Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
“Ahh, I’m so very sorry to hear that. Can I get someone for you? Did I see you with one of the doctors here?”
“He was the one talking to me about . . . options. I don’t know him that well.”
But you’d like to.
“That’s too bad. You’re here alone, then?”
“Uh, no.” She had a funny feeling about all these questions. But it was probably because back home no one would care if they saw her upset in a bathroom. Here, people seemed friendlier. “I have a . . . well, I guess he’s my friend.”
She didn’t really want to explain who Ian was. Saying he was a bodyguard would just garner too many questions.
“A friend. I see.” The woman winked at her. “Would you like me to get him?”
“I’m ready to go now. Thanks.”
“Anytime, dear. I know Escana can seem like a magical place, but sometimes it’s not that way for everyone.”
Strange thing to say. But maybe she was referring to the fact that Maggie had been upset when she’d walked into the bathroom.
“I’m mostly loving it here.”
“Are you staying for the royal wedding?” the older woman asked.
“Um, yes. We are.”
“Never thought I’d see the day the princes marry a foreigner. No offense, dear.”
Maggie wasn’t sure what to say. Suddenly, this lady didn’t seem all that nice.
“I suppose it must seem disgusting to you . . . four men with one woman.”
“Not at all!” she protested.
Oh no, maybe this lady thought that Maggie was looking down on them or something. Or disapproving. “I think it’s lovely. The princes seem to really care for Pippa.”
Shoot.
She shouldn’t have called Pippa by her first name.
“You know Princess Pippa? Are you a friend of hers?” There was something strange in the other woman’s face.
“You know what . . . gotta go! Bye!”
She practically ran out of the bathroom.
“No running!”
The sound of Mr. Grumpy-Knickers barking at her had her legs go weak with relief.
“Sorry,” she said breathlessly. In truth, she couldn’t even feel her hip. There were too many emotions racing through her. “I just want to get out of here.”
Ian grasped hold of her arm, holding her steady. “Maggie? Can I talk to you for a moment?”
Urgh. Great. Turning, she tried not to grimace as she stared up at Jameson as he approached them. What she wanted to say was no. But when she looked at Ian, he gave her an encouraging nod.
“All right.”
Relief filled Jameson’s face. “Thank you. I know I upset you and I still haven’t given you a treat for being so brave.” He started walking, his hand briefly touching the small of her back as he guided her.
Monkeyballs.
His touch always made her feel a tad light-headed and hot. She glanced up at him, wondering if he knew how he affected her. He was so damned gorgeous that sometimes it hurt to even look at him.
“Where are we going?” she asked as Ian trailed them. He was far enough back that she knew he likely couldn’t hear them.
“To the gift store.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Sweetheart, about what I said—”
“It’s okay,” she interrupted him. “I know I need to think about this stuff, but it’s really hard.”
“Well, I’m sorry about upsetting you just now.”
“It’s all right, you’re forgiven.”
Jameson knew he could just leave that where it was. But he felt like he owed her more.
“I have a bad habit,” he confessed.
“What is it?”
“When something makes me uncomfortable, I don’t always react well.”
“Because you like to be in control. And it’s hard for you when things are out of your control.”
“You’re very perceptive.”
She shrugged. “Not usually. But with you . . . I like to watch you. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I, uh, like the way you watch me.”
She studied him for a long moment. Then she broke into a smile filled with sunshine.
And Lord help him, he’d love to bask in that sunshine. To let it melt the coldness inside him.
Then she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him. Holding on tight.
“You’re forgiven, Doc,” she whispered. “I know you have a good heart. And it’s not like the things you said aren’t true. It’s just . . . it’s hard, you know? Sometimes I feel all alone and like I’m failing at everything. It’s tough to be strong.”
God, this Little subbie.
Did she have any idea what she was doing to his heart?
They stopped in front of the gift store and she sucked in a breath. “They have one of those stores where you can create your own stuffed toy?”
“Yep. We’ve found that it’s a good way to cheer our patients up.”
“That is so cool! And look at all the outfits.” She clapped her hands together before she realized what she was doing. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so enthusiastic.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he said. “Would you like to make one?”
“Me?” She gaped up at him. She would love to make one. She’d always wanted to. But she couldn’t afford it. “Oh, thank you for bringing me here but I couldn’t.”