Once Upon a Royal Christmas

by Robin Bielman

  “You okay?” the prince asked.

  “I’m fine,” she said, pressing her shoulders back and raising her chin. “I’ve been hit with hundreds of snowballs.”

  “I’m not surprised.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You strike me as good target practice.”

  Rowan had no idea what to make of that comment. What a rude thing to say to someone who’d—“I just saved you from getting nailed by two snowballs and that’s what you say to me? Kind of insulting, don’t you think?”

  “I didn’t—”

  “You don’t even know me.”

  “I—”

  “And for your information”—she almost said “bucko” but caught herself—“it’s an honor to have been hit by so many snowballs growing up here. You don’t get snow where you’re from, so you wouldn’t know.” He came from a small state along the Mediterranean coastline known for its beaches and yacht-lined harbor, and where the sun reigned supreme year round.

  “May I speak now?”

  “If you must.”

  That earned her another arch of his brows. She’d probably be arrested for speaking so disrespectfully to him if they were in Montanique. But this was her home turf and he didn’t get to say whatever he pleased. Manners went both ways no matter who you were.

  “I meant it would be fun aiming for you.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. That still sounded kind of harsh. Even though she was fun. “As opposed to aiming for…?”

  “Anyone else.”

  “I’m still not sure what—”

  “It was a compliment, Miss Palotay.”

  She shifted her feet. Okay, so maybe this meant he wasn’t holding this morning’s incident against her. “Call me Rowan.”

  “Call me Theo.”

  “Really?” She’d called him that in her head, but out loud was something entirely different.

  “It’s what my friends call me.”

  “Are we friends?”

  “You are wanting in my pants.”

  She threw her arms up in the air. He wasn’t serious. “What? I do not.”

  “You don’t want to take my pants to be cleaned?” His calm, casual tone irked her. Rowan bet nothing ruffled this man, or gave him pause. Confidence and poise rolled off him like a summer breeze in the middle of winter.

  “That’s not what you said. You said I wanted in your pants.”

  “You must have misheard me.” The small, entirely too charming, curve of his lips told her she had not misheard him at all, and he enjoyed teasing her.

  Two could play that game. “That’s too bad. I’m very good inside men’s pants.” She gave him a flirty smile before twisting around and starting up the walkway to the entrance of the B&B. “Let’s hurry and grab your trousers, please,” she said over her shoulder. “I’ve got a date I need to get ready for.”

  She absolutely considered the bathtub and her book a date.

  And under no circumstances would she allow herself to think about what it would be like to go on a date with a visiting prince.

  Chapter Two

  Theo stood at the large front window of the bed and breakfast and watched Rowan walk away. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of her. Most women unfamiliar with royalty could hardly string two sentences together when he was around. She, on the other hand, had been completely unaffected by him.

  Certainly less enamored than everyone else he’d met since arriving in Marietta. Which wasn’t to say the townspeople weren’t warm and friendly. They were exceptionally welcoming, but each of them had had a starstuck twinkle in his or her eyes.

  Not Rowan. Her big blue eyes conveyed passion and fervor without a spark of infatuation.

  And no one had ever talked to him the way she did. She’d gone toe to toe with him, treated him like a normal person. Which must be the reason why he’d teased her.

  Then she’d teased him back.

  He appreciated it.

  He also appreciated this small town, with its history, charm, and snow-covered streets and mountains. It wasn’t his first time to the U.S. He’d been to New York and Los Angeles, but never anywhere in between. Never to his mother’s hometown of Marietta, Montana. He glanced at the large Christmas tree beside him, aglow in red, green, and gold. It was one of four decorated trees in the Victorian house.

  His mom had left home at eighteen for a summer abroad and never returned. On a beach in Montanique, she’d met the newly crowned king, and they’d fallen in love at first sight. They married six months later, much to her parents’ objection. According to his mom, it was worry, disagreement, and an unintended slight that had broken the bridge between her and her parents. His grandparents hadn’t attended the wedding, though they’d been invited. After that, they’d had very little contact.

  But she’d never stopped loving them or teaching the values they’d taught her to her own children. Theo’s older brother, Otis, could take or leave their mother’s stories about her childhood, cowboys, and the West, but Theo shared in his mom’s affection for her past. They often watched old westerns together, and he never tired of listening to her stories of rodeos, snow days, and fishing with her dad.

  Outside, Rowan disappeared from view as daylight slowly drifted away. Theo rubbed the back of his neck, sat on the brown leather couch across from the fireplace, and let his eyes drift shut. His mom had led an amazing life before passing away six weeks ago from a ruptured brain aneurysm. If a woman’s worth was measured in admiration, than his mother far exceeded anyone else. She’d given her heart and soul to the people of their province. Theo missed her every day, but he found happiness each day, too, because while her life had been unfairly cut short, she’d left a legacy he was proud to be a part of.

  “Tell me again why we had to make this trip now instead of in the spring or summer?” Hawk asked, walking into the room and taking a seat across from him. Theo had hoped to give his bodyguard the month off, but the king insisted Hawk accompany him. That didn’t mean his friend had to tag along everywhere he went. In fact, Theo had given him instructions to do his own thing.

  “Not feeling the Christmas spirit?”

  “You know I hate the snow.” Born and raised in Arizona, Hawk wouldn’t know a snowshoe from a snowboard. Not that Theo had much experience in cold temperatures either. He’d actually frozen his ass off earlier. But meeting his maternal grandparents for the first time couldn’t wait.

  “Take off for home,” Theo said. “We’ll keep it between us.” He’d met Hawk five years ago when he was on security detail for an American pop star on a concert tour in Europe. Hawk was quietly looking for a change. Theo needed a new bodyguard. They’d made it official when the singer’s tour ended.

  “And suffer your father’s wrath when he finds out? No thanks.”

  The king did have an uncanny knack for uncovering secrets. Since he and his brother were young, their father had picked up on every coded message and undisclosed activity. Otis blamed Theo, saying Theo couldn’t lie if his life depended on it.

  “I’m betting you can find some willing company to keep you warm while we’re here.” Hawk had mentioned “snow bunnies” a few times since learning of the trip here, and he didn’t have any trouble meeting women. If his muscular frame and angular face didn’t do the trick, his smooth talking did.

  “I may just do that. Speaking of company, a beauty just walked out the door.”

  Theo shrugged.

  Hawk laughed. “Like you didn’t notice. She’s a spitfire, too.”

  Long, dark brown hair, full, rose-petal pink lips, and a quick wit. He may have noticed a few things about Rowan Palotay, but it didn’t matter.

  “I don’t think my fiancée would appreciate me giving attention to another woman.” Although he already had, hadn’t he? Baiting her with the cocky attitude he’d mastered in his early twenties, but more recently retired.

  “You’re not engaged yet.”

  “True.” And he didn’t want to be. At leas
t not to Princess Elisabeth. The recent discovery that Otis and his wife were unable to have children had put extra pressure on Theo to produce an heir sooner rather than later. Since Theo’s choice of female company didn’t usually meet with his father’s approval, dear old dad had decided to take matters into his own hands.

  Theo and Elisabeth were friends. They’d traveled in the same circles for years. Shared an occasional drink and conversation at royal affairs. She was smart and kind, but there was zero romantic interest on either of their parts. No spark whatsoever. Obliged by royal duty, however, they both understood the situation and joked it could be worse. They could hate each other.

  His father planned to announce their engagement as soon as Theo returned home. If Mom were still here, this wouldn’t be happening. But it was. And because Theo didn’t want to cause his dad any additional pain since losing his wife, he’d agreed to an arrangement that would strengthen the monarchy and bring joy during this time of sadness.

  Was it unfair? Yes. Otis had married for love, but since their mom’s passing, their father wore his grief for everyone to see and made no secret of his heartache. In conversations with his dad, Theo got the impression the king wanted to spare Theo’s heart by having him marry out of obligation, not because he couldn’t live without his bride-to-be.

  Theo pushed to his feet. “I’m still not used to the time change, so I’m going to take a short nap before I head to my grandparents’ house for dinner.”

  “You want me to drive you there?”

  “No. I’ve got directions.”

  “See you later, then,” Hawk said, scooting closer to the fireplace.

  Ninety minutes later, Theo drove onto his grandparents’ property. The long driveway had been cleared of snow, leading him to wonder who kept the road passable. Located a few miles from town, the houses were set a good distance from the main road and a substantial distance from each other. He kept his speed to a minimum, the car’s headlights the only help he had to guide him.

  When a small house appeared on the right side of the driveway, his chest squeezed. His mother’s house. She’d told him about it when describing where she grew up. The cottage had been meant for her to live in—a way to keep her close, but independent. A Christmas tree with white lights sat in the front window, a wreath hung on the front door. He drove a little further until he reached the main house.

  For a few minutes, he stared out the windshield at the rustic two-story residence where his mom grew up. Lights blazed from inside, smoke billowed out from the chimney, and a rocking chair sat on the covered porch.

  So different from the Mediterranean-style compound he’d grown up in.

  Theo could count on both hands the number of times he’d spoken to his grandparents. When he’d called a couple of weeks ago to tell them of his visit, his grandmother had wept, overjoyed with the idea of meeting for the first time. She’d asked about Otis, but his older brother had commitments and obligations he couldn’t rearrange.

  With the gift he’d brought from Montanique in his hand, Theo marched up the concrete steps to the front door. Considering the house was over fifty years old, the structure appeared sound. He liked the light blue siding and gray brickwork.

  Before he could knock, the door opened, and there stood Rowan Palotay. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of him, her nose wrinkled. Once again, not the usual expression a woman wore when she looked at him. He smiled in return, just before she slammed the door in his face. That was interesting.

  People didn’t shut doors on him. They opened them. Wide.

  His smile grew despite himself. He’d never met anyone who intrigued and confused him in equal measure. What was she doing at his grandparents’ house? More importantly, why did she shut the door?

  The door slowly re-opened. Rowan stood there, looking fresh faced and…determined. She wore a thick white headband that covered her ears, and her long, chocolate-brown hair was piled on top of her head. A red scarf hung around her neck. His gaze slid down to her thick, white fleece sweatshirt, then lower to gray pajama pants with white stars on them tucked into black, fur-lined snow boots.

  “You’re early,” she said.

  “A little.” He looked back up. “You’re unexpected.”

  “That’s because you’re early.”

  “Shall I leave and come back?”

  “That would be ideal. Say in ten?”

  And let her off the hook? No way. Not that he had any idea what hook he had her on. “I thought you had a date this evening.”

  “Change of plans.”

  “Pajama party?”

  She didn’t miss a beat. “Something like that.”

  “What are you doing here at—”

  “Theodore?” a woman said from over Rowan’s shoulder.

  Theo craned his neck to look behind Rowan. His breath caught when he saw the older woman. His grandmother had the same striking blue eyes, high cheekbones, and chin as his mother. “Hello,” he said. Suddenly choked with emotion, he couldn’t get any other words out.

  Rowan stepped back, the door sliding wider, so grandson and grandmother could see each other fully.

  His grandmother’s gait faltered, hinting at emotion filling her, too, and Theo strode into the house to meet her halfway. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her thin arms around him. He returned the hug and held on until she let go. Bringing her hands to his face, she cupped his cheeks. “You look so much like your mother.” He did favor his mom, while Otis resembled their father.

  Theo smiled down at her. “It’s very nice to meet you in person.”

  Tears filled his grandmother’s eyes as she tucked her arms to her chest, one hand crossed over the other. “It’s wonderful to have you here. David and I have dreamt of this moment.”

  “Me, too.”

  “We have so much to catch up on. I want to know everything.”

  He chuckled. “We have all month to get to know each other.” One month for him to gather all he could on his heritage and the small town. “This is for you.”

  She lifted the small gift box out of his hand. As he watched her open the present, a rush of nostalgia hit his bloodstream. He missed his mom more at this moment than at any other time thus far.

  “Theodore,” his grandmother whispered. She ran one delicate finger over the ring cushioned inside the box.

  “It was my mom’s. Before she passed, she told me she wanted you to have it. My father gave it to her on their first Christmas.” December 25th also happened to be his mother’s birthday. The diamond and brilliant blue zircon ring sparkled under the hanging light in the entryway.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “Let’s put it on you.” He slid it on the ring finger on her shaking right hand. “I know she’s always been in your heart,” Theo said. “But now you have something tangible of hers, too. Something that meant a lot to her.”

  “Thank you.” She wrapped him in another hug. He enveloped her petite frame. “Ro, sweetie?” His grandmother stepped around him. Theo had forgotten Rowan was there.

  He turned to catch a glimpse of her before she left the house without a goodbye.

  “Yes?” She leaned around the big wooden door, her pretty face peeking back inside the house.

  “Thank you again for coming over so quickly. I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

  “Of course.” Rowan glanced from his grandmother to him. “Have a nice dinner.”

  “Please don’t leave on my account,” Theo found himself saying without thought. There was a change in the air molecules when she was around that he wanted to continue to breathe in.

  “Heavens, where are my manners? Yes, please stay,” his grandmother said. “I insist.”

  “That’s very nice of you, but you enjoy this time together.” Rowan gave a little wave. “Goodnight.” A second later, the door clicked shut.

  “That girl is a stubborn one.” Affection filled his grandmother’s words.

  “Does she live far?”

  �
��Just a short walk to the cottage.”

  “My mother’s cottage?” He didn’t know why the idea of Rowan living there intrigued him, but it did.

  Glancing down at the new ring on her finger, his grandmother said, “Yes.”

  “She’s walking back? Are there bears or wolves out and about?” He had no idea what winter wildlife might be prowling around the snowy forests of Montana, ready to pounce and drag her back to their cave.

  His grandmother studied him. “Rowan mentioned meeting you earlier today. I’m guessing she left an impression, but one that has you worried about her surprises me. I’ve known that darling girl almost her entire life. She’s a very capable young woman, if not a little impulsive.”

  “Is that a no to the bears and wolves?”

  “The bears are hibernating. The wolves, however…”

  “I’ll just see she gets home safely then. Be right back.” He hurried out the door without waiting for a reply. Where he came from, a man didn’t let a woman walk home alone.

  “Rowan!” Way to alert those wolves, dumbass. He jogged to her side.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, turning with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. That her teeth weren’t chattering in the freezing cold air amazed him. She had no jacket. No earmuffs on her ears like she’d worn this morning.

  He took off his wool coat and put it over her shoulders. “Nothing. I just thought I’d make sure you got back to the cottage safely.”

  Her lips parted, then pressed together, no doubt biting back the urge to say something flippant. “Thank you, but who’s going to make sure you get back safely, Your Highness?”

  Okay, so he supposed he deserved something a little cheeky from her. “I’ll be fine.” If he didn’t freeze to death first. “And it’s Theo.”

  “What if you slip and fall on the walk back?” She glanced down at his dress shoes. “I’d never forgive myself if you got hurt because you saw me home.” Sincerity that surprised him rang in her voice. She was serious, not teasing. “I don’t imagine Mediterranean princes have much experience with snow.”