“This is your first time here, and we don’t know how safe it is.”
I chuckled. “For me or those who encounter me?Pfft. I won’t go far, just a block or two and if by chance I get lost, I will get a ride. I know the name of our hotel.”
They didn’t argue, and soon enough we were pulling up to The August. It was a stunning hotel, and expensive, but I wasn’t holding back on this trip. I was going to spoil myself.
“This hotel is named after Prince August Davaros. It was renamed from The Franklin upon his birth.” Mark was reading a brochure the driver had handed us as we’d entered the lobby.
“Very interesting, I wonder how Franklin felt about that.” Hannah cackled.
Hannah and Mark’s room was beside mine and once inside, I said I’d meet them later and told them I had my phone on me.
Sightseeing was exactly what I wanted to do. With a pep in my step I left the hotel, turned right, and fell directly into a puddle…so I went back, changed my clothes and shoes, and again ventured out of the hotel but turned left that time.
I kept telling myself to focus, not to get distracted so much that I got injured or hurt somebody else. But this place was magical. I heard laughter everywhere I went, saw bright faces, the aromas of fresh bread, meats, and desserts permeated the air, and I wanted to spin in the streets and shout with glee that I was finally here.
“Careful!” a guy said when I bumped into them, no malice in their tone. I noticed he held some flyers.
“Sorry, I’m a tourist. Yuck, I know.”
“It’s okay, you don’t want to get hurt.”
I eyed the papers in his hand. “Whatcha got there?”
He looked down, then handed me one. It was a missing-person flyer. “My brother went missing about a month ago. He’s flighty, has a lot of issues, but always checks in. Not hearing from him is strange.”
It was a black-and-white photo. The man in it was thin in stature with a nice smile, a scraggly dog in his arms. I read the details on him: Brendan Nottle, twenty-six, blond hair, blue eyes, six foot, hundred and forty pounds.Wow, real thin.
“I’ll be sure to keep an eye out and call this number if I see him.”
The man was grateful. “I appreciate that. He’s…he can be violent, so maybe just call, don’t approach.”
I nodded and tucked the paper into my pocket. “Okay, well, I hope he’s found.”
As soon as the gentleman was out of sight, my mind was back in vacation mode. I walked a few blocks, waving at people who greeted me as if they knew who I was. I only tripped a couple of times and knocked into two people, but no serious injury was had.
I turned down a small street and froze. There were flowers everywhere—purple, yellow, red, all in bloom—and a café, bookstore, and antique shop woven in as if they were part of nature. It was gorgeous.
My stomach rumbling made the choice of where to go first easy. Stepping into the café was like waltzing into a dream. The walls were covered in the history of Lamdera; flowers poured along the shelves; and the scent of coffee, chocolate, and flora mingled throughout.
I stepped up to the counter and beamed at the freckle-faced girl.
“Welcome to Penny’s, what can I get you?”
I was overwhelmed—the menu was a carb kingdom, and I had no idea where to begin. A slight commotion outside was a respite to my worry.
“Oh!” the girl gasped. “The prince.”
I peered over my shoulder, and through the glass a large limousine was idling by the curb. The flags on the hood indicated royalty, I supposed. Of course residents here would know when anyone from the Davaros family showed up. Question was, which prince were we talking about?
“Should I go?”
She giggled. “Heavens no, his tour began today. Last year he started here, and we were hoping he would again this year. Very exciting.”
Tour… Hannah showing me the magazine at the airport came to mind. “So, not just any prince, but the heir to the throne?”
She nodded quickly. “He’s so handsome—intimidating, though. Anyway, he will be a minute. His security has to check the buildings and street before he exits, so what can I get you?”
Right—food, beverage, things. “How about you choose? It all looks so amazing, I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
