Her Christmas Prince (Love in the Keys)

by Godin, Caroline A.

  When he'd first arrived in Florida, he'd checked into a hotel. But he soon realized the potential to be discovered was higher that way. It wasn't easy to travel on your own and unobtrusively when you were a prince. It helped that he could travel solo. Despite palace protests, he was on his own. He'd been trained as a combat expert in the military and was well able to look after himself. He conceded to allow two bodyguards to remain in Miami and they would rejoin him when he returned to his homeland.

  This is one of the reasons Henry had reached out to Tom, his old friend from Afghanistan. Tom had helped him rent a boat to live on and a car to drive incognito. Tom was also pretty skilled defensively and was like having a bodyguard around. But mostly, he really was glad to be catching up with his friend and seeing the part of the world Tom called home at long last. Tom had described it to him and Henry had thought he'd been exaggerating, but every word was true. The Keys were unlike any place Henry had been before. The area had its own unique charm and mood. He could see why Ernest Hemingway had made it home, and why it had inspired him.

  Tom and Henry, though from different countries, had both served together in Kandahar, and had gotten to be friends. He'd always liked Tom's down to earth nature. He was one of the few soldiers who hasn't treated him differently because of who he was, and they'd stayed in touch after their military service. Tom was one of the few people outside his family that Henry could count as a true friend. And despite their different upbringings, their friendship was strong.

  He considered the events of yesterday. And his impetuous actions. Much as he hated to, he'd actually planned to honour his family's wishes and go home for Christmas and had been scheduled to leave the Keys in a few days' time. But there was something about Callie. She was feisty yet vulnerable at the same time. And she'd looked so sad sitting there watching the sunset, it made his heart break. When her mother came in and gave her such a hard time, he just couldn't bear it. He wasn't normally one to interfere in family matters, but it was obvious she needed someone in her corner. And he was it.

  “Permission to come aboard?” Tom called up from the dockside.

  “Of course, mate. Any time. You're up and about early for a Saturday.”

  “Thought I'd go see if the fish were biting this morning before it gets too crowded. Wanna come with?”

  Henry pondered Tom's question. Could be his last chance to fish in the Keys before heading home. “How long are you staying out? I said I'd drop by and see Callie later.”

  “Ah, Callie. Yeah, we should talk about that, huh? Just a few hours. I have to work later, too. If we go soonish, we could be back by lunchtime.”

  “Then count me in. Do we have time for another cuppa?”

  “I was starting to think you'd never ask! I'd love one, sure. Black, please.”

  Henry went down to the cabin of the well-appointed cruiser that he was renting. The kitchen was small but modern and met all his needs while living aboard. He poured two cups of coffee and headed back up to the deck.

  “Cheers, mate.” Tom took the steaming mug that Henry handed him and took a seat. “It's going to be a beautiful day. Let's hope the fish think so, too.”

  “Indeed. So ... Callie ...”

  “Dude, I could not believe what happened last night. That was crazy. I get where your heart is and it's good. I've known Callie since we started school and she's good people. She takes a lot of heat from her mother, not sure why. Her mom's always just been that way. But what are you going to do about Christmas? Thought duty called and you were pulling out on the 21st.”

  Henry shifted in his seat. “That was the plan. But plans change. I called home this morning and told them I wouldn't be home ‘til closer to new year.”

  “Ouch. I bet that went over well. Not.” Tom had been to the palace once to visit, at the end of their tour. He's experienced the formality and the rigidity of it first hand.

  “Not so much. But there's less pressure now. I'm not even the spare any more, I'm fading into the background. It's not a bad thing being the fourth of four. Especially now with the baby.”

  Henry's oldest brother and his wife had just had a baby who was just over a year old. He was the joy of the family and the nation, and the press had been focused on the new heir. Which was fine by Henry. It put him much further down the line of succession and made his life easier in many ways.

  Even the press didn't much bother with Henry anymore, unless he was on an official function. Or in one of those ghastly and stories about him being a playboy bachelor and on some eligible man list. But Henry had learned from his older brothers, who'd been mercilessly snapped at bars and discos. Having a normal life, at least in his own country, wasn't possible. He'd deliberately chosen to attend university abroad, and to join the military and serve overseas so he'd be away from the glaring eye of the press. And it seemed to have worked. They didn't find him too interesting anymore. A few times in Afghanistan they'd wanted to trot him out for publicity purposes but he'd always managed to avoid it, giving the glory to his fellow unit members instead.

  “Just tread lightly, man. I know you're cool and you wouldn't do it intentionally, but I'd hate for Callie to get hurt again. She really got a raw deal with that Brian guy. I'm glad he's out of the picture. It looked like it was getting serious. And between us, I never liked him.”

  “Why not?” Henry was curious to get Tom's take on it all. He thought Tom was usually a very good judge of character.

  “Mostly, I didn't like how he treated her. Kind of patronizing-like. And he's one of those guys that always ogled other women, even when she was around. I don't like that. It's disrespectful.” Henry nodded his agreement. He and Tom held the same views on many things and were both true gentlemen.

  “How come you and Callie never got together? You obviously get along, and she seems great.”

  “Oh, she is. And we dated for like a week in high school. But we've known each other since we were five. It was like dating my sister, it was kind of weird. We decided way back then we were better off friends and we've stayed that way ever since.”

  “I do remember you talking about her in Afghanistan. Was it her who sent you those marvellous care packages with the cookies? I still remember those cookies.”

  Tom laughed. “Figures you'd remember the cookies ... you are all about the food. Always. Yup, it was Callie. She always had a gift for baking, culinary school really took it to a new level, though. She could work in a big place if she wanted, but she likes having her own place. It's a small cafe but she does good business and her customers love her. And she can pretty much call her own shots.”

  Callie had told Henry about some of the volunteer activities she was involved in. Seemed like a job in a prestigious restaurant, though more lucrative and fame-inducing, would prevent her from doing the things she loved at the food bank and the animal shelter. She really seemed to have her priorities in line. It was unusual. And really appealing.

  In the society circles that Henry frequented, women were often a bit shallow and somewhat frivolous. It was nice to see someone comfortable in her own skin, not obsessed with fashions, and movie stars, and who genuinely seemed to care about other people. He hadn't expected to meet someone so interesting in a little place like Sunnyside Key. It was proving to be a trip full of surprises.

  “OK, time's wasting. Let's get out there and catch some fish!” Tom led the way down to the main deck and they headed further down to the marina to his boat. “He who catches the least buys lunch!”

  They boarded Tom's small but pristine boat and motored down the coast to a quiet spot. They stopped just shy of four miles off the coast of Sunnyside Key to a reefy area. Tom, a master fisherman and guide, knew the waters well and anchored the boat so as not to disturb the reef.

  Once they were anchored, they two men worked silently to set up the fishing rods.

  “What are we after today, captain,” asked Henry.

  “I'll tell you in just a second.” Tom opened his tackle box and chose
a brightly coloured lure, attached it to the rod, and cast off. He vertically jigged the lure up and down and after a few minutes, a few good sized fish began swimming around. Tom pulled the lure up and added some cut shrimp to the end of his. He then pulled out a similarly colourful but different lure for Henry's rod and also added cut shrimp. He looked at Henry and smiled. “You're lucky, boy. It's a red grouper day. And they're biting.”

  Working together, mostly in silence, the two men managed to catch three red grouper between them, the largest weighing in at 22 pounds. Henry was impressed by Tom's prowess in reading the water and tide. It was a side to his friend he hadn't seen in Afghanistan, yet another hidden talent.

  “Well, I guess lunch is on me since you caught the big boy. Well done, mate. What will we do with them?”

  Tom smiled. “Nah, I was just kidding about lunch. Come back to the Clam, we'll see what's on special today. Why don't you take one of these bad boys home to Callie? She'd appreciate that. Maybe she'll even cook it up for you for dinner.”

  “Tommy boy, I like how you think. Champion idea. Shall we head back?” They cleaned their fish, packed up the gear, and had a leisurely cruise back to the marina. It was a great morning to be out on the water and to spend time with a friend.

  They wandered back to the Happy Clam after they'd secured the boat at the marina, which was conveniently right next door to the Clam. Tom's mother, Annie, was there to greet them.

  “Well, look at what you boys caught. Well done! Are they going on the menu or are you fixing to take them home?”

  “Hey, Mrs. Davis. I'm taking the smallest one home, but I think the rest is up for grabs. Tom?”

  “Anything for you, Ma. Let me guess ... grouper sandwiches are now today's special?”

  “You know me well, son. Hand it over! Can I get you boys some lunch?”

  “I appreciate the offer, ma'am. But I have a previous engagement.” Annie Davis raised her eyebrow at Tom.

  “With Callie.”

  “Callie! Ohhhhh. Well, that's interesting. Does she know?” Tom and his mother were the only ones who know Henry's true identity and background; the rest of the Davis clan just knew he was a friend of Tom's from the military.

  “Not yet. There may not be a reason for her to know. Really, I'm just helping her out of a tricky situation with her mother.”

  “Oh, Milly. Bless her heart. She's a good woman, Lord knows, a fine wife and mother. But a little forceful. Good for you for being Callie's knight in shining armour. She's been waiting on one for a long time.” That made Henry smile. He was actually descended from knights. It was a fitting description, and a legacy he hoped to live up to.

  Henry waved goodbye and headed for the boat with his fish in tow. He needed to clean up before heading over to the Beach Buzz to see Callie. A morning of fishing definitely didn't do much for one's appearance, or odour. A shower and a change of clothes and he'd be off.

  When he got to the boat, he found Biggs, his main bodyguard waiting for him. That was probably not a good sign.

  “Biggsy. Surprised to see you.”

  “Really, Your Royal Highness. I rather thought you'd be expecting me after your call this morning. The powers that be were not well pleased that you won't be returning as scheduled. I've been asked to check in.” Check in was bodyguard speak for spy on him. But at least he was open about it. Fair enough.

  “It's nothing to worry about. Really. Helping out a damsel in distress, that's all. A mate of Tom's who needs a fake boyfriend over the holidays. How could I resist?” Biggs looked concerned.

  “Sir, with all due respect. That doesn't sound like keeping a discreet profile, as we discussed.”

  “Biggsy, you know me. I am nothing if not discreet. Really, we're just hanging out with Tom and I'll spend Christmas Day at her family's place here in Sunnyside Key. I'm avoiding flashy places, trust me. Just gin joints and bar dives for me. No one has caught on.” Biggs looked at him, as if to assess just how serious he was. “I understand your concerns and I am taking the usual precautions. Nothing has changed. Please don't sound the alarm.”

  Biggs considered Henry's response. And knew he was being truthful. He'd been on the prince's security detail since he'd returned from Afghanistan, but had been with the royal family for some time before that. He'd seen the change in him after his military service. Henry had new sense of purpose, a seriousness and a caution that had not been there before. He'd asked him about it once and in a moment of candour, Henry confided it had happened after seeing true tragedy and evil first-hand.

  “All right, then. I think we're fine. We'll continue to hang back but you know we're here if you need us. And you'll continue to check in as usual and to wear the tracker.” All the royals had a GPS type tracking device embedded into a personal item. With Henry, it was in his watchband. If he ever got lost, or worse, help could always find him as long as he still had the watch.

  “Of course. Thanks for everything, Biggs. I do appreciate you lads always having my back. Sorry to have dragged you down here.”

  “Not at all sir, it's my job. Happy to do it. I'll do what I can to smooth the waters back home, but I can only do so much.” Henry nodded. “I'll be off, then. Take good care, sir. And please, for both our sakes, exercise caution at all times. We can't be complacent.”

  “Will do. I shall. ” Biggs headed back to the marina parking lot, and Henry watched his black sedan roll out of the parking lot and head north back on A1A towards Miami.

  Henry had sensed that he'd rocked the apple cart by calling home and changing plans. Not that he'd had any official engagements or such, but they were a family used to planning far in advance. He did feel a twinge of guilt. His grandmother did love to have the whole family at home for Christmas. But at least she had a lovely grandchild to distract her.

  Even though Biggs had just been there and had surely swept the boat for intruders, Henry did a cursory search before climbing below deck and hitting the shower. He was surprisingly anxious to get going and to see Callie again.

  CHAPTER SIX

  About the same time that Henry and Tom had set out fishing, Callie was pulling her second batch of pumpkin spice muffins out of the oven. The smell of cinnamon and cloves filled the Beach Buzz and she realized she was hungry. After setting everything out to cool and storing the pans ‘til they were ready for washing, she headed out front. She had just enough time to serve herself a well-earned cup of coffee and a breakfast bar before opening up.

  She needed the coffee earlier and more so than usual this morning. Callie'd had a fitful night's sleep. The events of yesterday were still weighing on her mind. But at least the fact that she and Brian were no longer an item was finally off her conscience. She hated being dishonest with her family but she just didn't have the strength to do it alone. And she knew her mother would be on her best behaviour with a stranger at their table for Christmas.

  Callie heard the keys in the back door at 6:25. As usual, Erin was right on time. And cheerful.

  “Hey, girl. How are ya? Oh, coffee already? Rough night?” Her friend knew her well, Normally Erin and Callie took a break after the morning rush around 10 a.m. and had their first coffee together.

  “Yes and no.”

  “Did you break the news to Milly?” Callie nodded yes. “Really?! And you're still alive, no bruises?” Erin was nothing if not dramatic. And funny.

  “Well, technically I didn't break the news to her. Henry did.”

  “Henry? Whoa, there. Back it up. Who is Henry? Maybe you'd better start at the beginning.” With that pronouncement, there was a rap at the door. Clint Barnes, a local police officer and one of their regular customers, stood sheepishly at the door.

  Callie lifted her hands up at Erin as if to say, 'what can I do?', then walked over to the door and unlocked the door, flipping the sign before opening the door and letting Clint in.