Shaking my head, I looked for the rest of my clothing. “How long before that?” Thirty minutes wasn’t so bad.
“Well, I think we spent about an hour together before you fell asleep?” He raised his shoulder in question. “I don’t know how long you were gone before you found me.” He picked up my tank top and tossed it to me. “But I sure am glad you found me.”
His smile was so carefree and boyish that my heart melted and a little of the worry gripping my shoulders dissipated. “Me too.”
“How long do you normally go running for?” He put his shorts back on before pulling his shirt over his head.
“An hour. Maybe two. But I always let them know if I’m going to be a while.” I frowned as I replaced my shorts. “Right now, I’m really regretting that habit. They’re probably looking for me already.”
“You don’t ever just take off and spend time by yourself?” He frowned and sat back down on the rock he had been fishing from and watched me.
“Closer to the house, yes. But when I’m running the circumference of the property? No. I have to let them know in case something happens.” I shrugged. “I’ve never really thought about it before now. I mean, if someone did try to snag me off the property I would hope someone would be looking for me pretty quickly.”
“Do you worry about that a lot? I mean, is that something you really have to think about?” His face grew hard. ”People threaten you?”
“Whoa, cowboy.” I couldn’t help but smile at his protective tone. “I’m sure there have been threats, but nothing that was a real issue. It’s mainly a precaution.”
“Sam has to put up with this now too, huh?” He frowned. “I thought they were honeymooning somewhere secret, but I saw pictures of them on the television this morning.”
“It’s part of life for us.” I shrugged. I hated that their honeymoon had been crashed by the media, but there wasn’t much we could do about it. We had all known it was likely to happen at some point, but I had hoped it would take longer.
“I don’t like it.” He looked out over the water.
“Don’t like what?”
“Having people I care about stalked.” He looked back at me and my heart thudded in my chest. Did he mean he cared for me? Or was he just referring to Sam?
“Lots of people have dangerous jobs.” I sat down next to him and bumped his shoulder with mine. “It’s not like we’re police officers or part of the military. It’s more like being a celebrity than anything else. And just because of the family we were born into.”
“This world, this way of life, is so far from how I grew up.” He reached over and twined his fingers with mine. “I would disappear on our property for an entire day. Hunting, fishing, or just exploring. No one would come looking for me until after dark, and when I got older, probably not even then.”
“That’s such a foreign thought, but it sounds lovely.” I looked at our hands, noticing all of the differences. His hands were tanned, with calluses and cracked knuckles; mine were pale and soft. “But if you think about it, a lot of that has to do with where you grew up. You wouldn’t let your kid run off in New York City for an entire day without worrying. And I bet your mom worried about you anyways.”
“Mom probably did.” He chuckled. “But it was still different. She wasn’t worried someone would kidnap me or hold me for ransom.”
“She probably worried about you drowning or being eaten by a bear.”
“No bears there.” He smiled. “There are alligators though.”
“You know what I mean.” I rolled my eyes. “There are all types of bears—or alligators—everywhere.”
He sighed, but I could still see the muscles twitching along his jaw. “You’re right. But those have four legs not two.”
“True.” I squeezed his hand.
“Catherine?” Jameson’s voice sounded through the trees.
I sighed. “I’m here by the lake.”
“Think they’ll notice you’re covered in sand?” David winked at me.
“Oh yeah, but they won’t say anything.” I shrugged.
“Catherine? Are you hurt?” Jameson broke through the foliage with Mark right behind him. “You’ve been gone for a while.”
“I’m fine. Just decided to fish with David for a little while.” I stood up and brushed my shorts off.
“I didn’t realize I was on D’Lynsal property. Stanley, the steward at Rousseau, said I could fish anywhere around the lake.”
“I saw him and decided to stop,” I said again, and grimaced. I sounded guilty. “I’m sorry to worry you.” There, maybe that would cover my guilt.
“Of course, that’s fine.” Jameson flashed me a genuine smile. “You’ve had a long couple of weeks. Fishing sounds like a nice way to relax.”
Mark’s face stayed visibly still, as if he was fighting his actual reaction.
“Yes, it’s been a nice break.” I turned to look at David and smiled. “I’ve got to get back.”
“Call me when you have some free time.” He stood up and came close to me. “I’m working at Victory Hall all week, so have most of my nights and afternoons free.”
“I don’t suppose—” I stopped, wondering if it would be too weird for him.
“What?” He grabbed my hand again.
“I have a charity auction to go to later this week. Would you like to go with me?” I held my breath while I waited for him to answer.
“Is this the kind of thing where I need to wear a suit?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Black tie.” I bit my lip.
“So, a tuxedo.” He narrowed his eyes. “Would I be your date or just going the same place you were?”
“My date.” I smiled and was rewarded with one of his own.
“Then for you I will wear a tux.”
Standing on my tiptoes I pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I’ll see you then.”
Letting go of his hand, I walked over to where Mark and Jameson stood waiting. “Thanks for letting me fish with you.”
“Any time.” David’s grin was fast.
“Later.” I took a few steps backward.
“Later.” His eyes stayed on me while I moved, but I had to turn around and walk the right way or I risked tripping on a tree root.
I started jogging as soon as I turned around. It wasn’t that I thought Jameson or Mark would give me a hard time, it was just that I didn’t want to share my afternoon with anyone else. I wanted to relish in what I’d done with David; to stay in that moment for as long as possible.
I
LOOKED THROUGH THE
jewelry room and frowned. I wanted something that was elegant, but not over the top. Of course, anything I picked would be over the top according to Sam. She was such a tomboy when it came to clothes and accessories. If Chadwick didn’t keep her in line she would probably wear jeans and boots to all of her meetings.
Thinking of boots made me wonder what David would look like tonight. He hadn’t worn a tuxedo at the wedding, but he was tonight for me. I had a feeling that was a much bigger deal than he had let on while we stood at the lake.
I settled on a pair of diamond drop earrings and a bracelet that Alex had given me for my eighteenth birthday. I’d skip the necklace so it wouldn’t compete with the neckline of the dress. The dress itself was a soft, petal pink that flowed behind me as I walked. The tiny cap sleeves barely sat on my shoulders and were covered in crystals. I hadn’t worn this dress yet, because of the amount of cleavage it displayed, but tonight was a date, and I was going to wear something date worthy. It wasn’t an outrageous amount of breast, but enough that I questioned it while appearing somewhere as Princess Catherine. But, damn it, if David was going to wear a tux, I could take the risk of wearing something that showed a little more skin.
I put on the bracelet and checked my hair in the mirror to make sure nothing had fallen or come loose before I left my room. I could hear Selene talking to someone in her room so I knocked instead of just walking in.
“Come in.” Her voice was steady and it made my heart sing to know she had recovered so much in the few days that she had been home.
“How are you feeling?” I walked in and sat down on the edge of her bed.
“I’m fine! Fine. Too bad these women won’t let me out of bed.” She sighed dramatically and I laughed.
“Oh hush. Stop giving them such a hard time!” I smiled at the two nurses in apology. “She’s usually much better behaved.”
“She’s fine, Your Highness.” The older nurse smiled. “And she’s not getting past me. I know it still hurts her to walk around more than a trip to the bathroom.”
“Call me Catherine, please.”
“Ha! See, I can’t even use the bathroom on my own.”
“Rotten.” I poked her leg. “You don’t want to fall and hurt yourself any more.”
“This is just payback for when you had your tonsils removed.” Selene smiled. “Do you remember that?”
“I demanded ice cream for every meal for a month.” I laughed.
“Exactly. You went on an eating strike and would cry when I tried to give you soup.” She shook her head. “So, if I’m not an easy patient, it’s because I learned from you.”
“Ouch, that hurts, Selene.” I laughed before turning to look at the nurses. “Would you mind giving us a few minutes? I promise to not let her do jumping jacks.”
“Yes, ma’am.” They left and pulled the door shut behind them.
“You look lovely.” Selene smiled.
“Thank you.” I preened.
“I don’t think I’ve seen that dress before.”
“You told me I should stop being so careful, so I figured I’d show a little boob tonight.” I winked at her.
“Is it for anyone in particular?” She narrowed her eyes.
“David is coming as my date tonight.”
“Ah, I see.” She cocked her head to the side. “And how much of your boobs has he seen already?”
“Selene!” I stared at her, shocked, while she cackled.
“Don’t play coy. You’ve practically been whistling while walking around the house. Something has happened.”
“I’m not sure I like this side of you. It’s so . . . so . . . weird!” I laughed.
“Get used to it. I don’t think it’s going away when I get off this medicine. Especially if you cut back on my hours.” She mock-glared at me. “Which we still need to talk about.”
“How is Tabitha doing? She seems to have everything in hand. Even with all of the extra media attention lately.” I fiddled with one of my earrings that felt loose.
“She’s doing an adequate job.”
“Wow. Don’t lavish so much praise on one person, Selene. It’ll go to her head.” I frowned.
“She is very worried about your media presence, which could be because of all the attention you’re receiving with Alex being out of town, but I think she should be paying more attention to the events that are behind the scenes. She hasn’t rescheduled your investment meetings yet, and since I’m not even allowed to
think
about working, no one will give me a phone so I can do it myself.”
“To be fair, I asked for a couple of days off.”
“You needed some time?” Selene looked at me with worried eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I was just tired. I didn’t sleep much while you were in the hospital.”
“I’m sorry—”
“Don’t you dare apologize for being sick!” I poked her leg again. “That couldn’t be helped and I’m just grateful that you’re doing so well now.”
“I do hate that I caused you to worry so much.” She smiled sadly. “But I do appreciate the fact that you took such good care of me.”
“Just returning the favor.” I felt tears well up behind my eyes. “You’ve always been there for me.”
“I will be for as long as I can.” She reached out to me and I grabbed her hand. “I heard that you told the surgeons that I was your family.”
“You are my family.” I squeezed her fingers gently, still worried I might hurt her. “And there is nothing more important than family.”
“I want you to know that you’re my family as well.” She smiled. “And I couldn’t have asked for a better one.”
I couldn’t find words to respond, just held on to her hand and fought the tears that wanted to fall.
“Don’t you dare cry!” Selene let go of my hand and pointed at me. “You’ll mess up your makeup, and you look so lovely and polished.”
“Stop saying sweet things then!” I sniffled.
“You just got on to me for being a grump!”
“I didn’t mean it.” One tear slid down my cheek as I chuckled. “You can be whatever you want as long as you’re here to do it.”
“Good. Then get out of my room. I’m tired and I don’t want to see you cry.” She made a shooing motion at me. “And tell those nurses that I’m ready for my gruel and water.”
I laughed. “It’s not that bad.”
“Not that bad? Have you seen what they are feeding me? It’s colorless, smells awful, and tastes even worse.” She made a disgusted face.
“But it seems to be helping.”
“I think they’re drugging me. I always fall asleep after I eat.” She frowned.
“Could you blame them?” I stood up and laughed. “It’s not like you could just be tired and worn out from eating. No. Not after nearly dying from a heart attack.”
“You’re a cheeky princess. I’m not letting you get away with that any longer.”
“I’m going.” I opened the door and turned back to look at her. “I know I said I didn’t, but I do like you like this. All cranky and pushy. It suits you just as well as your clipboard.”
“I miss my clipboard.” She sighed as I closed the door.
“We’re taking good care of her, miss.” The younger nurse smiled at me.
“I know you are. She’s healing quickly!” I touched her shoulder in gratitude. “She’s not normally so prickly.”
“I think it’s a defense mechanism,” the older nurse offered. “She doesn’t want people to treat her like a frail, broken thing. So she’s pushy and grumpy. Makes her look stronger.”
“I think you’re right.” I nodded my head. “But I kind of like it.”
“Your brother said the same thing.” The dreamy look on the younger nurse’s face made me smile. Despite Max’s antisocial tendencies, he had a way of making hearts flutter.
“He would know.” The doorbell rang and I smiled. “I believe that’s my ride.”
“Have a good evening.” The older nurse smiled. “I think you’re going to knock your date over in that dress.”
“Do you think so?” I looked down at the material.
“Oh yes, ma’am.” Her smile grew. “You’re practically glowing.”
“Thank you. Have a good night!” I turned to run back to my room to fetch my purse. “And don’t let Selene bully you.”