27. 27
27
Hettie
I don’t see Bo the next morning. When I make my way down to the dining room with Tema and Abigail, Mrs. Theissen tells me he’s already eaten breakfast.
I’m not comfortable asking the housekeeper where he might be or to start wandering around the castle in search of him.
And after last night, I need a little space, anyway.
That moment in my room—I thought Bo was going to kiss me. And the worst thing was that I wanted him to.
This only adds to my guilt.
It’s not fair to Timothy for me to want to kiss someone else, and I need a little space to figure things out.
Timothy has been… not Timothy since I’ve been gone. Or maybe this is the real Timothy and I’ve been too close to see what he’s truly like until now. It’s not that he’s bad , just… lacking. Maybe he’s always lacked and I never thought I deserved more? Or it’s not until I’ve come back here, sharing the same space as Bo and seeing just how much I mean to him, that I take a closer look at my relationship with Timothy.
And to be honest, I’m kind of finding it… lacking.
No one would be able to tell we are on the cusp of getting engaged by the way he talks to me on the phone. There’s no affectionate banter, no loving comments, or sexy innuendoes about missing me.
Even when we’re FaceTiming and his face fills the screen, there’s nothing in his expression that suggests that I am the most important thing in the world to him.
Now, when I see the way Bo watches me…
The look his eyes, the way he touches me. The way he doesn’t touch me.
When we were together, I never thought I deserved his love, but these days…
I deserve to be the most important person to a man. Except for Tema, of course. She will always take precedence over me, and if the man doesn’t show me that he realizes how special she is, how lucky he may be to have her in his life—
Like Bo does.
It must be difficult to date a woman with a child, but Timothy never seems to struggle… but he doesn’t make much of an effort either.
Am I seeing him through Bo-fogged glasses or is this really how things are with Timothy and me?
I don’t know.
“These are the best waffles ever,” Tema announces mid-way through breakfast. She pierces one and waves it in the air. Maple syrup drips onto her plate.
“Then eat them and stop playing,” I tell her.
“Do you think the castle makes better waffles than Timothy?” It’s not my imagination; there’s a hint of mischief in Abigail’s voice .
“Yes,” Tema exclaims, then, “Sorry, Mommy, but these are royal waffles. I could eat them every day, but I don’t think I can do that with Timothy’s.”
“It’s okay,” I concede with a sideways glance at Abigail, who’s giving her plate a little too much attention. “They are really good.”
Abigail is Team Bo all the way.
“Are you ready, Mommy?” Tema demands a short while later. She has stacked her plate after eating every bite of her waffles.
I can get used to having breakfast made for me. Abigail does most of the cooking because she enjoys it more, but even she gets tired of the monotony.
She stayed at the castle last night and she was as excited as Tema for the waffles. Abigail also didn’t have any qualms to ask Mrs. Theissen if Spencer had left for work.
He had, which started Tema off about us going into town.
Today’s plan is to drop Abigail and Tema off at Abigail’s parents’, while I track down my sister in town.
“Let me finish my tea,” I tell her with a laugh.
“We need to stop at Coffee for the Sole,” Abigail says. “I’ve been dreaming of their coffee since we left.”
“You don’t drink coffee anymore,” I protest.
“Because I love Silas’s coffee so much.” She pretends to swoon. “It’s like he adds something to it.”
“It’s made with love,” I say in my own dreamy voice.
“I was thinking more like a drug.”
“Can I try some?” Tema wants to know.
“Coffee? No,” I tell her. “Drugs? Even bigger no.”
“Drugs are stupid,” my little girl says. “Everyone knows that. ”
“I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m glad you do.” Abigail grins at her.
“Are you ready now ?” Tema demands.
I take a last sip of my tea. “Yes. I just need to find us a ride into town.”
Mrs. Theissen magically appears, like she’s been listening outside the door. “I can arrange to have someone drive you into town,” she says, all business-like. Maybe eavesdropping is part of her job description. “And pick you up when you’re ready.”
“That… I think…” I stammer. It feels awkward, like we’re a burden.
“Thank you, Mrs. Theissen, that would be lovely. I’ll see if I can borrow a car to get us back,” Abigail says for me.
“No need. We have vehicles and people to drive them. His Majesty may want you to have a detail as well.”
“A detail?”
“Security detail. Every member of the family should have one. Prince Bo seems to avoid it if at all possible.”
My mind flies back to Bo in high school. “Has it always been like that?”
“No, it’s been fairly recent. Since Lady Camille had a few incidents, His Majesty decided all those in the castle need to have someone assigned to them.”
Abigail raises an eyebrow. “I’m sure Bo loves that.”
“It’s probably a big reason why he doesn’t stay here very often,” I agree.
“I’m sure it is,” Mrs. Theissen says. “Now, when would you like to leave? ”
“Now,” Tema cries, and the older woman deigns to smile at her enthusiasm.
“I’ll have someone waiting for you outside when you’re ready,” she promises and glides off.
“I think I’d like her if she didn’t scare me so much,” Abigail says under her breath.
True to her word, there is a car and warmed and waiting to take us into Battle Harbour.
During the drive down the hill, I look around more than when Bo brought us to the castle. Then, I had been frantic with worry about everything—Tema, Bo, what the king would say. I’m still concerned about the future, but a lot of the worry is gone.
There’s more uncertainty now, but that sickening ball churning in the pit of my stomach seems to have disappeared.
Bo is a big reason for that. Also, the fact that the king didn’t arrest me for treason for not telling him he had a granddaughter.
The snowfall of the first night is piled on either side of the road but the tree branches are bare. It’s warmer than when we arrived, maybe just a few degrees but enough to start the melt and make people feel like spring might actually be on the way.
While we drive through town, Abigail points out things to an excited Tema. I notice that there’s been a few changes in the town, but it looks mainly the same .
Candy store hasn’t changed; Ye Olde Fish Shoppe is still here. The King’s Hat stands as proud as Kalle at the far side of the town square.
“Are we going to see the puppies?” Tema demands as we get out of the black SUV in front of Coffee for the Sole.
“After we go see Nana and Papa Locke,” Abigail tells her. “We’ll pack up some toys and books if you’re going to be staying at the castle.”
“Am I?” Tema turns to me with a hopeful expression.
“Do you want to?”
Tema screws up her face. “I like staying with Nana and Papa but… it’s a castle .”
I glance at Abigail. “I think they understand.”
“Maybe they can come stay there, too!”
“I think they’re happy at their house.” Abigail laughs as she holds open the door for Tema.
Inside, Coffee for the Sole has changed. Little things: new tables and chairs, mugs and the art on the wall have been updated, but it smells the same. I may be a tea drinker, but there’s always been something about the scent of coffee that makes me want to give it another try.
“Well, isn’t it Abigail Locke,” Silas Bell, owner of the premier coffeeshop in Laandia calls as we approach the counter. We spent a lot of time in here during high school. “And Hettie Crow. And a small person I don’t know.” He grins at us, but his gaze fixes on Tema.
“I’m Princess Tema,” my daughter announces .
I catch my breath. Bo and I haven’t talked about going public with the fact that Bo is Tema’s father, so Tema telling the entire coffee shop is…
I don’t know what it is.
Silas laughs, not fazed in the slightest by her announcement. “Nice to meet you, Your Highness. What would you like to drink?”
“Abigail says you have unicorns.” Tema rushes to the counter and props her elbows on it. Abigail gives me a wide-eyed glance and follows her.
“Unicorn froth ,” Silas corrects. “Unfortunately, unicorns like to stay out of the snow. Hot chocolate?” he asks me as I stand behind Tema with my hand on her shoulder.
“Yes, please. Look at that fish on the wall!” Tema darts to the corner of the shop where the plastic fish flops against the wall when a person walks by.
“I didn’t hear you two were back in town,” Silas says after he takes our order and instructs one of the baristas to start on them. The shop is full, with nearly all the tables occupied, but there is no one in line.
“We’re keeping it quiet,” I tell him. “It might not be for long.”
“I take it Princess Tema is yours? She’s adorable.” I hold my breath in case Silas starts with how much Tema resembles Princess Lyra, but after a last, long look at her, he turns his attention back to us.
“Thanks.”
“It’s strange I haven’t even seen you around. Did you just get in?”
“We’ve been staying at the castle,” I admit .
“Oh.” Silas’s eyebrows shoot up, disappearing into the dark hair that flops over his forehead. He takes another glance at Tema. “ Oh !”
“We’re keeping things quiet,” I say again. It’s not a warning, but it should be because Silas knows everyone, with his radar tuned to everything going on around here.
“Ah. I get it.”
Does he? I think he really might and I’m not sure how I feel about that.
It won’t be just one person who knows about Tema—the news will spread until some reporters hears and comes to make Bo’s life miserable.
My life, too, but I can leave if I need to.
I could run away, but it’s a lot more difficult for Bo.
Abigail chats with Silas while all this races through my mind. I pull myself back into the conversation in time for Silas to ask if we have plans tonight.
“You should come into town.” He points to the far wall. “Next door. My, ah, my girlfriend opened a club.”
“Girlfriend?” Abigail and I say in unison. Silas is older than us, but most of the girls in town have had a crush on him at one time or another. He might be the nicest guy I know.
“Fiancée,” he admits, his cheeks reddening. “It’s a recent thing.”
“Who is she?” I eagerly demand.
“She’s not from around here. Fenella Carrington,” he says. “She’s—”
“You’re marrying Fenella Carrington!” Abigail’s voice rises above the clatter of the shop. “Fenella Carrington, the influencer? She’s a model, too. Do you remember that ad for a purse a few years ago?” she asks me.
“I know who she is,” I say. “I don’t follow her, but I know who she is. Wow.” I widen my eyes. “Congratulations. When’s the big day?”
“Not until the fall, to give her time to plan.”
“That’ll be a good wedding.”
“If you’re here, you’re both invited.”
Abigail nudges me. “There’s incentive to stay.”
Silas passes us our cups. “On the house, as a welcome home to Battle Harbour. Hope to see more of you.”
Abigail takes Tema’s hot chocolate. “As long as we’re here, we’ll be back. I told Hettie I’ve been dreaming of your coffee.” She takes a sip and closes her eyes. “Just like I remembered.”
“Enjoy. And think about coming tonight. Thursday nights are fun.”
“Definitely,” Abigail agrees before I can say anything. “See you tonight.”
We gather Tema where she’s still darting back and forth in front of the fish to make it flop, and head back to the waiting SUV. Abigail is taking Tema to her parents’ while I go see my sister. “Are you sure you don’t want to take her to meet Mabel?” Abigail asks in a low voice as Tema climbs into the car.
I shake my head. “Next time.”
“I can’t say I’m not glad. She’s the only grandchild they’re going to get for a while,” she says ruefully. “Not that she’s mine…”
“She’s yours,” I tell her. “In every way that matters. I couldn’t have handled the last eight years without you. ”
“You would have handled it just fine, regardless of whether I was there or not. But I wasn’t letting you have all the fun by yourself.” And she winks as she climbs in after Tema.
I wave as they drive away before walking across the square to The King’s Hat.