Page 16 of Royal Icing

Oh. Perhaps she would run into him around the castle.

“Maybe I’ll see you around, then. You’ll probably want to get checked out in the morning, by the way. I broke one of my mom’s ribs once, giving her the Heimlich.”

His expression clouded. “That’s awful. Is she…disabled?”

Emma’s shoulders tensed up. The story never got any easier, no matter how many times she told it.

“She had a stroke. A bad one.”

His eyes softened. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah, it sucked.” The rest of the story was on the tip of her tongue, but she bit it back. She didn’t need to spew a bunch of overly personal stories to a maintenance worker she’d probably never see again.

“I’m Emma, by the way.” She extended her hand.

“Leo.” A strange sense of peace set in at his touch.

They looked into each other’s eyes for a long moment, hands still connected. Her heart was thumping again, but at least this time it wasn’t because anyone was in mortal peril.

She glanced down at his other hand. No rings. But maybe people didn’t wear wedding rings in Lynoria.

What was she thinking? She was only here for a week and a half. She didn’t need to get involved with some hammer-wielding stud. Her whole future was hanging in the balance. She needed to focus up.

As if it agreed, the timer on the oven chimed.

“Oh, that’s my star bread.” She dropped his hand and bustled over to the oven. She pulled the rack out and withdrew animperfect pastry. Not her best work, but at least it wasn’t actively on fire.

“Well, Leo,” she said. The name felt like candy on her tongue. “I’m sorry for almost killing you with my baked goods.”

“It was worth it,” he said with another slow smile.

Another thrill ran through her. What did that mean?

“Where’s your dog?” he asked, glancing around the kitchen.

“We’re staying in the gatehouse,” she said. “I figured it was best to not add dog hair to the croquembouche.”

He smiled. “I suppose you’re right.”

Another massive yawn racked her whole body. Exhaustion hung from her like a winter cloak, but at this rate, she’d be up all night.

His expression changed to one of concern. “I’m distracting you. Is there anything I can do to help?”

She hesitated. Leo was intriguing, handsome, and completely unexpected. And those calloused hands certainly looked like they were capable of washing a dish or two. If it were any other place or any other time, she would have chalked this meeting up to fate. But this project demanded her full attention. Nothing and no one was more important than changing her and her mom’s circumstances for good.

“Thank you, but I’m fine.”

Leo eyed the dirty pile of dishes in the sink, but when his gaze shifted back to her, something softened.

“I assure you I’m quite capable of washing dishes.”

She bit her lip. “I’m sure you are. But I have a lot to do, and sometimes I get irrationally angry if someone’s standing in front of the drawer I need to open.”

He nodded. “If you’re sure. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Have a good night,” she called at his retreating back.

He shot another glance over his shoulder before disappearing.