“You okay?” Cade asked, sounding worried.
“I’m giddy.” She spun in a circle, listening to the Christmas carols. “I love this. I’d forgotten what it was like to pick out a tree. My mom and I did it every year, of course, but when we moved to El Bahar, everything changed.”
“Don’t they celebrate Christmas?”
“A lot of people do.” She touched the branches on the nearest tree and felt the firm needles. The snow was cold and damp. “But at the palace, trees are delivered and decorated professionally. It’s not like I got to do anything.”
Cade stared at her. “Did you just say ‘at the palace’?”
Crap! Double crap! She closed her eyes, then opened them. “I have a small apartment on the palace grounds. It’s near the stables.”
“They’d probably frown on you dragging in a tree of your own,” he said easily.
“They would.” Talk about a close call! She reminded herself to be more careful. “What about that one?”
Cade shook his head. “Too small. We’ve got that spot at the house where we’re open a good two stories. Let’s get the biggest tree we can.”
“Men are obsessed with size,” she murmured.
He laughed. “With good reason.”
They wandered around the tree lot, picking then discarding options. Eventually Cade admitted that the tallest trees had the fewest branches and they settled on one that was just over ten feet.
“Do you have decorations?” she asked.
“I have a couple of boxes of them. My mom gave me all the ones I made when I was a kid.” He grinned. “She said it was so I could start my own traditions, but I’m pretty sure it was more about them not fitting in with her classy decor.”
“What other family traditions do you have?”
“We pick a name out of a hat and that’s the only family member we buy a gift for. It has to be less than twenty bucks and if it’s funny, that helps.”
“Your grandfather’s idea?” she asked.
“Yeah. I like it. We take the rest of the money we would have spent on gifts and donate it to the charity of our choice.”
He paid for the tree, then helped the guy carry it to his truck. Once it was secure in the bed, he turned to Bethany.
“What’s your story? To quote you, why isn’t there a Mr. Beth Smith?”
“Oh, that.” The truth, she told herself. She would stick to the truth. “I have trouble picking the right guy.”
“What kind of trouble?”
It was just after six and already dark. Christmas carols played from tinny speakers. The temperature was in the fifties, the night clear with the first of the evening stars making their appearance. Not exactly the time and place for her great confession, but she wanted to be as honest as she could, within reason.
“I had a serious boyfriend in college. I thought I was in love with him and I’d sort of been saving myself for the in love thing, so he was my first, well, everything.”
Cade’s gaze was steady. “How did he let you down?”
“What makes you think he did?”
“If he didn’t, you’d still be with him. There’s no way he was stupid enough to let you go.”
She wasn’t sure how Cade meant what he said, but she chose to read it as the sweetest thing a man had ever said to her. Somewhere deep in her chest, her heart crossed the line from maybe to yes.
“The first night we made love, he took pictures of me and put them up on the internet.” She shook her head. “You couldn’t really see anything but it was clear I was naked.”
Cade’s body tensed. “Tell me who he is and I’ll go beat the crap out of him.”
“Thanks, but my father already flew into a rage.”
She hadn’t wanted the king to find out, but there was no way to keep the information from him—or anyone. Her parents had flown out the same day and she’d gone home with them. She still didn’t know what her father had said to the guy, but Bethany had never heard from him again. Still, the pictures lived on as all things internet related did.
“Since then I’ve chosen relatively quiet, meek men who would never dream of doing anything like that.”
“I don’t see you as liking the meek type.”
“I don’t, which is a problem. They can’t stand up to me and they certainly can’t deal with my father so it all becomes a disaster fairly quickly. I know I’m afraid,” she added quickly, before she could stop herself. “Of trusting again.”
“Makes sense.”
“Maybe, but it makes me feel like a coward. I’m genuinely lost when it comes to my future. Return to college? Start a business? Move somewhere? I like my work, but I should be doing more with my life. I hate to give up horses, though. I’ve thought of breeding and working on bloodlines. I don’t know.”
His hazel eyes were unreadable. “Have you come to any decisions?”
“Not really.”
She thought longingly of Cade’s ranch. She would live there with him, if he asked her to. If he wanted her in his life. Because she could do good there—working with the horses she loved while improving the bloodlines.
The image of their future was so clear she was surprised he couldn’t see it, too. Only it was all in her head. Cade didn’t even know who she was.
“Okay, this is not Christmas talk,” she said with a laugh. “Let’s go to your sister’s now. On the way we’ll sing ‘Jingle Bells’ and get back in the mood.”
For a second Cade didn’t move. Then he reached for her hand, drew her close and kissed her lightly on the mouth.
“Do you know the words to ‘Jingle Bells’?”
“I know the first verse.”
“Then that’s what we’ll sing.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Cade drove them back to the ranch. Dinner with Pallas and Nick had gone well. Cade enjoyed his sister and her fiancé and liked how Beth fit in with them so easily. She and Pallas had brainstormed ideas for an upcoming wedding while he and Nick had talked sports.
He and his sister had always been close. He’d missed her while he’d lived out of state. Coming home to the ranch had been its own reward, but being near Pallas again was a nice bonus. Nick was a good guy and he appreciated knowing Pallas was with someone who loved and respected her.
Beth leaned back in her seat with her eyes closed. As he glanced at her, she smiled.
“What?” he asked.
“Just enjoying the moment. I had a good day. Shopping for the tree was fun, dinner was great, the company was even better. Plus there was that second glass of wine.” She opened her eyes and looked at him. “I appreciate you driving.”
“Happy to stick to one beer.”
“When do you want to decorate the tree?”
“How’s tomorrow night? We’ll leave it out in the garage until then. I’ll get out the lights and ornaments and we can have at it.”
“It’s a date.”
He liked the sound of that, along with having her close by. She was easy to be with, good with his horses. An unexpected find, and he was going to miss her when she returned to El Bahar.
Thoughts formed in the back of his mind. No, not thoughts, questions. Would she be willing to stay? She hadn’t jumped at his hint of a job offer—and hiring someone he wanted to date seemed too weird anyway —but there had to be something to keep her here. She wasn’t sure about what to do with her life—couldn’t she be thinking about that here as easily as back in El Bahar? And most important of all, was it too soon to be having that conversation?
He pulled into the driveway and hit the remote for the gate. When they reached the house, he drove around to the garage. Beth got out of the truck and began unfastening the ropes holding the tree in place. Once the tree was untied, they carried it ins
ide. It was only when they were halfway to the garage that Cade realized she was carrying the heavy end.
Beth, being Beth, hadn’t said a word about it. She was certainly strong enough—you couldn’t work around horses the way she did without developing muscle, but still. His mother would slap him upside the head if she knew.
Once they had the tree in the garage, she held it steady while he cut a couple of inches off the trunk, then put it in the tree stand before going into the house.
At the bottom of the stairs, they looked at each other. She smiled.
“I had a really nice time today. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I did, too.”
There was a lot more he wanted to say—like how much he was going to miss her and how he wanted to talk to her about maybe staying. Only the words suddenly didn’t seem all that important, not when he could lean over and kiss her.
Her mouth was soft and yielding. When he drew her close, she sank into him and kissed him back. They stood there at the base of the stairs, holding on to each other, tongues tangling in the soft light of the living room lamp.
After a few minutes, need threatened to overwhelm common sense and he drew back.
“You should go up to bed,” he said, his voice husky. “I’m going to take care of some paperwork in my office.”
Because if he went upstairs with her, he knew exactly what was going to happen.
She stared at him, her blue eyes dark with passion. He read the indecision on her face and knew the right thing to say and do.
“Go to bed.”
She raised herself on tiptoe and pressed a chaste kiss to his mouth, then hurried up the stairs.
He watched her go before retreating to the relative safety of his office. Once he was behind his desk, he leaned back in his chair and tried to figure out what to do next.
Beth was an unexpected complication. Ever since the disaster that was Lynette, he’d avoided entanglements and had kept his relationships short and uncomplicated. Since returning to Happily Inc, he hadn’t dated anyone.
In his head he knew that one day he was going to have to get over what had happened if he wanted to settle down and have a wife and family. In his heart, he’d been unwilling to take a chance. Until Beth...
* * *
“YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, MOM,” Bethany said as she smiled at her computer.
“I look old and tired,” Queen Liana said. “I usually enjoy a state dinner, but one of my tablemates was especially tedious tonight. International monetary policy has its place, but after two hours, one should learn to speak about something else.”
“I’m sure you tried,” Bethany told her mother.
“At least six times. He was not getting the hint.” Her mother pulled off her tiara and began to unfasten her earrings. “How are you doing, darling? Is everything all right?”
“Rida threw Cade again.”
“That horse. You spoiled him and now everyone has to pay the price.”
“I know. I should have been more firm with him, but he never threw me.”
“Yes, and he’s also not your horse, is he?”
“Ouch.”
Her mother looked contrite. “I’m sorry. That came out more harshly than I’d intended. I’m going to blame the monetary discussion. By the way, I spoke with your aunt Dora yesterday. The University of El Bahar is starting an International Women’s Studies program in the fall that goes through to the doctorate level.” Her mother paused expectantly.
“That is very like Aunt Dora. Tell her congratulations.”
“I did already, but that’s not the point.”
Bethany pretended surprise. “It’s not?”
Liana sighed. “You do love being difficult.”
“I do. Very much. It’s fun.”
“You could come home and go back to college right here in El Bahar,” her mother said pointedly. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”
“Yes, living with my parents and waiting for my father to arrange a marriage. It would be beyond great. How many camels do you think I’m worth?”
Her mother studied her. “Bethany, you know we worry about you. You’re obviously not happy with what you’re doing and we want to help.”
“I know, Mom. And while college is something I’m thinking about, I’m still not sure.”
She hated to give up her work with her horses. But working at the royal stable wasn’t a long-term solution. Buying her own place was an option, but where? If she stayed in El Bahar, she would always be the king’s daughter. If she moved to the States, she wouldn’t know anyone. Maybe she should be more independent, but the thought of dropping herself into unknown territory was more than a little scary. As for Happily Inc, well, she was more than a little interested in any opportunities here, but what could they be? It wasn’t as if she could go to Cade and say “Hey, have you thought about taking on a partner? I happen to have a royal trust fund. Yay me.”
“What, darling?” her mother asked. “You’re upset about something.”
“I wish I hadn’t lied to Cade about who I am.” She held up her hand. “I know, I know. It’s on me. I’m the one who wanted to travel under an assumed name.”
“You like him.”
Not a question, but she answered anyway. “I do. He’s sweet and funny and he doesn’t get mad when Rida throws him.”
“So tell him the truth.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Your grasp of English is excellent. I’m sure you can find the words.” Her mother’s smile faded. “Bethany, he’s going to find out eventually. Better to hear it from you.”
“How is he going to find out? I head home in a few days and he’ll never see me again.” A reality that made her feel sick to her stomach. “It’s okay,” she added quickly. “I’ll be fine. I miss you and Dad and the boys.”
“We all miss you, as well. Hurry home.”
“I will. Bye, Mom.”
They hung up. Bethany turned off her computer, then walked to the window. The truth was getting to be a heavier burden every day. She would decorate the tree with Cade tonight and tell him in the morning, no matter what. She had to. She really cared about him and until she came clean, she couldn’t begin to express her feelings. He would probably hate her, but that was her own fault. Every decision had consequences.
* * *
IT TOOK NEARLY an hour to untangle the lights. Bethany kept laughing at Cade’s frustration.
“Why didn’t you coil them up last year?” she asked, doing her best not to grin.
“I wasn’t here last year,” he grumbled. “This isn’t my fault. The tree should come prelit.”
“You’ll have to take that up with God. To be honest, a prelit real tree would freak out most people.”
“I’d like it.”
“Well, then. It must be done.”
They managed to string the lights. Cade opened boxes of ornaments. Some were old and delicate, wrapped in yellowing tissue paper. Others were from when he’d been a kid. One was a tiny handprint and there were several made of Popsicle sticks, and one kind of strange creature made from pipe cleaners.
“I think that’s supposed to be a reindeer,” he said, sounding doubtful.
“It kind of looks like a lizard, and it’s green. Why would a reindeer be green?”
“I can’t believe you’re being critical of my work.”
“I know. I’m a horrible person.”
He opened another box filled with shiny ornaments from a discount store. “Are you mocking my creative ability? It’s already a sore subject. Nick is a famous artist. I’m doing the best I can, but sure, crush my childhood dreams.”
She laughed. “Poor broken bunny.”
“That’s me.”
“Shall I kiss it and ma
ke it better?”
She’d meant the comment to be teasing, but the second she spoke, the air became charged. Cade’s gaze sharpened and everything inside of her went still.
Wanting flared to life. Wanting and need and a thousand other emotions that made her realize that sometime, when she hadn’t been paying attention, she’d fallen for this man.
He reached for her and in that split second before his hand touched her body, she knew she had to make a choice: a single night or the truth. Because she couldn’t have both. And even knowing it was the wrong decision and one she might regret forever, she took a step toward him and raised her face for his kiss.
* * *
BETHANY HAD ONLY been with two men in her life. Cade made three. But to compare making love with him to what had gone on before was to compare a great ocean to a glass of water.
He touched her gently, almost reverently, but with confidence that had her surrendering to him. He explored every inch of her, finding the places that made her gasp and moan, then taught her the same about himself. By the time dawn broke over the horizon, she was satiated, weak and unable to hide from the fact that she’d fallen totally in love with him.
She got up to check on Rida, then returned to his bed. They slept nearly until noon before waking up to make love again. Finally they made it to the kitchen for something to eat.
He’d pulled on jeans and a T-shirt, while she wore one of his long-sleeved shirts over panties. They kissed and touched as much as they cooked, which meant the eggs were well-done and the pancakes had burnt edges, but that didn’t seem to matter to either of them.
They sat across from each other at the small table. Cade smiled at her.
“You okay?” he asked.
Because he wanted to be sure. Because no matter what, he would take care of the people in his life. For a second, she let herself pretend it was all going to be okay, that she would tell him who she was and he would forgive her. Only it wasn’t going to be like that.
A Very Merry Princess Page 8
