Crowns & Courtships Compilation Volume 1

by Carol Moncado

  “It’s a small kiosk.” Brittany showed her the star next to the name. “That means there’s only one register, so two or three people at a time is all there’s room for. More than that and they’re walking all over each other. The dot means two registers so four to six people at a time. The plus sign means it’s one of the actual stores. Those are a whole different thing. They’ll have anywhere from six or seven people early and late to a dozen or more during the peak hours.”

  Anabelle nodded. “Okay. Do I just need to look over the schedule for each kiosk, stand, and store for each day and make sure there’s enough people?”

  “Yes and no. Each day at each venue is given a busy rating from one to five. We did five sample days, one for each. You need to look over each one and make sure it looks adequate. If you have questions, ask. Once the sample days are done, we’ll copy them into the actual days based on expected volume.”

  Thank goodness. She didn’t have to stare at this endlessly.

  “Also, you’re only looking at each kind of location. You don’t have to look at each kiosk, just one per venue. That will also be copied as many times as appropriate.”

  More sighs of relief. She could handle this.

  For forty-five minutes, Anabelle stared at the screen until her eyes started to cross. “Is there a way to print this out?” she finally asked. “I think I could work better on paper.”

  “Of course.”

  Sensing some hesitation in Brittany’s voice, Anabelle looked up to see her holding an envelope. “What is it?”

  “This was just delivered. It’s from Caitlin.” Brittany fingered the corner of it. “Would you like me to screen it for you?”

  Anabelle didn’t know how to answer that question. Finally, she shook her head and held out her hand. “I would appreciate it if you could go to the offices and print out the schedules for me.”

  Brittany handed it to her and nodded. “I’ll be back shortly.”

  Looking around, Anabelle realized Jacqueline Grace had packed up her things and left at some point. When?

  Taking a deep breath, she slid her finger under the flap and tore the envelope open.

  With her hands shaking slightly, she slid the card out. A simple “thinking of you” adorned the front. Opening it, she found a short verse about being in their thoughts and prayers. The blank side was filled with a note from Caitlin.

  Anabelle would have expected more pain at the words about how Jenny was settling back into life. How Caitlin hung on her every word praying she’d hear something new that would help find Gracie. That Jenny talked about her friend all the time.

  Instead, that peace came back and settled over Anabelle as it had several times before. Why wouldn’t it stick around? For now, she grasped hold. Jenny was okay. That was important to Anabelle. Knowing she was gave her continued hope that Gracie would be, too, once this ordeal was over.

  The door to the suite opened and Anabelle looked up to see Kensington walking in. Lines around his eyes told her all she needed to know. He was as stressed about this as she was. He simply had more experience hiding it.

  The smile he gave her was genuine. “It’s time to quit working for a while, love. I think you’re going to love this surprise.”

  22

  Kensington kept the grin on his face as Anabelle blinked. “Surprise? I thought we were having dinner.”

  “We are. The guests are the surprise.”

  “Guests?” She shook her head and held up a card. “Caitlin sent this. Jenny is doing well.”

  “I’m glad. I have no doubt she’s bouncing right back.”

  “Caitlin promised to let us know if she says anything new, anything that might help find Gracie.”

  “Good.” Kensington tugged his tie off and walked toward the bedroom. “You might want to change into something a bit more comfortable. We’re not formal tonight.”

  He heard her following him. “What are you wearing?”

  “Probably jeans and a shirt with no collar.”

  “Think leggings and a tunic is too casual?”

  Kensington chuckled. “I’m not sure what that is, but it’ll be fine. We’re not leaving the floor.” Or were they? “Maybe. I’m not sure where dinner is yet, but it won’t be fancy.”

  They both ended up in the closet at the same time. Anabelle took her clothes and moved into the dressing room. Kensington quickly changed then went back to the sitting room. The card from Caitlin caught his eye, and he scanned her note.

  Something in it niggled at the back of his mind, but he couldn’t put his finger on what it was. With Anabelle’s permission, he’d turn it over to security so they could read between the lines and make sure there wasn’t something being missed by everyone else.

  “I’m ready if you are.”

  He turned to see Anabelle putting in an earring. So that’s what leggings and a tunic meant. She wore sparkly sandals, form fitting pants that must be leggings, and a long, flowing shirt that kind of reminded him of one his older sister wore sometimes. “I like the shirt.”

  “Holly sent it to me.”

  “Who’s Holly?”

  “She’s the head of the stores in the track and field venue for the next month. She runs a chain of boutiques. When we met the other day, she told me she’d had a shirt come in that she thought would be perfect for me and I would love. She was right.”

  Kensington took her hand as they walked toward the door. A text informed him where they were meeting. One of the balconies near the kitchen had a table that could be used. He kept the conversation light as they made their way through the building.

  He could see movement on the balcony as he held the door open for Anabelle to exit the building before him.

  “Mrs. T?” Confusion filled her voice. “What are you doing here?”

  Mrs. T held her arms open for Anabelle to walk into. “Please, dear one, call me Amma. I’ve been asking you to for years. Now you know why.”

  “Amma, what are you doing here?” Anabelle asked again as she clung to the smaller woman.

  “I thought it was time you met Afi.” She let go. “This is my husband, your grandfather.”

  Kensington watched as Anabelle was enveloped in another hug. Once they let go, she turned to him.

  “Afi, this is my husband, Prince Kensington of San Majoria.”

  He extended a hand. “Please, call me Kensington when we’re not in public. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. T. I’m afraid I’m not quite prepared to pronounce your last name yet.” He winked at Mrs. T. “But I have been practicing.”

  Her grandfather chuckled. “Then it’s a good thing she retained her last name when we got married. My last name is Sørensen.”

  Kensington grinned as they started for the railing at the edge of the balcony. “Then it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sørensen.”

  “Call me Afi, and I am certain my wife will be offended if you don’t call her Amma.”

  “He’s right,” Mrs. T confirmed. “You’re our grandson now, too, you know.”

  “My grandmother will be quite pleased to hear that I have other grandparents to annoy now.” Kensington made a mental note to find his grandmother and spend a few minutes with her in the next few days. He hadn’t seen her in quite a while, not since the lunch with Anabelle and Gracie. Their weekly lunches had become a thing of the past since his return from Eyjania. Once the Games were over...

  “I do have something for you, dear.” Amma pointed toward a gift box sitting on a side table.

  Kensington watched Anabelle walk over to get it then opened it back at the table. She gasped when she saw it. “Amma! Is this the quilt?”

  Tears pooled in Amma’s eyes. “I started it for your mother many years ago, while she dated your father. I didn’t get it finished before they died the first time. When I realized you were their child, I knew I wanted you to have it someday.”

  Anabelle ran her fingers lightly over the white, blue, and green fabric. “Oh, Amma. It’s beautiful.” Kensing
ton didn’t know where she would put it, but it would get used often and be well taken care of. He knew that much.

  The meal wouldn’t be served for another fifteen minutes, giving them a little time to chat while looking over the bay. Kensington found them easy to talk to and hoped Anabelle felt the same way.

  A member of the staff came told them dinner was ready to be served. Kensington held Amma’s chair for her, while Afi sat Anabelle.

  “What are we having tonight?” Amma asked.

  Concern crossed Anabelle’s face. “You don’t have any allergies, do you? Either one of you?”

  He hadn’t thought about that, and breathed a sigh of relief when they both shook their heads.

  “No,” Amma told them. “I am hoping for some delightfully local cuisine though. I do hope no one went to the trouble of preparing something Eyjanian or even Icelandic. I can have that any time.”

  “Not at all,” Kensington reassured her. “I believe we’re having seafood, though I’m not certain exactly what kind. I told Cook just to make it delicious, something she always does.”

  “Then I’m certain it will be lovely.”

  Kensington took a sip of his water. “So, tell me. Amma, you are Icelandic, correct?”

  She nodded. “Yes. My family moved from Iceland to Eyjania when I was about ten. When I was fifteen, I met a very handsome young man and knew I would never leave.”

  “They have a large family,” Anabelle told him. “But only one girl, Clari. She’s married to Rachel’s brother.”

  Amma shook her head. “That was true at one time, dear, but no longer. I have you and Gracie.”

  Kensington could see it register on Anabelle’s face.

  “I suppose that’s right.”

  She waved a hand. “Of course it’s right. I had your mother, too, but I could never be certain she was alive until she wasn’t anymore. Instead, I’ve gotten to know you, and I will get to know your sister as soon as she’s returned to us.”

  Salads were set in front of them. Anabelle took a bite of hers and swallowed before speaking. “We’ve started the process to adopt Gracie. The king has told King Benjamin he expects the proceedings to be expedited as much as possible.”

  Kensington was going to tell her his father hadn’t had a chance to talk to Benjamin yet, but before he could Amma was hugging her again and exclaiming how wonderful it all was. Never mind. It could wait.

  Nothing would be hurt by waiting a bit longer to tell her that part.

  Dinner wasn’t the jolliest of affairs, with the pall of missing Gracie, but Anabelle did enjoy getting to know Mrs. T - Amma - and Afi better. They told her all about the rest of their extended family. Anabelle had met a couple of them, including Clari, the only other girl born into the family, who was married to Rachel’s brother, Joel.

  “Then there’s Thor,” Amma told her. “He works in security at the palace. I’m not certain exactly what he does, but I do know he’s one of the key men.”

  Kensington held up a hand. “Wait. You have a son named Thor who works for Benjamin’s security detail?”

  Afi nodded. “He’s worked for the palace since he turned eighteen and for security for well over a decade. Worked his way up through the ranks.”

  “Things got harder for him after his wife passed a while ago.” Amma pushed her plate back. “She was a lovely girl. Thor and their boys miss her something fierce. They miss having a wife and mother in their lives.”

  “Perhaps someday they’ll find someone new,” Kensington offered.

  “Perhaps.” Afi took a sip of his coffee. “He’s said things a few times that makes me wonder if there already is someone, but he’s not ready to tell anyone, perhaps even her, just yet.”

  A throat cleared behind them. Anabelle turned in unison with Kensington to see Bertrand standing there.

  “Sir, you have a phone call.”

  Kensington wiped his mouth with his napkin and pushed away from the table. “Excuse me.”

  Anabelle spent another half hour talking with her new grandparents before they needed to leave for the airport.

  Bertrand returned and turned to Amma and Afi. “I will be happy to escort you out, Mr. Sørensen and Mrs. Thorbjørnsdóttir.”

  Amma clapped her hands together. “You say that quite wonderfully.”

  Bertrand smiled. “I worked quite hard on it, ma’am.”

  “I did, too,” Anabelle chimed in, “but I still haven’t managed.”

  After a round of hugs, Anabelle’s newfound grandparents left for the airport.

  The next few weeks were a blur of activity as Anabelle threw herself into her work. Kensington’s parents went to a wedding in Ravenzario where a long-lost prince suddenly reappeared, but she couldn’t focus on anything but her job and the search for Gracie long enough to figure out what happened there.

  Thirty-six hours before the opening of Athlete’s Village, she met with Mr. and Mrs. Lachapelle and Holly to go over the schedule. They were in Kensington’s office in the palace.

  As they were about to wrap up, Kensington came in. He listened intently as Holly explained some of the things Anabelle had learned in the last few weeks.

  “We’re quite proud of her,” Holly finished. “She’s come a long way.”

  “Sir?” Bertrand interrupted the conversation.

  “Yes?” Kensington looked over at him.

  “I need you both to come with me.” He looked at the others in the room. “Someone will escort you out, with our apologies.”

  Anabelle pushed back from the table. Kensington grabbed her hand and started for the door. “Where?” Kensington asked.

  “Security.” Bertrand fell into step behind them.

  Their pace quickened.

  “Is there news?” Anabelle asked as they broke into a trot.

  “I’m not certain what’s going on, ma’am.”

  The security office was a flurry of activity. Anabelle followed Kensington into the conference room.

  “Can someone please tell us what’s going on?” he barked.

  The king motioned for them to have a seat. “We may have news on Gracie.”

  “May?” Kensington asked.

  “A couple arrived at the hospital with a little girl. They claim she’s Gracie...”

  Anabelle jumped up. “Then why are we here? Let’s go.”

  “Sit down.” The commanding tone of the king’s voice compelled Anabelle to follow his instructions. “We don’t know what’s going on just yet. They brought a little girl in. She matches the general description of Gracie, but there’s an issue.”

  “General description?” Kensington asked. “You mean you can’t tell for certain if it’s her or not? Is she injured?”

  “We’re not really sure just yet. Her face and hands are bandaged. The doctor isn’t ready to take them off, so we can get a better look. She’s drugged right now, so we can’t even talk to her yet.”

  Anabelle clutched her stomach. “What? Why?”

  The king gave her a look. “We don’t know. We don’t know if it’s her. We don’t know what the injuries are. We debated not telling you until we know more, but decided it was best to go ahead. We want you to visit her. There may be something you see that we can’t. A noticeable freckle that you didn’t think to mention but will know when you see it or some other minor identifying mark. You’ll be able to see her in about half an hour. We wanted you to have time to compose yourself before you go.”

  Kensington’s hand over hers brought slight comfort. “Why is there even any question?” she asked. “Why wouldn’t it be Gracie?”

  “Because people are greedy,” her husband answered. “Given that we’re not able to immediately, definitively identify her, it raises the question about why. Is it really Gracie, but she has been injured, or is it a little girl they’re trying to pass off as Gracie long enough to get the reward money and disappear?”

  Her stomach twisted. “People would really do that?”

  “People would do all
kinds of things.” The weariness in the king’s voice saddened Anabelle. This was the life she’d signed up for when she married Kensington?

  The door to the conference room opened. “It’s time,” Rob told them.

  “You’ll be taken in through a back entrance. You shouldn’t be seen by anyone.” The king gave Kensington a hug then turned to Anabelle and held open his arms. “Come here, dear one.”

  With the hug from the king, Anabelle found herself missing her father. And her mother. And her new grandparents.

  And Gracie.

  The tears began to flow. She clung to her father-in-law as the sobs shook her shoulders.

  “Shh.” He let her cry. “We’re going to find her. If this isn’t Gracie, we still won’t stop looking until we find her.”

  Anabelle willed herself to stop, and took a couple deep breaths to steady herself. “I’m sorry. I’ve been doing so much better.”

  “It’s completely understandable, my dear. It’s an overwhelming time.” With a final squeeze, he let her go. “Go to the hospital, find out if it’s our girl.”

  23

  Kensington wished, more than anything, that he could fix this for his wife, but sometimes even a prince couldn’t make things work the way he wanted.

  The car pulled into a parking garage and up to a service entrance. From there, he and Anabelle were ushered inside. He kept his hand tight around hers as they were taken upstairs to a private room across from the nurse’s station.

  “Is the doctor here?” Kensington asked the nurse who met them.

  “Not right now. He’ll be back later.” She looked at the chart she held. “I’m afraid there’s not much I can tell you, except that she’s sedated.”

  “Can we see her?” Anabelle asked.

  From the way she clutched Kensington’s hand, he knew her apprehension outpaced his.

  “This way.” The nurse hesitated. “I really hope this is the Lady.”