  “Tiny. I grew up on a farm, but there were towns and two universities nearby. I went to school at one of them.” Kat had no idea why she was telling him this, but the words kept coming out. “I thought after I graduated, I’d move to a bigger city, but I’m back where I’ve always been. A rural farm community smaller than the one where I grew up. This is my first time traveling out of the United States.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope. I’ve dreamed about going on grand adventures my entire life, but my first trip abroad, I’m missing home sweet home.”

  “It’s familiar.”

  “That must be it.”

  Gill drove into town. “What other adventures do you have in mind?”

  “Africa.”

  “That would count as a grand adventure. Why do you want to go there?”

  She imagined her mother and father. The picture in her mind was from a photograph she carried in her wallet. The last one they’d sent.

  “That’s where my parents lived and worked.”

  “Africa is a magical place.”

  “That’s what I’ve heard.” Talking to Gill was easy. More so than she imagined when being around him left her feeling on edge. Maybe Sophie was right, and they were becoming friends. “I told you something about me. It’s your turn.”

  “There’s not much to say.”

  “It doesn’t have to be a deep, dark secret.”

  Gill glanced her way. “I don’t have one of those. Do you?”

  “No, but this is about you.”

  He tapped his thumbs against the steering wheel. “My mother didn’t want me to get a dog. She actually forbade it.”

  “Why?”

  “The list of her reasons is long and boring and reads like a peerage registry.”

  Sophie had showed Kat the tome that listed all the royalty. “But you have Max.”

  “Yes.”

  She waited for him to say more. He didn’t, but Kat wanted to know more. “You didn’t listen to your mother.”

  “The more I thought about her reasons, the more I didn’t care.”

  “Sophie says you’re a rule follower.”

  “I am, but as soon as I saw Maximillian…”

  He fell in love.

  The words were unspoken, but implied and tugged at Kat’s heart.

  “The dog is my exception to following the rules,” he added. “Bringing Maximillian home was the best decision I’ve made. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

  “Max is your act of rebellion.”

  Gill’s hands tightened around the steering wheel. “Yes, I suppose he is.”

  “You did well.” Kat never expected Gill to tell her something personal, but she appreciated him doing so and felt closer to him. A way she’d hoped to feel at the end of today, not at the beginning. “Max is a great dog.”

  “The best.”

  Gill parked in a lot off the main street. Only a few spots remained, which surprised Kat. She’d never seen this many cars in one spot during her trips to town.

  She exited the car.

  Snowflakes landed on her face and jacket. Her boots sank into the snow. Another day in winter wonderland. She hoped this one didn’t end with any injuries or a trip to the veterinarian’s office.

  He came around the front of the car and stood by her side. “You’re supposed to let me do that.”

  “Sorry.” The condensation from her breath hung on the air. “I’m not used to having car doors opened for me.”

  “Then you’re hanging with the wrong sort.”

  “Does that make you the right sort?” she joked.

  “Today, yes.” His tone was light and playful—a way he didn’t act around her. “We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see if I still am.”

  Seeing him act so carefree touched something inside her. Kat had never been able to imagine him being anything other than the sullen teen from camp and the unwelcoming prince she’d seen when she arrived at the castle. But now…

  Gill was so different. He was dressed like any other Alistonian, not the crown prince, but more than his clothing had changed. His smile appeared so readily. His voice was softer and gentler. And his gaze wasn’t accusing her of anything.

  She could get used to this.

  The snowflakes became smaller. Not as many fell.

  He opened the trunk, removed a red sack with something inside, and swung the bag’s strap over his shoulder.

  “What’s that?” she asked. “Or is that a surprise, too?”

  “Patience.”

  “You’re testing mine.”

  “Not much longer.”

  “Unless this is all a ruse.” If eyes could laugh, his were. Only this time
, he was laughing with her, not at her. She liked that. “There could be nothing in the bag, and the only place we’re going is around the block and back to the car.”

  “That’s true, but this is not a ruse. I promise. There is something in the bag. And we’re going somewhere. Satisfied?”

  She winked. “For now.”

  That made him laugh.

  She stared footprints in the snow. They went in both directions. “Which way?”

  He motioned to a street corner. “Around there.”

  She expected to follow him so waited for Gill to go first. Isaac had told her about walking behind Queen Louise and Prince Guillaume, not next to them and never in front of either.

  “Waiting for something?” Gill asked.

  “You’re supposed to go first.”

  “Let’s forget protocol today.” He waved his hand toward the sidewalk. “No one will say anything if we walk together.”

  “You’re the prince.” Kat fell in step with him.

  A school appeared on her right; it was surrounded by a tall, wrought iron fence. The country’s flag fluttered from a flagpole near the edge of a playground—one that looked more modern than the old building made of stone. The large, three-story school had to be at least a hundred years old.

  Children stood in rows on the front steps. Each wore a blue coat with a red hat and yellow scarf. A few whispered. Some giggled. Several pointed at Gill.

  Kat touched her chest. “They are so cute.”

  “Let’s take a closer look.”

  Gill opened the gate, and she passed through. He closed the gate behind him.

  The snow had turned to flurries. Being surrounded by the tiny flakes made Kat feel as if they were standing inside a snow globe. Everything around them looked so Christmassy she could almost believe they were.

  The children sang “Welcome Christmas” from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The young voices sounded so sweet, and the lyrics clogged her throat with emotion.

  The song transported her back to her childhood and watching the show every year with her grandparents. She had the DVD somewhere in her apartment. Probably packed away with the Christmas stuff she’d left in the closet this year.

  Warmth pooled at the center of Kat’s chest. “I love this song.”

  “I know.”

  Huh? She wanted to ask him how, but not while the children sang.