by Jeannie Moon
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.”
She dropped her head so he wouldn’t see her tears, but he knew. He already knew she was crying.
“Let me change out of my suit and we can take a walk.” Looking at his security, he snarled, “Alone. We’re going alone.”
“Majesty, I must insist…”
“You can insist all you like, but I’m taking Miss DeMarco out alone. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.” The security agent bowed his head in deference, and Josie noticed some subtle differences between the exchange now and the one the other night. Something had changed.
Drawing her hands to his lips, he kissed her softly. “Don’t cry, mon ange. I promise it’s going to be all right.”
She watched as he disappeared into the house, Lucky right on his heels. Nick was pacing and growling like a bear. Lila was watching him, like…like she was interested.
“Sir.” One of Tony’s security officers stood next to her brother. “I have to search you. To make sure you aren’t armed.”
“You’re not touching me, pretty boy.”
“Sir, I must insist. You did just threaten to kill His Majesty.”
“You and His Majesty can fu…”
“Nick! Do as you are told,” Josie snapped.
Her brother lifted his arms and snarled. Just like a dog. He hadn’t changed a bit.
It was Tony who was different. It was subtle, but something about him had changed since he left two days ago.
“You aren’t going to marry him, are you?” Lila asked. “Any man who up and leaves like that can’t be trusted.”
“It wasn’t ideal, but he did have a good reason.”
Tony emerged from the house in a pair of shorts, an untucked button down shirt, and bare feet. He looked gorgeous in his Ray Ban aviators, and when he took Josie by the hand, she went with him without a second thought.
“Watch yourself, Your Highness. That’s my sister,” Nick snapped.
“You’ll be able to take as many shots at me as you like as soon as we get back. Until then, stand down.”
Oh. Boy.
Without another word, Tony walked her down the beach. “I can’t believe you rendered him speechless,” she said.
“It’s only temporary. He’ll be running his mouth shortly.”
Josie giggled. “Did you just say ‘running his mouth’?”
Smiling down at her, he nodded. “Your doing, no doubt.”
Josie loved that he was becoming part of her world, but his world was still unknown, and a bit scary. “I was having the most horrible thoughts while you were gone. I kept remembering what you said. To have faith.”
“I needed to hear your voice. I hear you speak and my whole day goes better. Technology isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, I guess.”
“I wish I’d been there with you. Is he all right?”
“I know. And I should have explained things better. When palace security came, I knew my father was very ill. But on the way to the airport they told me his heart stopped twice.”
“Oh, no. But he’s going to be okay?”
“He will, in time. But Josie…” He paused, taking off his sunglasses and turning her to face him. “He abdicated. The day after his heart attack. The documents were signed at his bedside by the Prime Minister.”
It took a second for Josie to process what he said. “Oh, my God. Does that mean that you’re King?”
“Only if you will accept me in that role. We have everyone’s blessing to marry, but becoming Queen will change your life in ways you can’t imagine. So this is your call, Josie. Tell me.”
How did she get in the position of having to choose? Of course she wanted to be with him, and she wanted him to be happy. But Queen?
He must have noticed her hesitation. “Josie, I want to be with you. If you want me to renounce my title so we can live a more normal life, I will.”
He would give up everything o
n her say so. She meant that much to him. How could she not be willing to do the same? “I love you, Anton. I’m so glad you’re back.”
“So what do you say, Josie? Nothing will be right if you’re not there with me.”
“I’ll be there,” she whispered. “I will be there.”
The celebratory whoop! was followed by spinning her in a circle. “I love you, Josie. We’re going to have an amazing life.”
“Your family is okay with me?”
“More than okay. My mother can’t wait to meet you. Same with my sister.”
“And your father?”
Tony smiled, his own tears threatening. “He wishes us every happiness.”
Three days ago, they were talking about where they might live. Just two weeks before that, he walked back into her life and her heart started beating again. Now Josie looked at the man standing at the edge of the beach, one foot in the water, one foot on land. One part of him promising adventure, the other stability.
“So, are you ready? There won’t be any privacy, our time won’t be our own, we’ll be scrutinized by the press, the public, and politicians. But we’ll meet amazing people, travel to beautiful places, and be a voice for those who need someone to fight for them. But I’m going to say this again. The choice is yours. Just say the word and I’ll renounce.”
His beautiful face promised her the world. He was kind, strong, brilliant. There was no contest. “I’m going to make a lot of mistakes,” she said. “I’ll screw up. Will you be by my side the whole way? Because if you’re there, I believe we can do anything.”
“Of course I’ll be there,” he said. “We’re in this together.”
Pulled into his arms, Josie felt safe. Loved. Happy. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Anton.”
Holding her tight, Anton smiled against her lips. “You need to pack. We have a lot of happily ever after’s to get to, Your Highness.”
“Yes, my love, we do.”
THE END
Acknowledgements
When Roxanne St. Claire invited me to be part of the launch of her Barefoot Bay Kindle World, I was thrilled beyond measure and so unbelievably flattered. Rocki and I became friends through our mutual adoration of Jamie Fraser, the Highlander from the book Outlander, but I’ve been a fan of her work, particularly the Barefoot Bay books, for quite a while. To say I fangirled after she invited me would be an understatement.
Castle in the Sand is a wonderful reunion story that brings European royalty to Mimosa Key. Reunited with the woman he loved, but thought he could never have, Prince Anton has to convince our lovely Josie that she should take a chance on him again. Not an easy thing to do when Josie’s been burned by the handsome aristocrat once before. It’s a wonderful story with lots of laughter and tears. I hope you enjoy it.
This is my first self-publishing effort, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of all the other Barefoot Bay Kindle World authors, and the incredible team who helped me get this book done. My editor, Lisa Stone Hardt, put me through my paces with this story. Never have I seen such detailed feedback. But her comments were always on point, and she innately understood me as an author. It doesn’t get any better than that. I’m eternally grateful for her patience, her expertise, and most of all her friendship. My cover designer, Lee Hyat, has given Castle in the Sand a stunning cover that evokes the romance inside. She captured the book perfectly. Finally, my copy editor and friend, Jennifer Gracen, has helped me polish this book to a sparkly shine. I don’t know if I can adequately express how much I appreciate you.
As always, it takes a village, and I thank all my wonderful writer friends from Long Island Romance Writers for talking me off multiple ledges. You ladies are the best. Lastly, thank you to the Moonpies the best group of readers EVER.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Barefoot Bay and I wish you all many happy ever afters. As always, you can connect with me on social media (I love to hear from my readers!) on my website http://jeanniemoon.com.
Best always,
Jeannie xo
About the Author
Jeannie Moon has always been a romantic. When she’s not spinning tales of her own, Jeannie works as a school librarian, thankful she has a job that allows her to immerse herself in books and call it work. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jeannie has three kids, three lovable dogs and lives in her hometown on Long Island, NY. If she’s more than ten miles away from salt water for any longer than a week, she gets twitchy.
Books by Jeannie Moon
Until You
This Christmas
Finding Christmas
His Forbidden Princess
The Forever Love Stories
The Temporary Wife
Unexpectedly Yours
The Wedding Secret
The Second Chance Hero
The Boyfriend List
Because I Love You