A shaking hand had pushed the hair back from one side of her face as she ran through her mental checklist.
No airbag deployment. Good.
Pain in her head meant she likely hit the steering wheel. Bad.
Slow speed at time of impact. Good.
Impact. Bad.
As long as she did not have a concussion or bruising from the steering wheel or seat belt, she would be able to convince Mark and Todd she was fine. They would read her the riot act. Debate long and hard about calling her father. Eventually, they would call their superiors, debate some more and, sooner or later, her father would find out. She had rested her head on the steering wheel. He did not need the additional stress. The last two times she visited Montevaro, her father had seemed off. She feared what he would tell her when she returned home for good in a few months.
She had contemplated digging her cell phone out and giving a preemptive call. Cut them off at the pass. Reassure Mark she was rattled but fine and his relief would overwhelm his anger and concern.
She took a deep, shuddering breath and dug her phone back out of her purse. Addie closed her eyes and finally turned her phone back on. Three times, her finger slipped off the “on” button. It went through its start-up procedure and buzzed with missed calls and text messages. Every one of them came from Mark, Todd, or the house. Before she could listen to any of the twenty voice mails, the phone rang again.
With a deep breath and a whispered prayer, she pressed “answer.” “Hello?”
Mark’s bellow did not help her headache. “Where are you?”
She sighed. “At the Serenity Landing diner on Highway 60 about two miles from town.”
“What are you doing there?” His voice softened slightly as she heard the garage door open in the background.
Just saying the words made her wince. “I was in an accident.”
His bellow returned. “What?”
“I am fine, Mark. A gentleman ran into the back of the SUV. He helped me out of the vehicle and to the restaurant. He is calling tow trucks right now.”
“We’re on our way.” His words were clipped and nearly cut off by the sound of a slamming car door.
Once the connection severed, Addie set the phone on the table and rested her face in her hands, biting back the groan threatening to escape her throat.
“Tow trucks will be here when they get here.” Charlie scooted into the seat across from her. “We’re way down on the list since we’re not on a major highway. We’re somewhere safe and warm, we’re not blocking traffic, and no one’s hurt.”
“I will likely be gone long before they get here.” She put her phone in the side pocket of her purse and snapped the flap closed.
“At least let me buy you that cup of coffee.” He turned to look for a waitress.
Addie looked at Charlie for a moment before deciding she could trust him. Something about his curly, dirty blond hair and mocha eyes convinced her to give a curt not. “Very well.”
The waitress, stereotypical for a restaurant of this kind, bustled up. “Sorry, kids.” She handed them each a menu. “What can I get ya?”
With a smile, Addie looked at her. “Hello, Melony.”
A wide grin split Melony’s face. “Well, hey there! How are ya, sugar? Where’s Mark and Todd? What’re they thinkin’ lettin’ ya out here in this weather?”
Addie nodded toward the street. “Mr. Brewer and I had a bit of an accident. We are fine. Mark and Todd will be here shortly.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Could I get a cup of tea?”
Melony gasped. “You’re bleeding.” She grabbed a napkin, sending a fork and spoon clattering to the floor.
“I am fine, Melony. I promise.”
“Nonsense.” Charlie watched as Melony pressed the napkin against Adeline’s forehead. “You need to go to the hospital.”
“No. Mark and Todd will be here soon. Mark has medic training. If I need stitches, he can do it.” The girl took over holding the napkin to her own head, leaving Charlie wondering who Mark and Todd were and why she seemed both annoyed and comforted by the idea of the two men.
Her brothers maybe?
But if they were on their way, he needed to get to know her and fast. Because he’d never met a woman who intrigued him so much from the first moment he heard her speak. Was it the accent? The lilting tone? He didn’t know but he wanted to find out. Charlie turned his best smile up to the waitress. “Melony, is it?”
The dark curls bounced up and down as she nodded. “Sure is.”
“Melony, would you get Adeline that cup of tea? I’d love some coffee if you’ve got it. Do you still have breakfast?” He’d driven by the diner many times but had never stopped. Most of these places had breakfast all day, didn’t they?
“Sure do, hon. Twenty-four seven. Why don’t you two decide what you want and I’ll get those drinks?” She looked pointedly at Adeline. “Keep pressure on that.”
More than anything Charlie wanted to reach out and brush the hair back, away from the cut in the otherwise smooth skin. He tilted sideways and pulled a handkerchief out of the pocket of his pants. He dipped it in the water glass Melony had set there. Half-standing, he leaned over the table. “Let me see?”
Adeline nodded and pulled the napkin away. “It feels as though the bleeding has stopped.”
The cut didn’t look good, but it didn’t look too bad either. “Here.” With slow movements, he did his best to wipe off the dried blood. “I think you’ll be okay.”
“Thank you, Charlie.” Her eyelashes lifted enough for him to see the gold-flecked hazel of her eyes then moved downward again.
He finished cleaning around the wound, refolded his handkerchief, and held it to her head. “You might still want to hold that, though.”
Her fingertips brushed his hand as she reached up, sending chills, the good kind, down his spine. “Thank you, again.”
He settled back in his seat. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
The silky brown hair shifted as she shook her head. “No. I am not.”
“Where are you from?”
Melony set two steaming cups in front of them. “Just like you like it.”
“You are a queen among women, Melony.” Her voice drew Charlie further in.
“Don’t you know it?” Melony winked, covering one of her pale green eyes. Charlie couldn’t help but compare them to Adeline’s. Though they were both primarily green, they were as different as the Amazon rain forest and split-pea soup. “Now, what can I get you to eat?”
Charlie ordered pancakes and bacon. Adeline decided on her “usual,” whatever that was.
Once Melony headed for the kitchen, Adeline resumed their conversation. “Have you ever heard of a country called Montevaro?”
With his brow furrowed, Charlie tried to think, but came up mostly blank. “I think I have but that’s all I can say.”
One corner of her mouth tipped upward. “It is a small nation, sandwiched between Mevendia, Switzerland, and Italy.”
“Mevendia?”
“Yes. It is even smaller than we are, on the southeastern border of Switzerland. We have cultural and historical ties with Mevendia and Ravenzario. Ravenzario is...”
“Two islands off the coast of Italy and France in the Mediterranean. I think I visited there as a kid.”
Adeline nodded. “Yes.”
“And you’re from Montevaro, is it?”
She nodded. “Yes. Three of us were chosen to come here and study International Relations at Serenity Landing University.”
“Chosen?” He quirked an eyebrow at her. “Did you do the best on some sort of test?”
This time the smile was a bit more full-fledged but still didn’t reach her eyes. “Something along those lines, yes.”
“I’m sorry I hit you, but I’m glad you’re here so I could meet you.” Deep inside, he cringed. That sounded like such a line.
“You did not hit me, Charlie. You hit my vehicle. And given the weather con
ditions, it could hardly be considered your fault.”
“Still. I’m glad we’ve met. But what exactly does one study in international relations?”
“The relationship between countries. The relationship between countries and all kinds of different organizations: intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, multinational corporations. Things like that.”
“So will you work for the State Department of your country?” Charlie wrapped his hands around the mug to warm his fingers and sipped his coffee.
“We do not have a state department like America’s, so no. But yes, I will be involved in foreign relations between Montevaro and any number of other entities.”
“Is it interesting?” He didn’t see how it could be, but different strokes for different folks and all.
She gave a bit of a half shrug. “It is not uninteresting. International relations is the family business.”
Family business? Like the Kennedys? Or what was the local family he saw in the tabloids while stuck in the checkout lane? The last name was Langley, he thought, because it always made him think of the CIA.
“So it’s expected of you.”
“Something like that.”
Melony chose that moment to come back and set their food in front of them. “Here ya go. If you need anything else, just holler.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes until lights flashed across them. Charlie looked outside. A dark sedan with tinted windows pulled up.
Adeline set the rest of her sandwich on her plate and picked her napkin up from her lap. “That is my ride. Thank you again for your assistance.”
Charlie chuckled. “I hit you. It’s the least I could do to offer to help.”
She reached for her gloves and hat before setting them back down and reaching into her purse. “Here is my card if you need to reach me.” She left it on the table.
The door jangled open behind him and he heard boots stomping.
“Adeline, let’s go.”
Turning his head, he saw a giant hulk of a man standing near them.
“Of course.” She slid out of the booth and stood.
Charlie followed suit.
“Thank you again, Mr. Brewer.”
He took a deep breath, ignored the man towering over him, and plunged in. “Can I call you? Once this storm blows over?”
Adeline smiled, this time showing perfect rows of pearly white teeth. “I suppose that would be all right.”
Charlie watched as she and the man walked toward the front door. He wondered if he’d see her again. The thunderous expression on the face of the man in front of him said, “no.”
Good Enough for a Princess is now available in Kindle Unlimited!
The Monarchies of Belles Montagnes
Book 1: Montevaro
Crown Princess Adeline of Montevaro has her life planned out for her: get her Master's in international relations, marry nobility, produce an heir, inherit the throne. There's no room for romance with the single father she meets when their cars collide on an icy winter night. Parliament - and her father - would never approve.
Charlie Brewer grew up without roots. The son of an archaeologist father and anthropologist mother, he either traveled along or lived with his aunt and uncle in the States. He's determined to give his daughter the stability he never had. He also wants to give her a mom, but the beautiful European he's falling for refuses to move to Serenity Landing, Missouri permanently.
He won't move. She can't stay. What will happen when they try to forget each other by dating someone "acceptable"? They find themselves drawn together by one of the girls in the after school program Addie supports - a girl who happens to be Charlie's daughter. How will Charlie, and his daughter, feel when they find out the woman they've both fallen for is a... princess?
A trip halfway around the world shows Charlie and Addie how much they long to be together - and how impossible it is. Is there any way he can prove he is Good Enough for a Princess?
Available Now!
About the Author
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, USA Today Bestselling Author Carol Moncado prefers binge watching pretty much anything to working out. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. When not hanging out with her hubby, four kids, and two dogs who weigh less than most hard cover books, she’s probably reading in her Southwest Missouri home.
Summers find her at the local aquatic center with her four fish, er, kids. Fall finds her doing the band mom thing. Winters find her snuggled into a blanket in front of a fire with the dogs. Spring finds her sneezing and recovering from the rest of the year.
She used to teach American Government at a community college, but her indie career, with over twenty titles released, has allowed her to write full time. She's a founding member and former President of MozArks ACFW, blogger at InspyRomance, and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.
www.carolmoncado.com
[email protected]
The CANDID Romance Series
Finding Mr. Write
Finally Mr. Write
Falling for Mr. Write
The Monarchies of Belles Montagnes Series
(Previously titled The Montevaro Monarchy
and The Brides of Belles Montagnes series)
Good Enough for a Princess
Along Came a Prince
More than a Princess
Hand-Me-Down Princess
Winning the Queen’s Heart
Protecting the Prince (Novella)
Prince from her Past
Serenity Landing Second Chances
Discovering Home
Glimpsing Hope
Reclaiming Hearts
Crowns & Courtships
Heart of a Prince
The Inadvertent Princess
A Royally Beautiful Mess
The Indentured Queen
Her Undercover Prince
The Spare and the Heir
Crowns & Courtships Novellas
Dare You
A Kaerasti for Clari
(currently available in the Out of the Blue Bouquet Collection)
Love for the Ages
(available as a thank you to newsletter subscribers - click here to join)
Serenity Landing Tuesdays of Grace
9/11 Tribute Series
Grace to Save
Serenity Landing Lifeguards
Summer Novellas
The Lifeguard, the New Guy, & Frozen Custard
(previously titled: The Lifeguards, the Swim Team, & Frozen Custard)
The Lifeguard, the Abandoned Heiress, & Frozen Custard
Serenity Landing Teachers
Christmas Novellas
Gifts of Love
Manuscripts & Mistletoe
Premieres & Paparazzi
Mallard Lake Township
Ballots, Bargains, & the Bakery (novella)
Timeline/Order for Crowns & Courtships and Novellas
1. Love for the Ages
2. A Kaerasti for Clari
3. Dare You
(the first three can be read in any order,
but technically this is the timeline)
3. Heart of a Prince
4. The Inadvertent Princess
5. A Royally Beautiful Mess
6. The Indentured Queen
7. Her Undercover Prince
The Spare and the Heir Page 27