Charlie paused on the phrase. She’d written it a week ago. Days before Arran’s interview.
“As a child, it’s difficult to believe people truly care about you when one of your parents chooses something or someone else over you. A sense of doubt in trusting people, or the fear of not being enough for someone else, can leave us in constant uncertainty about the choices we make and the people webelievelove us.” She chuckled. “I think that’s why one of my favorite Bible verses is ‘Be merciful to those who doubt.’”
A soft rumble of laughter spread through the room.
“But this charity brings people together to build hope and courage. Especially”—she shrugged and pointed to herself—“for those who doubt.”
Charlie completely abandoned her notes, the message pouring from some place deep inside her scarred-yet-healed heart.
“The Wish reminded me of the very reason for this season. God thought we were worth a miracle.” She laughed to herself. “Worthy of the impossible.” Her gaze fastened on Luke, his knowing smile confirming the realization in her heart. “Because knowing you are loved changes everything.”
Her breath burst out in a laugh.
She wanted to fight for her future.
“I used to let those hurts hold me back from being brave. I couldn’t—wouldn’t—believe what I had to offer was enough. I mean, he’s aprince.”
A rumble of voices spread across the room, and Charlie pulled her mind back to her task. Had she voiced that out loud? In front of everyone?
Heat rushed from her toes to her forehead, and she searched the room for an ally. Of course, Luke was no help at all. He stoodthere covering his grin with his hand, his shoulders shaking with his laugh.
She stifled a wince and cleared her throat, focusing back on her paper. “So if you want to continue being a part of The Mistletoe Wish story, we have cards at each table explaining ways you can get involved. Let’s reach as many kids as we can with the message that they are worthy of love and a future.”
Applause followed her across the stage and down to the bottom of the steps, where Luke already waited for her.
“Can you make room on your flight tomorrow for one more?”
Luke narrowed his eyes and looked up to the ceiling as if contemplating, then his grin took a tilt. “I have special connections now. I think we can make it happen.”
***
In usual royal fashion, the decorations for the Christmas Banquet exceeded last year’s in elegance and beauty, in part due to his eldest sister, Rosalyn’s, involvement for the first time. As Princess Royal, she was slowly being trained to take over more responsibilities, and she took to the role with the seriousness and extravagance it deserved.
A string quartet played at the far corner of the room, filling the space with soft Christmas melodies and the promise of caroling later in the evening.
The entire ambience took on a different hue now that Arran planned to leave it all behind. He shook his head with a sad smile. After disregarding his title for a couple of years, to face possibly relinquishing it after resurrecting his appreciation felt strangely ironic.
But the more he considered his choice, the more certain he became.
He wanted to pursue a future with Charlotte Edgewood, and if that meant a redirection of his plans, so be it.
A new wave of visitors entered the room, a dignitary here and an honored guest there, each moving along the royal assembly line to receive a proper greeting before dispersing into the Dining Hall for dinner and dancing.
As the youngest son, Arran stood near the end of the receiving line with Ellie. “Wasn’t Luke supposed to be here by now?”
Ellie shifted a step closer. “The flight was delayed, but he’s upstairs changing and assured me he was on his way to the Reception Room.”
“Do you think he created an excuse to keep from spending more time in a tux than necessary?” Arran asked as he tugged at his own bow tie.
“Very possible.” Ellie smiled, nodding as another guest passed before them. “But I do so love him in a tux.”
Arran pressed his eyes closed with a sigh to let Ellie know exactly how he felt about her expressed appreciation of her husband in a tux.
“Any news from Charlotte today?” Ellie asked.
Arran looked away, the answer dropping like a stone in his stomach. “Nothing.”
“But you both have been busy.”
