Chapter 14
After deciding she and the children needed a couple days to reestablish their familiar routine, and hoping to reassure them she was sticking around, Meredith booked the Danube River trip for later in the week.
She could tell they needed the extra time with her at the villa before any more changes occurred.
Mishka was extra clingy the following day, and Kat seemed unusually quiet.
Even the day after that, Kat was surprisingly subdued after winning a tennis match and almost polite to her brother at dinnertime.
As they finished dessert, Meredith reminded them that tomorrow was their river cruise day.
“We’ll have to get up early in order to board the boat by nine.
Although the weather tomorrow looks good, I think we should take jackets in case it gets cool on the river.
” She glanced at Mishka, curious as to whether he was getting uneasy about being on the water, but he seemed fairly calm.
At least on the exterior. “I’m really looking forward to this,” she said brightly.
She hadn’t told the children much about her misadventure when she’d first arrived in Vienna, but she decided to share a bit about it now, explaining how her travel plans had gotten derailed by a pair of clever thieves.
“That’s awful.” Mishka’s eyes grew wide. “Were you scared? Were they terribly mean to you?”
“No, they were terribly nice. That’s why I trusted them.” She held up a finger. “Lesson learned—just because someone acts nice doesn’t mean they are nice.”
“And they took everything you had?” Kat asked.
“That’s right. My passport and money and cell phone and everything. I was really up a creek without a paddle.” She smiled. “That’s an American saying. But I was in trouble for sure. I had to figure a way out of my mess.”
“Is that why you came to be our governess?” Kat asked.
“Yes. But here’s the cool part. I’m so glad I did come.
” She beamed at them. “I never would’ve met you guys if I hadn’t been robbed like that.
There’s a Bible verse that promises God can bring good out of bad when you love and serve Him.
And I’ve seen a lot of that in my life.” She finished the last of her coffee.
“I guess that’s one reason I’m really looking forward to the river trip tomorrow.
I didn’t really think I’d get to see much of Austria after my plans got derailed, so it’ll be extra fun to see it with you two.
” She told them a bit more about tomorrow’s plans and what time they’d need to get up.
“Since we’re getting up extra early, I think we should go to bed early too.” She glanced outside. “It’s such a nice evening, I’d really like to take a walk. Anyone want to go with me?”
Kat said she had things she wanted to do in her room, so it was just Meredith and Mishka strolling along the hillside near the woods. As they walked, he took her hand, which was not unusual, but she could tell by his tighter grip that he was nervous about something.
“Are you worried about being on the river tomorrow?” she asked.
“I don’t know…”
Hearing the hesitation in his voice, she knew he was afraid.
“I would be surprised if you weren’t a little uneasy,” she said gently.
“I know how I can overthink something that scares me. I can worry and get overly anxious, and that just makes it seem all the worse. But when I actually do whatever it is I’m dreading and it turns out just fine, I realize my worrying was for nothing. ”
Mishka didn’t say anything.
“You’ve become a good swimmer, Mishka. And Kat and I will be with you. There really is nothing to worry about. Can you trust me about that?”
“I guess so.” Mishka kicked a pinecone. “Kat’s afraid of flying in airplanes. That’s why we don’t go to our island house.”
“Is that because your mom died in a plane accident?”
“Yes.”
“Well, here’s the truth. I’m a little scared about flying too.”
“You are?” He blinked. “But you’re so brave.”
“Well, thank you. But I do get uncomfortable when I fly in planes.”
“But you do it anyway?”
“Do you want to know what my secret is when I fly? It’s something you could use on the river trip tomorrow.”
He nodded, fully attentive.
“I imagine myself in God’s hands. And I know that I’ll be fine. No matter what.”
“Was Mama truly in God’s hands?”
Meredith carefully considered her answer. They’d been down this road before, but she knew it was important to him. “Well, I never knew your mother, Mishka, but I believe she was in God’s hands. And I believe she’s with God now.”
“In heaven? Like Grandmama says?”
“I sure wouldn’t argue with the queen.”
“No, you don’t want to argue with Grandmama,” he said seriously.
His grasp on her hand was looser as they walked back toward the house.
To distract him from the more serious subjects, she asked him about wild animals that lived in Austria, and like a little walking encyclopedia, he began to tell her about brown bear, wild boar, red foxes, and the national bird, the black eagle.
“I wonder if we’ll see any wild animals while we’re on the river tomorrow. That would be exciting.”
“Rivers are natural habitats for wild animals,” he pointed out. “Especially birds.”
“Do you have any binoculars?”
“Papa has some in his room. Do you think he would mind if I use them?”
“I would think he’d be glad for you to have them,” she answered.
After all, Mishka was a prince. Surely he should be able to borrow some binoculars.
If it turned out to be a problem, she would take the blame.
Not that it seemed likely the missing father would be privy to this anyway.
She tried not to feel irritated at the absent parent, but it did seem neglectful.
Really, was he that busy? Or was he just off enjoying his entitled lifestyle? And why was she being so judgmental?
Meredith was a little bit uneasy about driving the children to the boat launch location.
She did have an international driver’s license, but this was transporting royalty.
What if they got into some sort of fender-bender or, God forbid, a real wreck?
But she was being extra cautious, reminding herself that she’d safely driven under frightening conditions in Papua New Guinea.
Plus she’d gotten good practice on her day off and felt comfortable with the vehicle.
Just the same, she’d asked God’s blessing for a safe trip before leaving the driveway. Kat snickered, and Mishka said, “Amen.”
All in all, it was a pleasant drive with beautiful scenic countryside you could only find in the rolling Alpine hills of Austria. It took a bit longer to arrive at the dock than she expected, but fortunately, the boat was still there when they arrived.
“This is exciting.” She led them to the boat, holding onto Mishka’s somewhat clammy hand. His brow was furrowed. “We are going to have a terrific day,” she reassured him. “You are going to love this adventure.”
His grip tightened on her hand.
Meredith had forwarded the tickets to Kat’s phone, so she could be in charge. Acting very grown up, Kat presented the image to the man in front of the gangplank, speaking in perfect German that the ticket was for all three of them.
“Danke.” He tipped his head.
“Here we go.” Meredith gave Mishka’s hand a warm squeeze.
Although the river air was cool, both children wanted to sit out on the open front deck.
Before long, they were settled in with wool blankets, and the boat was slowly pulling away from the dock, gently moving down the river.
They all sat there in silence for a while, soaking in the morning quietness.
When Meredith noticed others with beverages, she suddenly craved a good cup of coffee.
“Would you guys like a cocoa?” she asked. Both agreed that was a good idea.
“You and Mishka stay here and save our seats,” Kat suggested. “I can get our drinks.”
“Thank you.” Meredith started to open her purse.
“I can buy them,” Kat told her.
“Well, thank you very much, Kat.” Meredith smiled.
It was fun seeing Kat acting so mature and responsible.
She watched as the girl walked away, back straight, and shoulders squared, looking almost regal.
Meredith could imagine her years from now, fulfilling her royal destiny.
She slipped an arm around Mishka’s shoulders, giving him a gentle squeeze. “How are you doing, buddy?”
“Good,” he said bravely. “It’s better than I thought.”
She pointed to a large bird flying nearby. “What do you think that is?”
He raised the binoculars, taking a moment to focus, then told her it was a goose. “Looks like a Graylag goose,” he clarified.
“It’s pretty.” She noticed an older couple watching with interest as Mishka described the goose’s habits.
“Your son is bright,” the woman told Meredith.
She was tempted to tell her that she was Mishka’s governess but decided not to. “Yes, he is well read.” She smiled. “Are you Americans?”
“Yes,” the woman said. “Are you?”
Meredith nodded, exercising caution about sharing too much information. Not just because of her Vienna experience but for the sake of the children too. Caring for these two out in public felt a bit like guarding a royal treasure.
“I noticed a British accent,” the woman glanced at Mishka.
“The children do have a British connection.” She decided to be evasive. “What part of America are you from?”
“Iowa,” the woman said. “This European trip is to celebrate our fortieth anniversary. Four weeks to see it all.”