“These remind me of homes in Hearts Bend,” Princess Gemma said. “Only our Tennessee ancestors had stone to add.” She walked toward the first house, stepping over all the cracks and staring toward the slanted roof over the broad yet tilting porch.
“We were going to do this at the brunch,” she said. “And as much as we hated leaving the way we did—” The prince held up his hands as if to protest the broiling apologies. “We understand that day was a one-off for Sea Blue Beach.”
“We’re still investigating,” Chief Kelly said, his tone defensive.
“Yes, very good, and we hope you find the culprits, but here ...” Prince John handed Simon an envelope. “We’ve set up a fund in Prince Blue’s name as well as Malachi Nickle’s for restoring the Org. Homestead or whatever you need for the East End. The queen feels strongly that everything her great-great-great-uncle—” He turned to his wife. “Do I have enough greats, darling?”
“One more.”
“Great-great-great-great-uncle built here in Sea Blue Beach be preserved. It’s part of our family, thus our country. We are inextricably tied, you and I. Brothers and sisters of different mothers, if you will.”
Emery slipped her hand into Caleb’s. This was what it meant to be royal. Not a title, but the ability to be generous with an eye to restoration and forgiveness.
As the sun slipped away, taking the gold from the tree leaves, the Org. Homestead on Port Fressa Avenue had a second chance at life.
And so did Emery Quinn.
30
CALEB
“I always seem to have incredible experiences when you’re around,” Caleb leaned into Emery as they carried their skates to the benches.
“What do you meanalways?” Emery tugged on one of her skates. “If we’re going to keep skating, I need my own skates.”
“Maybealwaysis a bit of a stretch, but I’m about to skate with a royal prince and princess, so let me be a bit hyperbolic.”
After a smorgasbord of southern food at Alderman’s, the royals toured the East End with Simon and Chief Kelly and visited the mural while the rest of them headed to the Starlight. The royal protection detail wanted to keep a low profile.
“Don’t act like this is your first brush with royalty.” She tugged on the laces. “Remember I wasqueenof Operation Revenge.”
She wasn’t prepared for the way he snatched her to him, his skates clattering off the bench to the floor, his warm lips landing on hers without reservation. Emery’s fingers slid away from her laces to cup her hands over his shoulders and hang on.
She pressed her forehead to his chest when the kiss slowly faded. “I think you love me.”
“I know I do.” He reached for a skate, then looked over at her. “Will you ever say it back?”
“Can’t my kisses be enough for now?” Her cheeks pinked as she returned to tying on her brownies.
The lights flickered to the beat of “Flashlight,” a ’70s skating rink classic. Ivan skated at his own pace with Adele. They were pretty good. But then again, they’d grown up at the Starlight. Bobby and Wren shuffled to the beat with ease, until Bobby kicked Wren’s skate and sent her tumbling. From the lobby, more of the special guests arrived.
Emery tugged on her second skate. “It’s not that I don’t want to say it, Caleb.”
He turned to her. “Then what?”
She worked the laces in silence. “I just don’t want to be afraid when I tell you. It seems insincere.”
“I can live with that, Quinn.”
By the time the prince and princess arrived, Caleb and Emery were on the floor, going around to the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” which seemed fitting. A protection officer rolled smoothly behind the prince and princess, while another watched from the benches, sans skates.
The hum of “keep loving those good vibrations” hovered in the rink when Bobby Brockton skated next to Caleb. “Got a sec to talk?” He tipped his head toward the lobby. “Outside?”
“Business or pleasure?”
“Both.”
Switching back to his shoes, Caleb shrugged at Emery as they headed outside.
