Page 60 of Holiday Cheese and Capers
“Are we crazy?” Bayard asked.
“Completely insane, I think.” Exandra giggled.
“We’ll need to design the whole program from scratch.” Bayard tugged thoughtfully at his eyebrow.
“We’ll be working together. Every day. All the time,” Exandra noted.
“Might drive each other mad.” Bayard bit a lip worriedly.
“Almost certainly will.” Exandra giggled.
They smiled at each other, and this time when their hands found each other, they didn’t let go.
“Let’s do it,” Bayard said.
“I’m in,” Exandra agreed.
FAMOUS LAST CURDS
The atrium ofThe Celestine Queenwas all dressed up and decorated for the final Yule feast. Long tables stretched the length of the space, draped in forest green cloth and decorated with evergreen garlands, candles, and small wheels of cheese and flowers serving as centerpieces. The Yule tree at the center glowed with twinkling lights, and the air smelled of fragrant woodsmoke, cinnamon, and the scents of the feast that wafted in from the kitchen.
Everyone had saved their finest clothes for the occasion. There was something about seeing everyone milling about in their finery that made the evening feel extra special.
“This is one for the memory books.” Minerva smiled. “I do hope Wren will share some of her photos with us.”
She was standing at the entrance, watching and waiting for their special guests to arrive. She couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. This cruise, with all its chaos and cheese emergencies and romantic drama, had turned into something special.
“Looks like we’ll have quite the turnout,” Zephyr said, appearing at her elbow with two glasses of mulled wine. Minerva thought he looked incredibly dashing in his aubergine-hued tuxedo. She’d brought along a long velvet gown in a matching shade. One of her favorites. It was extremely comfortable for formalwear. It even had pockets where she could stash her wand. Such a happy accident that her favorite dress matched his favorite tuxedo. She’d also made herself a crown of flowers to wear, saving one last rose for Zephyr’s boutonnière. She pinned it for him now.
“My stars, you look so lovely, my dear.” Zephyr spun her around.
“And you’re quite fetching as well. Not a single crumb in your beard!” Minerva exclaimed happily.
“We clean up well, don’t we?” Zephyr chuckled.
“Oh! Look! They’re here! The cheesemakers are arriving.” Minerva pointed at the procession making their way up the gangplank.
And there they all were. First came Lukas and Anja from Switzerland, looking slightly overwhelmed by the ship but delighted to be there. Raoul and Geraldo from Spain strode in holding hands and admiring the decorations. When Margot and Claire from France entered the atrium, they were already deep in conversation with Brother Tomasso. He’d explained to them that he’d agreed to delay his return to the monastery just long enough to perform the breaking ceremony.
“Is that Philippe Valmont?” Zephyr asked, surprised to see the French cheesemaker rushing up the gangplank alone. “After the incident at his fromagerie, I’m a little surprised he’s joining us again!”
“That’s him, all right,” Minerva wrinkled her nose.
“Is he bringing his child?” Zephyr asked. The haughty French cheesemaker was wearing a baby carrier against his chest, cradling the bundle close with both arms.
“He’s definitely brought his baby, but it’s no human child…” Minerva did a double take as Phillipe reached the top of the ramp and she caught a glimpse of the golden rind in the carrier he was clutching. “He brought his family’s special Roquefort!” she gasped. “The Yule cheese from his worthiness list. I guess we all made the cut! “
“Now that is what I call character development,” Zephyr murmured. “Who would have thought?”
Blythe Meadowsweet was the last to arrive, fashionably late and dancing up the ramp in a whirlwind of ombre silk chiffon and infectious energy. She swept into the atrium like a warm summer breeze, drawing every eye. It was quite the trick, because every time you blinked, her gown seemed to develop a new set of colors. It was like watching the sunset.
“My darlings!” she called out to a crowd of admirers. “What a glorious gathering! I can feel the love in this room—it’s absolutely vibrating with all your good energy!”
Philippe, who was reverently setting down his cheese at one of the head tables, looked up at that precise moment and froze.
Their eyes met across the crowded atrium.
“Oh, dear.” Minerva elbowed Zephyr in the ribs. “Did you catch that exchange, Zippy? This feast just got a lot more interesting!”
