‘‘I can’t believe I kissed you,’’ he blurted out.
Her steady gaze settled on his face. ‘‘It’s too late to regret that now.’’
‘‘I don’t regret it, I just hadn’t realized I might be starting an international incident.’’
She smiled. ‘‘I promise I won’t tell a soul.’’
‘‘You’d better not,’’ he muttered, trying not to think about a half-dozen Secret Service agents bursting into the house and arresting him for having illicit thoughts about a visiting dignitary.
Alex read the confusion and panic on Mitch’s face. ‘‘Why are you suddenly so caught up in this?’’ she asked. ‘‘Nothing has changed from a few minutes ago. You’ve always known that I was a princess.’’
He made a helpless gesture with his hands. ‘‘Being a princess is one thing, but we’re talking about your being queen. It makes a difference.’’
‘‘Not too big of one, I hope. I don’t want things to change between us.’’
His gaze sharpened. ‘‘Why do you say that?’’
‘‘I’ve told you that I enjoy spending time with you on the ranch. The main reason is that I get to be a regular person. If you start thinking about me as queen of Wynborough, then everything will be different. I get enough of that in the rest of my life. I don’t want it happening here, too.’’
His brown eyes darkened with something that might have been compassion. ‘‘I take your point,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ll admit that hearing about your potential promotion threw me a little, but I won’t let it affect our relationship.’’
Alex had to laugh. Only Mitch would refer to her possible succession to the throne as a promotion. ‘‘Thank you. I really like being normal.’’
‘‘I don’t know about normal. You’re a little quirky for that description. But I promise to keep treating you like regular folks.’’ He motioned to the diner. ‘‘I brought you here, didn’t I?’’
‘‘Yes, and it’s been one of the highlights of my visit.’’
‘‘Stick with me. I’ll show you all the best sights.’’
‘‘Submarine Point?’’ she couldn’t help asking.
Mitch looked startled, then grinned. ‘‘Sure, why not.’’
Their waitress came by and cleared their table. ‘‘You two want coffee?’’ she asked.
‘‘Please,’’ Alex said, as Mitch nodded. When the woman returned with the steaming mugs, Alex poured cream and sugar into hers.
‘‘So tell me about being queen,’’ Mitch said as he cupped his mug between his hands. ‘‘Is there a class you have to take?’’
‘‘No. It’s more on-the-job training. Except—’’ she shrugged ‘‘—it’s rather confusing. In some ways my father is preparing me for eventual leadership of the country. I have more responsibility than my sisters. My father often refers to me as his right-hand girl. But I’m not given official duties that a prince would have. There are those in parliament who think a woman shouldn’t rule.’’
‘‘What, are they crazy? You’d do a great job.’’
‘‘While I appreciate the compliment, you can’t know that.’’
‘‘Yes, I can. You’re smart, you’re capable and you’re patient. More important than all that, you care. Running a country is about character, not gender.’’
‘‘Very forward thinking, cowboy.’’
‘‘My mama didn’t raise a fool.’’ He took a drink of coffee. ‘‘What doyouwant?’’
It was a question no one ever asked her. ‘‘I don’t know. If we find James, then the problem is solved.’’
‘‘Do you want to find him?’’
‘‘Funny you should ask that.’’ She tried to smile, but couldn’t. ‘‘I don’t know that, either. I’ve never met my brother, so it’s not as if he was a part of my life. I don’t miss him. I can’t even imagine what my world would have been like if he’d been around.’’
‘‘You’re not answering the question.’’
