Suddenly Royal(81)

“Yep. Bright and early. I think we’re driving.” I shrugged. “Chadwick already packed up my clothes and sent them to the house.”

“You’ll love it out there. Lots of trees and quiet.”

“I’ve seen some pictures online, but I’m really looking forward to being there in person.” I stopped near my bedroom door.

“Alex is going, too?”

“Yes.” I took a deep breath. I hadn’t seen him since our trip to the bookstore. It felt like ages and I was eager but also nervous to see him again.

“Lighten up, Sam.” She pushed my shoulder. “I expect an invitation to dinner soon.”

“Pizza party at my place.”

“Sounds perfect.” She hugged me quickly. “I’ve got to run.”

“See you soon.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon going through my e-mails. I was almost through with the list of unread messages when a new one popped in. When I saw the return address I grinned. It was from Bert, probably telling me about something silly Jess had done. I clicked on the icon and almost screamed when I saw the attached pictures.





From: BERT

To: "Sam Rousseau" <PRIVATE>

Subject: Important Question!!





Sam,

I was going to ask you to come with me to look, but since you’re all the way in Lilaria I’m sending you pictures. She’ll kick my ass if I pick the wrong one. What do you think?

Bert





I looked over the picture of rings and chewed on my lip. I was so happy for Jess, but also sad that I wouldn’t be there to listen to her squealing. I looked over the choices carefully, trying to pick out what Jess would and wouldn’t like. I debated for a minute over a couple of settings before responding.#p#分页标题#e#





From: Sam Rousseau

To: "BERT"

Subject: RE: Important Question!!





Bert,

It has to be the round-cut; they have the most facets so sparkle the most. And we know how much Jess loves to sparkle!

Congrats! Really happy for you guys.

Sam





I hit the send button and sat there staring at my computer monitor. I wasn’t there, but I had still been able to help Bert. I sent a quick e-mail to Dad with pictures I had snapped with my phone. Looking through the snapshots made me realize how much of the city I had seen. Cathy was right. I needed to stop focusing on the parts that made me miserable and enjoy the good things that came with this new life.

I decided to relax the rest of the night. Chadwick was so busy he hadn’t scheduled me anything after lunch. It was like coming home and having no homework. I made use of the big tub and finished the book I had started on the plane. In fact, I was so engrossed in the book that the water chilled and I had to get out. It was the most peaceful night I had spent in Lilaria and I was grateful for it. I had needed to recharge my batteries. I felt like I had been handing out little pieces of myself to everyone I met and took pictures with. After a while I had begun to feel like a shell of the person I was and having the night off was working wonders.

I fell asleep with the e-reader on my chest and didn’t move the entire night.





America’s Duchess Finally Goes Home

—California Travel Agents’ Association





The next morning was a blur of activity. For the first time since I met Chadwick, he looked flustered. I dutifully wore the dress he had left in my closet and checked the guest room for anything I might have accidently left behind. I packed up my laptop and stuck my e-reader in my bag to carry in the car. It would be a two-hour drive—nothing too long, but not a trip around the corner.

I finished up my breakfast while looking through the local papers. Thankfully some of them were in English. Unfortunately, my picture was on the front page of most of them.

“How can they do this? They just publish whatever they want without checking facts.” I held up the one I was reading. “I’m not pining away for some lover back home.” I set that paper down and picked up the next one. “I’m also not suffering from an eating disorder. Look at this! This one says I refuse to eat and the queen is worried. This other paper has a picture of me stuffing a burger in my mouth and calls me an American slob. Which is it? Am I anorexic or a fatty?”

“Best advice you will ever receive is to not read the papers.” Chadwick opened my closet.

“This is crazy! They just post whatever will sell.” I growled and threw the papers in the trash can next to the desk. “What are you doing?”

“Making sure we haven’t left anything.” He opened the drawers of the nightstand.

“I already checked.” I shook my head. “Are you okay? You seem flustered.”