Bernd nodded.  

"Okay, I think we’ll come over, probably be there before 11 or so.  I think Tina and Angelica will enjoy wandering around, particularly that library.  It’s a beautiful one, isn’t it?," she asked.

"Uh huh," he nodded, "And historical."

Bernd added, "Okay, allow me to treat you and the family to lunch, and a day around our town.  I suggest you plan on driving back by around 3."

Bette nodded, "Sounds about right.  Well, thank you for the invitation, and, in case we don’t talk before then, have a wonderful New Year’s Eve.  We’ll see you in a couple of days."  

She waved at him after Bernd returned her greeting, then clicked on the "Done" button to shut the FaceTime session.

She checked her watch and saw that breakfast service had started.  With a smile, she picked up her tablet and the key card by the small table next to their suite’s front door, and then bounded out the door with a happy step.

xxxxxxx

The top line SUV scrunched to a halt in front of the Library in the Abbey of St. Gall.  

Tina was still protesting, as they disembarked, "Bette, baby, I don’t know why you have to schedule a meeting while you’re still recovering…. But since you must, can you please stay inside somewhere, and make sure you’re sipping something warm while you and Bernd talk?"

Bette pursed her lips into a half-smile, half-frown, as she handed the driver some cash, asking him in French to get himself a meal and relax while they were in town.  He was shaking his head, though, to indicate he’d been instructed by Brom to stick near Bette.  She sighed, "Okay, but not so close, please?"  With a chuckle, he nodded then indicated he was parking the SUV in a public lot, and asked Bette to text him where she was headed.  It was a small enough town that he felt he would be able to find her quickly.

As he drove off, Bette picked up Angelica, and pointed at the inscription on the Library.  She read out the library motto "soul drugstore," which she explained to her daughter was inscribed in Greek on the upper sweep of the facade.  "Really?," Tina asked, squinting her eyes to read the letters that Bette had pointed out.