“Guillain-Barré is still giving you trouble.”A statement.Not a question.
“Though I hate to admit it.Two years, and I’m still fighting the usual suspects.Muscle weakness, fatigue, various pains.My physio is coming up with therapies to keep me strong, but some days the pain flat sets me aside.”
“I’m sorry, Kate.What a nasty virus—and such brass nerve to inflict a queen.”
Her mother’s warm laugh confirmed why Scottie made the call.“My sentiments exactly.Now, how is your world?Why are you up at midnight?”
“Cap and I ended things.He’s in love with his ex-wife.”
“His ex-wife?Goodness—”
“He was sweet about it, Kate.He didn’t know he still loved her or that she still loved him.”When Scottie had visited Lauchtenland between Christmas and New Year’s, she shared a little about Cap, wondering if Kate wanted to meet him.“He could be the one.”
“Are you all right, darling?What does your father say?”
“Dad?He doesn’t know yet.I’m still in town, at Gardenia Park.”
“Alone?”
Scottie glanced at Officer Mynheir.“No, a police officer is watching over me.”
“Good.I know Hearts Bend is your city, but do take care, love.Word’s out.You’re part Blue now.”
“No offense, but that’s nothing to the country music royalty around here.”
“Still, you take care, please.”So far in their relationship, Kate walked the thin line between being a friend and long-lost-mother with queenly ease.“So, your young man has moved on.I’m so sorry.How can I help?”
“I don’t know.What do mothers say to their disappointed daughters?”
Kate laughed.“Shall I ring your aunt Arabella?I only had sons, remember?”
“Do you think I’ll find love one day, Kate?I never thought much about it until Cap.Now I’m wondering.Am I one of those girls who never marries but gives her life to her career?”
Which, in her younger days, Scottie believed was the superior option.
“I don’t believe so.Love finds those who are seeking.”
“How did you know Edric was really the one after Dad?I mean, you were so brokenhearted.You loved Dad so much.”
“It wasn’t easy, darling.I simply got on with life.What choice did I have?Once I accepted the reality you and your father were a closed steel door I could never open, I was free to move on.As much as I grieved it all, I allowed myself to believe I’d love again.Of course, I had to marry.Produce an heir.And I was determined not to live a life devoid of romance.The human heart was made for intimate love.Edric was the first man after your father to make my heart flip-flop.Here we are thirty-seven years later.”
“Do you think there’s hope for me?”
“Darling, of course.You are a beautiful, accomplished, talented, and kind woman.This Cap fellow just happened to give his heart to another first.Tell me, did you really, really love him with all your heart?Did you daydream about him?Was he first on your mind upon awakening?Did you surrender hours of the workday to be with him?Or rearrange an event to accommodate his schedule?”
Kate read between Scottie’s emotional lines with precision.“No, never.Even after two years of dating, sometimes when we got together, the first fifteen minutes were awkward, like we were just getting to know one another.”
“Then he was not your true love.Work through this sadness and open your heart again.”
“You’re right, Kate.Thank you.This helps a lot.”
“Good.Now, while I have you on the line, darling, feeling bold from my sage motherly advice, might you fancy a long holiday?”Kate’s regal and royal accent wavered a bit.“You see, everyone is leaving me this spring.Edric is off to Scotland for fishing with a mate he’s known since boyhood.Afterward, he’s taking my place for a technology tour in England and the States.This ridiculous GBS makes travel terribly difficult for me, but I am eager to keep Lauchtenland on the leading edge of technological developments.John is off to a trade conference in Sweden then a holiday in Corfu with Gemma, Imani, and the baby—whom I will miss terribly.He’s such a jolly little chap.Gus, Daffy, and sweet little Mathilde are spending the month in Manhattan with their friends Coral and Chuck and their new baby.We all bemoaned how our bookings clashed terribly this year.John and Gus offered to cancel their holidays, but I couldn’t see it.They’ve worked so hard, and after some terrorist shenanigans over at Titus Stadium and an incident with John in Brighton Kingdom—”
“What happened in Brighton Kingdom?”Scottie was read in on the attempted terror attack last year that put Princess Gemma and Princess Imani in danger, but nothing about her brother John.
“I’d tell you, but it’s classified, and I don’t want you to worry about accidentally slipping up.Rest assured, all is well.A smashing protection officer saved the crown prince.As I was saying, they’re all leaving me save for Mum, who’s not doing well.Arabella and Rachel will be taking on duties at Perrigwynn Palace, but I’m at Hadsby Castle beginning in May until the Rose Ball in June.”
“Are you asking me to visit, Kate?”Scottie rose to her feet.From the corner of her eye, she saw Officer Mynheir stand.
