Blaire gave Hilda a reassuring look. “Hilda, it’s not your fault. Very bad timing, that’s all. Kate’s so upset with everything that’s going on.”

“I understand, and I’m trying to be sympathetic. But I can’t seem to do anything right these days.”

“Just be patient with her. She’s not herself.”

Blaire left Hilda in the playroom and went looking for Kate. She was in her daughter’s bedroom, helping a calmer Annabelle with a jigsaw puzzle.

Kate looked up as Blaire came in. “That was intentional.”

“What?”

Kate sighed and rolled her eyes, then stood and walked to the corner of the room. Blaire moved toward her, and Kate whispered, “The movie. Showing her a movie where the mother is killed. She’s preparing her for my . . . you know . . .”

Blaire was stunned. “Kate! Come on. You can’t watch a Disney movie without one or both parents being killed. It was just a coincidence.”

Kate narrowed her eyes. “Was it? Maybe she and Simon are working together. I’ve seen Finding Nemo. After the mother is dead, the father and son live happily ever after.”

Blaire was going to have to talk to Harrison. Kate was unraveling again. Right before her very eyes.

Blaire finally got out of bed at ten the next morning. She’d stayed at Kate’s late into the night, doing her best to talk some sense into her friend. By the time she left, Kate had agreed to forget about the movie incident and give Hilda another chance. Blaire had fallen into bed exhausted when she’d finally gotten into her suite after two a.m. Now, slipping into her robe, she called room service and ordered breakfast. She went into the small kitchen and made a single cup of dark roast while she waited.

She opened her laptop and checked her email. She frowned. There was one from her. She hit delete. Then she saw one from her publicist, and clicked on it.

Thought you’d enjoy seeing these. Tour going well.