“We’ll discuss these kissing books later,” Max murmured.
In the end, they settled on a coloring book and a box of coloring pencils for Tiffany while they purchased a book on dragon tales for Noel.
“A kite?” Noel asked.
“Lucky for you, I know how to make one,” Max said. “Dad helped me to construct a kite when I was ten. We’ll make one tomorrow.”
Dinner at the restaurant was a novel experience for Sasha. By watching everyone else, she thought she coped well, and Sasha enjoyed the fish and chips, a dish she’d never tried before.
“What was your favorite thing you did this week, Noel?” Max asked as they ate an ice cream sundae for dessert.
“Swimming,” Noel said. “In the pool and at the beach. I practice a lot.”
“You do,” Sasha said.
“Thank you,” Max mouthed.
Max paid for their meal, and they walked through the village to get to the castle grounds. Sasha noticed other families ambling in the same direction.
“Do lots of people visit the castle?” she asked.
“During the summer, when the evenings are still light. Let me buy an admission ticket for us. Wait here with Sasha,” Max said to Noel.
It didn’t take long before Max was back with their tickets. They wandered around the gardens, and Sasha enjoyed herself immensely identifying the different flowers and bushes.
“You like gardens and plants,” Max said.
Noel ran from flower to flower in front of them while they observed him.
“Yes, I enjoy gardening,” Sasha said. “I’ve learned everything I know from my grandmother.”
“My grandmother loved nothing more than to get out into the garden and feel the dirt between her fingers. She grew the most amazing vegetables.”
“I found the vegetable plot. Noel and I cleared it and planted seeds. He told me he used to help and seemed proficient. He knew where to find the tools and where your mother kept her seeds.”
Max grasped her hand and turned her so he could study her face. She blinked, uncertain of what he wanted or what he saw when he examined her so intently.
“You are the most amazing, interesting, and mature-for-your age woman I have ever met, yet you have a playful, passionate side too. And you’re curious about everything.”
Sasha nibbled her bottom lip while her dragon remained uncharacteristically silent. Sasha swallowed. “Ah, is that bad?”
“No! Hell, Sasha, you’re amazing. How old did you say you were?”
“Twenty-one.”
“How is it that another man hasn’t snapped you up? You’re gorgeous, a hardworker. You’re sincere. Hell, I told myself I wouldn’t do this, but you’re like an itch I can’t get rid of. Our kiss before wasn’t enough.”
“Did he just insult us?”her dragon asked.“We’re not an itch. That sounds rude.”
“Remember when Blaze told us men are stupid?”
“Oh! He’s having a manly moment,”her dragon said.
“Yes.”
“He’s going to kiss us again,”her dragon said with excitement.“Pucker up.”
“Shush,”Sasha muttered.“I need to focus.”
