“Of course I hear you, I’m not deaf. And I read the protocol. How dumb do I look to you?”
Emery smiled at him and gave a thumbs-up. He didn’t look dumb at all. Dressed in a white shirt, bolo tie, and slightly too-tight suit, he was down-home handsome. Standing next to him was Adele in a soft pink dress with a matching knitted scarf. Mercy looked pretty in pale blue.
Across the way, Caleb’s parents stood with the other guests, many of them the volunteers who worked tirelessly on the beautification of the East End.
For this first reception, they kept it small and intimate, inviting first responders, Dr. Crane and Dr. Wheeler, who started a general practice in the sixties and seventies, and a half dozen students from the high school and middle school.
“Caleb, where’s Bentley?” Emery whispered, not seeing him among the students.
“With his mom.”
“What? Really?”
“She picked him up last night when I was with you.”
“Caleb.” She turned to him. “Are you all right? Is he all right?”
“I think so. I called this morning, and she finally answered. For about sixty seconds. Bentley yelled something about having fun. They’re on one of her adventures.”
Without a thought, she slipped her hand into his. For a moment, it was almost too much—the fragrance of his skin, the gaze of his blue eyes from under his dark hair, the strong pressure of his fingers against hers, and this moment, sharing it together.
“Look at us sixteen years later, Caleb Ransom.”
He bent to her ear. “Is it better than trashing West End High’s field?”
She laughed low. “Yeah, almost, definitely better.”
“Go time, everyone,” Simon said. “They’re coming out of the house with Bodie and Booker Nickle.”
To her right, Simon greeted the prince and princess, along with the two Nickle family members—Bodie, a lawyer, and Booker, a rancher.
“I’m nervous,” she whispered. “What if I suddenly freak out and scream?”
“Do you feel like you might freak out and scream?”
“No, but what if?”
“Thanks a lot. Now I’m thinking about it.”
Simon walked the royals toward their side of the street. Mac Diamond stood tall and puffed-up, gripping the prince’s hand like he was making a business deal, then bowing to the princess.
“Did he justwinkat her?” Emery said.
“Yep, he just winked at her.”
Simon moved quickly down the line until he was in front of Emery. “May I present Emery Quinn, the editor-in-chief of theGazette. She’s the one who sent the request for your visit.”
“Thank you so much for inviting us.” Prince John shook her hand. She’d seen plenty of pictures of him, but he was even more impressive in person, moving with ease and confidence, seeing the world through vibrant eyes. “We felt rather silly upon reflection. Why didn’t we think of visiting?”
“We were thrilled you said yes,” Emery said.
The princess greeted her next. Delilah was right, Emery couldn’t help but curtsy. Princess Gemma was tall and beautiful, with the classic look of the girl next door. She wore a maxi dress with a pair of white sneakers, and her dark hair in a long French braid.
Emerytotallyfelt like they could be friends.
The prince asked about Rachel Kirby and theGazette, and how Emery got into journalism. She answered with clarity and swiftness, her nerves firing the whole time. Then Simon moved on to Caleb.
“Our hometown boy, Caleb Ransom, a talented architect who headed up the logistics for your visit.”
