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“I’m only here for the weekend, Palmer. I needed to get out of there for a bit. We’ve made every effort to make sure no one knows I’m here.”
“Your chimney is literally churning out smoke,” Palmer pointed out.
Elizabeth smiled as she picked up her own coffee and said, “That’s normal. My neighbors usually take care of the house when I’m not here. They often build a fire.”
“Seems like you have it all figured out, then,” Palmer said.
“Trust me, I don’t,” the woman replied. “Let me show you the other rooms. The kitchen is eat-in.” She pointed at a small two-person table. “I don’t have a dining room, but I’ve never really needed one, either.”
They walked back into the living room and then straight to the wall with the two doors.
“This is the restroom, and this is my room.” Elizabeth walked past the bathroom without opening the door butdidopen the door to her room. “It’s also fairly small, but how much does one really need in a bedroom? A bed, right?”
Palmer smiled as she took in the small room that was much smaller than the woman’s bedroom at the palace. In fact, the room at the palace had a king-sized bed. This room didn’t look like it could even fit one of those in it.
“True,” Palmer said.
“Not what you expected for a Queen, huh?” Elizabeth asked, leaning into the open doorway.
“I try not toexpectmuch. That way, I might be pleasantly surprised, but I’m not usually disappointed.”
“Are you disappointed now?” Elizabeth asked.
“Why would I be?” Palmer asked back.
“I don’t know. I’m sure I’m not the Queen you’d prefer to be interviewing.” Elizabeth made her way with her coffee back to the living room. “Please, have a seat.”
“Elizabeth,” Palmer began. “I never thought I’d be interviewing a Queen. And I’mdefinitelynot disappointed to be interviewing you.”
“My sister told me to be careful with you,” Elizabeth said.
“She doesn’t like me very much, does she?” Palmer asked, sitting down next to Elizabeth on the sofa that was indeed comfortable.
“She doesn’t care for reporters. There was an incident when she was sixteen and rebellious.”
“I can understand that; not all reporters are good or ethical.”
“But you are,” Elizabeth stated rather than questioned. “I can tell that about you.”
“I’ve had great mentors.” Palmer took a sip of her coffee, which was delicious and warm, and rushed through her body, taking out the last remaining chill. “I just listened to what they taught me. Would I love a Pulitzer for whatever story I end up writing? Yes. But I’ll go about it the right way. If not, it’s just not worth it to me.”
Elizabeth gave her a soft smile and said, “I’ll put more wood on the fire.”
“Here. Let me. You sit. You’re here for rest and relaxation,” Palmer reminded, standing up.
“You’re a city girl… What do you know about keeping a fire burning?” Elizabeth asked, laughing as Palmer stood in front of the giant woodpile.
“Put wood in the fireplace. What more do I need to know?”
“You’ve never been camping, have you?” Elizabeth asked.
“No,” Palmer said, turning around and pointing to herself. “City girl.”
“Maybe we should work on changing that while you’re here.”
CHAPTER 11
“Are you hungry? I should’ve offered you something when you got here.” Elizabeth stood up from the sofa.
