“Hm.” I looked back up at the clouds and wondered if that would change if our relationship did go public. When I thought about all the people who would follow my every move it made me nauseous. Alex was worth it. More than worth it, but it was still something I was going to need to ease into. And there was a big part of me that worried what we had might not last. Then I’d be left to pick up the pieces of my very publicly broken heart.
“You’ve got a while before you have to worry about it. She can’t ask you to take on any official duties until you’ve gone through the reinstatement ceremony.” He squeezed my fingers.
“Good to know.” I started to pull my hand away, but he tightened his grip.
“Samantha, you don’t have to worry about people here. They won’t say anything.” He rolled over to his side and propped his head up. “Most of the employees here are generational. Their families have worked for my family for years. In a lot of ways they’re like extended family.”
I bit my lip and looked up at him. “I’m making this difficult. I know it. But…”
“You’re scared.” He cupped my cheek. “I do understand. I’m willing to wait until you’re ready, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“Doesn’t it bother you?” I frowned. “That people will speculate about us?”
“People always speculate about couples.” He laughed.
“But not on the front page of the papers!”
“That’ll calm down. Eventually they’ll find something else to focus on.” He shrugged.
“I’m just not used to it.” I sighed. “I’ll get there. I promise.”
Slowly, so that I had time to move, he leaned forward and brushed his lips across mine. My body’s response to him was immediate and I forgot about who might be watching. He continued to tease me with feather-soft kisses until I nipped at his bottom lip. That did the trick and he deepened our kiss. I ran my hands through his hair, enjoying how warm it felt on my fingers.
When he finally pulled away, I snuggled close to him and he chuckled. “I should kiss you more often. It makes you much more agreeable.”
“Shut it and cuddle me.”
The rest of the weekend was spent with the birds or learning more about the area. Alex was good at keeping me distracted, but the closer it came to Monday, the more anxious I became.
Chapter Thirty
A Royal Rendezvous?
—L.A. Daily
“He still hasn’t returned my call.”
I shoved my cell phone in my pocket and glared out the car window.
“Samantha, it’s been two hours and he was in surgery.” Chadwick lowered his paper and looked over at me. There was a picture of Cathy on the page he was reading. “I know you’re worried, but give the man a break. He can’t run out of the operating room to talk.”
“I know.” I sighed. “Dad was really snappy this morning. I’m starting to think it’s the medicine.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that can happen with certain prescriptions.” Chadwick folded up the paper. “He will call you. You can’t do anything right now, so focus on why we’re in town.”
“Meetings with politicians.” I leaned back in my seat. “This is going to be awesome.”
“Deep breath. It’s only for an hour and then you get to go home and wear jeans again.”
“And sit through Lilarian lessons.” I picked at my jacket.
“You’ll do great.”
I met with the local council of leaders, listening to what all they did and how they thought I might be able to help. It was an interesting morning and the breakfast was delicious. Simone, the local mayoral figure, kept everyone on track and we actually got a great deal accomplished. When I was leaving, she pulled me to the side to thank me for coming.
“No, I enjoyed seeing how everything works. I know I can’t petition the parliament on behalf of the people yet, but if there are any cases you can think of, let me know. I have time to look into them, even if I can’t do much yet.”
“I like that. You’ll be able to dive right in when the time comes.”
“I like to be prepared.” I shook her hand.
“Wonderful. I hope you don’t mind my bringing this up, but I realize you might not have thought of this.” She took a step closer, still holding my hand. “I know you’ve been worried about how the locals would feel about your coming home and I thought of something that might make you feel better. The royal families that represent the different provinces typically hold open houses or parties for the locals at least once a year. It encourages conversation and makes the villagers feel appreciated. Once you’re reinstated, it might be nice to consider holding one.”
“I’ll look into it. Thank you.”
That afternoon was spent with a nice woman named Mrs. Rewell who refused to speak anything but Lilarian to me. I thought about hiding in the blanket closet but Chadwick kept careful watch. By the time she left I could sing the alphabet easily and count to twenty. I felt like I had run a marathon.
Alex had gone back to the city to work on a few projects that required his attention. He hadn’t wanted to leave until I’d spoken with Dr. Bielefeld, but I insisted. I didn’t want him to put off things that were important just because I was worried.
By the time dark fell, I was in a very bad mood. Not only had the doctor not returned my call, but I couldn’t find my e-reader. When my phone rang, I didn’t even check to see who it was.