And now here she was, laying stone on a patio, surrounded bymountains, and having another “friendly” conversation with Prince Arran of Skymar.
Much like they’d had for the past three days.
The more time she spent with him, the more he kept proving her first impressions wrong. To beat it all, he kept doing “princely” things like holding doors open for her, gently putting a palm to her back when crossing uneven terrain, and walking on the curbside of the road. He even brought coffee to her one morning.
Of course, Luke did similar things for Ellie.
And occasionally Dave offered to go get her a coffee.
But the guys usually treated her the same as the rest of the team, which meant like one of them. Not Arran. Even when she was wearing her sweatshirt and mortar-stained jeans, he somehow made her feel very feminine.
It was instantaneously unnerving and comforting. And... attractive.
She shook her head and carefully situated the next stone Arran handed her into the mortar on the patio.
“This work is hard, but”—Arran gestured toward the half-finished patio of multicolored fieldstone—“what a result!”
“I’ve always loved stone.” She slid the trowel over the “mud” to clear off the excess from the stone. “It has a natural beauty to it.”
“Then you’d love Skymar.” He lowered himself to her level, offering another stone. “Stone buildings, streets, and fences aplenty.”
She created a hole large enough so the slightest suction could settle the stone in place. “Does our world look bland to you, then?”
“Not at all. I’ve found the atmosphere and people...” He paused and tipped his head toward her. His mussed hair and hint of stubble on his jaw forced the phrase “Sexy Sovereign” back to mind. She diverted her attention back to the stone as he continued.
“I’ve found it all a welcome and needed reminder of what matters most in life. I think you know enough about me now to realizethat in my past, I’d become stuck in a self-destructive way of thinking to douse my pain. And in the end... well...” His shoulders sagged and he looked off into the distance. “It brought me here.”
The longing, the regret in his voice, pulled at her heart, so she offered a lighter turn. “Well, I know Luke and Ellie are glad to have you.” She raised a teasing brow. “Not to mention a few... um... churchgoers?” Her snicker, snort and all, shook free as she referenced Luke’s humorous recounting of Arran getting mobbed by mothers at the local church looking for a date—or a husband—for their daughters.
“Heaven help me.” He groaned. “You’ve heard?”
“You’re fresh meat.”
“What?” His smile widened.
“Single male from a good family?” She slid her gaze up and down him, followed by a low whistle. “Fodder to all southern mamas in search of the perfect man for their daughters.”
He rocked back on his feet, his frown deepening. “After the service there were so many of them, most with high-pitched voices and overpowering perfume.”
A belting laugh burst out and she tried to cover it, but instead she plopped some mortar on her face along with the movement. “Ack! Look at me, so ladylike.” She sighed and rolled her eyes.
He crooked his lips and tugged a handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to her. “My grandmother used to say that what makes a lady is on the inside, Charlotte.” The way his voice warmed her name almost distracted her every time he said it. “We only need to show on the outside what you already have on the inside.”
She took the proffered handkerchief. “And what is that?”
“You’re kind. And your kindness is a big part of who you are. Anyone can see that by the way you interact with others. And you’re smart, resourceful.” He waved a hand toward her. “A hard worker.”
“In carpentry.”
“Carpentry doesn’t make you any less a lady.” His expression gentled. “It is something youdo, but not who youare. And this weekend you certainly showed off your ability to dress the part of a lady, should you wish it.”
A flush of heat rushed with power-drill speed into her cheeks. “Being poised and coherent during a speech might be a nice addition.”
He tilted his head, studying her with those striking blue eyes of his. “I want to discuss The Wish and your speeches sometime. When could you meet this week?”
Her thoughts still clung to the way he’d complimented her and then completely validated her job and personality at the same time, so it took her a few seconds to catch up with his request. “Right. We need to do that.” She blinked back to awareness. “Saturday?”
“Perfect. Text me details?”
