Chapter Five

Stephanie was one of the newer residents of the area. The only Wilson family member she'd ever met was Mary. Kasie prayed Stephanie didn't ask any question about her and David. Her angry towards David was too personal and too deep to talk about. She stayed behind the door and look at Stephanie.

Kasie was ready to face David again but when she heard his rich baritone voice telling Sophie, remembered the voice teasing her sweetly, whispering sexual praises in her ear a minute and rejecting her the next.

She immediately turned away. "Enjoy your meal, princess",she managed to say as Stephanie placed the plate in front of princess Sophie. Trying to stay far away from David as possible,she came out from the room and stood closer to the door of her office. 'Has everyone made plans for the day?" She asked as an elderly man Mr Simon nodded.

"We hoped to go into town," he said. Is the road clear?

Kasie shook her head. "I called the state police a while ago. It should be cleared around three this afternoon but not before. She gave them another direction that would take them into New Jersey and to the town across the river from Hopetown. The bridge there is open and you may enjoy exploring their shops.

She was pleased that she managed to keep her eyes off David as she stepped into her office. She picked up a pile of brochure she kept together with a map that showed the alternate route into Hopetown and the written directions.

Unfortunately, David was speaking when she stepped back into the dinning room and her eyes focused right in front of him as if they had no will of their own. He glanced her way at the exact moment her gaze landed on him. They stared at each other for a long time before he remembered that he was on call. There was something turbulent in his eyes, he blinked and looked away, finishing his comments on Mr Johnson.

Kasie gave the elderly gentleman the stack of brochure to pass along the table to anyone who wanted one. She was okay Mr Johnson was seated the farthest from David and so gave her all the excuse she needed to stay away from her new customer. Sophie was so focused in her breakfast while David looked up and their gaze locked once more and held longer than they should have.

"You look beautiful today, Miss Kasie. Sophie said,looking up from her food.

Kasie dragged her attention off David, grateful for Sophie comment. She didn't feel at all like a princess. She was supposed to be an ice queen so she'd never be tempted to risk her heart again.

"Yep, all she needs is a tiara," David said.

There were chuckles, and speculation suddenly twinkled in the eyes of most other guests. Kasie refused to take David's comment as flirting the way they apparently had. it was likely a taunt about her privileged upbringing. No one had flirted with her and that was how she wanted it. Even if for some

perverse reason she had been flirting, it was David Wilson so it meant nothing.

Kasie forced herself to smile pleasantly. She wasn't going to let him ruin her calmness or cause any speculation and gossip about her.

She thanked Sophie and excuse herself because she needed to care of housekeeping chores. She turned to move toward her office again. This time, she kept her head high, retreating in as dignified manner as she could manage.

David's mind reeled. She was going off to what? Make beds and dust? What happened to the rich daddy's girl he once knew? He shouldn't care.

He looked back down at his half eaten breakfast, unable to finish. Through out his meal, he was unable to look away, he watched Kasie as she chatted with her other guests. He reached the conclusion that though he didn't want to be, he was still attracted to Kasie Hopewell as he had been years ago and that made him so unsettled, uncomfortable and just stupid. He gave up on his breakfast and took Sophie. Once he had them both belted in, he brought out the bottle of antacids out of the glove box and ate a handful, damning Kasie for causing the familiar pain in his belly to blossom once again.

Every period detail was right on the money. The porch furniture was a trip back in time. Kasie was the only woman he'd ever met who would understand his love for restoration and his obsession with historical accuracy.

"Look at all the plants, Dad. Sophie said and what's those bunch of houses over there.

"I noticed them last night, but I don't think they're houses. One of the people at the breakfast said something about visiting the Hopewell's winery and those plants are grape Vines".

There are lot of it but not as special as Kasie's Castle but it's pretty.

"It called Cliff Walk, princess not Kasie's Castle", David told his princess.

David looked back at the B and B and noticed Kasie staring out a window at them. Her expression frozen in sadness. "I want to find out what it's all about," he said as his mind is occupied with questions other than his princess.

This place looks like our old house but different, Sophie said.

That's where Mrs Hopewell is from.

"Who is Mrs Hopewell?, Sophie asked.

That would be Kasie's mom, David answered. Let's go exploring before we head to our house. He wish to get some questions answered from the queen mother. It's been years since i was here, he continued as they drew closer to the little Hopewell village that made him feel as if they stepped right into the pages of tour books on Tuscany. He remembered Torthuil the way it was when he left.

She gave him a long suffering sigh. Then let's go exploring. it's better than doing nothing.