“A few kilometers away,” Claude said. “We should be there in less than ten minutes.”
Good. Kat shouldn’t be lulled to sleep in that short amount of time. She slid into the backseat.
Instrumental Christmas music played. A full wet bar was at her disposal with crystal decanters and bottles displayed. Panels of buttons and switches glowed. She had no idea what they all did, but she was too tired to experiment. Maybe another day.
Claude closed the door, placed her luggage in the trunk, and then got into the driver’s seat. He glanced back. “The town will be on your right as we leave the airport.”
She glanced out the window and nearly gasped.
Forget the wordtown. Village better described the narrow streets decorated with garland and the quaint buildings with wreaths hung on doors. A church steeple was the tallest building. The others were two, maybe three stories. Small, yes, but with so much character.
The scene resembled a Christmas card, one she would keep out all year. This might be her first visit to Europe, but this place seemed so welcoming. She had a strange sense of coming home.
“Charming,” she said.
It was just as Sophie had been describing for over a decade. Hard to believe they’d been friends for the past fifteen years. Sophie had wanted Kat to visit since they’d met, but the airfare had been prohibitive. Each year, another invitation was extended, but she’d had to say no. With her first paycheck from the clinic, Kat had set up a travel savings account.
And here she was.
Her first time out of the United States. Her first time on a different continent. Her first time being in a wedding.
She pressed her nose to the window. “It’s as pretty as a postcard.”
“Just wait until we have snow again. Warm temperatures melted everything a few days ago, but the weather forecast predicts heavy snow will fall this weekend.”
“That would be wonderful.” Her breath fogged the glass. She leaned back against the seat. “I love snow.”
Having snowball fights, making snow angels, and building snowmen had been favorite wintertime activities as a child. She sighed at the memories of growing up on her grandparents’ farm. She missed those times, and she missed them.
Her nana and papa would be tickled that she was finally in Alistonia to visit Sophie, who they’d loved like a granddaughter and treated like one during her visits to the farm.
Yawning, Kat blinked. Her eyelids felt so heavy. She shook her head. She needed to stay awake…
“We’re here, Miss Kat.”
Huh? Kat opened her eyes to find the driver standing outside the limo with the door opened.
She straightened. “Sorry, I must have fallen asleep.”
“Jetlag.” The driver extended his hand. “You’ll need a day or two to adjust to the time change.”
Stifling another yawn, she climbed out of the limo. The cold air made her shiver. She stood on a stone-tiled driveway and faced a tall, wrought iron gate with uniformed guards standing watch.
This must be a fancy hotel if they kept security at the entrance. Unless the guards were there for show and photo opportunities with guests.
Claude closed the car door. “I’ll take your luggage to your room.”
She removed dollar bills from her wallet and handed the tip to the driver. “Thank you.”
He placed his arms behind his back, so she couldn’t see his hands. “I appreciate the sentiment, but tipping is not necessary during your stay. Liv will help you get settled in your room.”
Who was Liv? And where was Sophie? At work?
Kat hadn’t spoken to her friend this week other than a few texts. The last one had been right before Kat boarded her first flight. She would text Sophie from the hotel room.
Kat faced the hotel.
Her mouth gaped.
