In the meantime, he’d started a face-to-face relationship with Imani. She must know she was as much a part of his plan as her mother.
Last night they’d dined in secret on Buck’s back deck.
“If I’m marrying Gemma, I’m making a commitment to you as well. You will join my family and if you want, I will be your father.”
There were lots of tears, laughter, and goodness, the girl could rattle off the deepest, most thoughtful questions.
“Can I finish high school here?”
“Can I keep my parents’ name if you adopt me too? Do you like me this much?”
“Can I think about all of this?”
“What exactly is royal life?”
“Would I get an allowance?”
John answered yes, yes, yes, yes and yes, and a lot ofWe’ll talkreplies. But mostly assured her he liked her a lot. Even loved her.
There were things to work through but in the end, he had Imani’s blessing to propose to her mother.
He’d never forget her expression, her soft tears, and the way she flew into his arms. “Yes, please, make her happy.”
He’d cleared the parent hurdle, the daughter hurdle, and now for the fiancée hurdle. Words likeinsurmountableandfortresscame to mind.
* * *
Gemma
Standing in the dark center aisle, she glanced back at B. A. Carpenter who was hustling to his car.
“What am I doing again?”
“Go on, you’ll see.”
Gemma turned back to the barn and the stalls. “Hello? Mr. Kingston?”
Lights flashed on, flooding the aisle and spilling out from the old puppy nursery. Music sounded, drawing her farther in.
“Mr. Kingston? It’s me, Gemma.” She never met the man before so she didn’t know what to expect—or what this was all about—but she was quite sure she didn’t anticipate Prince John stepping out in front of her.
“I’m not Mr. Kingston but a future king. Will I do?”
With a low gasp, she stepped back, wrapping her arms about her waist. “Prince, what are you doing here?” She loved how his blue eyes glistened. Hated how her soft voice quivered.
“Well, it occurred to me my mother was never going to change the marriage writ and I had to get on with finding a wife. Then I said, ‘Prince, you actually proposed to a lass who turned you down but I think she needs a second chance.’”
Gemma shook her head. “No, John, no, I can’t let you do this.”
“But oh, I beg to differ, darling.” He walked toward her, reaching for her hands. “You see, not only are you my best friend, but I love you. I fall more in love with you every time I see your face in my mind’s eye.”
“But you know the truth. Which is all well and good if we lived in a barn, but we won’t live in a barn, Prince John.”
He kissed her forehead. “Call me love or darling, babe or honey, but not Prince John. And no, we won’t live in a barn but in a very giant fishbowl, but I think we can be the sharks those pariah need.”
A tear dropped onto the back of his hand. “So much has happened since I came home. I’ve changed. Healed. But John, darling, love, honey, and babe, I cannot let my mistake plague you and your family.”
He touched her chin and raised her gaze to his. “Do you love me?”
