Recklessly Royal(59)

“Can I set up a monthly donation?” a woman wearing a flowing green skirt asked. “I can’t do a large sum, but I can do a steady amount every month.”

“That would be wonderful.” I held my hand out. “I’m Catherine.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I’m Hilda Thatcher. I run the local pottery studio.” She bobbed a quick curtsy.

“Please call me Catherine.” I smiled at her. “Is that the place on Portvel Road?”

“Yes, it is.” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “That’s my shop.”

“We drove by this morning. I loved all of the wind chimes hanging out front.” I folded my hands in front of me. “I bet that sounds lovely in the morning.”

“Yes, ma’am, it’s a wonderful way to start the day.”

“I’ve been thinking about having people donate time instead of money. Maybe you’d be willing to be a guest teacher at a local school and teach the kids about pottery.”

“I’d like that very much. Very much.” Her smile grew until it stretched across her face from ear to ear. “But I’d also like to donate money as well.”

“Tabitha will help you set up a payment if you’d like, or you could just send money in when you can. I can’t wait to start the children’s program.” I reached out to shake her hand again. “Thank you so much for helping make it possible.”

Hilda walked over to where Tabitha stood, her smile still planted on her face as she wrote a check and gave Tabitha her business card.

By the end of the day I had almost reached my financial goal and left with a light heart. If there was one thing I could be proud of, it was that I had planted the idea of this program into the minds of people who cared—people who would help me see it through.

“That was a very beneficial event.” Tabitha was looking through a stack of business cards.

“Wasn’t that great?” I smiled at her. “To know that they want to help, that they are helping?”

“Definitely.” She turned her phone on and started typing. “You’re going to have these kids swimming in crayons and paper in no time.”

“Well, I hope it’s more than that.” I frowned. ”I want them to experience as many different forms of art as possible—for them to experience it hands on.”

“And they will.” She never looked up and I tried to not be annoyed by her lack of interest. It wasn’t her fault that she didn’t seem to care about art. As long as she did her job, that’s all I could ask for.

Watching her play on her phone made me think about mine, though, and I pulled it out of my jacket pocket and frowned when I realized there were no missed messages. I stuck the phone back in my pocket and sighed.

Busy. He was busy.

Or I had done something wrong.

Or he was just busy. Which was probably the most likely explanation—and it did nothing to ease the worry that gripped me.

When we arrived at the hospital I dismissed Tabitha for the rest of the day. I wanted time alone with Selene before going back to the hotel. My appointment had run late, so Max was gone by the time I got to the room.

Unbuttoning my jacket, I sat down in the chair next to Selene’s bed and propped my feet up on a stool. The sound of Selene’s soft snore and the whir of the machines worked like a sedative. I was asleep before I realized I was tired.

“Your Highness?” A cold hand shook my shoulder and I startled awake.

“What?” I sat up and brushed the hair out of my eyes. “What?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” The doctor smiled at me. “I need to get to the machine behind you.”

“Oh.” I climbed out of the chair so he could get to the monitor.

“She’s doing really well. I think just a little longer and she’ll be ready to go.” The old man smiled at me.

“Excellent. Thank you so much.”

“It’s been my pleasure.”

As soon as the doctor closed the door, Selene popped one eye open. “Is he gone?”

“Yes.” I sat back down and laughed.

“Good. I’m tired of answering all of the same questions.” She sighed and reached for my hand. “You should have gone home. No need to sleep in the chair.”

“I’m fine.”

“I saw you on the news.” Selene raised an eyebrow. “David looked nice and you looked very happy.”

“Oh, you know how we fake it.” I winked at her. My heart did a little dip at the mention of his name and I had to fight the impulse to check my phone.

“Yes, I do. And I also know when you look truly happy.” She smiled at me.