Page 28 of A Prince for Christmas

I headed for my favorite bench and, turning the light on bright, reached into the dug-out cavern I’d made so many years ago. Everything I’d brought was still there, untouched. A whole bearskin, which Dad had shot before I was born, a heavy wool blanket from the nearby reservation, and half a dozen candles. There were even provisions, although I wasn’t sure they were still edible after all these years.

I spread the bearskin on the rock shelf, motioned Nick to join me, and began lighting candles.

“I found this cave when I was little. Even my sisters don’t know about it.”

“Just me?”

“Just you.” I smiled at him, my heart feeling light and melty at the same time.

He made a noise that I couldn’t interpret. “How old were you?”

“About ten,” I answered. “I’m not sure what else I left here, but I’ll check in a minute. However, I did leave snacks.” A mischievous smile crept onto my face. Hopefully, he didn’t see it.

“Em, No!” Nick sounded concerned. “Anything here has been in this cave for years.”

“So?” I asked. “I only left for college three years ago.”

“What about mold? What about… worms?”

“Haven’t you ever seen Zombinight?” I asked, feeling better than I’d felt all day.

“Zombi what?” Nick’s brow wrinkled. He was clearly unacquainted with the vintage film classic.

“Zombinight. It’s a classic. We’ll watch it tomorrow night, and maybe The Grinch. In the meantime, you need to try a Twinkie. I’m not sure, but I don’t believe these things have expiration dates. Besides, it’s not that old. I discovered it when I was ten, but I’ve used it as my getaway for years.”

I tore a package open and gave it a sniff. Seemed okay. I poked at the sponge cake that cradled the creamy filling. A little firmer than all those years ago, but certainly edible. The greasy, sweet smell screamed for me to take a nibble.

Deciding to toss my fate to the wind, I took a bite. It wasn’t bad, maybe a little dried out, but still better than most dorm breakfasts. I offered one to Nick, who recoiled.

After a bit of teasing, he gave in and took a bite, though. His face melted into a look of confusion. “My God, these are delicious. Why don’t they sell them in England?”

I chuckled a little. “They probably do. Just not to princes. This is the food of commoners, Nick Lancaster, Crown Prince of England.”

“Do you have to call me that?” he asked, his eyes softening.

“I don’t have to,” I said. “And since it’s Christmas, I won’t.”

“Merry Christmas, sweet Em,” he murmured. He leaned in, and after a moment, his lips met mine with heartbreaking tenderness. Like the Grinch, my heart grew ten sizes.

CHAPTER 12

I woke with a start in the darkness with warm arms wrapped around me. The air was chilly and damp, but everything but my nose was snuggly warm. After a moment of disorientation, I realized I must have fallen asleep in the cave with Nick. I looked up to see him smiling down at me, and I had to fight the urge to just snuggle closer and go back to sleep.

That would never do, though. Everyone was up early on Christmas morning, and my absence would cause general hysteria. I wriggled in his arms, trying to shake off the sleep. “How long have I been out?” I mumbled.

“Only an hour or so,” he said soothingly. “We’ll get back before morning.”

I relaxed and let my body wake up at a more respectable pace. “Did you fall asleep, too?”

“No, Em.”

“What were you doing, then?”

“Watching you. Watching the little patch of stars through the cave mouth. Thinking.”

I desperately wanted to ask him what he’d been thinking about, but I couldn’t find the words. Instead, I struggled onto my knees and began tidying up the cave. That made me think of the Little Prince sweeping his volcano, but I didn’t mention it. Such an old story, he probably didn’t know it.

Nick helped fold the blankets and pick up the Twinkie wrappers. The candles had gone out on their own.