‘There’s nothing to forgive. I know you’re just looking out for me.’
Rosie’s voice was soft and warm and her generous response made Katie feel worse. Her sister’s capacity to forgive human frailty was both her strength and her weakness. It made her vulnerable to every loser and user that crossed her path.
r /> Was Dan one of those?
‘What’s the plan? Do I have to book somewhere to stay?’ The thought of making travel plans drained the last of her energy. ‘What about Mum and Dad?’
‘They’re coming too, of course. And everything is arranged apart from your flight. Dan’s parents have already fixed accommodation. They have this amazing place in the mountains. It will be the best vacation you’ve ever had.’
Katie had been dreading Christmas. She’d been wondering how she was going to hold it together during all that family time. Usually she loved it. She loved sleeping late and eating her mother’s amazing food. She loved catching up with her dad. But everything was different now. Her life had changed for ever on a dark, rainy night a few weeks before. And now she felt exhausted. Could she honestly fly to Aspen and put on a happy face?
‘When would you want us to fly out?’
‘The wedding will be on Christmas Eve, and we thought you should all come a week before, so you have time to get to know Dan and his family. Then you can stay over Christmas and fly back before the New Year, or whenever you like. Oh, Katie, I’m so excited! I can’t decide between a horse-drawn sleigh and a husky ride for the guests.’
‘Well, don’t make your brain ache on my account. I’m perfectly happy walking.’
‘They have feet of snow here already. It’s a winter wonderland. You might not find it so easy to walk.’
‘Walking is one of the few things I excel at. I’ve had years of practice.’
‘I want you to be my chief bridesmaid. Or maid of honour. Call it whatever you like.’
Katie didn’t want to call it anything. Why couldn’t her sister see that this wedding was a massive mistake?
‘Are you sure you want me? I’ll probably leave a muddy footprint on your dress. I don’t know much about weddings…’ She knew even less about the duties of a maid of honour, but presumably they didn’t include being a killjoy.
‘All you have to do is smile and help me out. And resuscitate Mum if she has a panic attack on the plane. I feel bad that I’m ruining her family Christmas. You know how important it is to her to have everyone together. I miss you. We haven’t spoken in ages. I was even starting to wonder if you were avoiding me.’
‘That’s ridiculous. Just busy, that’s all.’
Tell her what happened to you. Tell her that you feel as if the world is crumbling around you.
Rosie, she knew, would be horrified. Knowing her kind-hearted sister, she’d probably jump on the first plane and fly over.
Katie blinked. She was the one who looked out for Rosie, not the other way round. She was Rosie’s rock and her support. And never had Rosie needed her support and counsel as much as now.
Right there and then she made a decision.
Forget Christmas. Forget relaxation. Forget figuring out her own issues.
Her first priority was to stop her little sister making a massive mistake.
‘I wouldn’t miss your wedding for anything.’
She needed to meet Dan in person and figure out a way to save her sister from herself. And if she managed it early on in the week then they might still all be home in time to spend Christmas at Honeysuckle Cottage. With luck, her mother would be too focused on Rosie to notice that anything was wrong with Katie.
‘I can’t wait to be bridesmaid of honour, or whatever the correct title is. Just don’t dress me in purple Polyester—that’s all I ask. I don’t want static shock. And don’t spend too much money.’
Because this wedding isn’t happening.
She turned as the door opened and Mike walked into the room. ‘I need to go. I’m at work.’
‘I’m proud of you, Katie. I tell everyone my big sister is a doctor.’
Katie felt like a fraud. Big sister was falling apart. ‘Go. Have fun. But not so much fun that you forget your inhaler.’
‘Katie—’