That was easy for him. He wasn’t giving up anything. If their relationship didn’t work, he’d simply continue training his horses and visiting his friends. She would be the outsider, starting over and still trying to find where she belonged.
She pulled away, placing her hands on his chest. “I can’t,” she whispered, and then she ran. Across the room. Down the steps. Her footsteps echoed on the high ceilings and haunted her as she ran for the safety of the reception below.
HANK KNEW HE SHOULD GO below, smile and chitchat with his friends and neighbors, but the effort seemed beyond him. Since early this morning when he’d gotten the phone call from Kerry Lynn, he’d been trying to get Wendy alone. He’d been so sure he could convince her to stay. They had something special, something he’d just recognized as love. He’d never really been in love before, so he didn’t know what the overpowering sensations meant. He’d been attracted to her from the beginning, but now that he knew her, she made his heart sing and his spirits soar. They were good together; they should have a chance at a future.
But Wendy was scared. Frightened they’d only known each other for a few days. Worried about her career, and what leaving might signal to others. And she desperately, hopelessly, wanted to prove her worth to her worthless father.
Hank didn’t know how he’d compete with her need to show the men in her family that she was talented, smart and skilled. If the jerks didn’t get it, what more could she do? Dammit, she’d spend the next twenty years trying to prove she was good enough to be an equal with those British male chauvinists.
He wanted to be angry with her for not seeing the futility of the situation, but he couldn’t. Not when she was so upset. Not when she was so torn by her desires to be with him and succeed in her career as Belegovia’s royal public relations director.
And she had that damned wedding of that damned prince, Hank recalled, kicking the couch for good measure.
With a disgusted shake of his head, he paced across the room to the stairs. Everything was silent back in the kitchen. He could slip outside, get in his truck and drive away. Or he could go downstairs, see Wendy one more time, and have his heart shredded to ribbons by the sadness in her whiskey eyes.
There was no choice. He descended the steps, then pushed through the back door of the Four Square Café like the hounds of hell were chasing him. He’d done everything he could think of—besides kidnapping Wendy and holding her at his ranch until she came to her senses—and he’d failed to convince her. The next move was up to her.
Of course, he thought as he opened the door of the dually, he could always kidnap her later. He’d never been to Belegovia, but he was sure he could find the royal palace.
GWENDOLYN HID IN THE office of the Four Square Café until she stopped crying. She wished she had the small cosmetics bag she carried inside her purse, but she’d settled for some wet paper towels to soothe her puffy, red eyes. She couldn’t do anything about the sadness she knew showed on her face, the same sadness that was eating her up. She’d just try to pretend she wasn’t dying inside.
She gathered the wet paper towels and decided to make one more stop in the ladies’ room. Perhaps someone else would be there. She might borrow some powder and lipstick to hide her blotchy complexion and pale, drawn mouth. She’d never cried prettily.
Pushing open the door to the small loo, she stopped and stared. Kerry Lynn Jacks stood at the washbasin, her own red-rimmed eyes and trembling lip telling Gwendolyn everything she needed to know about the young woman’s feelings. Love seemed to be as contagious as colds in Texas.
“Does he know?” she asked gently.
Kerry shook her head, her fine blond hair flying. “We had a good time but it’s over.”
Gwendolyn took a deep breath and stepped closer, shutting the door and turning the lock to keep prying eyes outside. “Perhaps it’s not that simple.”
“I’m a former truck-stop waitress from Ranger Springs, Texas. He’s the crown prince of an old, respected European country. What could be more simple than that?”
Kerry was right, of course. There was no future for her and the prince, even if they were in love. Or thought they were in love. How could they possibly know after only a few days together?
Or even if they were sure, how could they possibly think it would work? People didn’t know if they were compatible from such bizarre circumstances as the last five days. Learning about each other took months, possibly years.
But Gwendolyn was sure how she felt at the moment, even without any dreams of a happily-ever-after future.
“I’m very fond of your Hank McCauley.”
“I figured as much from the way he was watching you. He sure never looked at me like that—which is fine,” she added quickly. “Hank and I are more like cousins than anything romantic.”
Gwendolyn smiled weakly and blotted her eyes once again. “He said brother and sister.”
Kerry tried to smile back. “That’s Hank. He’s very responsible and the nicest guy I know.”
Gwendolyn nodded. Yes, he was, but she wasn’t looking for a nice man. A responsible man. Or any man at all. If she ran out on her job responsibilities right now, she’d prove that she wasn’t capable. She might as well go back to England and find some titled bore who wanted an heir and a spare, a kennel full of hounds and a stable full of horses.
“We must go back outside and face everyone,” Gwendolyn said. “Did you by chance bring your purse?”
Kerry nodded, holding up a striped canvas bag that looked full of promise.
“May I borrow some war paint, please? I’m going to need every advantage I can muster to get through the next hour.”
Kerry handed her a clear vinyl bag brimming with cosmetics. “Are you leaving that soon?” she asked in a small voice.
“As quickly as possible. I think that would be best.”
Kerry nodded, her eyes swimming with tears once more.
Gwendolyn placed the vinyl bag on the counter and put her arms around the woman who had the misfortune to love a prince. “We’re a fine pair, aren’t we?” Kerry said, her voice muffled by the padded shoulder of Gwendolyn’s suit.
“Yes, we are.” Two women who had nothing in common—except loving the wrong men.
SOMEHOW, GWENDOLYN GOT through the remainder of the small reception. She and Kerry returned and tried to smile, but she assumed they weren’t successful in fooling anyone into believing they were happy and carefree. Several people looked concerned, especially Kerry’s mother, Charlene Jacks. Gwendolyn steered the conversation away from anything personal when she was asked if she was “fine.”
Of course I’m not fine, she wanted to say. Actually, she wanted to run out the door screaming, but since the paparazzi and photojournalists were still occupying the town square, she thought that might not be a good idea. Not when she was the model of decorum.
When she couldn’t stand the tension a moment longer, she went to the prince and whispered in his ear, “We need to depart now.”
He looked down at her, then across the room at Kerry. Gwendolyn knew how he felt; he wanted a moment alone with the young woman.
“I’ll have the Land Rover brought around to the back. Then I’ll take Kerry upstairs. Give me just a moment, then you can say goodbye.” She paused and looked up into his eyes, which no longer seemed so blue, so like Hank’s. He also didn’t have that endearing little scar just above his upper lip. “You’ll only have a few minutes, though.”
Alexi nodded, then turned and smiled to the mayor. Gwendolyn walked quickly to Pete Boedecker, who was sitting with Milos Anatole at the table next to the front door. “Bring the car around back, please, and be ready to depart in five minutes.”
Smiling to several people she had met earlier, she swept around the room and took Kerry Lynn’s arm. “Can I see you for a moment?” she asked. Nodding to Mrs. Jacks, Gwendolyn steered Kerry toward the stairs.
“Alexi will be here in a moment. You’ll have just five minutes. I’m sorry, but w
e need to leave.”
“I understand.”
Gwendolyn couldn’t think of anything else to say, so she left the young woman alone and returned to the reception, nodding to Alexi. To cover up his departure from the room, she launched into an invitation for all the Ranger Springs residents to come and visit them in Belegovia, mentioning the winter skiing in the mountainous western part of the country and the quaint villages and shops in the rolling hillsides. She assured them that there were both modern and historic hotels, plus a newly renovated airport. The lively, animated conversation used up the rest of her reserves of strength, however, and when she saw Milos enter at the back and nod, she gave a silent prayer of thanks that the reception—and the deception—was over.
Alexi entered, charming as always, but his eyes appeared dark and troubled. He quickly said goodbye, shook more hands and swept out the back of the restaurant. If he’d lived two hundred years ago, he would have had a billowing cape following in his wake. Now he left with ringing footsteps and the sighs of those who had been impressed by His Royal Highness.
Within moments they were settled inside the Land Rover. Gwendolyn’s head pounded as she closed her eyes and collapsed against the seat. “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she whispered as they pulled out onto the street.
“Covering up my transgression or leaving Hank McCauley?” the prince asked.
She turned her head to glare at him, all pretense of employer-employee gone. “If you hadn’t run off, I wouldn’t have found it necessary to involve Mr. McCauley,” she stated as they drove by the town square on their way out of town.
“Then you might never have met him, would you? I think you should be thanking rather than scolding me.”
“Of all the arrogant…How can you possible make that statement?”
“Because you’re in love with him,” Alexi said simply.
Chapter Fifteen
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she denied after she regained her breath. “I can’t possibly be in love with someone I just met.”
Alexi leaned forward. “Milos, Mr. Boedecker, we’re going to have a personal conversation now. Would you mind turning on the radio and listening to it rather than anything coming from the back seat?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Milos replied, switching on a country-western station she was sure had been Pete Boedecker’s choice when he was alone.
Alexi turned his attention back to her as someone sang about broken hearts. “A week ago I would have agreed with you. Right now, I’m not so sure.”
“Oh, Alexi,” she said, placing a hand on his arm. He was so tense he felt like he was carved of wood. “I know about you and Kerry.”
His head whipped around. “What do you know?”
Gwendolyn leaned close and whispered. “That she believes she’s in love with you…and that you may feel the same way.”
He slumped back against the seat. “She’s an exceptional person, but I wouldn’t characterize our relationship that way. I only wish…”
“What?”
“Never mind. I shouldn’t have run away. I’m sorry, Gwendolyn. If I’d stayed with the schedule, none of this would have happened. We would have continued on with our merry lives, never knowing the pain of leaving so much unfinished.”
“Yes. That would have been better, wouldn’t it?”
He looked at her for a long time, then closed his eyes. “No.”
She leaned back against her seat. “I didn’t think so, either.”
They drove in silence for a few minutes. When they were on the state highway again with no paparazzi following, Alexi straightened and said, “You distracted me, but you’re not going to get off that easily. I want to know why you’re here with me when you’re obviously in love with Hank McCauley.”
She stared at him, unable to answer that question without arguing her point…or stammering like a fool.
He narrowed his eyes, and for a moment, he looked so much like Hank she nearly cried. “Don’t tell me he doesn’t return your feelings. I saw the way he watched you during the press conference and when the reception first began…before he dragged you upstairs.”
“Must I talk about my personal life? I can’t imagine why you’d want to know about this since there is obviously no hope for a relationship.”
“I don’t know why you’d think that.”
“Just like you and Kerry, there is no future for the two of us. We’re from two different worlds, and we really don’t know each other that well.”
“You seemed to know enough about him to fall in love.”
“Falling and staying are two different things,” she said. “Besides, I never admitted how I feel.”
“To him or to me? Because I believe either one of us can clearly see your emotions.”
“Alexi, I really don’t want to talk about this.”
“That’s because you know I’m right. There is no reason you can’t go after your cowboy.”
“There are a half-dozen reasons why pursuing a relationship would be futile.”
“Gwendolyn, I know you come from an old family and your father places a lot of importance on your ability to breed the next generation of little English aristocrats, but you are not royalty. There is no reason why you can’t have anyone you’d like. If you want Hank McCauley, go for it, as they say here in the States.”
He paused, staring out the window as the countryside sped past. “Believe me, if I didn’t need to marry someone suitable…Well, my life would be a lot different.”
“I know, Alexi. We met the Contessa di Giovanni in Austin, you know. She’s quite lovely.”
“I’ve talked to my father. He’s certain she’d make a perfect princess.”
“He’s probably right.”
“I don’t want a perfect princess, but I suppose that’s exactly what I’ll get.”
Gwendolyn was afraid she knew what he wanted…a feisty Texas blond-haired, green-eyed waitress. “When you decide to marry, I’ll be very busy coordinating the wedding. The marriage will be a media event unlike any we’ve seen since the last Monaco nuptials.”
“If you had any sense, you’d be planning your own wedding.”
“Don’t be absurd. May I remind you yet again that I’ve only known Hank for five days, and under some very stressful situations. We were thrown together and had a similar goal. Naturally we had some…bonding. However, we are nothing alike.”
“I don’t believe you. Tell me how different you are.”
“He has his own ranch and trains cutting horses.”
“You love horses. Just not the hunters your father favors.”
True, but that was a minor point. “He’s very established, with many friends and neighbors that he’s known for years.”
“You’d love to have that type of life. You’ve always wanted to fit in someplace nice and homey.”
“His homey place is in Texas.”
“So what’s wrong with Texas?”
Gwendolyn felt like shaking Alexi. “He believes I’m this wonderfully organized, terribly efficient person who can do anything.”
“You are. Well, almost anything. I’ve asked you several times to change the weather, and you have yet to obey my request.”
“Alexi, would you be serious!”
“Gwendolyn, you are extremely competent and talented. If I haven’t told you that often enough, I’m sorry. Why don’t you believe both of us?”
“Because Hank has only seen me in crisis mode! We weren’t together day in and day out, through the everyday ups and downs. For goodness’ sake, I’m not exciting! And he’s been a champion rodeo star, with adoring women and admiring men. I’m quiet and rather ordinary.”
“So you don’t think you’d stack up, so to speak, with his former girlfriends?”
“Crudely put, but yes.”
“Bull. Next argument.”
She huffed out a breath of exasperation. “He’s so confident. Most of the time I feel like a sniveling coward around him.�
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“Now, that’s the most ridiculous statement you’ve made all afternoon. You are extremely capable and have every reason to be confident. I constantly throw you into absurd situations and you always shine.”
“Perhaps I have a certain ability to think well on my feet, but that doesn’t mean I can compete with Hank McCauley.”
“Gwendolyn,” Alexi said, taking her hand and turning completely serious, “where in the world did you ever get the idea that life…or love, is about competition?”
She sat there in the car as his words washed over her. Competition. When had she learned to think of her relationships that way? When her father compared her to her brother and found her lacking? When she realized she’d never have the flash or glamour of some of her girlfriends? When she discovered she could excel—or “beat”—others at academic or professional challenges?
“Hank said I can’t let my father’s approval rule my life.”
“Well, he’s absolutely right. I wish I could have been the one to make you see the truth, but I’m glad you finally grasped the idea. You are your own person, Gwendolyn. The only person you ever have to please is yourself. The only person you will ever compete against is yourself.”
She looked at Alexi and finally realized the truth that had been evading her for years. For her entire adult life. She could never be happy by trying to please someone else, especially someone she didn’t even agree with. A feeling of relief washed over her, putting tears in her eyes. Through the watery veil, Alexi appeared as Hank, with his deep concern and abundance of caring. She began to cry, not because she’d lost the man she loved, but because she’d finally realized that love didn’t respect the boundaries of time or countries.
Alexi didn’t say another word, just wrapped her in his arms and held her like the good friend he’d always been.
In a moment, he asked, “Are you ready to go back to him?”
“Oh, Alexi, if I do, I’ll be leaving you in the lurch. I can’t—”
“No, you must. I can always hire another public relations coordinator, but you’re my best friend.”
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