by Elle James
He touched a finger to her lips. “What I know so far is that you’re amazing and courageous. Not every woman would walk up to a spooked horse that easily weighs twenty times more than you. You could have been crushed.”
She laughed. “Which makes me sound like an idiot for trying.”
“No, you went with your gut. And your gut said the horse needed the benefit of a doubt, gentle care and a patient hand.” He plucked a straw from her hair. “You gave her that. I should give you no less.”
“You have the right to be suspicious,” Aurelia started. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know what my gut tells me.” He pulled her closer, the darkness settling around them.
“Hey, you two going to watch the news tonight?” Lori hurried past them in her gangly limp.
“We’ll be there in a minute.” Gavin started to pull Aurelia close again.
“The television in the bunkhouse isn’t working,” Franklin said from behind Gavin and Aurelia. He and Vasquez hurried past, pushing the wheelbarrow containing Young.
“We’re going to make popcorn, watch the news and then put a movie on. Want to join us?” Young said, holding onto the edges of the wheelbarrow.
Gavin stepped back from Aurelia. “I guess, we will.”
Collin followed the younger guys.
Percy brought up the rear. “Might as well give it up. There’s no privacy in a place like this.”
“You got that right,” Gavin muttered. He leaned close to Aurelia. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I know a place where we won’t be disturbed.”
Aurelia nodded. Then she could tell him everything. About her life in Lastovia, about the need to marry and produce an heir. About why she really came to Montana. Then he was right to be suspicious and ask her to leave.
Hand in hand with Gavin, Aurelia walked to the house. She didn’t want this to end. Not when she was just getting to know this man. And she liked him. A lot.
Inside, the pop, pop, pop of popcorn exploding inside the microwave and the sound of laughter echoed inside. The warm, buttery scent filled the air.
Gavin and Aurelia passed through the kitchen into the living room where everyone had congregated around the television.
“Want a beer?” Percy held out a long neck bottle toward Aurelia.
She hadn’t had a beer since she’d attended a festival in her second year at college with Lilianna and other girls from her dorm. Aurelia nodded. “Please.” She took the bottle from Percy and tipped it up. Cool liquid spilled down her throat and cooled her inside. “Mmm, that’s good.”
Percy handed Gavin the one in his other hand.
“I can get my own,” Gavin said.
“Why, when you can have this one?” Percy pressed the beer into his hand. “Anyone else want a beer with your popcorn?”
Franklin and Young held up a hand.
“I’ll take one,” Taz said from his seat in a large leather lounge chair with Hannah sitting in his lap.
“What about you, Hannah?” Percy asked.
“I’ll pass.” She held up a glass. “Sticking to lemonade.”
“Any reason why you’re sticking to lemonade?” Percy’s eyes narrowed. “Anything you want to share with the rest of us?”
Hannah’s eyes widened innocently. “Nope.”
“Oh, go ahead and tell them,” Taz nuzzled her neck.
“Fine,” she said. “I missed my period.” She held up her hand. “I know, too much information, but I might be pregnant. I won’t know until we get one of those home pregnancy tests.”
“What?” Lori exploded. “You don’t know, and you’re not racing to Eagle Rock to find a kit? Are you insane?” She jumped up from her seat on the couch between Young and Vasquez. “I’ll go.”
“Sit down.” Hannah grinned and waved at Lori. “It’ll wait until tomorrow. Besides, I’m pretty sure I am.” She stared at the beer Percy handed Taz. “Even the thought of beer makes me want to throw up.” She covered her mouth. “And I missed two periods, not just one.”
“Sweet Jesus, woman.” Lori fell back on the couch. “I’d be a nervous wreck.”
“Why?” Hannah asked. “Either I am or I’m not.” She caught Taz’s cheeks between her palms and kissed him soundly on the lips. “Either way, we’re getting married.” She held up her hand, brandishing the diamond ring on her left ring finger.
Lori popped up from the couch again and ran to hug Hannah.
Congratulations, hugging and handshaking were in order, and it took several minutes before the room quieted.
Aurelia hugged Hannah. “I’m very happy for you and Taz. You two look so happy together.”
“Thank you. We are. I can’t imagine what we’ll do with a little one running around here. We’re all so busy with the animals and guests.”
“Franklin and I will help babysit,” Vasquez said.
“Speak for yourself,” Franklin said. “What do we know about babies?”
“I helped raise my baby sister. There’s not much to it. You feed them and change diapers. They’re eating, pooping machines for the first year of their lives.” Vasquez winked at Hannah. “We’ll help. I’ll show Franklin the ropes.”
Gavin hugged Hannah. “You’re glowing, woman.” He smiled down at her, holding her longer than the others.
Aurelia could see the special bond between Gavin and Hannah. Not a lover’s bond, but one of very close friends, who were as close as brother and sister.
Her heart hurt as she remembered the bond she’d shared with her brother William. She missed her parents so much, it was like a raw wound in her heart.
“I’ve never been happier.” Hannah straightened and reached out to hold Taz’s hand. “Now, if you all are quite done, let’s watch the news so we can get on with our movie.” Hannah settled back in her seat on her fiancé’s lap and adjusted the sound with the remote control.
The news came on, reporting information about a local rodeo coming to Bozeman and the status of the stock market after one of the major automakers announced a layoff.
“And in world news,” the news anchor said, “the tiny European country of Lastovia is in an uproar.”
Aurelia tensed. “Anyone need another beer?” she called out, her voice strained.
“I’ll take one,” Cookie said.
Aurelia turned away and started for the kitchen as the news anchor continued.
“Princess Olivia, the next royal in line to inherit the throne has disappeared.” She cast a glance over her shoulder at the screen and cringed. A video of her greeting foreign dignitaries outside the Lastovia grand palace appeared on the monitor. She prayed the picture was too small and blurred for the group gathered around the television to recognize her.
“A world-wide hunt is underway to locate the missing princess,” the reporter said. “The government of Lastovia is offering a two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar reward for information on her whereabouts. Foul play is suspected. It is believed the princess has been kidnapped.”
“I’d like to collect that reward,” Young said.
“What would you do with that kind of money?” Franklin asked.
“Buy a car,” Young said.
Aurelia left the group watching the television and retreated to the kitchen where she found the beer in the refrigerator. By the time she returned to the living room, the news anchor had moved on to a story about the homeless problem in Seattle and then broke for a commercial.
Breathing a sigh, Aurelia handed the beer to Cookie.
“Thank you.” He twisted the cap off the bottle and tipped the bottle up.
“You know,” Young said. “That missing princess looks familiar.” He tapped a finger to his chin, squinting. “I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“I didn’t get a close enough look at her,” Franklin held out his hand. “Hand me that remote, so I can back it up and get a closer look. I could use two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to set up a gym back home in San Antonio.”
Aure
lia held her breath, praying they didn’t reverse to the story about the missing princess.
Hannah held the remote tightly in her hand. “I want to get to the weather. We might need to cut the hay early if we have a lot of rain in the forecast.”
Franklin, Vasquez and Young groaned as one.
“What?” Hannah shot a questioning look at them. “A little hard work going to kill you?”
“No, ma’am,” Vasquez said, muttering something about itching and sweat beneath his breath.
The commercial ended and the weather came on. As Hannah suspected, rain was imminent in the forecast for the following week. “We need to cut the hay tomorrow and let it dry for a couple days before we can bale.” She turned to Percy. “Do you think the rain will hold off for the hay to dry enough to bale by the end of this week?”
Percy nodded. “It’s supposed to be dry and clear. As long as we get it cut tomorrow, we should be all right to bale before next weekend. I’ll get the tractors ready in the morning.”
“You and I will do the cutting.”
“Should you be out there on a tractor all day,” Taz asked.
“If I’m pregnant, riding on a tractor won’t hurt me or the baby.” She leaned in and kissed him. “But you can bring me water if you want to come check on me.”
“I’ll be on a job tomorrow.”
“A job?” Hannah’s eyebrows rose. “Hank have someone interesting for you to protect?”
Taz shrugged. “Some movie mogul coming out for a little R&R on Lena Love’s ranch.”
“Lena Love?” Aurelia’s eyes widened. “The movie star?” Even in Lastovia, they watched many of the American movies.
Taz’s lips twisted. “The one and only. Thankfully, she’s on a shoot down in the Cayman Islands. One of the Brotherhood Protectors, Duke Morrison, is with her and her stunt double Angel Carson. Lena offered her place up for a mini-retreat for the director. Angel thinks she only did it in hopes the director will cast her in his next blockbuster.”
“What is this Brotherhood Protectors?” Aurelia asked.
“A bunch of former military special operations guys who are working for Hank Patterson’s security service, the Brotherhood Protectors.” Taz grinned. “We serve as anything that’s needed, from bodyguards to undercover agents.”
“Sounds interesting and potentially dangerous.” Aurelia liked the idea of highly trained military men providing security to others. She cast a glance in Collin’s direction. Her bodyguard had similar qualifications, and she’d been lucky to find him.
“Hank’s been trying to get Blackstock to join the brotherhood,” Taz said. “Maybe you can talk him into it. As you know, he’s a Navy SEAL. The best of the best. At least, they like to think they are.” Taz winked.
Aurelia glanced at Gavin. “Why haven’t you gone to work for Hank?”
“I like it here,” he said, his voice low and tight. His fists clenched at his side.
Aurelia guessed Gavin was hesitant due to his missing leg. She also suspected he’d loved being a Navy SEAL and missed the excitement and challenge. A man didn’t go through that kind of training to be satisfied with the slower pace of ranching.
The news ended, and Hannah put a video in the player. Percy dimmed the living room lights, and the crew settled in for the show.
After the first fifteen minutes of the movie, Aurelia found herself yawning. She leaned close to Gavin. “I’m going to get some air, and then go to bed.”
“I’ll come with you,” he said.
“No, I won’t be long. I’m just going to step outside for a moment, and then go straight upstairs.” She touched his arm. “I could use some time alone. You enjoy the movie.”
Gavin frowned. “You’re not going out to check on the mare, are you?”
“No. I’m going out on the porch to stare at the stars for a moment. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many back home.” When he started to go with her, she shook her head. “I won’t be outside long.”
He nodded. “I get it. Alone.”
She gave him a brief smile, gathered some of the empty bottles and carried them into the kitchen where she set them on the counter. So much had happened that day that she was feeling a little overwhelmed. And seeing the news about her disappearance made her question her decision to leave Lastovia. She stepped out on the deck, a million thoughts rushing through her head.
She hated to think of people wasting time looking for her, thinking something nefarious had happened to her. A part of her wanted to place a call to the Prime Minister and let him know she was okay but would be out of touch for the next ten months. But that would defeat the purpose of her getting away.
“Worried about home?” a voice said in the darkness.
She spun to face Collin, her heart in her throat as she looked around him. Had Gavin followed him outside?
“It’s okay. Blackstock is still inside with the others.”
Aurelia clasped her hands together, her gaze on the door, not Collin. “We shouldn’t be talking.”
“I just want to make sure you aren’t going to bolt for home,” Collin said. “And if you do, you’ll let me know before you jump ship.”
“I’m not going home.” She straightened, lifting her chin. “I came here for a reason, and that reason still stands.”
“I don’t like that I can’t be close enough to do my job,” Collin said, his brow furrowing. “I heard you could have been killed by a horse today, while I was out mending a fence with Percy.”
“I wasn’t even close to being in danger.” Aurelia smiled. “Besides, I’m surrounded by former military men who can protect me just as well.”
Collin’s frown deepened. “But that’s my job.”
“No, while you’re here, you’re a ranch hand. If trouble shows up, then I’ll need you to resume your bodyguard duties. And right now, we’re running the risk of being discovered.”
He nodded. “I’m headed to the bunkhouse. You know where I am if you need me.”
A noise at the door caught her attention, and she stiffened. “I’m fine out here on my own. But thank you for checking on me,” she said for the benefit of anyone who might be standing inside the house, looking out from the shadows.
Collin gave her a mock salute and left the porch, headed for the bunkhouse.
Aurelia turned toward the Montana sky and lifted her face to the stars. Oh, to be unencumbered of royal obligations. To be free to make decisions that only impacted herself, not tens of thousands of her subjects. If she failed to meet the deadline, she could be free to pursue life as she saw fit. She didn’t have to stay in Lastovia. She would be free to travel the world as she’d originally intended before her parents and brother had died in the car crash.
The thought of Rupert, her second cousin, taking the reign turned her stomach. The man was greedy and would milk the government for every penny he could wring out of the coffers. And he would not be a good diplomat to represent their gentle country at international summits. He would destroy all the good will Aurelia’s parents had worked so hard to generate during their reign.
She stiffened her resolve as she stiffened her spine. For her country, she would follow through on her plan to wed and breed. It was the least she could do to protect her country. If it meant dropping out of sight for a few months, so be it. She knew she would return as soon as she had succeeded at her plan.
Hopefully, Gavin wouldn’t back out when he discovered she was a princess looking for a stud service to protect her legacy. Looking back, she realized the news report tonight could have served as the opening she needed to inform Gavin of her real identity and her reason for being in Montana, anxiously needing to be a bride. Yes, she wanted children and a husband. Both were requisite of the title. But once she had both, would it be as easy to leave Montana as it had been getting there?
Would Gavin follow her back to Lastovia? Or would he refuse to leave Montana, his home? She wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t want to go with her. But she didn’t want
to leave without him. Children needed their father. Surely, he’d care enough to come with her and their child.
By all that was holy, her plan was a lot more complicated than she’d ever thought. Especially when emotions were involved.
Chapter 9
Gavin stepped back into the shadows by the door. He hadn’t intended to spy on Aurelia, but he’d worried she’d go back out to the barn and check on Sassy without backup. If the horse spooked and hurt Aurelia, no one would know, and she could lie there in the dark until morning.
But that’s not where she’d gone.
He’d seen Collin leave the living room, but he hadn’t expected him to be outside on the porch, chatting with Aurelia. They’d appeared to be in an intense discussion but had talked so softly, Gavin hadn’t caught their words, only a few
Collin seemed concerned that Aurelia had almost been killed by a horse. When Aurelia assured him that there were others there to protect her, he’d said something about it being his job.
What had he meant? His job to protect her…?
For that matter, it had been pretty coincidental that he’d shown up on the same bus as Aurelia.
During all his years as a Navy SEAL, Gavin had been convinced there was no such thing as coincidence. Why had he accepted the Collin-Aurelia synchronized arrival?
From what he could tell, Collin knew Aurelia, as more than just a passing acquaintance on public transportation. Why would they hide that from him and from the others at Brighter Days? They hadn’t touched, kissed or held hands. He didn’t get the impression they were anything closer than friends, but it still begged the question, why didn’t they want anyone to know they knew each other?
He waited a few minutes before he finally pushed through the door and out onto the porch.
Aurelia leaned against a post, staring out at the brilliantly lit sky filled with glittering stars.
“Sorry, I thought you’d be upstairs by now,” Gavin lied.
“I thought I would be, too, but I couldn’t tear myself away from the view of the starlight reflected off the snow-capped peaks.” She sighed. “It’s amazing.”
