Midnight in Monterra

by Caroline Mickelson

  "That's generous of you, Father, but I'm Madison's assigned driver for the entire day." His eyes went over the priest's head and issued Madison a silent challenge. Call me out now, call me out later, but you're not getting rid of me easily.

  When she looked away instead of saying anything, his heart sank. But he wasn't about to leave.

  Instead, like a third wheel, he trailed after Madison as she was treated to a grand tour. Dressed in a bright red sundress, with her golden blonde hair and fair complexion, she stood out in sharp contrast to the cathedral's subdued interior. It was too cliché a thought to ever speak aloud, but Madison was a breath of fresh air. Her questions indicated an intelligence every bit as impressive as her beauty. Her manner with the priest was patient and sincere, not to mention, gracious, but Luis didn't doubt that he'd see a different side of her once they were alone.

  If, that was, she ever wanted to speak to him again.

  Chapter Four

  Madison chopped green peppers with far more intensity than was strictly necessary. Cooking usually soothed her nerves like nothing else ever could, but its calming effect was not working it's magic today. She grabbed an onion and began to rip off its skin.

  "It sure looks like you're mad at that onion."

  Knife in hand, Madison froze. She'd almost forgotten that Monterra's youngest princess sat perched on a stool watching her work. "It does look like that, doesn't it?" She set the onion aside and wiped her hands on her apron. "I'm not being a very good hostess, I'm afraid."

  Princess Serafina, with all the wisdom of an eight-year-old, nodded thoughtfully. "Is it because you're homesick?"

  Madison shook her head. "Nope, I haven't been in Monterra long enough to be homesick. Besides, I'm delighted to be here."

  "Are you bored?"

  Again, she shook her head. "The opposite. Working on this cookbook project is the biggest challenge I've had in a long time."

  The little princess shrugged. "Hmm...I'm not sure about this one. Let me think about it."

  Madison's lips twitched but she knew better than to laugh out loud. "I'm fine, thank you for your concern, though. I was just thinking about something that distracted me."

  And that was the truth if ever she'd told it. From the very moment that she'd first seen Luis standing outside the lodge's front garden yesterday, she'd been able to think of little else than the handsome driver. Correction. The handsome prince. She closed her eyes against the embarrassment that washed over her.

  How foolish she must have seemed to him. She'd acted like a caricature of a clueless, overeager American. Worst of all, she'd had a flash of feeling like her mother. Well meaning, but gullible, around a handsome man. That was something she'd vowed never to become.

  "Are you okay, Madison?"

  Startled, she opened her eyes. This had to stop. She needed to get a grip on herself and stop acting like a love struck teenager. "Of course, I am. I was just thinking of something."

  "Something important?"

  "No." Madison shook her head emphatically. "I was just reminding myself to focus on what I'm supposed to be doing."

  "Oh, I know all about that," Nico's little sister said. "My tutor is always telling me to focus. Focus, focus, focus."

  Her sigh was so dramatic that this time Madison couldn't keep her smile at bay. If the rest of Nico's family was anywhere near as charming as little Serafina, she could understand why Kat was so happy here in Monterra. Serafina turning up at the Royal Lodge had been a welcome diversion from her state of emotional turmoil. The car ride from the Cathedral to the Royal Lodge had been silent.

  Twice Luis had tried to start a conversation, no doubt to issue an explanation as to why he'd introduced himself as Luis when he was actually His Royal Highness Prince Luis. But both times she'd cut him off by holding up her left hand and turning to look out the window. Hardly subtle body language but, nonetheless, it had been effective because Luis had grown quiet. When he'd dropped her off, his only words had been a simple, 'I'm so sorry, Madison.'.

  She was sorry too. And not just for making a fool of herself either. For a moment, she'd thought that she'd met someone special. But what she'd taken for chemistry had in fact been nothing more than delusion. She met Serafina's gaze. "Focus, focus, focus, is that right?"

  Serafina flashed her a thumbs up. "You've got it."

  Madison picked up the onion and started peeling it. "I'm so glad you decided to stop by and visit me today."

  "That's good to hear. My brothers told me not to be a pest."

  "Ha, shows what boys know. You're a bright spot in my day." She set aside the onion and tossed the skin into the rubbish. She washed her hands and selected four tomatoes from the strainer. "Do you like to cook?"

  "Not really, but I love to eat."

  Madison laughed. "Perfect. You're the kind of person a cook likes to have in her kitchen." She set about dicing the tomatoes, and then she filled a measuring cup with them before jotting down the amount. "So what do you enjoy doing?"

  "Well, I love taking pictures."

  "That's a great hobby. Do you have your own camera?"

  "No. I used to but I got it taken away."

  And there, Madison thought, was a story that was doubtless quite funny, but she wasn't about to pry it out of the little girl.

  "But sometimes my brothers or my sisters let me borrow their cell phone so I can take pictures." Her smile was equal parts adorable and mischievous. "I have an idea. Would you like me to take some pictures of the Lodge for you so that you can remember it when you go back to America?"

  Her voice was so eager that Madison couldn't resist. "Sure, that's a clever idea. My phone is in my purse," she pointed with her knife, "on the chair."

  "Great, thanks, Madison." Her smile was bright. "Can I take some outside too?"

  "I don't see why not. Just be careful." A thought occurred to her. "Does anyone in your family know you're here?"

  Serafina's shrug was casual. "My security detail does. They're outside."

  Of course they were. She'd forgotten for just a moment that Serafina wasn't just any little girl. She was a royal princess. "Have fun." She waved as the little girl skipped out of the room, cell phone in hand.

  Silence filled the kitchen as she took several steaks from the refrigerator. She'd already prepared the marinade, so she made short work of slicing the meat into thin strips. This wasn't a new recipe but she wanted to prepare it once more to make sure that she'd correctly remembered the exact amount of each ingredient. When she cooked familiar recipes it was rare for her to weigh and measure everything out down to the ounce, but people reading a cookbook would expect accuracy in addition to gorgeous photographs.

  She began to relax as she placed the steak strips into the marinade. Once that was in the refrigerator, there was little left to do but clean up. As hard as she might try, it was nearly impossible for her to fully concentrate on her upcoming meeting with Kat and Nico.

  Memories of her morning spent with Luis paraded through her mind despite her best efforts not to think about it. This was now officially bordering on ridiculous, she decided. The sole reason she was in Monterra was to finalize details on the recipes for the cookbook fundraiser. Period. End of the story, not the beginning of one.

  "I'm back," Serafina called out just a fraction of a second before the front door slammed shut behind her. Her words grew clearer as she approached the kitchen. "I've got the best pictures for you. Do you want to see them?"

  Madison smiled. "I would love to. Just let me wash my hands and I'll come sit with you." Once she was settled on the bar stool next to Serafina, she held her hand out for her cell phone. "Let me see what you've got."

  Her amusement grew as she saw the Royal Lodge through the little girls eyes. These weren't photos that would make it onto the cover of Architectural Digest. All of the interior shots were close-ups of objects taken at odd angles. The little princess chose to capture the front door keyhole, a pair of china dogs that rested on a small side tab
le, a view of the chandelier over the dining table, and any number of items scattered throughout the lodge.

  They certainly weren't photos that would give her sister Mackenzie a single clue as to what the lodge looked like.

  "Check the next one," Serafina urged her. "It's the best inside picture."

  Duly ordered, Madison swiped the phone's screen. Her eyes widened. "What is this?"

  Serafina laughed. "I love that one. I took that one hanging over the edge of the stairway. Everything looks upside down."

  "I can see that." Madison turned the phone upside down and then back around. "You're making me dizzy."

  Serafina giggled. "There's more I took outside."

  Madison pulled up the next picture. It was of the sky. "This is wonderful! All my friends will know it's Monterra's sky," she teased.

  "Exactly," Serafina said. "I've got lots of flowers and trees too. Keep going."

  Madison continued scrolling until she saw something that took her breath away. She enlarged it. Good grief. She turned to look at Nico's little sister. "Who is this?" She held up the phone.

  Serafina barely glanced at it. "Oh, that's Prince Luis."

  Madison examined the photo. It certainly was. But he was dressed in a black t-shirt and faded jeans. Somehow, he looked even more handsome than he had yesterday. He had a shovel in his hands and it appeared he was digging a hole. "What's he doing?"

  Serafina raised her eyebrows. "Um, digging a hole?"

  "Yes, I can see that." She flicked the screen but there weren't any other pictures of him. "But why?"

  Serafina shrugged and held out her hand for the phone. Madison handed it over. "I don't know. Why don't you go ask him? He's still outside."

  She glanced at the entryway. "I don't know." She bit her lip. Should she go out there and talk to him? She stood. And then sat back down. Temptation went to war with her stubborn Texas pride.

  A knock at the front door put an end to her vacillating. Heart hammering, she went to open the door. But when she did, the man who stood there was a stranger. She pushed aside her disappointment. "May I help you?"

  "Good evening, Ma'am. I'm here to take Princess Serafina home."

  From beside her elbow, the little princess piped up, "That's Rudy. He's my bodyguard." She held out Madison's cell phone. "I'd better go now. Can I come again?"

  Not sure if it breached royal protocol, Madison ruffled the little girl's hair. "Anytime."

  She leaned in the doorway and watched as Serafina walked through the gate and headed up to the palace, her bodyguard not three feet away from her. What kind of life was this for a child? From where she stood, the little girl looked like a bird returning to its gilded cage. She sighed.

  "Madison?"

  She swiveled around. "Luis, I didn't see you standing there." And she hadn't. But, curse her traitorous heart, she was glad he hadn't left. His t-shirt was fitted, revealing a well-muscled chest. Good heavens, the man was handsome, charming, and well built? The perfect trifecta.

  He leaned on his shovel and studied her. "Are you okay? You sounded wistful just now."

  "I was just thinking-" but she stopped. He, of all people, was the wrong one to be talking to about royal life. Her eyes traveled from the small mound of fresh dirt to the hole he was standing beside. "First you're a driver and now a gardener for the royal family?"

  Rather than be annoyed at her sarcasm, he laughed. "Not officially, no. But I enjoy working with my hands. Come here and see what I'm doing."

  She shouldn't, but like a moth to the flame, she crossed the garden to stand beside him. The scent of recently unearthed soil mingled with the fragrance of flowers in bloom. "What are you digging up?"

  He handed her the shovel but didn't answer. Once she had it in hand, he dropped to his knees and reached to his right for what looked like a bush. With hands that appeared far steadier than hers were, he unwrapped a piece of twine and removed its burlap cover. He lowered the bush into the ground.

  Using his bare hands, he scraped the pile of dirt into the hole and patted the soil. "There," he said as he stood and brushed his hands on his jeans, "This is a little something to commemorate your visit."

  "What is it?"

  His eyes met hers. "It's a yellow rose bush."

  The yellow rose of Texas. Madison couldn't help but smile. "Thank you. That's incredibly thoughtful of you."

  Luis' smile stretched across his face. "I'm happy that you're pleased." He reached out for the shovel. When she handed it to him, their hands brushed. A shiver of desire rippled through her.

  "Have dinner with me, Madison."

  Say no, her brain urged her. Step away from the edge. Stay away from the flame. She cocked her head to the side and looked up at him. "That wouldn't happen to be a royal command would it?"

  He winced. "Ouch, I deserved that. But say you will. Give me a chance to explain." He laid his hand across his chest. "Just one evening. Please."

  Against all reason, Madison found herself nodding her agreement. "Okay."

  Luis' smile was swift, and more than a little surprised. "Wonderful. Shall I pick you up at seven o'clock tomorrow night?"

  "Seven is fine, but I'd rather stay here. I'll cook for you."

  "If you're sure," a satisfied smile stretched across Luis's face, "that would be perfect."

  Madison didn't know about perfect, but she was glad he'd agreed to come to the Royal Lodge. Heaven knew she was going to need the home court advantage to help her resist his quite considerable charms.

  Chapter Five

  "Can I help with anything?" Kat leaned against the counter, a glass of orange juice in hand.

  Madison looked up from the place setting she was arranging at the kitchen table. "No, thanks, I've got everything under control." Everything with breakfast anyway. Her emotions were in an absolute turmoil at the thought of making dinner for Luis. More accurately, it wasn't making dinner that overwhelmed her, it was the thought of being alone in such close proximity to Luis.

  "Madison," Kat's voice broke through her reverie. "Is that sauce supposed to be smoking like that?"

  Madison dropped the napkin she was folding and ran around to the stove. She grabbed a pot holder and pulled the offending saucepan off the burner. "No, darn it, it's not." A quick check reassured her that it hadn't yet started to burn. "Thank you, Kat. You just saved breakfast."

  Her friend reached out and touched her lightly on the arm. "Hey, what's wrong?" She held up a hand to forestall a denial. "Don't tell me nothing, either. You're not acting like yourself. Are you homesick?"

  "Of course not, I'm happy to be here. You sound like your youngest sister-in-law. She just asked me that last night."

  "Well, maybe she was onto something." Kat took a sip of her juice, her gaze thoughtful. "In addition to being plain old adorable, Serafina is a pretty perceptive little girl."

  Madison thought of the upside down photo that Serafina had taken from the stairway landing. She couldn't help but smile. "She certainly does have a unique perspective on things."

  "Back to you," Kat's gaze was pointed. "If you're not homesick, what has you so distracted? Is it the cookbook? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of work or the deadline? Because-"

  "Whoa, time out." Madison made a T sign with her hands. "It's not the cookbook. Or the deadline. I'm loving working on this project. It's an honor." She stirred the ranchero sauce and lifted another lid to check on the chorizo. "So, although I love you for being so concerned about me, you can stop worrying. Everything in my life is good."

  "Glad to hear it." Kat's smile was mischievous. "How's your love life?"

  "Kat!"

  Kat shrugged. "What? I was just going to say that married life is blissful. Just something for you to think about."

  Madison rolled her eyes. "Okay, we're done here. At least with the talk of my love life. Or lack thereof. Let's talk food."

  This she could do. Any day of the week. All day long. It was safe territory and something Madison passionately loved.
She handed a sheath of papers to her friend. "Now, here are the recipes that I think we should absolutely include in the book. At the back, I've worked out a tentative arrangement that I want you to approve for the table of contents." She pulled a dozen eggs from the refrigerator. "It's a shame that Nico couldn't join us."

  Kat nodded. "I know, but something came up. He sends his apologies. We both felt bad that we left you on your own yesterday."

  Madison felt her cheeks warm. She turned her back to Kat, ostensibly to crack the eggs into a bowl but really just as much to hide her flushed face. She'd hardly been on her own yesterday. But she felt strangely reluctant to talk to Kat about Luis. "I was fine."

  "Well, we'll make it up to you this evening. We want you to join us for an evening out with Lemon and Dante."

  "I'm sorry, but I'm can't."

  Kat's eyebrows rose. "Can't or won't?"

  "Can't. But I'll take a rain check."

  "Hot date?" Kat grinned. "Anyone I might know by chance?"

  "Who said anything about a date? You know me, it's work, work, work, right?" She felt bad about giving an answer that was a deflection bordering on a lie.

  Kat nodded. "Okay, fine. Work tonight if you have to, but tomorrow night Queen Aria and King Dominic insist that you join us for a family dinner."

  "I'd love to." Dinner with Monterra's royal family? There was a daunting thought. Although nowhere near as daunting as the thought of having dinner alone with Luis. And then a different thought occurred to her, one she hadn't given a thought to. She frowned.

  "Your expression says something very different," Kat said. "What's the frown for?"

  Madison sighed. "Clothes. I don't know that I have anything formal enough for dinner with your in-laws. I did pack a cocktail dress but nothing fancy. You know how casual my lifestyle is." She left unsaid that the cocktail dress she'd brought was navy blue, conservative, but hardly appropriate for a date.