Chapter Twenty-one #3
“I’m glad too.” He slipped an arm around my back, pulling me into his side, to rest his head on mine. We stood there for a long time, enjoying the laughter of my child, the happy yips of a tiny dog, and the steady rolling song of the sea.
We lingered there on the edge of the sea in silence for a few moments before a cold dog and an even colder teenager bounded up to join us. Della whined and danced so Anders picked her up and slipped her into her pink quilted tote. She wiggled in with a sigh, only her eyes and nose peeking out.
“Dad, I found more rocks and some sea glass! There were blue, green, and super cool pink that—”
Her breathless explanation was cut off by the whining sound of two engines—four strokes by the sound—racing at us.
The snowmobiles skidded up to the three of us, one in the lead, the other a few feet behind.
Nice machines. Both Polaris newer models with turbocharge and improved suspension systems. Not racers since those would be lighter but still capable of chewing up the miles.
Snow flew at us. Gilda ducked behind me.
Anders and I got the snow shower right in our kissers. Della hid in her tote.
“So, you are still alive,” Harold shouted as he wrestled to remove his bright yellow helmet. Dark curls lay flat on his head. I wiped at my face while Anders muttered. “We were sent out by a frantic Rani to find your bodies, which were, he was sure, floating in the surf.”
“He tends to overreact,” Anders sputtered, flinging melting snow from his face.
“Turn your damn phone on.” Harold sighed as the second rider merely sat on his now quiet machine. Security, I assumed. I’d not met Harold’s bodyguards, but surely this was one or from the manse itself. Whoever it was, they did not interact nor remove their helmet.
“It’s on ‘Do Not Disturb’ for a reason, idiot.” Anders was not in the mood, it seemed, for any more of his brother’s picking.
Harold sighed theatrically. “Fine, be a temperamental ass, excuse my bad words, Lady Gilda.”
“I’m not a lady,” my daughter fired back as she stepped out to stand at my side.
“Duchess?” Harold asked. Gilda shook her head, her hair damp with sea spray.
“Oh, then a baroness! I shall address you as Baroness Gilda of the Seashore from here on out.” He bowed as deeply as one can seated on a snowmobile.
Gilda giggled. “So I am here to inform you, despite your sour greetings, that our father has asked to join us for breakfast tomorrow. He’s leaving for a ski trip to Sweden in the afternoon.
I suspect getting some distance from his irate wife. ”
“Asked or demanded?” Anders enquired, flicking a droplet of melted snow from his chin at his brother. It fell far short.
“According to Rani, it was a request,” Harold replied. Anders gaped. “Yes, my thoughts exactly. Kelbie asked if we would be free tomorrow at eight sharp.”
“Father’s private secretary set this up?” Anders asked and got a shrug from Harold. “Hmm, this reeks of Mother.”
“Oh yes, Mother has surely chewed him a new one as has Ivar and Frode, according to what I’m hearing from Alva. She and I chit-chat, you know.” Anders grunted. “Anyway, the choice is yours, of course. If you don’t wish to see him for the duration of your stay, everyone would fully understand.”
I glanced at Anders. He was chewing on the inside of his cheek. A tic I noticed a few times when he was concentrating.
“No, let him come out with this caveat.” Anders squared his shoulders.
“He is the monarch and so can come to this estate whenever he wishes. That being said, if he brings his bigotry and rhetoric with him, I will refuse to speak to him. I cannot bar him from royal lands, but I can spend the night in my quarters with my boyfriend and his daughter watching old TV mystery shows.”
Harold smiled. “Well played. I’ll relay that to Rani when I return. You look cold, Baroness of the Seashore. Would you like a ride back to the cottage?”
“Can I, Dad?!” Gilda asked with eyes as wide as dinner plates. I glanced at Anders and got a curt shake of his head as Harold pulled his helmet back over his head.
“I don’t think so, honey. There’s no extra helmet for you,” I quickly said.
“Your father makes a good point. Next time I’ll be sure to bring an extra.” Harold cranked the snowmobile over, gave us a jaunty wave, and sped off. Security roared off after him.
Gilda pouted at my side. Anders tapped her shoulder. “I’ve seen him race. That Formula 1 race he took part in? Crashed out in the second lap. He’s heavy on the gas and light on the brakes. I cannot recall one vehicle he’s owned that he didn’t wreck.”
“Oh, that’s not good. Guess we’ll walk then,” Gilda huffed, taking her bag of treasures from the North Sea and hoisting it over her shoulder. She set off, leaving us to catch up. Della leaped from her tote to catch up with her new best buddy.
“Thanks for that.” I motioned at my daughter and the dancing dog.
“It was the truth. He’s reckless.” Anders stared at the sky and then brought his attention to me. “When Father comes, would you join us?” I started to protest. “I know it seems a large request, and it is, but I would like him to see that we are a united couple in all things.”
“I’d like that too.” I stole a kiss, just a peck really, as there were dogs and teens watching.
“Thank you. I do love you,” he whispered, and the cold blowing off the sea didn’t feel quite as cold. Hearing that warmed me inside as if I had swallowed a sunbeam.
“I love you too,” I confessed, and the glow in my breast grew warmer still. It had been a very long time since those words had crossed my lips.
“Come on, slow pokes!” Gilda shouted as she broke into a run. Della raced after and then ahead of her. Anders and I exchanged looks. He sped off, leaving me gawping like a dodo. I ran after them but knew I would lose this contest to a min pin.