‘‘What do you want to know, princess?’’ he asked. ‘‘Did I like it? No. Is that how I want to live my life? Not for any amount of money. Could I deal with it infrequently? Probably. I’ve lived through worse with the stomach flu.’’
Despite her concerns, Alex had to laugh. ‘‘I’m sure the organizers of the fund-raiser will be thrilled to know that you compare their event to a case of severe stomach upset.’’
‘‘You know what I mean.’’
‘‘Actually, I do. It’s easy for me to talk about the visibility of my situation and all that I’m expected to do for my country, but it’s quite another to live it firsthand.’’ She leaned her head against the sofa. ‘‘In an odd way, I share your feelings. I’ve been at the ranch for several weeks now, and I’ve grown used to the quiet and privacy. While I had a good time talking with everyone, I did find myself looking forward to returning to Arizona.’’
‘‘I’m glad,’’ Mitch said, and took her hand in his.
She studied their clasped fingers. A week ago the thought of him doing this would have made her hyperventilate. But since Wednesday they’d been lovers. She smiled as she thought of the word.Lovers.She had a man in her life. And not just any man, but someone wonderful. Someone she trusted.
Tonight, at the table, she’d been proud to be with Mitch. Whether speaking to a senator or the table server, he’d been polite, at ease and charming. She’d caught several women eyeing him, wondering who he was and if he was available. She’d found herself wishing it could all be real.
‘‘You’re looking serious about something,’’ he said. ‘‘A kiss for your thoughts.’’
‘‘I thought the saying was a penny.’’
‘‘It is, but I figured I’d get more action with a kiss.’’
She met his dark gaze and found herself very willing to get lost there. ‘‘You would be right.’’ She squeezed his hand. ‘‘I was thinking about tonight, and about my time on the ranch. When my sisters and I decided to come to your country, I thought that when we’d discovered the truth about our brother and returned home I would be glad to go. I never thought I could be happy anywhere else.’’
‘‘Are you happy at the ranch?’’
‘‘Very. My few weeks of being normal have reminded me that I’m more than a princess. I’m also a woman. Between my duties and my responsibilities, I seemed to have forgotten that. My stay here has shown me I need to make time for normalcy. I suspect other women have had to deal with this, as well.’’
‘‘With being a princess? I don’t think so, darlin’. That would be your specialty.’’
‘‘Oh, it’s not exactly the same, but I was thinking about the question of working outside the home, or staying home to raise children. The traditional role versus what one actually wants and what one feels is right. There are also economic factors. My questions are different. How do I balance what is right for me and what is right for the country?’’
‘‘I have to admit, Alex, I can’t see you staying home and changing diapers for some guy working swing shift at a factory.’’
His voice was teasing. She tucked her left foot under her and nodded. ‘‘I would guess you’re right. I would hate my husband working swing shift. He could never accompany me to any social events.’’ Her humor faded. ‘‘I know that I would have to do more than just stay home. If I wasn’t living in Wynborough and handling my responsibilities there, I would need to be involved on a local level.’’
‘‘Politics?’’
‘‘Never. I was thinking more of charity work. I was raised to believe I must give back. My sisters and I have been very blessed. We’ve been taught that blessings come with responsibilities.’’
‘‘I thought princesses only married princes. Isn’t there one in waiting?’’
There wasn’t and she was grateful. She couldn’t imagine any man in her life but Mitch. ‘‘As you may have noticed, princes are in short supply. These days we’re expected to marry well, but not into royalty. I would prefer a prince of a man. A good man whom I could respect. Someone…special.’’
She found herself unable to meet his gaze. She wanted to know what he was thinking, but she didn’t dare ask. The conversation was incredibly general, skirting around important personal issues. Did she want to press for more? Did she have the courage? After all, it wasn’t as if she had any answers. She knew that she cared about Mitch very much. She would miss him when she was gone, perhaps more than she realized.
‘‘You deserve someone special,’’ he told her. ‘‘And if the guy ever treats you badly, you tell me and I’ll go beat him up.’’
She knew he meant his comment to be funny, but Alex found herself suddenly fighting tears. ‘‘You are so good to me,’’ she murmured, and leaned against him. Mitch pulled her close, wrapping her in his strong arms.
Home, she thought as she closed her eyes. Here she was home.
Mitch knew he was in trouble. He’d known it the moment Alex had driven her fancy-pants car onto his ranch and he’d ignored the feeling. Unfortunately it had only grown over time. Now he was in too deep and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. All he could do was hold her tight and not think about how lonely it was going to be when she was gone.
He wanted to believe what she’d said—that she wasn’t looking for a prince, but instead wanted a prince of a man. Mitch knew he had some good qualities and some bad ones. Measured against most of the world, he thought he might come out okay. Except Alex wouldn’t measure him against the rest of the world. As much as he wanted to forget the truth, he couldn’t. She was a princess. Her father was a king. The man ran a country. Was he, Mitch, going to marry into royalty? Yeah, right. Even if Alex didn’t end up inheriting the throne, which he really couldn’t think about, who wanted a king as a father-in-law? What would he say when they had her folks over for dinner? What would he buy everyone for Christmas? Speaking of which, he said, ‘‘It’s only a few weeks until Christmas. What are your plans?’’
Alex looked at him. ‘‘I don’t know. I really want to stay in the area until John returns, but I’m already intruding. Would you like me to stay at a hotel?’’
‘‘No. I want you to stay with me, for as long as you’d like.’’
Her blue eyes darkened. She kissed him. ‘‘Thank you. That’s what I want, too. To stay with you.’’
