“Your aunt seemed to think so, too.”
Katalina burst out laughing, amazed that even with a heavy heart, he was able to make her smile. “Come on. I’ll show you around the impressive garden,” she said sarcastically with a wave of her hand.
The garden wasn’t a bad size but consisted of mostly lawn and a few shrubs. It took them all of two minutes to walk the garden and in that time, more people had arrived at the house, friends and distant relatives she hardly knew, all of them wanting to know her story. Katalina gave them vague answers, sticking to the things Bass had told her, while never letting go of his hand. He was her anchor, the only thing keeping her grounded, and out of the darkness of her grief.
“Come on,” Katalina whispered to him, weaving through the mass of bodies. Bass in tow, she escaped to her room. “Close the door.”
“As you wish,” he said with a bow.
“Funny!” she muttered, opening her wardrobe. “I think I have one plain, boring black dress in here somewhere.”
“Kat, I’m not exactly dressed in funeral attire,” Bass observed, looking down at himself.
Kat tossed a dress on her bed. Turning, she looked at him. “Have you got any black jeans?”
“Yes, but black jeans aren’t appropriate either.”
“So what, no one will notice. They’ll be too distracted by your face.”
He chuckled at her. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Oh, yes, you definitely should.” She walked toward him, planting a kiss on his mouth. “Now, go find your jeans, while I get dressed.”
By the time he returned, Katalina had dressed in her knee-length dress. It hugged her waist before flaring out. She’d paired it with black tights and black boots with a small heel.
“How you doing, Kat? I’m certain you weren’t expecting to come home to this.”
“Not really. Part of me is pleased I’m here for it, the other just wishes I had a grave to visit already. It’s just so hard dealing with all those people, asking me questions I can’t answer.”
“You’ll get through this. I’ll be right beside you, every step of the way.”
Katalina rested her head on his shoulder and took his hand. “Thanks,” she whispered softly. “Well, I suppose, we best go back out there.”
She reached for the door but Bass called her back. “Kat, have you seen this?”
Turning, Katalina looked in the direction he pointed and saw a black box, tied with a red bow.
“Oh, it must be a birthday present.” She gulped loudly, slowly making her way to the box, not quite sure she wanted to see its contents. She knew it was from her parents as she tentatively picked up the gift.
She read the label aloud. “An extra one for my precious girl. I can’t believe you are eighteen already! Happy Birthday, My Winter Girl! Love, Mom xoxo P.S I know, I go crazy with the white!”
Katalina smiled as tears filled her eyes.
“What does she mean ‘crazy with the white’?” Bass asked from behind her.
Katalina laughed sadly. “Mom had an obsession with buying me all things white, she called me her Winter Girl. I’m not sure I have the strength to open this.”
“I think you’ll be surprised at the strength you possess, Katalina Winter,” he murmured against her ear.
She took a deep breath, her chest rising high, and pulled the bow. The red ribbon tumbled to the floor, followed by the lid. Katalina pulled the white, fur coat from the box. Her knees gave out, and she dropped to the floor with a sob, clutching the coat to her chest.
“Oh, Mom,” she sobbed.
“Baby,” Bass soothed, wrapping himself around her. “It’s as white as your wolf fur. I do hope it’s not real though.”
Katalina laughed through her tears. “Maybe it’s wolf.”
She ran her hands over the coat, picturing her mother doing the same when she bought it from the store.
“You should wear it today,” Bass suggested.
“It’s the wrong color for a funeral.”
“I think your mom would have loved for you to wear her gift. Come on up. Come and try it on.” He held her hand and pulled her to her feet. “My beautiful Winter Wolf,” he murmured in her ear, making her smile.
There was a knock at the door. “Kat, it’s time to go,” her grandma called through the door.
Katalina huffed out a breath. Glancing at herself in the mirror one last time, she nodded at her pale reflection. You can do this, Kat. Just keep it together for the next few hours.
“Coming, Gram.”
Chapter 12
The funeral passed in a blur. Katalina couldn’t seem to focus on anything but the grief building inside of her. Time passed in a daze. She was at the center of warm condolences and reassuring pats on her arm, but none of it mattered. Her parents were gone. They were dead. She’d never see them again. All that kept her upright was the firm grip of Bass’s hand, his strong, steady presence.