Luke sipped his coffee. "What are we going to tell them?"
"The truth." Sarah didn't hesitate. "There's no reason to lie to them when the truth is going to come out. There's no way it can't."
"True. And I can give them immediate pardons and apologies for the false accusations."
"I don't know how Ma is going to take that. I think she wants to return home, but she harbors a lot of resentment for the way things went down."
"My father was ruthless, but I don't plan on ruling like that."
"It wasn't just him," she responded. "Ma is upset with the people, too. Friends and family who were only too happy to accept the fact that my dad was a thief, even though none of it made any sense."
Luke wrapped his arms around her. "Everyone should have a chance to apologize. I get where your mother is upset, but if things can be patched up as easily as us, then don't you think they deserve a chance?"
She kissed him before she snuggled against his chest. He closed his eyes as he held her. The entire world just felt right, even the way they fit together. Her blooming belly made things a little less tight, but he already knew that he loved his little girl as much as he loved her mother.
"Okay, come on." Sarah pulled away. "Or the entire crew will come over here with pitchforks."
Luke went into the bathroom and wet his hair so it slicked back in a little more order. He tucked his T-shirt in and turned to her. "Do I look presentable?"
She moved toward him. "You look delicious." She kissed him, hard and possessive. "God, I've missed you."
He rubbed her belly. "I don't know what the rules are about sexual activity while pregnant, but we either go now, or we're not going to leave this cabin all day while I figure out the dynamics of intercourse around a baby bump."
Sarah laughed. "She's a little more than a bump at this point, but we'll have to experiment." She winked at him before she walked toward the door. "Come on. Let's get this over with."
All eyes turned to him when they walked into the dining room. Luke suddenly knew what the germs felt like under his sister's microscope. He gave an awkward wave. "Good morning."
Most of the others returned his greeting. But then his eyes landed on Vinia. He would know her from anywhere from all his conversations with Sarah. He nodded at her and started to take his seat.
Vinia stood up and put her hands on the table. "Oh my God."
Chapter Fifteen: Secret Revealed
Sarah Hale
Sarah knew instantly that Vinia knew exactly who Luke was. She gripped his hand under the table. "Mama, think about this now."
"Think about it?" Vinia hissed. "You bring this traitor into my house... you snuck off to see this traitor for so long... and I have to think about it? You knew, little girl. You knew what I would say. It's no wonder you kept him hidden, but not even I contemplated the depths of your secret."
"Traitor?" Colton shoved his chair backwards and stood up. "Who is he?"
Ezra motioned for his family to get up and follow him, but Vinia threw her hand out. "No. You can stay. You are guests in my home."
"We can come back," Ezra stated. The look of desperation on his face almost made Sarah giggle. "We don't need to witness this conflict with Prince Luke."
"Prince?" Colton's voice boomed around the room. "Prince Luke?" His jaw suddenly dropped as he stared at Sarah. "As in..." His voice trailed off.
Luke squeezed her hand before he stood. "Actually, it's King Luke now that my father has passed on, and I can totally understand your anger toward me."
"No, that's bullshit," Sarah cried as she stood up. "Luke was nothing more than a boy just like all of you were when we moved here. He's no more responsible for what his father did than I am."
Ezra sat back down. "I'm sorry, your Majesty. I thought they knew."
Luke stared at him. "You are also a king."
"Not here. We've set aside all titles and royal expectations while we're here. I'm just Ezra."
"Then I am just Luke. No royal protocol expected."
