“Cute.” Keira set the cup on the saucer. “Looks like the line died down for the ladies’ room. I’ll be back.” Her gaze lingered on Robbie after she stood. She’d been doing that a lot today.
After Keira joined the tail end of the line, Robbie held out the phone for Anabelle to see, but something behind Robbie had grabbed her attention.
“Lady Audra!”
Fold upon fold of glittery pink fabric swept past Robbie. “Hello, sweet girl. What’s your name?”
“A-N-A-B-E-L-L-E.”
“What a pleasure to meet you. Are you having a happy day here at Royal Village with your”—Lady Audra’s eyes fell on Robbie—“your daddy?”
“Mm-hmm. I rode on the flying Pegasusesss, went on the train through Troll Forest, and I almost throwed up on your teacup ride.”
She lifted a white-gloved hand to her painted lips. “Oh my.”
“She was fine,” Robbie said. “Just a little green is all.”
“How fortunate for her to have a big, strong father to look after her.” Splotches of red mottled the skin above the ribbon on her neck. “Wait. How do I know you? Did you go to Kennedy High School?”
“No.” He wanted to add, Neither did you, Lady Audra. “We’re from Montana. I figured you went to Royal Village High.” Stay in character, lady.
Lady Audra sat in Keira’s seat. “Anabelle, I’ve never been anywhere but Royal Village. Will you tell me about Montana?”
“There’s mountains and rivers and bears. When me and Daddy go fishing, he lets me cut the heads off the fish.”
“Hey, Annie, let’s not talk about that here.”
“Lady Audra, do you go fishing with your daddy?” Anabelle asked.
The girl behind the costume smiled sadly. “I don’t have a daddy.”
“Don’t be sad.” Anabelle patted Lady Audra’s hand. “My mother was gone a long time, but she came back. So I have a mother and a Keira.”
“Oh. Who’s Keira?”
“She’s my best friend. She plays Patty Cake Land and airplane with me and hugs me.” Anabelle cupped her hand by Lady Audra’s wig. “And I want her to marry my daddy.”
The words of her whispered shout carried a peace with them like an old hymn. “It Is Well with My Soul,” maybe. Anabelle wanted Keira the same way Robbie wanted Keira.
Okay, maybe not exactly. He chuckled under his breath.
Keira emerged from the restroom. Her Montana State T-shirt and jean shorts didn’t hang off her bones quite as much anymore. She was starting to get her muscle back. Her curves, too, though Robbie tried not to notice that.
When her gaze took in Lady Audra sitting in her seat, she looked as if she might go all Jackie Chan on her.
Robbie coughed. “Speaking of, Lady Audra, this is Keira. Keira, Lady Audra.”
Lady Audra met Keira’s eye. Awareness seemed to dawn. “I believe I’m in your seat. Anabelle, it was lovely to meet you. I sincerely hope you get your wish.” Lady Audra stood, then smoothed the folds of her gown. She floated out of Keira’s place with the grace that only a lady in the king’s court had. Her gaze shifted from Robbie to Keira and back. “That’s where I know you from. You’re Kat Wanderfull, which makes you her mystery man. I’m a big fan. One day, I want to travel like you two.”
Rather than sitting, Keira reached down to Anabelle, who climbed onto Keira’s hip as if she’d always been held there. “We’re big fans of your show, too.” She turned to Anabelle. “What do you say? Should we go ride some of the bigger rides now? Did you know that when your daddy rides roller coasters, he screams like Princess Patty Cake?”
Robbie held up his hands. “Guilty as charged.”
* * *
* * *
This, I’ve been told, is the best spot in the whole park to see the fireworks.” Keira peeked into the wishing well. She was tempted to sing down into it to see if her echo would harmonize with her.
Anabelle hopped out of the wagon, nearly catching her foot on her new dress. As part of the experience offered to Kat Wanderfull and friends, Anabelle had enjoyed an appointment at the royal salon to get dolled up like Princess Patty Cake. Afterward, at a meet-and-greet dinner, Anabelle’s dream came true when she met the princess and got a picture with her. Robbie’s face had never been brighter. Of course, that all ended when Prince Devin noticed Keira and turned on all his charm.
“You sore yet?” she asked Robbie when he lifted Anabelle to peer into the well.
“I have no idea what you mean. Okay, Kitty Kat, that’s a long enough look.” He set her feet down on the brick path.
She immediately began twirling in the purple ball gown.
Keira moved in front of him. She touched his upper arm and squeezed the muscle.
He grunted.
“Robbie, when was the last time you did that many push-ups? Fess up.”
“What was I supposed to do? Prince Arrogant offered up the challenge. Winner gets you? Is he stuck in the sixteenth century or something?”
“Actually, yes, he is.”
A sly smile stretched his lips. “I beat him, though.”
“And you’ll pay for it tomorrow.”
“True.” His hand slid around her back as he whispered into her ear. “But the prize will be worth it.”
Dramatic music blared from the speaker atop the nearest light post.
“The fireworks are starting! The fireworks are starting!” Anabelle bounced here, there, everywhere.
“I think that cotton candy was a bad idea,” Keira said.
“I think you’re right.”
Keira sat on the opposite end of the bench from Robbie, hoping space might give her time to cool down, otherwise . . .
He scooted next to her. “Annie, come sit.” He patted the spot on his left.
When the first boom exploded, Anabelle ran to the bench and cuddled under his left arm. Robbie put his right arm around Keira’s shoulder. Only Robbie could still smell good after a day of sweating at an amusement park.
The colors splayed across the dark sky in perfect choreography to the Princess Patty Cake theme song.
Robbie watched them with the wonder of a little kid. Twenty-seven years old and he still found joy in fireworks.
One of the many things she loved about him. And heaven help her, she did love him. Despite everything. She burrowed closer.
His eyes dropped from the sky and stared ahead at the wishing well. He set his jaw, then turned to face her. In a seated position, their height difference wasn’t as noticeable. Their lips could easily align here with only a slight dip of his chin. His fingers tugged softly on the lock of hair by her ear. He whispered, “Can I kiss you?”
She breathed in a slow drag of the night air. “Please.”
His lips pressed against the hinge of her jaw. He placed another kiss, then another, following her jawline and easing closer to her mouth. She closed her eyes, moistened her lips, and turned into the next kiss.
“Ugh,” he groaned.
Keira hadn’t yet opened her eyes when a bony elbow clipped her ribs, and she made the same sound he’d made.
“Anabelle, honey, try not to jump on Daddy next time.” He’d shifted away, making room for the little girl between them, then looked up at the grand firework finale. “She’s never eating cotton candy again.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
At this time of night, the hallway at Royal Village Resort was quiet. Robbie adjusted Anabelle to the right side of his chest, so he could get the key card from his back pocket.
Keira waited as he swiped the card. They’d hardly talked on the tram ride over. She still had that look on her face, though. The kiss-me one.
“Would you like to come in? There are some unicorn tea packets in here. I’m really hoping they taste more like tea than unicorn, but you never know.” Robbie shut his mouth. Dumb joke.
Dumber invitation. Still, he pushed the door open farther with his back, giving Keira a path into his room.
Eyes steady on his, Keira stepped through the doorway, grazing a soft hand over his arm in passing. “I’d love a cup of tea. I can get that started while you put her to bed.” She lifted her purse strap off her shoulder and let it fall to the floor by the mini fridge. After one last lingering glance at him, she turned her attention to the small coffee maker and row of tea packets.
Robbie’s heart pounded so hard he was sure Anabelle would wake up from the beat. After he entered the bedroom, he thought twice. The last thing she’d eaten was that cotton candy. Her hands were still sticky with it. He pictured the sugar rotting her tiny teeth and cringed. “Hey, Kat,” he called out softly. “Can you bring me the travel case?” He headed to the suite’s master bathroom and waited. Eyeing the light switch, he decided to leave the main light off. The night-light built into the socket would be enough to get the job done without waking his girl up fully. If she did wake up, this night would go a completely different direction than the way it seemed to be headed. Maybe that would be better. Kissing would complicate things. This was supposed to be strictly business, after all.
A hand rested against his back a moment before Keira appeared at his side in the mirror, holding the travel case. Toothbrush? she mouthed.
Robbie nodded.
She removed the Princess Patty Cake battery-operated toothbrush. While she placed a pea-sized amount of sparkly toothpaste on the bristles, Robbie settled Anabelle’s bottom on the counter, her head still resting against his chest.
Keira moved in close. The length of her body pressed against Robbie’s side.
He watched in the mirror as she tentatively raised the toothbrush and placed it in Anabelle’s slack mouth. She pushed the On button, and the loud vibration startled them all.
Anabelle’s eyes popped open, then fluttered shut.
After a minute of toothbrush maneuvering, Keira put the toothbrush down. Gently, she wiped a wet washcloth over Anabelle’s droopy lips. She took Anabelle’s small hand, washed it with soap and water, then patted it dry.
Robbie shifted his daughter a bit more, giving access to the other hand.
Keira repeated the routine. Once she was done, she leaned in and placed a kiss on Anabelle’s cheek.
Robbie’s heart tumbled backward. God, what are you doing here?
When she withdrew her lips, she tilted her chin up to him.
The soft blue light glinted off her eyes, making it look like . . . No, Keira didn’t cry. It wasn’t possible. She’d killed that ability long before they’d met. One more self-protective measure in a long line of them.
“I’ll go finish the tea.” She breathed the words, making him wonder whether he’d heard them or simply felt them through the fabric of his shirt.
He carried Anabelle to the queen bed closest to the bathroom. With one hand, he pulled back the sheets and laid her down.
Immediately, she rolled to her other side and curled into a ball, which made for easy blanket tucking.
He kissed the same cheek Keira had moments ago.
Soft music breezed through the open bedroom door, followed by the clink of metal against porcelain. Tea. Music. Royal Village. Playing family with his daughter and the girl who got away. What good could possibly come from this? His brain told him to lock the door and climb into the other bed. Not even to bother to say good night.
His body, of course, disagreed. He’d never felt such want for a woman. Not that he’d give in to it. He’d learned that lesson. But his heart reached for Keira, too. As if there was some invisible rope that tethered them to each other, despite her attempt to sever it.
Even the Holy Spirit inside him seemed to be pushing him to the door. He didn’t understand why. Was God in the mood to parade the forbidden fruit in front of him? Let him taste it, then rip it away? Again, he felt the nudge from the Spirit, as if to say, Go. Talk to her.
All right, God. I’ll throw myself off this cliff. But only because I know you’ll catch me. He took one last glance at Anabelle—an angel with the cutest snoring problem—and headed for the door.
Out in the family room of the suite, only the light above the table was lit, but not brightly. The dimmer switch on the wall was raised only halfway.
Keira swirled her tea with her spoon as she sat. Steam rose from his much manlier coffee mug at the head of the table. Next to it, a small glass bowl held several ice cubes. Then a few white sugar packets and a spoon. All lined up in a row. Neat. Controlled.
Clink. Clink. Clink.
Keira’s hand traced a circle in the air above her teacup. She didn’t watch Robbie as he took his seat. Instead, her eyes flitted from the amber liquid to the suite’s front door and back again.
“Thanks for the mug. You sure you don’t want to watch me drink out of a teacup?” He curled his hands around the tea. Bypassing the ice and sugar, he took a sip. It stung his lips. He pressed them tightly together, drawing Keira’s gaze from the door to his mouth. “It’s not the best unicorn tea I’ve ever had.” He faked a grimace. “You know what the unicorn said when he met his horse cousin?”
Keira shook her head. “Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Make a joke. Not now.” Keira rested her spoon on the saucer as a new song started. Turning an ear to her phone, from which the music played, she smiled. “You remember this song? From our last night together?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t.”
“This was the final song we danced to at Trina’s wedding. Did you know that was the last time I danced with someone? John didn’t like to dance, so we never did. Isn’t that sad? Five years without dancing. It should be a crime.”
Robbie’s heart, mind, and body wrestled to the upbeat tune. His chair seemed to develop knobs and spikes that protruded into his back and legs. Sitting soon became unbearable. He rose, towering above her. “Come on. For old times’ sake.” He led her in a two-step around the room, avoiding the table, chairs, and sofa.
The final bars of the song faded.
Robbie slowed but didn’t release her. He couldn’t. He knew how it pained to let go of her.
A guitar strummed a slow, folksy tune that Robbie recognized immediately. It was the song that always made him think of her—in the car, in his cabin, at the café. He’d always thrown himself at either the dial or the door before the lyrics could lodge into his brain. But now? With her in his arms? He didn’t want the song to end.
She lifted her big eyes. They were full, like always. This time, though, they were full of something that looked like hope.
He opened his mouth to speak. No words came. Only the sound of his own breath leaving his body when her hands slid beneath his arms and around his waist, marvelously dismissing the space between them.
Welcoming her against his chest required no thought. She belonged here, surrounded by his arms. Always had.
With a hand, he combed the strands of hair that trailed down her back. Slowly, they swayed back and forth, making a small circle on their private dance floor and allowing the lyrics to wash over them. Two teenagers growing up to love and build a life together. The song told their story. If things were different, that is. If she hadn’t . . .
He pushed away the memory. She was here now. Nothing else mattered. Dipping his head down, his lips grazed the top of her ear. “Kat.”
She softened.
Fearing she might melt out of his hands, Robbie cinched her tighter to himself. Too tight, considering how she exhaled sharp and quick. “Sorry.”
“No. It’s fine. Don’t let me go.” She sounded young. Familiar. His Kat. The one he would have died for. The one he’d lived for. She and Anabelle—they were his girls. His girls. He could protect them, look after them, keep them forever in his arms.
A pain jolted his chest.
&n
bsp; “This is how it could’ve been. How it should’ve been. You and me, for our whole lives, dancing like this.”
Keira stiffened slightly. “You didn’t want this. Not forever.”
Robbie pulled back his head, enough to meet her eye. “Yes, Kat. This is what I wanted. Tonight, seeing you laughing and caring for Anabelle. You know . . . sometimes . . .” He shook his head.
“What?” Keira caught his eye line. “Sometimes what?”
Robbie blew out a breath. “Sometimes I wish she was yours. If she were, Anabelle would have a mother. One who loves her and cares for her. And I’d have a partner in this crazy thing.”
When had they stopped dancing? When had she pulled his shirt so taut across his ribs? And why did he have to bring this up? After a perfect day, when all seemed to be falling into place.
“I’ve had that same wish. I love Anabelle.” She gripped and regripped the back of his shirt near his belt. “I thought I’d be the one who would carry your child and cradle her. I thought it would be me listening to you sing lullabies to her. This is the life I wanted for us.”
“Then why did you leave me?”
Her breaths were short now. Robbie loosened his arms around her torso, and she gasped for breath.
“Why did you leave? Kat, I would have spent every moment of my life loving you. Every single moment. I would have done anything for you.”
She pushed back from him and crossed her arms. With the light only catching a sliver of her face, he couldn’t read her expression. “Anything except marry me.”
Robbie’s voice caught in his throat, blocked by what felt like a lump of coal.
“Remember the drive home from the wedding?” Keira asked. “You kept asking why I was upset. We’d been together for five years. And sure, you talked about being with me until we were old and gray, but you never talked marriage. After you dropped me off at my cabin, I spent some time praying. I steeled myself and decided I was going to ask why you hadn’t proposed.” Keira hardly blinked. “I left my cabin to find you. I heard your voice, coming through Ryann’s open kitchen window. She asked, ‘Don’t you want to get married?’ Then you said, clear as day, ‘I do want to get married, but I am not supposed to marry Keira.’”
This Wandering Heart Page 20