She hadn't even known this tiny rural airport existed. It was basically a strip of pavement and a single steel hanger in the middle of two wheat fields.
She still felt as if she was living in a state of suspended disbelief. The fun, quiet morning fishing had turned into a day of questions, some answers, and more questions
She was meeting her three half sisters today. Pieter, the dark-haired prince in his finely tailored suit, was her cousin, though he'd been somewhat distant since they'd met yesterday.
Because his mother was apparently crazy and had hired someone to kill Kylie. That news had been unwelcome, and for a moment, she'd thought Nick would take a swing at the other man. But he hadn't. At least knowing who their enemy was had seemed to unite the men and give Nick a purpose.
But they'd spent their last night apart, and she was confused about where that left their blossoming relationship.
Nick had insisted that she sleep in the captain's office on a lumpy couch. He'd stayed in the main lobby and bullpen area of the precinct building.
It was all too much. Too fast. She had a family. Sisters. She wasn't alone in the world.
She'd wanted to talk about what was happening with Nick, but he’d been distant since everything had gone down yesterday.
Maybe… maybe he didn’t return her feelings.
Or maybe he was ready for her to be gone. Ready to be finished babysitting her. Ready to clean up the mess in town from where his apartment building had been shot up. She knew about the rumors and speculation that still followed him around town from his former relationship with Farah. Had Kylie, had their friendship made the rumors worse for him?
Last night, the press had shown up at the precinct. Nick had allowed Gideon to take point and refuse their questions. She guessed Nick didn’t want to be caught in their lenses.
Which meant he should probably stay away from her. Alessandra had spoken of making Kylie’s place in the Glorvaird royal family public knowledge. No doubt that would bring some crazy media attention, at least for awhile.
She should let Nick go.
She just didn’t know how she could.
Nick couldn't breathe. He'd never had a panic attack in his life, but as the pilot came away from the plane to talk to Hale, his chest seized and cut off his air supply.
Kylie was leaving.
Since he'd seen that article, he hadn't had the guts to confess his feelings. When she'd left so abruptly when he'd been twelve, he'd been infatuated with her. But now, after discovering who the grown-up Kylie was, he was in love.
And she was a princess. If he'd thought her out of his league before, it was nothing compared to what he felt now.
He knew how desperate she was for family. Hadn't she told him how disconnected she'd felt from her mom, even before her mom's death? This was her chance to be a part of a real family, a royal family. There was no way he could ask her to give that up.
But once she got on that plane, would he ever see her again?
Gideon turned toward the sedan, and Nick's heart jumped into his throat.
Kylie grabbed his hand and squeezed so hard, her knuckles were white. For one crazy moment, he fought against the urge to beg her to stay.
"Nick," she gasp-whispered his name, and he had second and third and fifteenth thoughts, but he simply held on.
"You've got my number," he said. "In a few days, when you've met your sisters and you're wearing a real diamond tiara and eating caviar, if you have a few minutes, call and let me know how it's going."
She was still trembling, but now her eyes were lit from within. This was exciting for her, even if he was getting left behind.
He popped his door open and gave a tug on her hand. "C'mon. You can't miss your royal flight."
10
Kylie's heart was in her throat as the plane descended to a small airstrip in a country she hadn't heard of until yesterday. The jewel-blue ocean water stretched to the horizon. Dark stone cliffs broke up the shore as they approached.
Her leg jittered up and down, and from her knee Snow looked up at her.
"I know," she muttered to the dog. But admitting she knew she was unraveling didn't change it.
Gideon glanced back over his shoulder from his seat two rows ahead, and she attempted a smile in the face of his obvious concern. He'd sat next to her for a while, until she'd run out of things to say and begun to stare out her window.
She still felt a little slack-jawed at the luxury of the private plane. It seated twelve plus the uniformed flight attendant, though most of the seats were empty.
Her derriere had never felt anything like the buttery luxury of the reclining seat, and the attendant had been attentive and even brought Snow a small bowl of water.
Kylie had been too anxious to eat or drink anything.
It was too late to turn back now.
And then her stomach gave a swoop as the plane touched down. Her leg jittered double-time as they taxied for a few short moments.
And then before she was ready, the flight attendant pushed down the steps so they could deplane onto the tarmac.
Kylie paused to take in the sea-soaked breeze and the rocky cliffs that made up the landscape behind the city that seemed tucked into them.
It was breathtakingly beautiful, and her stomach swooped again, this time with a feeling of recognition. Maybe belonging, even. Was this meant to be home?
She was aware of Gideon waiting for her at the bottom of the steps, though he wore a patient smile and didn't seem irritated that she was taking her time.
Snow followed her down the steps and into another of those black sedans. Gideon tucked her into the back seat and then took the passenger seat for himself.
Both the driver and Gideon were quiet as they drove through the cobblestone streets of the city. Kylie couldn't help staring at the buildings that were older than anything she'd ever seen in the U.S. She wanted to ask them to stop, to wander through the streets and dawdle to her heart's content, discover every hidden thing about this magical place.
It almost seemed as if the very beat of the blood in her veins sung for Glorvaird. Was this place really a part of her already? It seemed surreal.
There would be time for exploring later. Right now, she had to meet her sisters. Sisters!
And then, again before she was ready, the sedan crossed beneath a portico and through an imposing gate. They circled behind a stone castle so vast it took her breath away.
Outside a garage that had been an obvious addition to the centuries-old structure, the sedan rolled to a stop. Gideon had told her because of the continued threats to the royal family, security demanded they use the castle’s private family entrance.
She’d arrived.
Kylie's knees were suddenly weak.
Snow's head rested in her lap, offering what comfort she could.
Gideon and the driver got out of the car, but a sudden bout of nervousness had Kylie frozen.
Gideon opened her door, and she forced her shaky legs to support her as she climbed out of the car. Snow followed, sniffing the ground and giving a slow wag of her tail.
A door with a curved top built into the modern garage door flew open, and two blonde women tumbled out.
Gideon sighed.
A third woman, also with blonde hair, exited at a more sedate pace. This one was scarred across one side of her face. Eloise. Gideon had warned Kylie of the scars she gotten from an auto accident when she was a teenager, and that Kylie's oldest half-sister was sensitive about them. Now she jerked her gaze away, focusing on the two younger women who'd rushed outside.
"You couldn't wait until we got inside to one of the parlors?" Gideon asked.
Unsure what was the right thing to do here, Kylie looked to Gideon, as he was her one link, the one constant since they'd left the U.S.
He nodded to the slightly taller woman wearing slacks and a soft sweater. "My wife, Alessandra."
"And I'm Mia," the second woman chirped. She was almost bouncing on her toes, ey
es dancing. She had the cutest baby bump beneath her pink blouse.
Though their hair was lighter than the blond Kylie had seen in the mirror all her life, all three women had the same bright blue eyes.
Kylie realized she hadn't said anything. Her mouth suddenly dry, she cleared her throat, swallowed.
"H—hi," she stammered. Throat hot, sudden tears pricked her eyes.
But it was okay, because Alessandra wiped her cheeks, where tears rolled down.
Mia gave a watery laugh, and then both younger women moved forward, embracing Kylie.
Her heart banged against her chest as she fought back tears and overwhelming emotions.
She blinked through her tears and saw Eloise holding back, though her eyes were shiny and her lower lip trembled. Did she want to be a part of the embrace as well?
"Eloise," Kylie whispered. She held out one hand to her oldest sister. And Eloise joined in their group hug.
Sisters. Hers. Unbelievable.
"You think this is gonna go on all night?"
Gideon grunted. He glanced at Cody Austin, Eloise's fiancé and his future brother-in-law, as the other man rested one elbow casually on the chest-high bar along one side of the wall and nodded to the four women gathered around one end of the oblong wooden dining table. They hadn't stopped chattering since he and Kylie had arrived.
He'd made a stop in the security office and touched base with Pieter by phone while the princesses had showed Kylie to a suite off the royal hallway.
The princesses had opted to have supper in the castle's smaller formal dining room. The kitchen had outdone itself, cooking an array of Glorvaird favorites, so much that the leftovers had been enough for the staff to feast after the food had been removed from the royal table.
That had been two hours ago. The chatter had been a bit much and he’d had to get up from the table a bit ago.
The women didn't appear to be slowing down, still talking in rapid-fire tones, often interrupting and talking over each other, as if they could learn everything about each other in one night. Even Eloise had shed most of her usual diffidence and was lively as she participated in the conversation. But it was getting late, and Gideon was two time zones past his bedtime.
He eyed his wife and wondered if he dared interrupt.
From Gideon's other side, Ethan chimed in. "I'm about to pull rank. Mia's been more exhausted than usual this week."
His brother-in-law was particularly protective of his wife. Mia's pregnancy was showing now, and she usually had one or two of the long-time staff following her around the castle. Seemed everyone was protective of their princess and the first royal of the next generation.
If Ethan was going to interrupt the princess's tete-a-tete, Gideon wouldn't have to be the bad guy.
"Any news on the crazy aunt?" Cody asked.
Gideon shook his head, eyes on the women.
"Pieter stayed. I think he was hoping she'd see him around town and come out into the open."
"You still think he's trustworthy?" Ethan asked.
Gideon shrugged. "He hasn't proved otherwise. I believe he's really in love with his McKenna, and she's not going to put up with any shenanigans."
He liked Pieter, even if he was content to wait and make sure the other man proved his mettle.
The women stood, and all Gideon could think was, thank goodness! He just wanted his wife and his bed.
Alessandra was still bubbly after they'd said their goodnights and retired to their suite.
"Did you see how much she looked like Mia? It was in her chin, I think."
Her attention was on her hands as she idly flipped through a pile of papers on the entry credenza. Gideon enveloped her in his arms, wrapping around her shoulders from behind and tucking his chin into the curve of her neck. "All I could see today was you. I've missed you."
He knew her neck was a ticklish spot, and she gave a gasping giggle as he breathed the words into the soft skin just below her hairline. "You were only gone a few days this time."
"Too long. I've been thinking..." He took a deep breath and said it. "I might sign over my share of the Triple H to Matt and Carrie."
"What?" She turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "Why?"
"It's too hard being away from you, and the ranch needs managing that I can't do from here. Even with Dan as foreman."
Her brow wrinkled. "But you've worked so hard. Won't you regret just giving it up?"
He shrugged. "I did the work for their benefit. There's a lot I can do from here for the royal family. Maybe it's time to let my little brother grow up, grow into running the ranch."
It hurt a little to say the words, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Was his brother Matt ready for that much responsibility?
Nearly a week later, Kylie wandered down one of the vast hallways of the Glorvard palace, letting her hand trail against the cool, smooth stone walls.
Snow following, nails clicking on the cold floor.
She'd been hoping to find—there! She ducked through a door in an alcove and was suddenly outside in the salt-soaked sea air.
A winding stone staircase led down to a white sand beach that was totally private, thanks to the cliffs surrounding it and the castle behind.
The sky and water were unbelievably blue, and Kylie breathed in deeply.
Eloise had told her about the private retreat, but Kylie had been so distracted by touring the capital city and learning as much as possible about her sisters and her deceased father that today was her first chance to escape.
Safe inside the castle walls, she’d slept better each night than she had in ages. But it was those moments in the night, just before she dropped off to sleep, that troubled her.
That was when she thought of Nick.
She stepped off the last stair and headed for the water, Snow following.
The warm, soft sand against her bare toes was a comfort. At the water line, she stopped to pick up a half-buried white shell the size of a golf ball. She stepped into the water up to her ankles, bent down, and let the waves wash sand and muck off the treasure, revealing a bright and smooth shell. Perfect.
Snow barked at the cresting waves, running after an approaching one and attempting to bite it, but her muzzle just went through the water.
Kylie couldn't help laughing as the dog did it again and again, getting completely soaked. Finally, Snow returned to Kylie, panting and happy. The dog shook herself, water spraying everywhere.
Kylie sat down several feet from the water line and wrapped her arms around bent knees. Snow lay in the sand next to her. Maybe letting the dog out hadn't been such a great idea, now that she was soaked with salt water and sandy all over. Kylie would have to give the dog a bath later. Or maybe if she mentioned it in the right company, a staff member would appear and take care of it for her.
She still couldn't get used to the luxury of having staff assigned to see to her personal needs. It was unreal.
She flipped the shell in her hand, staring at the minute details God had etched into the surface, but not really seeing them.
The truth was, she missed Nick with a fierce ache. It never really went away, even when she slept, even when she was pleasantly distracted by her sisters.
She'd fallen in love with him. It was unplanned.
Loving someone meant giving him the opportunity to hurt you. To let you down. Kylie's mom had proved that over and over, until Kylie had built high walls around her heart. Even Michael hadn’t been able to scale them.
Somehow Nick had found a way over, or through, when no one else had been able to.
Maybe it was because he'd been willing to lay down his life for her, protecting her with everything in him.
Or maybe it was the way he listened to her with a singular intensity.
Or maybe it was just Nick.
So...she loved him. What was she supposed to do about it?
Eloise, Alessandra, and Mia were pushing her to make her permanent home in Glorvaird. They had scheduled a p
ress conference for early next week to introduce her as the king's offspring and their half sister. They'd assured her they would have a media consultant coach her on how to answer questions that might arise about her parentage.
She’d committed to stay through the press conference, but after that she could do whatever she wished. The princesses had promised that her suite would be permanently hers, or if she preferred, they could give her a stipend if she wished to find housing elsewhere in Glorvaird.
She’d spoken to her old boss at the CPA firm briefly. He’d told her he would always have a job for her if she wanted it.
Or possibly she could find work here. Eloise had already asked if she'd take on some of the royal committees. She thought that with Kylie’s business acumen and knowledge of accounting principles, she could be an asset to the palace. Kylie hadn’t answered yet. Because she had no idea what the answer should be.
What if she returned to the States to find out Nick didn't feel the same way about her?
He'd asked her to call when she'd settled in, but with the realization of her feelings over the past few days, and the crazy-busy business of getting to know her sisters and her home country, she'd put it off.
What if he'd already forgotten all about her?
11
She hadn't called.
Nick stared at the pile of file folders strewn across his messy desk at the precinct. The building was quiet with only one other officer inside. Boortz was at the front desk, leaning back in an office chair with his feet propped up. He spoke softly into the phone, no doubt telling his wife or kids goodnight before he worked an overnight shift.
Nick was off duty, but his butt was glued to his chair anyway.
Better to clear some of the mountains of paperwork that always seemed to accumulate than to return to his empty apartment and stare at the ceiling, unable to sleep for thinking about Kylie.
Princess Kylie.
Gideon had sent him a brief text when they'd arrived safely in Glorvaird. Somehow the man had known that Nick wanted—needed—to know at least that much.
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