The Princess Has Amnesia! (Crown & Glory Book 5)

by Patricia Thayer

  “Like hell, chère. Like hell,” he whispered just before his mouth closed over hers in a searing kiss. She sensed he was trying to relay the feelings he couldn’t put into words, but Ana understood them. That was what was breaking her heart.

  An hour later, they finished eating lunch. Ana rested against Jake on the blanket, enjoying the warm breeze. In his arms, she felt safe and happy. But it wasn’t to last beyond today, this moment. She might love Jake, but she still had to go back to her home.

  By late afternoon, the weather turned cool and they packed up their things and started back toward the cabin. After climbing on Maisie, Ana tugged on the reins and headed back toward the trail. When they got to the open meadow she couldn’t resist and dug her heels into the horse’s sides. Maisie took off running. With the wind in her hair and against her skin, she rode, hard and fast, hoping to clear her head.

  All at once, Jake was beside her. “So you want to race?” he yelled, his eyes full of mischief. Then he took off on Toby.

  Ana couldn’t stand being left behind and urged her mount on. By the time they reached the end of the meadow, both she and Maisie were winded.

  Jake helped her down. “We should walk the rest of the way. These guys are probably pretty tired.”

  Ana was trying to catch her breath. “So am I, but I feel wonderful.”

  Together they walked the horses the last half mile to the cabin. Once the horses had cooled down, Jake tried to put them back into their stalls. Maisie followed his lead, but Toby refused.

  “I guess he likes his freedom too much,” Jake said, as he nudged the gelding, but it took a smack on the animal’s rump to get him inside. Finally both horses were settled for the night and Ana and Jake headed back to the cabin just as the sun was setting.

  “Oh, Jake, look,” Ana cried and pointed to the horizon. The orange glow was descending behind the mountains. “No wonder you love it here so much.”

  Jake came up behind her on the porch. He stood close enough to Ana so that she could feel his breath against her nape, but he didn’t touch her. He was already withdrawing from her.

  “Do you think the weather will hold through tomorrow?”

  “I’m planning on it.” He turned her around so she’d have to look at him. “If there was any other way, Ana, you know that I…” He paused. “I want what’s best for you.”

  “I know Jake.”

  Ana didn’t have any idea how hard it was for him to let her go, but he had no choice. If they could make it down the mountain, that meant anyone could get up. The Black Knights weren’t going to give up two million dollars worth of diamonds that easily. Jake wanted Ana gone before there was any possibility of trouble. He couldn’t let the same thing happen to her as Meg. This time he was going to protect the woman in his care, whether she wanted it or not.

  Later that night Ana couldn’t sleep. She finally got up, came out of the bedroom and found Jake standing at the window. The fire and the kerosene lantern shed enough light so she could see the breadth of his shoulders covered by a snug-fitting T-shirt. A pair of worn jeans hugged his slim hips and long legs.

  “It’s going to be a long day tomorrow, you should try and get some sleep,” he told her.

  “The same holds true for you.” She moved further into the room. “Too bad we can’t take our own advice. I find myself thinking about my parents. I feel awful for what they’ve had to go through.”

  “None of this was your fault. The plane crashed. Besides, I think they’ll be overjoyed to see that you’re safe.”

  She thought a minute. “I might have had something to do with it. If the weather was bad, I should have waited, but I bet I talked them into flying. If that’s so, then I’m responsible for Rory…”

  “Ana…” his warning tone stopped her. “We’ve gone over this before. The tower cleared the plane for takeoff. They wouldn’t have if they thought it wasn’t safe.”

  Jake braced his hands on either side of the window frame and sent up a prayer for another dry day tomorrow. He couldn’t handle any more time alone with Ana. She was tempting him beyond belief. The sooner he got her out of his life, the faster he could get her out of his head. But he doubted he’d ever get her out of his heart.

  “Jake,” she called, her voice soft and inviting. His body immediately reacted. He drew a breath and released it, but found it difficult with the tightening in his chest.

  “Please, look at me, Jake,” she asked.

  He didn’t have much strength left and glanced over his shoulder to find her standing by the hearth. The fire light created a mellow glow all around her. Her light brown hair was soft and wavy, streaming down to her shoulders. Her beauty was only enhanced by her brilliant blue eyes.

  Jake wanted her so badly he ached…everywhere. His fingers itched to touch her, to caress her flawless skin, kiss her and bring her pleasure. But he had no right. She would leave tomorrow. And he had to find a way to survive without her.

  “Ana…it would be a good idea if you went back to bed. At least try and sleep.”

  “I don’t want to be alone. Not tonight.”

  “Are you worried about someone coming while we’re asleep?”

  She started across the room. “No, I’m not worried. I just don’t want to be without…you.”

  He felt his heart pounding in his chest. “Ana, we talked about this before—”

  “No, you talked about it. I never got to vote.” She stopped in front of him. “I’m leaving tomorrow, Jake. Is it so difficult to talk with me?”

  “If I felt that way, I wouldn’t have spent the day with you.”

  “Then why, when we returned to the cabin did you run me off to bed?”

  He hated her choice of words. “Because when you’re around, especially at night, we seem to get into trouble.”

  “Didn’t we have fun today?”

  “Yeah, we did.”

  “Then what is different now?”

  “You can’t be that naive, Ana. I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  She smiled. “I like that you feel that way.”

  “Well, I don’t,” he chided. “So go back to bed.”

  “No, I want to talk,” she said stubbornly.

  “What do you want to talk about?”

  She took hold of his hand and led him to the couch. “I want to carry on a normal conversation with you. And I want the truth.”

  She pushed him down on the cushion, then sat next to him, tucking her feet under her. She was too close.

  “Are you going to live up here through the winter months?”

  “I haven’t decided,” he told her truthfully.

  “Are you going back to the FBI?”

  He frowned. “If you’re worried I’ll go hungry, don’t. I made good money over the years and invested well.”

  “I’m worried about you being up here all alone. No one to take care of you.” She brushed back his hair.

  “Don’t be,” he murmured, but didn’t pull away. “I’ve been alone all my life.”

  “I don’t even know where you live.”

  “Here.”

  “Besides here. Do you have a home in the States?”

  Home. Had he ever had a home? “I have a small house in New Orleans, in the garden district.”

  “I bet it’s lovely.”

  “It needs a lot of work. I’ve never had enough time to start any renovations.” And no one cared if he did.

  “I would like to see it one day. Maybe if I get to New Orleans…”

  “Sure,” he said.

  Ana’s gaze sought his. There was so much loneliness in those dark depths. She leaned over and kissed him, nothing serious, just a peck against the mouth. Then she ducked down laid her head in Jake’s lap. When he didn’t resist, she placed her hand on his thigh. “You’re not alone, Jake. You have me now.”

  For a long time, he didn’t say anything. Then his hand began to stroke her back.

  “Jake, if you ever find you need me, promise you’ll get in to
uch with me. That is, if you want to.”

  “I’ll just call the palace on Penwyck, right? Ask for Princess Anastasia.”

  She could hear the humor in his voice, but it brought tears to her eyes. No matter how much he needed her, she would probably never see or hear from him again.

  “Of course,” she said. “There’s probably a switchboard, or I can find out the private number and give it to you.”

  “How can you call me when I don’t have a phone here?”

  “I thought maybe you would be going back to New Orleans.”

  “I’m not sure what my plans are.”

  Her heart pounded in her chest, like a pendulum reminding her that their time together was running out.

  “Jake…I know, you don’t do commitments. That you’ve always been by yourself. And you don’t have to worry that I’ll annoy you or expect anything from you.” She rolled over to look up at him. “I just want you to know that…I love you, Jake Sanderstone.”

  His dark eyes locked with hers. His breathing grew rapid as he reached down and lifted her into his arms. “Why did you have to go and say that? Don’t you know that I’m the last person you should love?”

  “You’re wrong, Jake. You’re the only person I can love.”

  He shut his eyes. “That doesn’t change anything, chère. I still have to let you go.”

  Chapter Ten

  A knock sounded on Colonel Pierce Prescott’s office door. He looked up from his desk to see Captain Millner.

  “Yes, captain.”

  “Sir, Colonel Harper just reported in. They’ve located Royal Bird Two’s crash site.”

  “It’s taken a bloody long time.” Pierce stood and tossed his pen on his desk. He didn’t want to ask the next question, but there wasn’t a choice. “Are there any survivors?”

  “We’re not sure, sir. The only verification is the location of the plane. The area is remote, but according to one of the locals, there’s a cabin not far from the site. There’s hope that the owner, an American named Jake Sanderstone, saw the plane go down and went to help.”

  “I assume that no one’s been in contact with this man.”

  “No sir, there’s no telephone in his cabin, and with the storm, he must have been stranded, too.”

  “Outstanding.” Pierce moved around his desk, praying this American was able to help. “Do we have any idea who this Sanderstone is?”

  “The Intelligence report states that he was an FBI agent for twelve years, but the rest of his file is inaccessible to us.”

  Pierce knew that could mean several things. The man could still work for the agency, his job was classified.

  “Sir, there’s also been another development.”

  He didn’t like the captain’s anxious look. “What?”

  “We’ve discovered that the man who was piloting the princess’s plane is Stephen Loden.”

  The name wasn’t familiar to him. “Am I supposed to know this man?”

  “No, sir, but we’ve learned that Loden’s a member of his rebel group, the Black Knights.”

  The colonel began to pace as rage churned through him. “Bloody hell. Was this another kidnapping attempt?”

  “No sign of that, sir. But we do believe that Loden was smuggling stolen diamonds out of the country. There’s been a theft at the mine. We didn’t connect the two at first, but it makes sense. The plane had diplomatic clearance, and with the princess along, there wouldn’t be any customs search at the airport.”

  Pierce clenched his fists. He wanted nothing more than to get Broderick alone for about thirty minutes. But he couldn’t think about taking revenge now. More than likely the Black Knights were looking for the downed plane and the contraband. He doubted the princess had survived, but if she had, they wouldn’t want any witnesses when they came for the diamonds.

  The Rangers had to get there first. “When is the team set to deploy?” the colonel asked.

  “By dawn.”

  “Good, put me aboard.”

  “Yes, sir. Is there anything you need me to do for you?”

  Pierce had to make his own preparations. First, he had to tell the queen about the new developments. There hadn’t been any good news to begin with, now it was looking worse. But he couldn’t give her any false hope, either. Realistically, he knew there wouldn’t be any survivors.

  Penwyck’s monarch had had more than her share to deal with of late, and he wanted to let her know that he was prepared take some of the burden.

  “I promised the queen that I would bring her daughter home. And by God, I’m going to do it. We’re getting to that plane first. Tell the crew to expect me at 0500 hours and be ready to take off. There will be no delays!”

  Ana called out his name, pleading with him to help her. Jake tried but he was being held down by two men as a third man grabbed Ana and dragged her away. She fought him, but was overpowered by the kidnapper’s strength and unable to get free.

  Jake continued to struggle. He was the only one who could save her, but he got gut-punched for his efforts. Even doubled over in pain, he worked to break their hold on his arms.

  Dammit, he couldn’t let it happen again. He couldn’t let them take Ana. He promised her he would keep her safe.

  “Please, help me, Jake,” Ana cried.

  With the last of his strength, he raised his leg and kicked his attacker, sending him backward, then hit the other man between the eyes. Suddenly free, Jake charged after Ana’s captor. When he reached them, the man released Ana to fight him off.

  “Run Ana…” He cried. “Run.”

  “Jake! Jake, wake up.”

  He woke up with a gasp and sucked air into his oxygen starved lungs. His heart was pounding like a drum. Blinking to adjust his eyes to the dim room, he turned to the woman next to him on the couch. Ana.

  He grabbed her and pulled her against him. “Thank God. You’re safe.”

  “Yes, I’m safe. It was only a dream.”

  He inhaled the scent of her sweet smelling hair and reveled in the feel of her soft body. “God, I thought…”

  She leaned back and looked at him. Even in the pale light, he could see she’d been asleep. “You thought what?”

  “Nothing.” He drew her back into his arms.

  “Jake, it wasn’t nothing.”

  Seeing the blanket wrapped around them, he realized that she’d never gone to bed. She’d fallen asleep beside him. He’d never slept with anyone. If he’d spent time with women, he never stayed the night.

  But now, he couldn’t imagine ever letting her go.

  “It was just a bad dream,” he said. “I have them all the time. One of the hazards of my job.”

  He wasn’t about to tell her of his premonition. He had to make sure he got her out of harm’s way and that meant he had to get her off the mountain at first light.

  “Go back to sleep. It’ll be morning soon enough.” And he would have to let her go, he told himself.

  God help him, he had to find a way to let her leave him.

  The sun was streaming through the window, causing Ana to squint. She raised up but found herself trapped in Jake’s arms on the small couch. Somehow during the night, he’d stretched out beside her. Not a bad place to be. She smiled. Laying her head back down, she snuggled closer to him.

  He groaned, then murmured something into her hair. Ana inhaled his familiar scent and placed her cheek against his solid chest. No matter what happened in the future, she’d never regret this time with Jake. Even though they’d never actually made love, they’d shared so much. Feeling her emotions surfacing, she closed her eyes. Sobs bubbled up in her throat. How could she say goodbye?

  “You promised,” Jake said, his voice husky. “You wouldn’t cry.”

  “Who says I’m crying?” She wiped away her tears and looked at him. “I just have something in my eyes.”

  “You may be good at poker, chère, but you’re lousy at lying.” His dark eyes bore into hers. “We’ve talked about this Ana. It’s ti
me. We need to go…now.”

  “I know.” She sat up. “I’ll get dressed and feed Toby and Maisie.”

  “No, I’ll do it.” He stood and stretched, then walked to the door and stepped into his boots. She loved watching him, even doing mundane things, like putting on his shirt. But her joy turned to fear when he picked up his gun, reached behind him and tucked it into the waistband of his jeans.

  “What’s the gun for?”

  “Just a precaution.” He was out the door before she could ask any more questions.

  Thirty minutes later, Ana sat at the table trying to eat, but she couldn’t get the food past the lump in her throat. Jake wasn’t eating, either. Silently, she washed up the dishes, then helped Jake gather some things he needed for the trip, including the bag of stolen diamonds. He stashed them under the front seat of the truck.

  “Pray that this old baby gets us down the mountain,” Jake said.

  Ana bit down on her lower lip as she fought her tears.

  “Come on, chère. It isn’t safe here. I need to get you home to your family.”

  With a nod, Ana went back to the cabin and looked around, but she had nothing to take with her. Her clothes were in shreds. She had on Jake’s jeans and shirt and a pair of beat-up canvas shoes. Would her family even recognize her when she showed up?

  Earlier she’d gone out to the shed and said goodbye to Toby and Maisie. How could she care so much about some silly horses? But she did. And Max. She owed the dog her life. He’d led Jake to the plane, and to her.

  “You ready?” Jake called to her.

  Never. She’d never be ready to leave. Everything she wanted was here. She nodded, then walked with him to the truck when the sound of a vehicle coming up the road stopped them. Finally, a late model Range Rover came into view.

  Jake’s body tensed as it went on alert for danger. Immediately, he stepped in front of Ana. “Go inside,” he ordered her.

  “But Jake…”

  “Go inside the cabin, Ana, until I find out who they are.”

  Three men climbed out of the vehicle, all dressed in black jumpsuits. Over the left breast was the Penwyck crest. More importantly to Jake were the guns holstered at their waist.