I hurry to the front of the stretcher. “I’m getting you that yacht, Mr. Banks. If it’s the last thing I do.”
* * *
ABN Nooner News with Veronica Platt
“Welcome to Nooner News. I’m Veronica Platt. Reporters from around the kingdom have made a mad dash to the airports this morning, after palace officials confirmed that King Winston is currently on his way to the village of Mbambole in Zamunda to retrieve his only daughter and fourth in line to the throne, Princess Arabella. Giles Bigly joins us live from the gate at Valcourt Airport, where he is about to board a plane. Giles, can you tell us what’s going on?”
“Yes, Veronica. About an hour ago, palace officials released a statement that Royal Air One was being prepared for an emergency flight. King Winston, as well as the entire royal medical staff, are aboard the plane and are currently en route to Mbambole.”
“Giles, any idea how Princess Arabella ended up there in the first place, or if she may indeed be gravely injured, thus requiring immediate medical attention?”
“Yes, Veronica, on a hunch, I walked over to the unscripted wing of our ABN headquarters and tracked down an executive there who did in fact confirm for me—off the record—that Princess Arabella is currently in the jungles of Western Zamunda filming a survival documentary with none other than Will Banks, host of “The Wild World.”
Veronica’s chin drops and she stares at the camera for a full two seconds before sputtering out her next comment. “So, the entire time everyone in the nation has been worried sick about her, she’s been off gallivanting in the jungle with Will Banks?”
“It would appear so, yes.” Giles turns from the camera as a boarding announcement comes over the speaker. “I’m afraid I have to go, Veronica. That’s the last call for boarding.”
“All right, Giles. Godspeed,” Veronica says with a serious look.
“Um, thanks.”
30
Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace
Will
I love this woman.I love her. Puke breath, sweat, and all. She’s fucking amazing. She’s been dragging me along this bumpy dirt road all day, huffing and puffing, and at times swearing like a sailor, but never giving up. She’s like this crazy-strong, determined woman who could do anything. The sun is high in the sky now and it’s so hot, she must be roasting with all the exertion, but she just keeps going.
A while ago, we came to a hill, and she hopped on the stretcher with me and used it as a sled, steering us all the way to the bottom. It was actually incredibly painful, what with all the bouncing and jiggling, but it was also kind of fun. When we got to the bottom, I asked her where she learned to do that. She gave me one nod and said, “Christmases at the castle. I wasn’t kidding about how much sledding we did.”
And then she got right back to pulling me to safety. I know it’s going to break her when she finds out we lost. The time ran out twenty minutes ago, and I haven’t had the heart to tell her. I don’t even care about the money, because as long as I have her, the rest means nothing. Not that now is the right time to tell her that. Not while I’m a two-hundred-pound weak burden to her. That type of confession is made at the perfect moment, when you’re able to stand on your own two feet and swoop her up in your arms and carry her off to bed.
“How much time do we have?” Arabella asks.
When I don’t answer right away, she stops in her tracks. “It’s over, isn’t it?”
Dropping the strap, she takes a few steps until she’s standing next to me.
I look up at her, seeing her bright pink cheeks and an angry red line across her forehead where the weight of the stretcher has been resting. I honestly don’t think I’ve loved anyone more than I love her at this very moment. I unclip the water bottle from my backpack and lift it to her.
She flops onto the road next to me and tips the bottle back, sucking it down in long gulps. When she lowers it, she gives me a sad smile. “It’s all right, Will. You can tell me.”
“We ran out of time.”
Blinking quickly, she says, “I’m sorry, Will. If I could go back, I’d never—”
“Hey, don’t start beating yourself up, okay?” I reach out and take her hand in mine. “You’ve been amazing today. I mean, truly incredible. Beyond what I thought was possible.”
The corners of her mouth curve up the slightest bit. “Thanks. But Ireally wantedyou to be able to get your brother’s boat back.”
“No biggie,” I say. “He’s the kind of guy who will appreciate the thought.”
“You can’t sail around on a thought,” Arabella says, letting her shoulders drop.
“You know what?” I ask, squeezing her hand. “Last night, all I could think about was how I wish I’d lived my life before now. And I didn’t care if I had more money or a huge following for my show or my own line of outdoor gear—although that would be very nice. All I could think about was how much time I’ve missed out on with the people I love, and that if I had it to do over, I would have made them a bigger priority.” I stop for a second and wince as the pain in my leg starts to throb more. “It’s so cliché, right?”
“No, it’s a universal truth. And somehow all universal truths end up being turned into clichés. I think it’s done by cynical people, to be honest.”
