Cowboy Fairytales Omnibus

by Lacy Williams

  But as Mia looked into the room, Eloise stood near the window, watching the downpour that had begun late yesterday and continued through this morning.

  Eloise didn't seem to be looking at the beach. She seemed to be staring at her reflection in the weeping glass. As Mia watched, her sister lifted one hand to touch the scars on her chin, at the corner of her lips.

  In ten years, Mia had never seen her sister glance in a mirror, never seen her consider her appearance.

  Eloise wasn't smiling, but she wasn't frowning or furious either.

  What happened that had caused Mia's sister to be able to look at her reflection?

  Eloise must've sensed Mia's presence, because she turned away from the window.

  "Good morning," Eloise said briskly. "Thank you for coming down."

  Eloise started toward her credenza but slowed when she caught sight of Mia. "Are you all right?"

  Mia knew she was pale, had spent several minutes in the loo earlier giving up her breakfast. She'd hoped to mention the pregnancy to Eloise, enlist her sister's advice on how best to broach the subject with Ethan, but now the words lodged in her throat.

  "Fine," she mumbled, feeling a twinge guilt. She was usually completely honest with her sister.

  "Alessandra texted and said she needed to speak to both of us. My assistant is keying her up on the screen." Eloise motioned to the digital screen along one wall.

  "From her honeymoon?" Mia asked with a little laugh.

  Eloise wrinkled her nose, sharing a look with her sister. "I assumed it must be important."

  Mia cherished the moment of intimacy with her sister. For years, there'd been a wall between them, one of Eloise's making. But since the assassination attempts last year, their family had come together in ways that had seemed impossible before.

  But there was still a small part of her that wished for Alessandra's presence. She was closer to her middle sister and wouldn't have hesitated to bring up the pregnancy and her fears.

  The dark screen lightened, and Alessandra's image appeared against a wood-paneled wall in what must be her hotel room.

  "You'd better have a good excuse for taking time away from your brand new husband," Mia teased.

  "It was his idea to call," Alessandra said with a wry smile. "How's Father?"

  "The pneumonia is taking a lot out of him," Eloise said.

  In the video screen, Alessandra's gaze shifted to Mia. "What's wrong with you?"

  Mia's face heated, but she did her best to keep anything from crossing her face. "Nothing that can't wait. I might call you later." She was aware of Eloise's sideways glance but ignored it. "What's going on?"

  "We've found the missing princess. Gideon's inside man came through. We think her name is Kylie Winters. She's the right age, and everything matches up."

  Mia's heart pounded. Their sister was found. But Alessandra wasn't done.

  "There's a problem, though. We know where she was up until last year, but she seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. She quit her job, vacated her apartment, and disappeared. Gideon's friend is working to track her down, but she's essentially off the grid, so it's difficult."

  Eloise nodded. "At least we're closer."

  There was a moment where Alessandra focused off screen. Mia heard Gideon’s voice, though she couldn’t make out the words. Alessandra turned back to the camera. "Gideon wants to know if you've heard any news from Pieter."

  Eloise shook her head. "I've met with him twice, but he hasn't been able to locate his mother."

  That wasn't good. If their aunt learned of their half sister, if she somehow found this Kylie before they did, what would she do?

  Mia's stomach gurgled all over again, this time not because of the baby.

  Cody hadn't known what to expect from the crown princess after they'd shared those kisses, but it surely hadn't been an invitation to join her shopping. Not that he minded. He’d wanted to visit he downtown area, get a look around, so a trip to the shops seemed a good enough excuse to him.

  Yesterday, they'd spent hours dawdling along the quaint streets in the historic downtown area.

  There had been no camera crew, no media lady, only one unobtrusive security guy following a few paces behind.

  The car had dropped them off on the sidewalk, and other than a few curious glances, no one seemed to pay them much attention.

  "I haven't done this... ever," she'd admitted with a glance at him.

  He'd taken her hand in his, let his gaze roam the quaint two-story buildings, the stone sidewalks, the hand-lettered signs. "Then let's explore together."

  Today, it seemed he was in for a repeat, and he was glad for it.

  The morning was half over as they ducked out of the misty rain and into a bakery. Sugar and cinnamon smells permeated the air. There were only a couple of patrons inside. A man in a white apron, stained with chocolate across the middle as if he'd swiped his hand there, stood behind a glass counter. His eyes widened almost comically when he took in the princess.

  But they'd visited different businesses for the past two days, and apparently word had gotten out, because he didn't show the shock and fear the other proprietors had but welcomed them with a smile, albeit a hesitant one.

  Cody and Eloise weaved their way among small, round tables for two and toward the counter and the delectable treats there.

  "I already ate breakfast," he confessed, letting his hand rest at her waist.

  She glanced over her shoulder at him, eyes open and warm. "Me too, but everything smells so...heavenly."

  Pain pierced behind his right eye, but the princess was leaning forward, peering into the glass case and didn't notice.

  He'd gone forty-eight hours without a headache. He’d even let himself hope they were gone for good.

  The baker was finishing up with one customer as they perused the baked goods when suddenly, a small head and shoulders popped up from behind the counter.

  "Hiya!" a high voice said.

  He had to smile as he looked over the top of the counter to the wooden stool that a little girl—who couldn't be more than four or five—stood on.

  "Hey, you're the princess!"

  He couldn't help smiling at the little girl's excitement, though he felt Eloise tense beside him.

  "What's your name?" he asked.

  "Cecily," came the instant answer. "That's my grandpa." She pointed to the aproned man. "You never been to our bakery before, have ya? Whatcha gonna have?"

  "Does your grandpa bake everything here?" he asked. There was a wide selection, from donuts to pastries to cookies and cakes.

  "My dad helps too, before he goes to his other job at the cannery." The words were said proudly. "Dad and grandpa get up at three in the morning to start the baking."

  He wanted to groan, thinking about early mornings like that.

  "What's your favorite thing your grandpa makes?" Eloise asked.

  He glanced at her, proud of the way she’d jumped in.

  "The chocolate twists," Cecily said immediately. "If I'm a real good helper, Papaw lets me have one before nap time."

  Papaw joined them, wiping his hands on his apron. "Cecily-girl. You're not bothering the princess, are you?" Now the man's glance darted to Eloise, and a twitch of his mustache betrayed his nerves.

  Eloise could have tightened up—probably would've before—but she shook her head slightly, and he caught the smile from his peripheral vision. "She's talked me into a chocolate twist. If there's enough to hold one back for her naptime treat."

  The older man smiled. "Of course, Your Highness."

  "How long have you been in business, sir?" Cody asked as the man wrapped a donut in tissue for Eloise and did the same for a slice of coffee cake that Cody had been eyeing.

  "I helped my granddad with the shop when I was Cecily's age," the older man said, and his pride in the legacy was unmistakable.

  They'd experienced the same sense of pride at the shops they'd visited over past two days. Eloise had a large
load of responsibilities, and it was hard for her to take time away from the palace, but she'd done it, and it seemed to be paying off.

  They took their pastries and the coffees that Papaw provided and settled in a corner table in the nearly-empty bakery.

  It had been good for Eloise to be out among her people. While the press might call her unflattering names, her work in the palace had paid off. Glorvaird was prospering, the tourism providing income for small business owners, and the trade partnerships the palace had created and maintained helping the large import/export businesses.

  The Glorvaird people held a clear respect for Eloise and her family, and being out in public, she’d been able to experience it firsthand. The papers had exaggerated what people thought of her. The palace had thought to protect her from it, but being out with her people had shown her the truth.

  And Cody was proud to have been a part of that, no matter how small.

  The Eloise who sat across from him now, a smear of chocolate on the bow of her upper lip, was not the same woman who'd glared at him during her sister's wedding.

  He was starting to fall for her, no matter that it had only been a few days, no matter the difference in their stations, or that she’d initially thought him a crook. He knew it was as dangerous as being on the back of a bull—maybe more so, because when he rode, he wore a helmet and protective vest. Right now, his heart was totally unguarded. But he couldn't seem to help himself.

  "It's good, huh?" he asked, after sinking his teeth into the coffee cake. Some of the best he'd ever tasted.

  All he got was a hum of acknowledgement, because her mouth was full.

  Beneath the table, he slid his booted foot next to hers, nudged her sandal. When they were in public, he was always careful with what affection he showed.

  But privately... Just this morning, they'd shared a searing kiss before they’d been ushered into the palace limo.

  Soft pink color crept into Eloise's cheeks, but she didn't dismiss his gesture.

  One of the bakery's customers left, and a little bell tinkled over the door, sending a new shaft of pain pulsing against the bass drum that Cody was experiencing.

  Eloise noticed this time. Her hand moved to touch his wrist. "Another headache?"

  A niggle of worry bloomed in Eloise's gut when Cody nodded. "It's not that bad."

  Except for the wince he hadn't been able to hide.

  "I can get one of our physicians to meet you in your suite later, if you'd like.” He'd told her about his concussion and recovery, about how the doctors hadn't released him to ride bulls again.

  It worried her. More than it should, probably. They'd made no commitments to each other. When he returned to the States—which, inevitably, he would—they likely would never see each other again.

  But she'd begun to feel so close to him that it was impossible not to worry about his health. If the doctors released him to ride again, what if he re-injured himself?

  What if he died?

  She couldn't bear to think it.

  "I'll be fine," he said. "It's nothing an ibuprofen won't fix. And I've got an appointment with my head docs when I get back..." Home.

  Her chest tightened at the thought.

  She tried to force a smile, tried to speak naturally, even though her throat closed off and the words didn't want to come. "I spoke to Jill early this morning, and she's cleared things with the royal council. They've dismissed the charges against you, and there won't be a trial."

  So there was no real reason for him to stay in Glorvaird.

  She'd received the news with both touches of relief and grief. Cody had changed her for the better. Had dared get close enough to her, climb her walls to show her that she still had value, scars and all.

  He'd made her feel beautiful again.

  And she was afraid she was in love with him.

  His eyebrows crunched together, but before he could respond to what she'd said, Cecily popped up next to their table.

  "Didja like the donut?" the girl asked with a winsome smile.

  Eloise pulled her hand back across the table, aware that perhaps she shouldn't be touching him. "It was excellent." She welcomed the chance to focus on the girl instead of on the cowboy who might be leaving Glorvaird. Maybe even today. "The best I've had in a long time."

  Cecily's chest puffed with pride. "I knew'd it. Are ya gonna come back some other time?"

  Cody chuckled at the girl's bluntness, and Eloise couldn't help smiling. "Of course. Now I’ll be craving a chocolate twist donut."

  Although it would be a bittersweet visit without Cody at her side.

  Cecily tilted her head to one side, considering Eloise. "My Papaw said you got those scars in a bad car accident. Do they still hurt?"

  It was a loaded question, one that would've ignited her temper before.

  She caught Cody's concerned gaze but quickly turned her attention back to the girl.

  "Not anymore." The words were truer than she'd expected them to be as she spoke them aloud.

  Her scars hadn't hurt physically in years, but she'd felt the pain of having them, felt as if being physically scarred had destroyed all her dreams.

  Until now. Until Cody.

  They finished their bakery snacks and loaded up in the limousine to return to the palace.

  Eloise had her gaze fixed out the window when Cody's hand closed over hers on the seat between them.

  She glanced over to him.

  "I was thinking I might stay in Glorvaird awhile longer," he said. "I'm not in a rush to get back."

  His words sent joy spiraling through her. He wanted to stay? He wanted to stay!

  She tried to temper it, tried not to let it get out of control.

  "Maybe you should check in with your uncle," she suggested.

  Cody nodded. "You mind if I call now?"

  She shook her head, and he pulled his smartphone from his jeans’ pocket. Their hands remained linked on the seat between them.

  He tapped and swiped across the screen until the video chat app kicked on, and then his uncle's image appeared in the screen. She tried not to watch, tried to let Cody have his conversation as privately as possible.

  But it wasn't his uncle as she'd last seen him. This version of EJ was pale, almost gray in coloring. And he seemed to be…oh, my. Was he lying in a hospital bed?

  "Uncle EJ, what's wrong? What's going on?"

  "Nothing much, boy." But even from across the bench seat, Eloise could hear he was lying. She could hear the shallow pants of his breathing, hear beeps from a machine. "Just had a little episode, that's all."

  "Have you seen the cardiologist yet? What are they saying?" Cody fired off questions at his uncle, but Eloise turned her face to the window.

  She gently extricated her hand from Cody's, and he didn't seem to notice, now clutching his phone with both hands.

  The joy from moments ago was replaced with both worry for Cody's uncle and the knowledge that she couldn't ask him to stay, not now. Not when his uncle was sick, could even be dying.

  He rang off just as they pulled beneath the portico at the castle. She turned to him in the back of the car, their knees brushing.

  "You have to go to him," she said earnestly. "He needs you."

  He ran his hand through his hair, agitated. "But..."

  She reached for him, let her palm rest on his thigh just for a moment. If she held on any longer, she'd beg him to stay.

  "It's all right," she said, holding his gaze steadily, keeping her emotions at bay by a thread. "EJ needs you. I'll have my assistant book you a flight out as soon as possible."

  She needed him. She hadn't realized how much until just this moment.

  She needed him, because she’d fallen in love with him.

  And because she loved him, she had to let him go.

  Late that night, Eloise stood in one of the upper towers, standing beside a window overlooking the beach. It was a clear night, and she'd just seen the lights from the last plane flying out of Glorv
aird.

  Cody was on that plane.

  She missed him with a visceral hurt, and he'd only been gone a few hours.

  She'd spent so long keeping up her barriers, the walls that kept everyone from getting close enough to hurt her, that she didn't know what to do with this pain.

  She loved Cody, and she'd had to let him go.

  His life was across an entire ocean. He had sponsorships and his uncle and possibly even a return to the rodeo circuit to attend to.

  And who would want to give up all of that for a princess who was just learning how to live again?

  9

  Cody stared at the online newspaper headline he'd pulled up on his uncle's tablet. King of Glorvaird Passes Away.

  Oh no.

  He immediately reached for his phone to dial Eloise, though she hadn't answered any of his calls since he'd left her a week ago.

  She didn't answer now either.

  "What's the matter, son?"

  Cody looked up to see EJ's curious gaze from where he reclined in his La-Z-Boy. EJ's ranch house was small but functional, the place Cody had spent his teenage years.

  The TV was old school, thick and heavy. The furniture was more than fifteen years old, and it showed.

  It still felt like home, and EJ was still his closest kin. But something had changed inside Cody. Everything was the same, but not. Texas chafed.

  Part of it was EJ. He wasn’t the man Cody remembered from years past. He was flawed. He’d apologized to Cody and written a letter to Eloise at Cody’s behest. But Cody wasn’t sure what to believe about EJ’s intentions the night of the wedding reception.

  He could forgive his uncle, because without EJ’s interference, Cody never would’ve gotten close to the princess. Although his uncle’s episode had passed, he was still sick, still dying. And he’d promised no more shenanigans.

  Another consideration was his injury. He’d met with his doctors to talk about his ongoing headaches and they’d recommended he end his rodeo career. They couldn’t definitively say he’d kill himself if he rode again, but it was a risk. If he didn’t compete, didn’t win, his sponsorships would dry up. He’d invested enough of his winnings along the way that he had a small cushion in the bank. He didn’t have to choose a new profession immediately. But no longer having a career meant he was at loose ends.