“That’s the attitude.” Jake rang the bell on the counter and the jeweler appeared again like Rumpelstiltskin. “We’ll take it.”
The old man beamed. “An excellent choice. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.”
Me, too, thought Jake. He’d need to think on his feet when Andi snapped out of this thing.
Four
Andi blinked as they stepped out of the dark shop into bright morning sunlight that reflected off everything from the gray cobbles to the white-crested mountain peaks that loomed over the town. The cold air whipped at her skin and she drew her warm coat about her. Out in the open she felt violently self-conscious about the huge ring on her finger, and gratefully tucked it into her coat pocket.
“The coffeehouse is just up the road.” Jake took her arm. “You may not remember, but they have the best hot chocolate in the known world and you love it.”
Andi’s muscles tightened at the reminder that he knew more about her than she did. “Do you go there often?” It seemed odd for a king to frequent a local café. Then again she had no idea what was normal. Very strange how she remembered things like old fairy tales but not her own life.
“Of course. Got to support the local businesses.”
He certainly was thoughtful. That cozy feeling of being protected and cared for warmed her as he slid his arm through hers again. How lucky she was! No doubt her memory would come back soon and—
A moped skidded past them on the narrow street. Its rider, a man in a black leather jacket, stopped and leaped off, camera in hand. “Your Highness, is it true you are engaged?” he asked, in a French accent.
Jake paused. “It is true.” Andi stared in surprise at his polite demeanor.
“May I take your picture?”
Jake took Andi’s hands in his. “What do you say, Andi? He’s just doing his job.”
Andi cringed inwardly. She didn’t want anyone seeing her in her confused state, let alone photographing her. She also didn’t want to make a fuss in front of a stranger. That might give the game away.
She swallowed. “Okay, I guess.” She pushed a lock of hair self-consciously off her face. She hadn’t had time to style it—not that she even remembered what style she usually wore—but Jake had assured her it looked lovely.
The man took about fifty pictures from different angles through a long, scary-looking lens that would probably show every pore on her face. Jake was obviously used to the attention and remained calm and pleasant. He even adjusted them into several dignified romantic poses as if they were at a professional shoot.
Almost as if he’d planned this encounter.
She fought the urge to frown, which certainly wouldn’t be a good idea for the pictures. How did the photographer know they were engaged when it had only happened last night?
Jake managed to politely disengage them from the impromptu photo session and continue down the road. He smiled and nodded at passersby, all of whom seemed quite comfortable rubbing shoulders with their monarch. But when they reached the main square she saw two more reporters, a woman with a tiny microphone clipped to her jacket and a tall man with a notepad. They greeted Jake with warm smiles and asked if congratulations were in order.
Andi tried to maintain a pleasant expression while unease gnawed at her gut.
“How does it feel to marry a king?” asked the woman, in soft Ruthenian tones.
“I’m not sure yet,” admitted Andi. “Since we’re not married. I’ll have to let you know after the ceremony.”
“When will that be?” asked the man. Andi glanced at Jake.
“We’ll make an announcement when we have all the details sorted out. A royal wedding isn’t something you rush into.”
“Of course.” The reporter was a middle-aged woman with soft blond hair. “And you’ve kept your promise of choosing your bride before Ruthenia’s third Independence Day next week.”
“The people of Ruthenia know I’m a man of my word.”
Andi only just managed not to frown. He’d become engaged to her at the last minute because of some promise he made? That was awfully convenient. The knot in the pit of her stomach tightened.
The woman asked if she could see Andi’s ring. Andi pulled it out and was alarmed to see it looked even bigger and brighter out here in daylight. The camera flashed several times before she could hide her hand back in her pocket again.
When Jake finally excused them, her heart was pounding and her face flushed. She let out a silent sigh of relief as he guided her into the warm and inviting coffee shop. She removed her coat and hung it on a row of iron hooks that looked hundreds of years old.
“I’m glad they didn’t ask any questions I couldn’t answer.”
“The paparazzi are polite here.” Jake took her hand and led her to a secluded table. “They know I can have them clapped in irons if they’re not.”
She glanced up to see if he was kidding and was relieved to see a sparkle of humor in his eye.
“The press has been helpful in letting the world know about my efforts to bring the country into the twenty-first century. It pays to keep them happy.”
“How could they know about our engagement already? Did that girl you spoke to phone them?” Andi sat in the plush upholstered chair. A small fire snapped and sizzled nearby. The coffee shop had dark wood paneling and varied antique tables and chairs clustered around the low-ceilinged space that looked unchanged since the 1720s—which it probably was.
“I doubt it. They seem to know everything. It’s a bit spooky at first, but you get used to it. Maybe they saw us inside the jeweler’s?”
“Or maybe he tipped them off.” Andi gingerly pulled her be-ringed hand from her pocket to take a menu from the elegantly attired waiter.
“Old Gregor is the soul of discretion.” Jake studied his menu. Andi wondered for a second how he knew to trust Old Gregor. Had he commissioned gems for other women? But he said they’d been dating for years.
She cursed the hot little flame of jealousy that had flickered to life inside her. Why were they suddenly engaged after years of dating? Was it somehow precipitated by this promise he’d made, or had she previously refused?
For a moment Andi was hyperaware of people at tables all around them, sipping their drinks and eating. Could they tell she was missing a huge part of her life?
He shrugged. “It’s their job. We live in the public eye.” He reached across the table and took her hand. His strong fingers closed around hers. She squeezed his hand back and enjoyed the sense of reassurance she got from him. “You’ll get used to it again.”
“I suppose I will.” She glanced warily about the interior of the intimate coffeehouse. “It’s so unnerving not to even know what’s normal. Then you can’t figure out what’s odd and unusual.”
“It would certainly be odd for us to sit here without drinking hot chocolate.” He summoned the waiter and ordered a pot of hot chocolate and a dish of cream. “And, just so you know, the waffles with summer berries are your favorite.”
“Did we eat here together a lot?” The place didn’t look especially familiar.
“Yes. We often brought business associates and visitors from the States here, since it’s so quaint and unchanged. Now that we’re engaged …” He stroked her hand inside his and fixed his dark eyes on hers. “It’s just the two of us.”
Andi’s insides fluttered as his gaze crept right under her skin. If only she could remember what their relationship