Page 31 of Summer on the Ranch (Royally Wed #1)

Alex didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. It had been less than forty-eight hours since the fundraiser. ‘‘When did you get the pictures?’’

‘‘This morning. They were delivered with my coffee. I must tell you, seeing my oldest daughter so very happy was a lovely way to start my day. My only complaint is that you didn’t phone to tell me you were in love. That’s not the sort of thing I want to find out from a third party.’’

Alex swallowed hard. ‘‘I’m not in love.’’

‘‘Oh, Alexandra, save those lines for the press. It’s as plain as day in these pictures. My goodness, the way he’s holding you and you’re looking at each other. It quite reminds me of my courtship with your father. It’s very romantic. Now tell me everything.’’

‘‘There’s nothing to tell. We’re good friends. I’m staying on his ranch. He’s kind to me.’’

‘‘Kind? I do not want to hear that this handsome cowboy is just kind. I refuse to believe he hasn’t tried to seduce you. And if you tell me you’ve resisted too strongly, I’m going to be most disappointed.’’

‘‘Mother!’’

Her mother sighed. ‘‘Alexandra, don’t be too good all the time. Life is short.’’

‘‘I know. We’re, um, well, we have become close.’’

‘‘Are we talking about confidences over a stamp collection or are you using a euphemism for sex?’’

Alex writhed in her chair. ‘‘I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with my mother.’’

‘‘And I can’t believe you’re such a prude.’’

‘‘I’m not a prude. Yes, we’re lovers. There, are you happy?’’

‘‘That’s the wrong question. The right question is, Are you happy?’’

Alex closed her eyes. She thought about yesterday, which she and Mitch had spent on the beach at Malibu. Los Angeles had been experiencing one of its Indian summer days, with temperatures near eighty. They’d walked in the sand, laughed, then gone back to their room and made love again.

‘‘Yes, Mother, I’m very happy. Mitch is a special man. He’s everything you would want him to be, but most important, he sees me for myself. When I’m with him, I feel at ease and very safe.’’

Her mother sighed. ‘‘I understand completely. I wish you both all the best.’’

Alex didn’t like the sound of that. ‘‘It’s not what you’re thinking, though. I don’t love him.’’

‘‘Really? Why not?’’

Alex opened her mouth, but couldn’t think of a single thing to say. They were talking about Mitch. It could never work between them. ‘‘I have my duty,’’ she managed at last.

‘‘It does always come down to that, doesn’t it,’’ her mother said.

‘‘Your father and I wanted you and your sisters to find your own way. That’s why we never arranged matches for the four of you. True love is a rare and special thing. However, if after all this time you haven’t found it, perhaps it’s not in the cards for you.

Maybe we should look into finding you a suitable husband. If that’s what you want.’’

‘‘I—I’ve always expected to marry for my country,’’ Alex said slowly. ‘‘I planned to respect my husband. I had hoped love would come with time.’’

She was only saying what she’d thought a thousand times before, but for some reason the statements made her uncomfortable.

Even as she spoke, a voice in her head screamed that she wanted more than duty and respect.

She wanted love and passion. Did she really think she could marry another man and let him touch her the way Mitch touched her? Alex shuddered. How repulsive.

‘‘I have to go,’’ she told her mother. ‘‘I have to…’’ She stumbled over an excuse.

‘‘That’s all right, Alexandra. I understand. Your father and I will be in touch. Take care.’’

‘‘Yes. You, too.’’

She didn’t remember hanging up the phone, but when next she became aware of her surroundings, she found herself staring out the window at the paddock.

Several horses raced back and forth in the bright morning light.

At first this view had been unfamiliar, but now she knew each tree, each bush and the way the color of the sky would change with the movement of the sun from east to west. She’d always found it beautiful, but today the vista was restful as well.

The phone rang. She turned to face it, but didn’t move from her spot. After three more rings, the answering machine clicked on. She heard her message, then a squeal that could only come from Serena.

‘‘Alex, are you there?’’ her sister asked. ‘‘We’ve seen the pictures and we all think he’s very yummy. And here we thought you were in Arizona actually searching for James. I can’t believe you’ve found a man. Call us back and plan to tell everything. Bye.’’

The machine had barely stopped recording when the phone rang again. This time she recognized her sister Katherine’s voice. ‘‘Alex, I’m guessing you’re avoiding calls, which I don’t blame you. I heard about the pictures.’’

There was a slight pause and Alex imagined her sensible sister smiling.

‘‘Who would have thought you’d find a handsome cowboy when we were supposed to be looking for our brother? I think I’m the tiniest bit jealous.

’’ Katherine laughed. ‘‘Anyway, I wanted to phone and say ‘well done,’ then let you know that the infamous Bill Lewis has gone missing. I’m going to speak with his partner, Trey Sutherland, to find out what he knows.’’ She laughed again.

‘‘I feel a bit like a spy, sleuthing out clues. If this princess bit ever gets boring, I believe I might have a career as a detective.’’

Alex smiled as well. Who would have thought their time in the States would have changed them so much? If Alex had taken a lover and Katherine was considering a career as a detective, she could only imagine what Serena would get out of her visit.

‘‘That’s all,’’ Katherine said, obviously preparing to hang up.

Alex moved across the room and picked up the phone. ‘‘I’m here,’’ she said. ‘‘You’re right, I’m hiding out. I’ve already heard from mother and Serena.

‘‘The press won’t be far behind,’’ Katherine warned.

‘‘First they have to find me.’’ Alex twisted the phone cord around her fingers. ‘‘So you’re off to where?’’

‘‘New Mexico. As I said, no one has seen Bill Lewis in a while. His partner should be able to send me in the right direction.

‘‘Are you all right with this?’’ Alex asked. ‘‘Do you want me to send Elizabeth with you?’’

Katherine sighed. ‘‘I believe I can handle an interview with a businessman, thank you very much. I’ll be fine.’’

‘‘I worry,’’ Alex said.

‘‘As I worry about you.’’

‘‘Be careful,’’ Alex told her. ‘‘Let me know what you find out.’’

‘‘I promise to do both. After all, I’m the sensible sister, remember? If you want to lose sleep over anyone, try Serena. You wouldn’t believe the things she’s threatening to do. Someone needs to lock her up.’’

Alex laughed. ‘‘I’ll write a memo. Take care.’’

‘‘Bye.’’

Alex heard a soft click as her sister hung up the phone. She replaced the receiver. It rang as soon as it rested in the cradle. Alex ignored the call. Instead she grabbed her jacket and ran from the room.

Fifteen minutes later she had Princess on a lead line and was exercising the mare at a slow trot. The activity was enough to keep her hands busy, but her mind still raced. She replayed her mother’s conversation and tried to make sense of all that had happened in the past few weeks.

Was she in love with Mitch? Is that what had happened?

But she couldn’t have fallen for him. He was all wrong for her, or at the very least, he was complicated.

They lived in different countries, they wanted different things.

Or did they? She knew she wanted a caring partner and a family.

Were Mitch’s dreams so very far from that?

‘‘It doesn’t matter,’’ she said aloud. ‘‘I have my duty to worry about.’’

Her duty. That was part of the problem, she realized.

What was her duty? If they found her brother alive, then he would be heir to the throne.

But what if they didn’t? She felt there was a good chance that parliament would change the law, which meant she would be queen of her country.

That would change her life entirely. As just one of four princesses, she would have more freedom in choosing her mate and her place of residence, but as queen, she would be limited by location, if nothing else.

She couldn’t live on a ranch. Besides, even if she could adjust, what about Mitch?

He wasn’t the kind of man who would wear the weight of being a consort well.

Alex stood in the center of the corral, holding the lead line and turning slowly as the mare trotted around her.

She looked at the beautiful mountains, the house and the barn, at the well-kept grounds.

This ranch had been in Mitch’s family for generations.

He wouldn’t want to leave it. She would never ask him to.

So there was no point in worrying about their feelings because it would never work. Except…

Alex groaned in frustration. She couldn’t decide if she was being practical or a coward.

Did she choose duty over love because duty was always clearer and safer?

Did she love Mitch? Did he care about her?

Were they having a torrid affair, or was it something more?

If only she had the experience to know. But she didn’t and she couldn’t think of a single person to ask.

Princess slowed to a walk, then moved toward her. When the mare snuffled at her jacket pocket, Alex pulled out a slice of apple and fed it to her.

‘‘Sweet girl,’’ she murmured, patting her neck, then stroking her soft nose. ‘‘You’re getting more relaxed, aren’t you? I missed you while I was gone. I think you missed me a little, too. Maybe by the end of the week you’ll feel safe enough to let me ride you. Would that be nice?’’

The bay mare nodded her head, as if she could understand. The thought made Alex smile. She hugged the horse. ‘‘Once I can ride you, it’s just a matter of time until you’re calm enough to breed again. Won’t that be nice? You can have pretty babies of your own.’’

She closed her eyes and pressed her face into Princess’s warm, sweet-smelling coat.

The horse made a huffing sound. Alex took that as agreement.

But when she tried to imagine the horse with her foals, what she saw instead were towheaded toddlers running through a field.

Babies, but the human kind. Her children. Hers with Mitch.

A sharp jolt of longing wrapped itself around her heart. The unexpected pain made her gasp, and she bit her lower lip to keep from crying. Her mother had been right. She loved Mitch.

Maybe it would have been obvious to anyone but her.

Maybe if she’d had more experience she would have recognized the symptoms. But she hadn’t, and now it was too late.

What was she supposed to do? How could she make it work?

Because that was what she wanted. But did Mitch?

She wasn’t just the girl next door. If he felt the same way, they were going to have to do a lot of compromising. Was he willing to do that?

She imagined the sweet toddlers again and felt a smile tugging at her lips. They could have children together. Dozens of them. She laughed out loud. All right, perhaps not dozens, but at least two or—

Babies, she thought. Babies as in… A thought formed.

Alex pushed it away, but it returned. She touched her flat stomach.

She was fine, she told herself. She and Mitch had been very careful about using condoms. Her mind flashed back to the time they’d made love in the huge bathtub in his bathroom.

That night things had gotten a little out of control, and neither of them had thought about protection.

The same thing had happened twice in their suite in Malibu.

But two or three times without birth control didn’t mean anything. At least, she hoped it didn’t.

Alex led the mare back to the barn. She wouldn’t think about it, she told herself. She couldn’t. Didn’t she and Mitch have enough to deal with already without worrying about her being pregnant?