Chapter One
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December– Present day
“Dr. Parsons…Kat. Wakeup.”
The familiar voice of Jojo, a vet tech at the Cedar Village Veterinary Clinic, cut through Kat’s sleep-fogged brain. She’d been making one last round before heading home. She must have fallen asleep.
Kat stretched her arms. Something scratched her hands. Hay.
She opened her eyes.
Sunlight filled the stall.
Uh-oh. She scrambled to her feet. “What time is it?”
“Seven-thirty.” Jojo, a forty-three-year-old woman who had blue-streaked black hair, petted the sick calf. “I came in here to check on Mabel. Found you asleep.”
Mabel needed more care than the farm where she lived could provide. Earlier, the calf had been restless, so Kat had wanted to calm her. Not fall asleep.
“Don’t you have a plane to catch?” Jojo asked.
“Yes, but my ride isn’t picking me up until eight-thirty.” And they had a two-hour drive to reach an airport that offered commercial flights.
She brushed hay from her scrubs. “I have time to get home and shower.”
And finish packing for her European vacation.
Sophie might be her summer camp BFF, but she was also a princess. More than yoga pants and T-shirts—Kat’s typical attire at home—was required. Although, she did plan to wear those on her flight across the Atlantic so she could be comfortable and sleep.
Kat grabbed Mabel’s chart and jotted down notes for the other vets who worked at the clinic. “If you need anything—”
Jojo raised her hand. “This is your first vacation since you started working here. Forget about this place, enjoy your time off, and catch the bridal bouquet.”
“I don’t know what wedding traditions they have in Alistonia, but if there’s a bouquet toss, I’ll go for it.”
Kat wanted a family more than anything, but she had zero hopes of getting married in the near future. Not only did she have to fulfill a three-year commitment at the rural clinic as part of a veterinary school loan repayment program, but her work schedule made dating difficult, if not impossible. Being the newest vet on staff meant her shifts consisted of late nights at the twenty-four-hour hospital, weekends in the mobile clinic, and holidays.
Not that she minded. She loved her job, but she couldn’t wait for this trip. She’d been saving up vacation time and trading on-call shifts so she could be in Sophie and Bertrand’s wedding.
A princess marrying a duke’s second son on the twenty-third of December.
A royal Christmas wedding.
A sigh welled.
This would be the best wedding ever.
Kat brushed off more hay. “I have to keep pinching myself that I’m really going on this trip.”
“Just don’t forget your bridesmaid dress,” Jojo said.
“It’s in Alistonia along with my shoes. I’m taking three flights today. No one wants to chance my suitcase getting lost.”
“Be sure all the hay is out.” Jojo picked out a piece from Kat’s hair. “A shower won’t do that.”
Kat touched her head and poked her finger. Oops.
