His gaze searched her face—for what, she didn’t know—and the look sent her heartbeat into a little faster rhythm. “Well, perhaps I can show off a bit of my goodness right now, then?” He offered his arm. “What do you say we face the daunting department store together?”
***
It had taken a half hour to convince Charlotte to accept his help and another to convince her to model some of the clothing he’d encouraged her to try. At first she’d flat-out refused, turning every shade of red in the color wheel. But then, as he listened to her fears and offered gentle suggestions, she’d agreed.
The awareness of her growing trust in him, of her faith in his opinions and presence, heightened his interest in helping her even more, just as a friend ought to. And the idea of building her confidence and courage? It held a little “hero” in it.
“You were right! This suit really does look like something Princess Kate would wear,” Charlotte called from inside the dressing room. “Oh my goodness. I didn’t realize I could dress like Princess Kate.”
Arran lowered his mobile and stared at the closed door. Her little bits of pleased exclamations and communications added more fun to the entire experience. She was utterly delightful.
“Are you going to let me see this one?”
Silence followed.
She’d refused to leave the dressing room for all the others.
“You’re not allowed to laugh. The only thing you’re allowed to do is say, ‘Yes, Charlie, youdolook like Princess Kate.’ Is that understood?”
He sat to attention, suppressing a grin. “I promise.”
The changing room door creaked open, and Charlotte stepped out in the well-fitted navy suit. It was the first time Arran had seen her soft brown hair flowing down around her shoulders.
She wobbled a tad in the navy heels and bit down on her bottom lip as she took a few unsure steps toward him.
He stood slowly, his grin refusing to remain subdued. “Charlotte, you look...” He almost saidbeautifulbut then remembered his promise. “Like Princess Kate.”
A fire lit her gray eyes, and she folded her arms across her chest, staring up at him from her spot a foot below. “Okay, seriously?”
“Seriously?” He gave her ensemble another assessing look. “It is an excellent look for you. Very flattering. But what doyouthink?”
“I like it.” Her grin crinkled her nose, and she leaned forward. “A lot.”
The glint of pleasure in those silver eyes held him in place for a moment. He rocked back a step. “As you should. And it will besuitable for many different types of meetings.” He winked. “I even think it makes you look taller.”
She rolled her eyes with a chuckle. “For a prince, you’re strangely normal sometimes.” She gestured back toward the dressing room. “I only have a few more items, and then we can find those boots you need at Weber’s Footwear down the street.”
He returned to his chair. “I’m in no hurry, Charlotte.”
“I have these wrap dresses to try on, and then I’m done.” She studied him again before stepping back into the changing room. “I wish the right clothes could fix stage fright as easily as they change my appearance,” she said from inside the room. “I stumble all over myself.”
“Part of presenting well has to do with practice, but the other part is caring about what you’re saying. What sorts of presentations are you supposed to give?”
“Three. One at a regional school employees’ meeting, one at a fundraiser, and the other is”—she whimpered—“at the Mistletoe Gala, where I have to speak in front of important people who have contributed to the charity.”
“It sounds like the perfect training ground.”
A snort erupted from behind the door. “Are you always this blindly optimistic?”
“Only when I’m working with smart people who just need a little encouragement.”
“Ah, and the charm rises to the challenge yet again.” Her soft chuckle made it through the door and brought a smile to his face.
“So, if you’ve helped with The Wish for so many years, what about it keeps you volunteering? Why does it matter so much to you?”
Silence greeted his question before she answered.
“I’ve never really thought about why, except to help. I started volunteering when I was sixteen because one of my favorite teachers told me they needed help. And when I experienced the joy of bringing Christmas gifts to these children... well, I just never stopped volunteering.”
