Barefoot Bay: Castle in the Sand (Kindle Worlds Novella) (11 page)

“You will look beautiful in whatever you choose.” Dropping a kiss on her cheek, he left her to face her friend’s questions.

“Okay, so apparently you two have buried the hatchet?”

Josie nodded. “You could say that. He, um…he asked me to marry him.”

She waited for the reaction. And waited. And waited. Nothing came. Turning, she saw Lila, slack-jawed and speechless.

“Are you breathing?” Josie asked. “I mean, really; you look like a fish.”

“I’m processing what you just said. Darlin’, he asked you to marry him?”

Josie moved toward her and sat down on the bed. “He did. I said yes.”

“Hot damn. You’re going to be a princess?”

Josie laughed. “That part is still a little up in the air. He needs the approval of his father to marry me. That still hasn’t happened.”

Now Lila was the one walking around the room. She was quiet, thinking in the way that she did, processing all the details. “And if Papa King doesn’t approve?”

This was the hardest part to swallow, and the one that made her feel more than a little guilty. “Tony wants to relinquish his title. We’ll get married and move on.”

Crouching in front of Josie, Lila took her hands. The look in her friend’s eyes was a combination of sadness and concern. Lila wasn’t an overly sentimental person, so Josie was surprised by what she said next. “Is that what you want? You’d be giving up your whole life for him. Don’t do this just to chase what you lost.”

It was something that could have offended her, but Josie knew Lila was concerned and her question came straight from the heart. Having Tony there the past week had been an emotional roller coaster, and to be sure, they weren’t coming together under ideal circumstances. But that was what marriage was all about, dealing with whatever problems came their way. She was ready.

“I understand, and I know you’re looking out for me. But I love him, and he loves me. He’s willing to give up his whole life for me, too.”

There was a long pause, followed by a lot of sniffles coming from her friend. For Josie’s second surprise of the day, practical Lila was shedding some tears. “Well then, Sugar. We need to find you something to knock his highness’s socks off. Or have you already knocked ’em off?”

Josie grinned. “I guess you could say that.”

“Well, damn, girl. Now I am jealous. Let’s get you ready for your man.”

When they walked into the restaurant, Josie felt like she’d been transported to an island oasis. She and Tony were seated at a beachside table, on the edge of the main hustle and bustle of the restaurant. She loved watching people, reading body language and facial cues. It was something she’d always done, and it was a skill that certainly came in handy at her job. She wondered how it might help her if she and Tony did return to Marinbourg. She wanted to see his home and meet his family. They were important to him, so that made them important to her, even if she wasn’t their idea of a suitable bride.

Lila had helped her piece together a stunning outfit. It wasn’t anything Josie would have chosen, but it was perfect. The flirty skirt made of teal blue silk flipped and fluttered around her legs, and the close-fitting white scooped neck top provided the perfect contrast. She had on a chunky necklace, strands of gold, silver, and sparkling stones, coupled with long, dangling earrings. The finishing touch were glittering sandals. Never in her life had Josie felt more feminine or beautiful.

A jazz trio played on the far side of the deck, and the sun still hovered over the gulf, turning the water a dappled gold.

“I’m always so busy with the kids when I’m here, I forget how beautiful it is.” She was staring at the water, hypnotized by their perfect surroundings. “They built this up from nothing. It was leveled in a hurricane six or seven years ago. No one thought Clay and Lacey could do it.”

“People will amaze you if take the time to see what they’re all about. I’ve learned the most useful things just by talking to people.”

“I learn from my students every day. I learn about myself. Who I am, what I’m capable of. They saved me.”

“You won’t need to be saved anymore.”

She was still wrapping her head around the whole turn of events, and the commitment he’d made to her. The future was up in the air, but for the first time in her life, Josie wasn’t worried about what was coming next.

Her life in Mimosa had been special because of all the wonderful people here. She’d arrived broken and unsure. Hiding from the world and from herself, Josie healed and came out stronger because of this magical place.

It was no wonder her grandparents had loved it here.

But it worked its magic on Tony, too. He’d come here dodging public relations bombs, and not knowing whom he could trust. Now he trusted his own judgement, his own mind, and for better or for worse, he seemed comfortable with his decision to be with her. That’s all Josie could ask for.

Tony looked so refined in his tan suit and open collar shirt, she just watched as he discussed the wine list with the sommelier. Everything about him made her burn. Hearing his voice, seeing the movement of his hands, his eyes, and his body. Thinking about how they made love, Josie wanted him to touch her again. And again, and again. Under the table, she slipped one foot out of a sparkly sandal and gently slid her toes up his ankle. He started just a bit when her skin touched his, but he managed to keep his wits and finish ordering the wine.

Once the sommelier was gone, he grabbed her hand. “That was distracting. Very nice, but distracting.”

“I’m okay with that,” Josie whispered. “I hope to distract you for a very long time.”

His mouth tilted at the corner, but his eyes sparked. “I like that thought.”

The sommelier returned with Tony’s selection and poured her a glass of wine, and the deep garnet liquid filling the glass made her think of jewels. There were going to be challenges that she and Tony had to work through, but she had faith everything would come out right. Considering that assurance had been a rare thing in her life a few weeks ago, it was kind of a miracle.

Tony raised his glass in toast. Josie followed, loving his beautiful, refined manners. “To you
, mon ange
,” he said. “To a second chance.”

Josie locked her gaze on his, and for the first time in over three years, she was completely happy. If someone had told her two weeks earlier that she’d be this content, she’d never have believed them. Her life in Mimosa was good, but it had always lacked something. That something was love.

Tony put down his wine glass and at the same time, put a black velvet box on the table, sliding it toward Josie. “For you.”

Staring at the box, the only thing she heard was the sound of her own heart beating. Taking the box, she opened it and gasped. On the dark field sat a large, emerald-cut diamond, surrounded by two halos of smaller diamonds. “Oh, my God. Oh, it’s beautiful.”

Tony took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger, admiring it for a moment before bringing her knuckles to his lips. “Do you like it? If you don’t, we can exchange it tomorrow.”

Josie nodded, unable to speak. Not letting go of her hand, Tony squeezed it gently. “We’re going to have a great life. No one has to approve that but the two of us.”

“Oh, Tony.” Josie felt her eyes starting to burn. “I love you, and the ring is beautiful. I don’t want to change anything.”

“You’re sure? I picked it up at a jeweler in Naples this afternoon. If it isn’t perfect, we’ll get you something else.”

“I love it. It’s more than I ever expected.”

“You should expect everything. I promise I’ll do my best to make you happy. Wherever we end up, that’s my promise to you.”

Josie believed every word he said, and knew she would do the same for him. “I know you will.”

The room erupted in a commotion that caught their attention and shattered the romantic reverie. Several well-dressed men were heading right for their table. The restaurant manager and the maître d’ were following, calling for them to stop, but nothing was going to keep them from getting to their table.

Tony stood as one man stopped and bowed his head in deference. “Your Highness, I have word from your mother. She needs you at home immediately.”

Several tables surrounding them heard the man address Tony formally, and there was an immediate buzz of conversation. Perfect.

His eyes darted around the room before landing on her. Something in his posture stiffened before her eyes. “Tony?” She reached out and took his hand. “What is it?”

“Miss, it doesn’t concern you.”

“Yes it does,” Tony ground out, angry. “Why has the queen called for me?”

At first the man hesitated, but then seeing he’d get nowhere with Tony unless he leveled with him, he nodded. In a low whisper, the man said, “Your father has had a heart attack. He’s incapacitated and might not survive the night.”

The implications of the statement hit them both. If his father died, Tony would become King. Standing and pulling Josie into his arms, Tony pressed his lips into her hair. Fear pricked at her heart. She worried for Tony, for his family, and for the two of them.

“Sir? We have a private jet waiting for you.”

“I understand. Give us a moment, will you?”

The security team retreated to a respectful distance, and Tony took her hands again, his face unable to conceal the worry. “I have to go.”

“Of course. Would you like me to go with you?” She already knew the answer, and it broke her heart a little.

“No. No, I need to deal with this on my own.”

The door between them was already closing. In the blink of an eye, the life they’d started to plan was at risk. “All right,” she said on a breath. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” On his own. He’d just pledged to share his life with her, and within minutes he was shutting her out. She knew there was a good reason; in her head, she knew this. But at the same time, doubt crept in, putting their whole future in jeopardy.

“I’ll call you as soon as I find out what’s going on.” He leaned in and kissed her. “I love you. I know this is difficult, but please don’t forget that. Please.”

“Of course. If you need me just call, I’ll be on the next flight.”

He stiffened a little at the thought, but didn’t pull away. “Thank you. I’ll call as soon as I can.”

“Please. I want to know how things are going.”

He nodded, then kissed her lightly on the mouth. Almost like saying goodbye.

“Your Highness, we have a car waiting.”

“I’ll have my rental picked up,” he said flatly, handing her the keys. “Don’t you worry about it.”

He took a cell phone that one of his security team handed to him and tucked it in the pocket of his jacket. Taking two steps, he turned like he forgot something. “It will be okay, Josie. Have faith.”

And with that, he was whisked out of the restaurant, leaving Josie with a ring, a bottle of wine, and whole lot of very curious bystanders.
Have faith
, he’d said. He’d told her everything would be fine the last time he left her, also. And it hadn’t been. Getting her mind around the fact that the situation was different than last time, that he was different, took all the effort she could muster. But even if her mind understood, her heart didn’t.

For the second time, she’d been left. And even though he’d pleaded with her to believe in him, to have faith, her heart hurt.

Chapter Ten

“He’s going to recover, but the heart attack was severe. I’ve been warning him about his diet for years.”

Tony sat with his mother and sister, listening to his father’s doctor go over what happened. “He has a blockage, and will need bypass surgery when he’s a little stronger.” The doctor, who had known his father for decades, took a deep breath. “I told him that it’s time for him to step down. He wasn’t planning on it, but he needs to.”

“Step down? He’s only seventy-two—”

“I understand,” the doctor continued. “But the stress of the job, the travel and appearances, are getting to be too much. If he’d taken better care of himself, it might not be the case, but he needs to focus on his recovery and his health. This is quite serious. He agrees.”

“My poor Eddie,” his mother whispered, looking through the glass at her husband. Elizabeth Frances, a well-bred, titled Brit, had been married to his father for almost forty years. She had been a young woman, barely twenty, when her parents arranged a marriage with the man twelve years her senior who was destined to be king.

But their love had grown, and now she sat in the family suite at Royal Hospital with the love of her life so ill in the next room. Tony sat on one side of her, and Marie on the other, contemplating what would happen next.

“He never wanted to abdicate.” She shook her head. “Are you ready, Anton?”

According to his father, it was questionable. “I don’t know,
Mum
.”

He rose and walked to the window. Beyond the hospital grounds, he could see the city of Sterren, with its tiled roofs and colorful buildings. A river ran through the middle of town. It was probably one of the prettiest cities in Europe. “Did Father tell you about the woman I want to marry?”

Joining him at the window, his mother took his hand. “A little. I know he wants you to be happy, my dear, but he’s very stubborn. Very stuck in the old way of thinking. You love her?”

“With everything I am. Everything. I proposed to her. Gave her a ring. And then I left her sitting alone in a restaurant when palace security came in and told me about Father.”

His mother didn’t try to say anything to comfort him, but her gentle touch spoke volumes. “I see.”

“I will not take the throne unless she’s beside me. I told Father when I spoke with him that I would relinquish my title if he didn’t approve, and that hasn’t changed. I won’t spend my life without her.”

It wasn’t fair of him to impose that ultimatum on his mother when she was already frightened and distraught about his father. But he wasn’t going to lie, not anymore. There was too much at stake. He’d tried to call Josie when his plane touched down, but since then spotty service and the lack of a free moment had interfered with his efforts to reach her. He just wanted to talk to her. The sound of her voice would ground him. “I love her, Mum.”

“Well then. I suppose, when he’s up to it, I need to have a chat with your father.”

“A chat?” Anton didn’t know exactly what that meant.

She grinned. “Just a little chat. To help him see things more clearly. But know this, you have
my
blessing, dear boy. You will be King, and your American young lady will be your Queen. Is she ready for that? For all of us?”

Tony reached around his mother, and pulled her into a hug. “Thank you.”

“You have to be honest with your…what’s her name, darling?”

“Josephine DeMarco,” he said, ashamed that his mother didn’t know. That everyone didn’t know. “I call her Josie.”

His mother smiled. “Lovely. My favorite aunt was called Josephine. I’m sure she does the name proud. But you must tell your Josie everything. She must know what this role entails. As an American, this will be totally new for her.”

He nodded, thinking about the woman who would become Queen Josephine. She was smart, compassionate, and loving, and she would embrace Marinbourg as her own. Just as important, he loved her with all his heart. “I think she’s more ready than I am.”

“Good,” Marie said. “Because I don’t want you to give up the throne, Anton. You’ll be a wonderful king, just the one to drag some of the stodgiest parliamentarians out of the middle ages. And Josie will certainly show them that their way isn’t always the best way. And I want you home with us; we’ve all missed you.”

“I’ll speak to your father and the Prime Minister.” His mother kissed his cheek. “You speak to Josephine. Tell her we are very excited to meet her.”

Glancing through the window to his father’s room, and seeing his papa exhausted and wired up to monitors, Tony felt the overwhelming responsibility of a country drop onto his shoulders. He was ready, but knowing he’d have Josie with him—to advise him, comfort him, and be his partner—made the job ahead less daunting.

His mother and sister made their way into his father’s room, while Tony stayed back and thought about his next move.

Nick
. As much as he didn’t want to do this, he was going to have to talk to Nick first. Tony had been hiding his relationship with Josie from his friend for too long, and it was time to come clean. He understood Josie would want to be part of the conversation, but it just wasn’t going to happen that way. Time to man up.

Taking the secure cell from his pocket, he keyed in the number and waited.

“DeMarco.”

“Nick, it’s Tony.”

“Hey. How’s it going? Any problems?”

“Not exactly. I’m back in Sterren. My father had a heart attack.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. Is he going to be okay?”

“He’ll recover, but it looks like he’s going to abdicate.”

Silence.

“Wow. Uh. I don’t know what to say. You’re going to be King?”

“Yes, I am. Much sooner than I anticipated. Honestly, if you’d asked me twenty-four hours ago, I would have told you I was relinquishing my title.”

“Why would you do that?” Nick’s voice had a familiar edge. Something that had been honed during military training. He knew when he wasn’t getting the whole story.

“I was going to relinquish because my father wouldn’t approve of the woman I want to marry.” More silence.

“You have something you want to tell me?” The low growl indicated Nick had gone into protective mode. Like a wolf.

“I’m in love with your sister, Nick. Last night, I asked her to marry me.”

“You…” Nick stammered. He was furious. “You proposed to my little sister? You were together what, two weeks? I should fucking kill you.”

“Three years ago, when I left her like I did, you would have been justified. But not now. I love her, Nick. I’ll make her happy.”

“So the gossip rags were right? You and she were together in New York. And you weren’t man enough to tell me?”

“She was practically living at my apartment, and no one in your family had a clue. Especially you. Maybe you all should have paid more attention.”

“So going to Mimosa, that worked out for you, didn’t it?”

“If you remember, she didn’t want me to stay. You’re the one who pushed it. At first, I just tried to stay out of her way. But then I saw I might have a second chance. I’m not going to blow it. I was ready to give it all up for her.”

“What changed?”

“My family wants me to be happy, and I told them the only way I would follow my father is if Josie was with me. Otherwise, Marie would take the throne.”

All Tony heard was Nick’s breathing. “I can’t believe you, man. My sister. I trusted you.”

“Nick—”

“Fuck you, Tony. Just fuck you.”

The line went dead, and all Tony’s hopes for making this easy went to hell. He thought about trying to call Josie again, but it was four in the morning in Mimosa. He’d only slept three hours on the plane ride home, and had been so concerned with staying strong for his mother, he’d barely eaten. Both were catching up with him.

Stepping to the door, he motioned for one of the security team to join him. “Your Highness?”

“As soon as is reasonable, I need to get back to Florida.”

“Sir? I don’t…”

“Not this very moment, but start preparations. As soon as I see the Prime Minister, I’m going to have a shower and we’re going. Have the flight team get the jet ready, and have a car at the airport in Naples for our arrival. Are we clear?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Very good.”

He may have been exhausted, but getting back to Josie as quickly as possible was the only way he could save what they’d started. He wasn’t going to lose her again. Not when they had so much to do together.

Josie walked down the beach, thinking about getting something to eat and crashing on the couch. She knew Tony was in an impossible situation, but not hearing from him for almost three days kicked her anxiety up to DEFCON 1. She’d seen the missed calls, and she’d tried to call back, but the phones weren’t connecting.

“You’ve been playing the hermit lately, missy.” Leena sat on her back patio and sipped a glass of iced tea. “Come sit and keep me company.”

Josie could never say no to Leena. And why should she? The older woman was like a surrogate grandmother. Josie adored her. She took a seat in the large Adirondack chair facing the beach and let the sun and salt air calm her. It was a rare day she and her neighbor didn’t chat—now it had been going on two.

“How’s it going? Have you heard from Tony?”

“No. The phones aren’t playing nice. The news about the King is locked down, so I can’t even check to see how he’s doing. The palace’s official line is that he’s recovering.”

Good news, of course, but she wished she knew more, and had heard it from Tony.

“He loves you, my dear. He does. Try to be patient. If you two are going to make it long term, you’re going to need patience in spades in your new life.”

“I know. And I love him, but he was raised to think about his duty first, and himself second. That’s who he is. I’m sure that plays into how I feel. That devotion is something special, but I wonder where I fit in. I can’t help feeling it could all fall apart, you know?”

“I do understand, but stay strong. He’s worth it.”

Settling into the moment, Josie relished the quiet that was so unusual this time of day, until she heard voices coming from her patio. Looking over, she saw Nick and Lila sitting in a pair of chaises. They were talking up a storm, playing with Lucky, and having a great old time, until Nick looked up and spotted her watching them from next door.

“I did not need this today,” she muttered to herself. Rising, she crossed the lawn that spread between their houses as Nick charged to meet her, pulling her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, sis. I had no idea that asshole was going to make a move on you. Why didn’t you tell me? I would have killed him.”

“That’s pretty much why, Nick.” She wiggled out of his grasp and walked toward the house. “Two questions: What are you doing here, and how did you know what happened?”

“He called me. Tried to explain how he loves you and wants to marry you. I want to feed him to the fucking sharks.”

“You need to calm down.” Josie patted his massive bicep. “You sound like a lunatic.”

Lila stood, wearing the expression of a disappointed beauty queen. “You poor thing. I just found out what happened from your brother. Why didn’t you call me?”

“I didn’t want to talk to anyone.” Josie sat on the chair Nick had been sitting in and the dog jumped into her lap. “Hey, boy. You’re not going to lose your mind like the rest of these guys, are you?”

Lila sat on the edge of the chaise. “Stop. We’re just concerned. He left you, again?”

“He had a good reason. Lighten up. But I don’t want to talk about what happened. I don’t want anyone to kill anyone. I don’t want sympathy. Everything could be just fine, but if not, I need to figure out what I’m going to do with a four-carat diamond ring.”

“You’re going to wear it, I hope.”

Like a warm summer rain, Tony’s voice made her skin prickle and her heart jump. “You’re back?”

“Of course I’m back.” He closed the French door and stepped onto the deck. “I would have told you exactly when, but the bloody phone wasn’t working half the time. I’m so sorry. My next step was carrier pigeon.”

“Don’t listen to him, Josie. He called me.” A fine time for Nick to decide to play big brother.

“Nick, not now,” she said quietly.

“Nick, shut up. You were in Europe when I called you yesterday.” Taking Josie in his arms, Tony held her close. “Everything has changed. We have to talk.”

Her heart dropped at his words.
We have to talk
. Duty. Country. Those words echoed in her head. “How is your father?”

“Stable. He’s having surgery in a few days.”

“Surgery? Shouldn’t you be there?”

“I will be, but I came to bring you back with me. That is, if you’re still inclined to marry me.”

“You still want to marry
me
?” Her heart hurt from hoping, but there he stood, firm, sure, and completely hers.

“Josie.” He took both her hands in his. “Of course I do.”