Page 19 of Christmas Shelter

"Then stop complaining," Carlota becomes bold, smiling as she gets out of the car.

They grab their suitcases and walk to the Blue Star Hostel, and as soon as they cross the door, they find Yolanda at the computer. The woman looks up and, seeing it's her friend Patricia, her eyes light up and she smiles broadly, though she can't hide her surprise at seeing her accompanied.

"You look gorgeous," Yolanda hugs her after coming out from behind the counter. "You didn't tell me you were coming with a hottie," she whispers.

Patricia pulls away from her friend; she hadn't told the married couple anything because she knew they would subject her to questioning that she wanted to avoid at all costs.

"This is Carlota, a former college classmate and volunteer at an animal shelter in Salamanca."

Yolanda's almost imperceptible gesture when realizing who the companion is doesn't go unnoticed by the cardiologist. Fortunately, hurried footsteps make all three women turn to see a very cheerful Sonia coming to greet them.

"Well, look who it is," exclaims Yolanda's wife while throwing her arms around Patricia's neck.

"Honey," Yoli calls her, "this is Carlota, Patri's friend," the girl says and winks at her wife.

Sonia gives Carlota two kisses, and all four engage in a conversation about their journey from Salamanca.

"Well, we'll take you to your room so you can drop off your things, and then you can come over to our place. People eat early here, but it'll be good for you to rest and recharge for tomorrow," Sonia explains.

"I need a shower," Patricia says, grabbing her suitcase.

"Your hostel is beautiful," Carlota comments as they walk to the room.

"The property was a mess, but the investment allowed us to do the renovations we wanted, we're very proud," Yolanda responds, well aware of all the efforts she and her wife have made to make the Blue Star Hostel what it is today.

After climbing some stairs, they reach a double door, painted in pale pink with a sign that reads Machacón. Each room in the hostel is named after towns in Salamanca, in honor of its owners' homeland.

Patricia's face is priceless when they enter; the bed - as it couldn't be otherwise in these cases - is a double, no sign of two separate beds.

"I'll talk to them to see if there's another room available," the cardiologist suddenly says.

Carlota, who was already unpacking, looks at her as if she were performing acrobatics in the middle of the room.

"If that comment came from me, I'd understand," says the volunteer, "but from you, I'm amazed. We've already slept together, Patricia, and not precisely in a spacious bed. Stop bothering your friends and go take your shower, because I'm starving."

Patricia is speechless; the way her companion has spoken to her, far from bothering her, has sent a dangerous current through her body, one of those that emboldens you to kiss someone who has dared to speak to her like that. But she just nods, rummages through her things, and goes into the bathroom. Half an hour later, they're in the married couple's house, a space within the same hostel that consists of an open-plan living room with kitchen and dining room with a wooden division that delimits the bedroom area.

"This is delicious," Carlota says while enjoying dinner.

"Calentita is a typical dish from the area, and this," Yolanda points to another plate, "is called Rostro and it's Sonia's favorite."

"It's very good, but I prefer the hornazo," Patricia blurts out without knowing her comment has delighted Carlota.

"They're completely different things, Patri," Sonia tells her while watching her friend just shrug her shoulders.

After dinner and talking for a while, the friends make plans for lunch the next day. Sonia and Yolanda have prepared a route through the center with several recommendations.

"We won't be able to see you until lunchtime," Yoli explains, "we have a guy who helps us in the afternoons or when we're really busy, and that's when we're more free."

"Don't worry, girls, we'll do some sightseeing and then come back to have lunch with you."

The women say goodbye and the veterinarians go up to their room. As they had done at the shelter, they coordinate well; while one brushes her teeth, the other puts on herpajamas and prepares the bed. Patricia feels an unusual nervousness and knows it's her conversation with Aida that has her like this; accepting that she likes Carlota and that it might be reciprocal leaves her mind corrupted knowing they'll share a bed.

"I'm exhausted," Carlota says, pulling Patricia from her thoughts.

"Me too, but when I'm this tired, I find it hard to sleep," the cardiologist responds, getting into bed.

Carlota, as soon as she covers herself with the comforter, falls into a deep sleep. Patricia sighs because she doesn't understand this woman's ability to fall asleep so quickly. She moves uncomfortably because she knows she might not be able to rest that night. She's wrong - very wrong - because that little sound Carlota makes while sleeping, which helped her fall asleep those nights at the shelter, works its magic on her again, and little by little she falls into a pleasant drowsiness that isn't even interrupted when she thinks about how wonderful it would be to hear it every night in her own bed.

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