Once Upon a Royal Christmas

by Robin Bielman

“Yes.”

  “Great. Mind if I put these down?”

  “Oh, sorry. Please.” She motioned for him to place them inside. Snow clung to the shoulders of his wool coat and his dark hair.

  “There’s two more,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

  Who in the world was sending dresses to her? She hadn’t told anyone she’d yet to get a gown for the ball, but someone obviously knew her well enough to know she’d waited until the last minute. What they didn’t know was she hated to receive gifts like this.

  Theo. Her heart gave a little sigh at the thought that he might be responsible. Maybe she didn’t mind being on the receiving end this time.

  The delivery guy returned—with her best friend right behind him. “Looks like I got here just in time.”

  “Hey!” Rowan said, hugging Cassidy in hello. “You mean these aren’t from you?” she joked.

  “Sign here, please,” the delivery guy said, handing her a clipboard. She signed, said thanks, and shut the door. The tower of dress boxes reached past her waist. It was a little surreal and a little exciting, and she was almost afraid to look inside them.

  “Open the card,” Cass suggested impatiently as she dropped an overnight bag by the coffee table.

  Rowan slid the white card stock out of the gold envelope with slightly shaking hands. She held the note in front of her so Cass could read it at the same time.

  Dear Rowan,

  I pictured you in each of these dresses and

  hope you find one of them your type…because

  you’re mine and you’ll look beautiful in

  all of them.

  See you Saturday,

  Theo

  “Oh my God. That is so romantic! He really likes you, Ro. You’re his type. Which coming from a prince is pretty freaking awesome.”

  Rowan read the note again. And again. He’d handwritten it. Knew exactly what he was saying. Why do this now? Was it about more than just the ball?

  “Say something,” Cassidy said. “I’ve known you for twenty-five years and you’ve never been this quiet.”

  “We need to send them back.” She stuffed the card back in the envelope and placed it atop the box. “This is unprofessional, and I can’t accept them. What made him think any part of this was okay?” She plopped down on the couch, her gaze unfocused, her breathing shallow.

  “Ro,” Cass said softly, sitting and linking their arms. “What’s going on?”

  “He’s engaged. Well, almost. But still.” She went on to explain Theo’s situation in painstaking detail, hoping it would make her feel better. It didn’t.

  “Do you think he wants to have a fling with you?”

  She thought about that. They had chemistry ten times over, but… “He doesn’t strike me as a fling kind of guy. Besides, I’m writing a story on him. That means no flinging or I’m flung from my job. If Emmaline thinks I’m acting in any way but professional, she’ll fire me. I’m trying to restore my reputation, not damage it further.”

  “This is an entirely different situation than before. Your integrity is intact, Ro.”

  “Is it?” If Cassidy knew the things going on in Ro’s head, the dirty things she wanted to do with Theo, Cass wouldn’t be so quick to say that.

  “Yes,” Cassidy said adamantly. “This is all on the prince, not you. You didn’t ask him to buy you a dress, did you?”

  “No.”

  “Lead him on?”

  “No.” At least she didn’t think she had. Yes, they’d teased the line of professionalism. They flirted, almost kissed, and had intense eye contact, but she hadn’t blatantly led him to believe their mostly innocent exchanges meant more.

  “Tell him you wanted to see him naked?”

  “No!” But she did. So, so badly.

  “I don’t see the problem then. You are his date. People are going to see the two of you together.”

  Ro turned her head to study her best friend. “I feel like we’ve role reversed. Since when are you the one telling me how it is?”

  “What can I say? Your brother’s been a good influence on me.” She nudged Ro with her shoulder. “Besides, you deserve some fun with a hot guy.”

  Fun. That’s all this thing with Theo was. He had a pre-arranged fiancée waiting for him back home. Royal duties and commitments. This month was a vacation from his real life. A chance to bond with grandparents he’d never met and learn about where his mom grew up.

  And being a prince, of course he was smooth and charming and enjoyed making a girl feel appreciated. Yes, once again, that’s all this was. Appreciation.

  She eyed the gift boxes. She was curious to see what type of dress Theo wanted to see her in. Plus, she did need something to wear.

  “One of those dresses also means we don’t have to go shopping for one tomorrow.”

  Rowan sprang to her feet. She hated clothes shopping. “It’s on like Donkey Kong.” She pulled the box from the top of the pile to the side, lifted the lid, and peeled back the tissue paper. A black gown sat inside. She swallowed a knot of emotion as she took the dress out, arms raised above her head so they could see the length of it.

  “That. Is. Gorgeous,” Cass said. “Hurry up and try it on.”

  It fit like a glove, the bodice tight, but not uncomfortable. The pleated, off-the shoulder neckline and banded short sleeves were elegant and classic. Halfway down, the skirt flared out and the hem fell to the floor with a train at back. A freaking train!

  “Wow,” Cass said.

  Ro did a little twirl, unable to stop herself from smiling. Holding the extra-long material in her hand, she spun all the way to the kitchen where she and Cass decided a peppermint Schnapps shot had to be tossed back in between dresses.

  The next gown looked straight out of a fashion magazine. Champagne colored with a floral-embroidered applique, Ro had never seen anything so pretty. It was strapless with a fitted bodice, but had a full skirt that draped at the side.

  “Don’t move,” Cassidy ordered. “We need pictures.” She pulled her phone out of her bag. “I wish I had my camera.”

  “I thought professional photographers never left home without it.”

  “They don’t. It’s in my other bag with Nick.”

  “Photos really aren’t necessary.” Ro started down the narrow hallway to her bedroom so she could see herself in the bathroom mirror.

  “Oh, yes they are. Look over your shoulder at me.”

  Only because Cass was her best friend did Ro oblige. A few more pictures and a long stare in the mirror and they were back in the kitchen.

  “You’re enjoying this,” Cass said as she poured them each a shot.

  “Yes,” Ro admitted. She’d never gone into her mom’s closest as a kid to play dress up, too busy trying to keep up with her brother and whatever he was doing. Letting her femininity show tonight was fun.

  “I’m glad. You deserve this.”

  “Cheers!” They clinked shot glasses then giggled all the way back to the living room.

  “Okay, this has got to be said. The prince has definitely been studying your body,” Cass announced as dress number three, a long-sleeve topaz lace gown with sapphire blue lining comfortably hugged Ro’s curves. Rhinestones decorated the round neckline.

  Ro glanced behind her at the slight train before lifting the material and floating to her bathroom for a better look in the mirror. If Theo’s goal was to make her feel like her feet weren’t touching the ground, he’d succeeded.

  “Say bee’s knees!” Cassidy snapped a picture, then another hundred thousand. Shots of peppermint Schnapps hit the back of their throats next.

  They rather clumsily returned to the living room, Ro tripping over the hem of the dress before righting herself with a hand on the last dress box. She swept her free hand across her forehead as Cass tugged down the back zipper. “Is the room spinning?” Ro asked.

  “You think so, too?”

  They burst into a fit of laughter. “I’m so schnappy right now,” Ro said, t
ossing the lid off the box. She’d been happier these past weeks with Theo than she’d been in a long time.

  She slipped the last dress—a red one—on. From the front, the long-sleeve gown was simple and elegant: scalloped neckline, lace bodice, sheer long sleeves, banded waist, and a chiffon skirt with a floor-sweeping hem. But when Ro turned, her best friend whistled.

  “Holy Beyoncé J-Lo, that is sexy. Look.” Cass held her phone up in camera mode so Ro could see the open triangle back that dipped dangerously low. “By the way, boy short panties under any of these dresses are a no-no. You have to wear something lacy and tiny.”

  Rowan ran her hands down the soft fabric She felt sexy. “No one is going to see what I have on underneath.” Even though she very much wanted a certain someone to.

  “Doesn’t matter. You’ll know.”

  Yeah, and be thinking about Theo sliding his fingers underneath the lace. Grazing her in just the right spot while his eyes melted into hers. She shivered.

  It didn’t matter what panties she wore, one touch from Theo to her arm or lower back and she’d feel it between her thighs the entire night.

  “Kitchen,” she said in lieu of further underwear talk, where they Schnapped it up one more time. “Which one do you like best?” She loved all four of them.

  “I think we should sleep on them.”

  “They’ll wrinkle.”

  Cass waved her arm in the air. “No, no. I meant sleeponit.”

  “Slip knot it? What does that mean?”

  They stared, no—concentrated, on one another before they cracked up. For the rest of the night they laughed, ate, watched television, paged through the bridal magazines Cass had brought with her, and added some peppermint Schnapps to their hot chocolates. When they fell into bed at midnight, Rowan pictured each of the four dresses hanging in different places in her house and slept with a smile.

  Early the next morning, though, she woke with a headache the size of Yellowstone National Park. “Not so schnappy now, are you?” she mumbled, tiptoeing out of her bedroom so she didn’t wake up Cassidy. Her four-legged crew expected her in less than an hour.

  She padded into the kitchen to make coffee, her morning immediately brightening when she saw the black gown hanging from the curtain rod by the table. Four gorgeous gowns, each one making her feel like a princess. Tomorrow night, maybe she’d pretend she was one.

  Coffee in hand a few minutes later, she sat down at her small desk to write Theo a thank-you note.

  Dear Theo,

  Okay, good start. She inwardly rolled her eyes. For a supposed writer, she didn’t have a clue what to write next. A plain old thank you seemed inadequate. She dropped her head and noticed she’d slipped on her Dear Santa T-shirt to sleep in last night. Given Theo’s high opinion of her banana tee, an idea took shape in her mind. She hoped he liked it.

  Chapter Nine

  Rowan tiptoed into the large foyer of the Bramble House Inn, hoping she’d go undetected, but Portia Bishop caught sight of her from across the room. Portia lived in the apartment above the garage and was Eliza’s cousin’s daughter. Rowan had only met her once at the chocolate shop where Portia worked, but when her friendly eyes met Ro’s and Rowan pressed a finger to her mouth in a gesture of secrecy, Portia nodded and continued on her way.

  The coast clear, Ro resumed her soft steps. She put the thank-you note she’d made for Theo on the bottom step of the curved staircase, then went right back to carefully walking on the balls of her feet. As she reached the front door, she let out the breath she’d been holding.

  “Sneaking away without a hello?”

  Dang it. She’d swear she’d been quiet as a mouse. Spinning around, her pulse hammered as she laid eyes on her prince. The prince, she meant. He wasn’t hers. Not like that.

  “Morning,” she said while silently cursing her timing. “I was just leaving you a note.” She nodded toward the stairs.

  He turned and picked up the envelope. “Where’s the gang?” he asked, his attention on the card.

  She had no idea what he was talking about. At her silence he lifted his head. “Oliver, Twist, Pepper…don’t tell me…Sundance and…Buddy.” The concentration on his handsome face morphed into a smile, his appeal unfair on both counts.

  “I didn’t see Pepper this morning, but the rest of the gang enjoyed our walk already. I stopped by here after I dropped them off.”

  He moved toward her and the closer he got, the more her neck and fingers tingled. There was something about the quiet in the room, the smell of pine and gingerbread in the air, and the thoughtful intensity on Theo’s face. With no one else around, dressed in ordinary clothes, on an ordinary Friday morning, whatever this was between them felt important in a way she didn’t want to examine too closely.

  “I was at the hospital yesterday,” he said, near enough to touch, “and saw your mural.”

  “You were? You did? Is everything okay?”

  “Everything is fine. I was visiting the children’s wing on behalf of Santa.” His light tone indicated he’d made trips to lots of hospitals over the years. That he’d seen her mural made her want to hide, but she had to get used to people noticing it.

  “The two of you are close?”

  “Very. In fact, I’m the only one he lets take a peek at his naughty and nice list.”

  No way he said that. “Funny you should say that. Open your card.” She dropped her gaze to his strong, capable-looking hands.

  He lifted the flap of the envelope and pulled out the card. She hadn’t wanted to be with him when he opened it, but now that she was stuck, she ignored the prick of unease between her shoulder blades.

  A slow, heart-stopping grin took over his face as he read the card. She’d taken a selfie in her Dear Santa T-shirt earlier. The shirt said:

  Dear Santa,

  I have been good…

  ( ) most of the time.

  ( ) some of the time.

  ( ) once in a while.

  (X) forget it—I will buy my own stuff.

  Then she’d downloaded it to her computer, printed it, and handwritten, Dear Theo, Thank you for making me feel good. I love the gowns. Fondly, Rowan.

  “I’m fond of you, too,” he said, his voice a little deeper, his blue gaze boring into hers. “And I have to say, T-shirts are a good look on you. Have any more with sayings on them?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I hope I get to find out.”

  Oh, boy. He inched closer. She inched back. “You are good, Rowan, for so many reasons, but the most recent is the mural. It’s spectacular.”

  “Thank you.” She had no more room to maneuver, her butt hitting the wood front door, Theo filling the space in front of her.

  He brushed her hair over her shoulder. “You’re welcome.”

  She reached behind her for the door handle. “I should probably get going.” No should about it. She needed to escape before she said or did something she couldn’t take back. Or he did.

  “Okay.”

  “Are you busy tonight?” She’d promised to play tour guide and despite her personal feelings, vowed to keep her word on that.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “My family is going on a sleigh ride. It’s a Palotay tradition. Would you like to join us?” With her family around, there was no worry she’d act inappropriately. “Bea and David are welcome, too. And Hawk.” The more the merrier. Just in case the fresh air and stars in the sky made her want to misbehave.

  “That sounds great.”

  “Good. See you later, then.” She opened the door and slipped through the narrow opening before Theo’s magnetic pull kept her in place.

  He’d seemed different this morning, but she couldn’t put her finger on what exactly had changed. She’d seen him serious and silly, concerned and carefree. And his royal upbringing appeared to be intruding less and less on “Marietta Theo.” She imagined the same couldn’t be said for all royals.

  Walking away from the inn, she realized that was what h
ad changed. In his jeans and flannel shirt, he’d looked more country than city, and at total ease with it.

  At least for now, because in two weeks, he’d be back home to live the life he was born to lead.

  *

  Miracle Lake wasn’t large like Theo had imagined it, but the snow-covered landscape in the middle of the woods where bright stars filled the night sky, made him feel like he’d stepped into a place larger than life. A “winter wonderland” his mom would say during her recollections of Christmas as a kid. He now understood what she meant.

  He’d like to think she was looking down on him tonight, happy he’d chosen to spend the holiday in her hometown.

  “Excuse me, Your Highness? Could we get a picture with you?”

  Theo noticed Rowan sneak a glance at him before he gave his full attention to the group of girls wearing university knit hats who had exited the sleigh. “Sure,” he said to the group leader.

  The young women surrounded him amid thanks and smiles while a bystander stood ready to snap the picture.

  “He’s not only handsome, but also gracious,” Theo overheard Rowan’s mom, Shari, say. She and her husband, Dennis, Rowan, Rowan’s brother Nick, his fiancée, Cassidy, and Theo’s grandparents all stood in line for the next sleigh ride. Hawk had begged off, worried his precious bum would be too cold.

  Theo was always happy to pose for pictures. His mom had taught him to look kindly on everyone who sought him out. He grinned for the camera.

  “Could we do a funny one, too?” one of the girls asked.

  “That’s my specialty,” Theo said, much to the delight of his fans.

  Everyone’s stance changed and he wasn’t sure about the girls, but he put his best funny face forward. The flash went off.

  “Thank you so much!” the girls chimed in unison. A couple of them bounced up and down.

  “My pleasure.”

  He turned back to his party to find them sitting in the waiting sleigh. Everyone but Rowan, that is. She stood beside the sleigh with a scowl on her face.

  “It’s only logical for you to ride with Theo,” her mother was saying.

  “Bea, wouldn’t you like to take the ride with your grandson?” Rowan asked.