The Princess (Harper's Island Book 2)
Page 7
“I never fit in there,” she objected.
I squeezed her tightly. “I think that’s pretty much the point. For the record, I never did either. Maybe that’s the struggle. Maybe everyone feels that way. Maybe that’s the change you need to make.”
She leaned back into me. “We’ll see. I don’t see how this is going to work. I can’t run the island and the camp. I’m just one person.”
“This is true, but by now, I hope you see the support you have. It makes everything possible.” The horn sounded and we made our way back to the vehicle.
As we settled into our seats, she wondered, “Because I’m the princess?” Then she snickered some. I knew she still struggled to accept this role.
Leaning over, I gave her a kiss. “Nope. Because you’re going to be a Morgan.”
She looked over at me, her mouth forming a perfect ‘O.’ Before she could say anything, it was our turn to drive down the ramp. As I held her hand, Grace stared out the window, quiet and introspective.
Soon enough, we reached the hospital. Though it was well past visiting hours, the Queen of Harper’s Island followed a different set of rules, which was more like no rules but her own. We were ushered into her private room in ICU. Though she was nestled deep in the pillows, Miss Milly’s eyes fluttered open when we arrived. “You came,” she whispered. “Together.” She smiled.
Grace reached her side first and leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. “What can we do, Miss Milly? Is there anything that would make you more comfortable?” Her eyes filled with tears.
Miss Milly shook her head. “No. They did a full body scan today. That’s what happens when you get injured on the weekend. The doctors don’t order the big tests until Monday.” She rolled her eyes. “Turns out, the cancer has spread and I have less time than I imagined.”
I sat hard in the chair and rubbed my face with my hands. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. You two make me happy. Seeing this blooming relationship helps more than you know.” She sighed happily, then turned her attention to Grace. “My lawyer will be in touch, dear. You’re my sole heir.”
In response, Grace hiccupped and I knew she had started to cry. I stood and gave her my seat, then whispered in her ear, “Time to be strong, Princess.”
She held the back of her hand to her mouth and nodded as she sniffled. “Okay. What else? Can I bring you something?”
“You really shouldn’t bring me anything.” Miss Milly gestured around the room, which was filled with flowers, balloons, and more than a few stuffed animals. “There’s only one thing I need and it’s complicated.”
Grace blinked back her tears. “Anything. Tell me.”
Miss Milly reached out and grabbed her hand. “I need to know you’re taken care of. I need to know when I’m gone, you’ll be loved, supported, and appreciated for the amazing woman you are.”
“I absolutely have this covered.” I rocked on my heels confidently.
She turned Grace’s hand over and studied her fingers. “How can that be? I don’t see a ring.” Her brow rose in challenge.
Grace snatched her hand back and I shook my head. “Listen, Miss Milly. These things can’t be rushed. I know you’d love to see Grace happily married. She will be. I promise. And I’ll love and support her too.”
“The word of a Morgan.” She shook her head. “It used to mean something.”
“With me behind it, it will again.” I crouched down beside the bed. First I smiled at Miss Milly, then I shifted to face Grace. “Some things can’t be rushed.” I laid a hand on her bare thigh. “I never expected to marry. Because of my father, I never wanted to marry. Then Grace came along.” I watched her cheeks turn pink and my heart thumped erratically in my chest. “She has this fiery temper, a rapier wit, and eyes I could stare into forever. So, naturally, I had to mess it up again and again, but I think we’re finally on the right path.”
“The same path, together,” Grace whispered.
“Yes. Together.” I nodded happily. “I’m not going to rush this. I’m going to take my time and do it right. I’m going to date the hell out of you, Princess. I’ll become the prince you deserve. Ultimately, we’ll marry. We have to.” I shrugged.
“Because Miss Milly wants us to.” She smiled, but it didn’t feel real to me.
I shook my head. “No. We’ll marry, not because of expectation or superstition, but because of the craziest reason of all: love. You make the impossible seem possible. I love you, Grace. Say you’ll marry me someday.” Then I reached into my pocket and pulled out the garter I’d been carrying around with me ever since the wedding. “I thought it might be early for a ring. How does this work?” Then I slowly slipped it over her flip-flop, past her delicate ankle, up her supple calf, and finally stopped dangerously high on her sleek thigh.
Her eyes glistened, but her cheeks burned with the heat between us. “What makes you think I’d want to marry you?” She bit her lower lip.
“Because it’s time to put yourself first for a change. It’s time to do something not to please your family, or care for campers, or meet someone’s expectation. Marry me because this is what you want.” With little regard for our audience, I kissed her thigh above the garter and then rose to capture her lips.
“Honey, if you don’t want to marry him, I will,” Miss Milly teased.
“Sorry. This one’s all mine,” Grace murmured as she pressed her forehead to mine.
“Think he’ll treat you right?” Miss Milly asked.
“Like a princess. She’ll always be my princess.” I grinned.
About Zane Morrow
About Zane Morrow
After watching the way his girlfriend melted from reading romance novels, Zane decided he wanted to be the one to elicit those emotions. In an effort to make her feel all the feels, he finally found his voice and an outlet for all the words he was too scared to speak out loud. Now he makes a living sharing his fantasies with the world.
Come experience love through a guy’s eyes.
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