“I hope we didn’t cause too much work for you all. Everything you’ve done is lovely.” Prince John shook Caleb’s hand and went on to say how much he loved architecture and took courses while at uni. “Are any of the buildings in town yours?”
Caleb shook his head. “Not yet. But I’m overseeing the reconstruction of Alderman’s Pharmacy, which you’ll tour later in your visit.”
“Well done then. I look forward to seeing it.”
Princess Gemma greeted him, also mentioning her love for architecture. “You have to come to Lauchtenland, see our buildings. The Blue family is grateful to you, Mayor Caster, and the whole town, really, for preserving the Blue ancestry in Sea Blue Beach. It means a lot to Her Majesty, the Queen. She’s anxious for a report from our visit.” The princess started to move on, then stepped back, taking in Caleb and Emery together. She leaned in. “Are you two a couple?”
“They’re a couple,” Delilah interjected, not appearing nervous at all. “They just don’t know it yet. Princess Gemma, a pleasure to meet you, I’m Delilah Mead.” She held onto Caleb as she dipped into a perfect curtsy.
The princess threw her arms around the older woman, hugging her, swaying from side to side. In that moment, she wasn’t a royal princess, but a small-town girl from Tennessee.
“My grandparents played your records constantly when I was growing up. Your songs are the soundtrack of my childhood.” Then she leaned in again, whispering to Delilah, whose eyes glassed with tears, “Thank you for the music.”
“Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”
Down the line and back up, the prince and princess greeted everyone. Then Simon released the guests to mill about, enjoy fellowship, and partake in the food and wine.
“So,” Caleb said, reaching out for Emery’s hand, “seems we have royal approval to be a couple.”
“Yes, it seems we do.”
25
EMERY
“Darling, wake up.” Delilah’s voice was followed by a pounding on the cottage door, then the click of a key in the lock. “Emery, come quick. Hurry.”
“I’m coming.” She fell out of bed, thus ending the lovely dream of dancing at a royal ball with Caleb.
Last night, the two of them spent close to forty minutes with the prince and princess, tasting wine and cheese, talking about sports, education, art, and the state of modern media, like they were besties. Honestly, it was insane.
When the royal couple headed to 321 Sea Blue Way for the night, Emery was all agog, running to the paper to see Kadasha’s initial photographs. They were stunning. The woman was worth every penny.
Caleb surprised her, waiting for her outside of Cottage 7, a fire in the firepit. She automatically curled into his lap—her favorite place to be—and they talked over each other while recalling the evening and dreaming about tomorrow’s event.
“Never,everdid I foresee this when I accepted theGazettejob. Me,guffaw-laughing with a princess.”
“She felt like asouthern American girl and a royal all at the sametime,”Caleb said.
“Emery?” Delilah called from the front room. “You must come.”
“What? What is it?” Half awake, she tripped into the living room, tugging on her yoga pants. “I was having such a good dream.”
“Well, it’s about to be a nightmare. Grab your shoes and sweatshirt and follow me.”
A nightmare? What sort of nightmare? Emery dashed to the window over the settee. Was it raining? Were dark clouds threatening the beach brunch? Thatwouldbe a nightmare.
Emery slipped on her hoodie and sneakers, then hurried with Delilah toward the Beachwalk. Up ahead, the tent for the brunch stood tall against the breaking dawn—which seemed to be cooperating with their plan for a beautiful day with low humidity and gentle breezes. The Gulf lapped quietly against the shore.
“I see beauty, Delilah,” Emery said, arms wide, drawing in a cleansing breath of salty air. “Where’s this nightmare you speak of?”
“Brace yourself.” Delilah left the Beachwalk to plow through the sand toward the tent.
“The princess seemed so moved when she thanked you for your music.”
“Music is a powerful force.”
“Delilah, will you please tell me your story one day?”
