Katie picked up her cell phone. She was beginning to think she was just as bad as her sisters at organizing things. “I saw Zac yesterday and asked him about traveling with a broken ankle. He suggested a few things that might make the trip to Washington, D.C. easier.” She showed her sisters the pictures of the mobility scooters and knee walkers. “Either of these would work. The rental companies will deliver them to our hotel. You wouldn’t need to use them all the time, but they might help. Especially if you want to do a lot of sightseeing.”
Diana studied the photos. “I like the idea of the mobility scooter. There’s even an area where I could put my shopping.”
“I’ll send you the link to the website and leave it with you to organize.” Katie slid her cell phone into her pocket. “Are you ready to bake some cookies?”
Barbara cleared her throat. “There’s something else we need to discuss. What did you mean when you said you’re deciding what you’ll do about the publishing contract? Are you considering not doing the three-book deal?”
Katie frowned. “I still have a few days before I need to let Plumridge Books know what I’m doing. In the meantime, I’m keeping my options open.”
Diana sent her a beaming smile. “Good for you.”
Barbara studied Katie’s face. “Good luck. It won’t be an easy decision to make.”
Katie sighed. If anything, it was the easiest one she’d ever had to make.
CHAPTER20
Peter walked into one of the meeting rooms at The Welcome Center. Normally, the entire complex was be a hive of activity, with people moving between the accommodation wings and the communal living spaces. But, for some reason, the facility was almost deserted.
Katie had asked him to meet her here and it wasn’t like her to be late. Given the time, he’d assumed she would be finishing her writing group meeting, but it looked as though he was wrong. Maybe they’d finished early to enjoy cookies and hot chocolate in the dining area? He checked the time, then headed into the corridor.
He looked in the kitchen and the dining room, then through the windows and into the backyard. No one was there.
Checking his phone, he scrolled through his emails and texts, looking for any message she might have sent him. With nothing there either, he returned to the main reception desk. Andrea was busy on the phone, so he waited on the other side of the desk.
“Hi, Peter,” she said as she slid the phone onto its charger. “The phone has been ringing nonstop since I started work. How can I help you?”
He heard someone running toward him and he turned to see Katie’s bright red hair bobbing in time with her steps. “It’s okay. Katie’s found me.”
“Sorry I’m late.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him soundly on the mouth. “You smell nice.”
He grinned at her dreamy smile. “I’ll have to wear my new aftershave more often if you like it so much.”
Andrea cleared her throat. “Enough of that lovey-dovey talk. But, from another single woman’s perspective, your aftershave is very appealing.”
A blush worked its way up Peter’s neck. It didn’t help that Katie was grinning at him as if he was a tasty morsel she’d like to nibble.
The phone rang again. “Gotta go,” Andrea said as she reached for the phone. “Enjoy the presentations.”
Peter looked at Katie. “Presentations? I thought you had a writing group meeting.”
“There was a change of plans.” Holding his hand, she pulled him toward the direction she’d come from. “You won’t want to miss what’s happening. Come on.”
Whatever presentations were underway, Katie was keen to get there quickly. “What are we going to see?”
“It’s something special.” Katie stopped outside a set of double doors. “I know you’re not much of a publicity kind of guy, and you definitely don’t like to be in the spotlight. So, whatever happens behind these doors will be done in the strictest of confidence. Pastor John has already started, so we’ll sneak into the back of the room. Don’t worry. There’s plenty of chairs.”
The number of chairs was the least of Peter’s worries. He had a feeling that Katie was about to show him something he wouldn’t like.
Pushing open one of the doors, she tightened the grip on his hand and pulled him inside. At least ten rows of chairs faced a raised platform. John stood in the middle of the stage, talking to a crowd of adults and teenagers.
“We can sit here,” Katie whispered as they sat in the back row. “Can you see everything?”
He nodded and sent her a confused look. “Why are we here?”
“You’ll see.”
Peter had never liked surprises. He looked around the audience, hoping that something would give him a better idea of what was happening. As his gaze scanned the audience, he stopped at a teenager wearing a bright red shirt with the top of a Christmas tree showing on the back. He looked familiar but, with only being able to see his profile, it was hard to figure out where he’d seen him. Two rows behind the first boy, another was wearing the same shirt. They must have come here straight from work to…Suddenly, he realized why they were here. He turned to Katie.
