CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
KATY
December 22
“The Americano call me,” Mama Muni said. “Ask for you. He said you no answering your cell phone.”
Katy couldn’t see past her tears. After her heart-rending discovery the evening before, she’d gone back to her hotel for her suitcase and caught a helicopter back to Antigua.
Yes, a helicopter, as much as she cringed from the irony.
The bus wasn’t scheduled to come for a few days, forcing her hand. Someone said the bus fell in a sinkhole. Fortunately, all the passengers, farm animals, and the driver got out. Had she waited for the next one, she’d have missed her flight.
As the helicopter lifted off, who should be watching her but Marcus, who was boarding another helicopter from the same tour company.
She was taking the first flight to New York that morning. Exhaustion and despair threatened to overwhelm her, and seeing Marcus was the last thing she wanted to do right now.
“I…I can’t talk to him, Mama Muni. Tell him, ‘No gracias. Ella es muerto.’” She is dead.
“That is not funny, mi hija.”
Mama Muni left. When she didn’t return, Katy assumed that he had given up.
As he should.
Katy couldn’t wait to go home to the States. She wanted her mother.
Her cell phone beeped. She was almost afraid to look at it.
Marcus: Katy, please. Can I talk to you?
Katy: What is there to talk about?
Marcus: Alessandra was waiting for her cameraman to join us.
Katy: What does that have to do with me?
Marcus: I know it looked bad.
Katy: Yes, it did.
Marcus: I’m sorry if I hurt you.
Katy: It’s not like you and I are anything.
Marcus: Ouch. Can I please talk to you? Answer my call, please? This is super hard.
Katy stared at her phone. What was the point? Seeing Alessandra in his hotel room just reminded Katy that Marcus could have his pick of any woman in the world. Why should he pick mousy little Katy? Besides, if she got involved with him, and Conchilla got picked for the Christmas contest, everyone would think he just did a pity choice.
Katy: Sorry. No.
Marcus: I just need to explain, and then I will leave you alone if you want.
Katy: I promised to show you Conchilla, and my obligation is done.
Marcus: So I was just an obligation? I thought we were friends.
Katy: You’re not being fair. What do you want from me?
Marcus: I would love another chance.
Katy: Marcus, thanks for the fun times, but when we get back to New York, it’s not like things will be the same. Besides, you blew it. Multiple times.
Marcus: Katy, please.
She didn’t answer.
Marcus: Do you really want me to leave you alone?
Katy didn’t move. His question swam in front of her eyes.
Katy: Yes.
Several minutes ticked by. Her phone stayed silent, dark like the abyss she seemed to have flung herself into.
“This is better,” Katy said as she packed. She hadn’t come here for a romance. She had come here to help Conchilla.
But in the middle of packing, she had to pause until a wave of pain passed.
As the plane landed at JFK International Airport, Katy glanced at the Christmas decorations in the terminals, feeling hollow inside.
In three days, it would be Christmas.
She closed her eyes and wheeled her suitcase with firm determination.
Mother was waiting for her in the limo at curbside. She enveloped Katy in a cloud of perfume and softness.
“Your father asked to be excused. He had some business to attend to.”
No surprise there. “Okay,” Katy said.
Mother held Katy’s face between her hands and stared at her.
“What’s wrong?” Mother asked.
“Nothing,” Katy lied.
“You usually come back beaming from these trips,” Mother said, tucking back a strand of hair away from Katy’s face.
“I’m tired, I guess.”
“By the way, I know you just got here, but do you remember our little friend, Princess Talia?”
Katy perked up at the mention of Talia’s name. She’d become good friends with the jockey turned princess of the small but wealthy principality of Mondragon.
“Of course, why?”
“She left a message the other day, wanting to invite you for Christmas week at the palace. The flight leaves in two hours, though.”
From Guatemala to Mondragón.
That would be quite the change. A most welcome change.
Marcus’s handsome face appeared in her mind, to be squelched immediately. Marcus’s benefit ball was to be held tonight. If she flew to Mondragón, she would have to miss it.
If she missed it, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Conchilla would still get the million dollars.
“Are you going to go see Talia?” Mother asked.
Katy bit her lip. “With your blessing, Mother, I’d love to.”
“Ah, but I am used to you traveling. At least you might meet one of the prince’s brothers, and…you never know.”
“Mother.”
Mother kissed her cheek as they got in the limo. “I only want you to be happy and settle down.” She tapped her nose. “No more of these charity jaunts.”
“Sorry, Mother,” Katy said. “That won’t change just because I’’m married.”
An hour later, her cell phone rang.
It was Marcus.
She didn’t want to answer it, but out of civility, she did.
“Hello,” she said.
“Katy!” His voice cracked, sounding surprised. “I…I didn’’t think you’d answer.”
“Well, I did.”
“Yeah. I’m glad you did. How…how are you?”
“I’m fine. Back in the States.”
“So am I.”
She closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry.
He spoke again. “I called to let you know the board picked Conchilla as one of five winners.”
Conchilla won! Praise be to God! “Wait,” she said. “Did you say five winners?”
“Yes. One million for each one.”
“Wow. That’s great.” She was impressed that Marcus had decided to be more generous, but she didn’t want to appear too softened by complimenting him.
“I made recommendations,” he said, “but the board ultimately picked. I’d say they picked well.”
“That’s really great.”
She thought of Sammy and the little children and everyone on that hill and smiled.
“I’d like to invite you to come to the benefit ball tonight to receive the award.”
She bit her lip. “I can’t.”
“You can’t, or you won’t?”
“I can’t. I’m flying to Europe.”
“Oh. I see.” His voice turned cool. “May I bring you the prize check?”
“No,” came her hurried reply. “I’ll ask my mother if she can attend in my place. Is that okay?”
“It’ll have to be, won’t it?” He paused. “I’m happy for Conchilla.”
“Me too.”
“Listen, um…after Christmas, when you get back, maybe…maybe you and I could—”
“I’m sorry. I have to go.”
Silence. Then he said, in a pained voice, “Okay.”
“Goodbye, Marcus.”
“Goodbye, Katy.”
She hung up and took a deep breath. She was proud of herself for talking so politely to him. Especially when she pictured Alessandra in the Jacuzzi with him.
Now she had to pack for cold weather. The Mediterranean had milder winters, but it would still be cooler than Guatemala.
She rooted through her suitcase, taking out dirty clothes. When she came to her black dress, her fingers clutched at it. Salsa music and the sensation of being swung in a circle by Marcus returned to her so vividly.
She wrapped her arms around herself and gasped over the pain that seared her heart.
An hour later, Katy was back at the JFK Airport, this time to board a flight to Spain where she would take a connecting flight to Mondragón. It would make for a full day of traveling, but at least she would have plenty of time to recover and relax.
She kissed Mother on the cheeks. “Thank you for attending the benefit for me.”
“Of course,” Mother said.
“Merry Christmas, Mother.” She touched her cheek. “And give my best to Father.”