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They got into an intense workout fast. Macey was incredibly fit, and she wanted Ellery to put her through a Ninja Warrior workout and train her. Ellery loved training, and the time flew by. Macey was a little shy and quiet at first, but she warmed up. Ellery liked the tough security and computer expert. She was funny, smart, and crazy in love with ‘Ray.’ Ellery didn’t know that she’d ever be comfortable or confident enough to call General Raymond ‘Ray.’
They were cooling down on the elliptical machines, looking out at the gorgeous view, when Macey said, “Wouldn’t you rather go walk on the trails to cool down?”
“For sure.”
“Let’s go. We don’t have our appointments until ten. Ray arranged for some ladies to come in to do pedicures, manicures, facials, deep conditioning treatments, haircuts, and who knows what else?” She smiled and shook her head. “I guess for a royal wedding, we have to act like princesses. But after all that’s done, we’re playing in the spa and swimming.”
“The spa and swimming sound great.” Ellery was a little gun-shy about acting like a princess as she had no clue how to do that.
Luckily, Macey seemed to get her. They fell into step along the hallway, down the myriad of stairs, and out the front doors of the castle. The guards weren’t thrilled about their ‘walk in the forest’ plan, saying General Raymond would not approve. Macey quickly conceded to two guards trailing them, not wanting to interrupt Ray’s time with his brothers.
“Ray’s a bit overprotective,” Macey confided as they took a trail straight from the castle that had a bridge over the river and a view of a beautiful waterfall. “He’d sprint down the mountainside and follow us if the guards let him know we refused escorts.”
“Does that bother you?”
“That he wants me safe?”
Ellery shrugged. “You seem like a tough, brilliant, and independent woman. How do you reconcile that with the buff General not letting you go on a walk by yourself?”
They walked slowly along the trail, and Macey smiled thoughtfully. “I am tough, and I can fight well, but there are dangers even in this beauty. If it makes Ray feel better, I’ll consent to guards.” She glanced sidelong at Ellery. “You can still be tough and independent and love a tough and independent man. Ray and I have different roles, but we work amazing together. I love him being protective of me. I never had a father, and my mom was a train wreck with relationships and being a mother. My brother worked hard to protect me, but he couldn’t be there all the time. So he taught me to fight and keep myself safe. It’s a relief to have Ray watching out for me, and if he gets too bossy, I put him in his place.”
Ellery smiled, but then heard herself admit, “My mom’s got MS, so I take care of her and I don’t have any siblings. My father isn’t much to talk about.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“But you understand.”
“I do.” Macey smiled softly. “I hope you can learn to trust and love Derek. You two are incredible together.”
Ellery swallowed and focused on the lush greenery around them and the creek trickling by the trail. She had no answer for that. She did love Derek, but trusting a man and not taking care of herself were alien concepts.
“I really hope we can be close,” Macey said, thankfully changing the subject. “I adore Aliya. She’s so funny with her Southern expressions and very accepting and loving, but she and Curt are always up in the mountains. And sometimes I feel a little left out because Aliya and Hattie are like soul sisters …” she trailed off.
“Hattie?” Ellery tried to look clueless, but her heart was racing. Hattie was alive? She and Aliya were like ‘soul sisters’? No! Her palms got sweaty. Would the murderer come to the wedding? How could Ellery protect the family and warn them? If Naomi was correct, they all trusted and loved Hattie and wouldn’t listen to Ellery’s warnings.
“Theywerelike soul sisters,” Macey corrected, not looking at her. “Everyone is still very upset about her death.”
Ellery nodded as if she understood. “Is that why Prince Steffan is in Haiti?” She paused, and Macey glanced sharply at her. “Mourning Hattie Ballard’s death?”
“Yes. The entire family took such a hard hit when the queen was murdered. To lose Hattie must’ve sent Steffan over the edge emotionally.” Macey stopped and pivoted. “We probably should head back and rinse off the sweat before breakfast.”
“Okay.”
The day turned out to be fun, with Kiera and Aliya making Macey and Ellery laugh almost nonstop. The ladies who came to do their treatments were sweet and joined in the joking and laughing. Ellery’s favorite part was the spa therapy and swimming after. She appreciated these ladies making her feel like part of the family.
When she got back to her room, she showered and got ready for dinner. She paused, wondering if she should send a Snap to Naomi. Macey had almost admitted that Hattie was alive, but then she’d corrected herself.
Dropping the phone into a drawer, she knew there wasn’t a lot she could do. If Hattie showed up, she’d let Naomi know and see if any of the family didn’t have blinders on about the murderous billionaire heiress. She’d seen a variety of pictures of Hattie Ballard. The woman looked beautiful and fun and sassy. Most men would probably fall prey to the lady’s charms, but Macey and Aliya had to see through her. Right? Well, not Aliya. Apparently, they were soul sisters.
A chill went through Ellery.
She dressed carefully for dinner in a white summery dress that was light and airy and showed off her olive skin and toned arms and legs. Her skin and hair looked healthy from all the treatments today. Thankfully, the stylist hadn’t taken any length off her hair, only evened it and trimmed the split ends.
She curled her hair for one of the first times in her life and took extra pains with her makeup. The eyeliner and mascara made her eyes look pretty, and the lip stain outlined and showed off her lips. That was about all she dared do.
Eyeing herself in the mirror, she felt like a princess. Not because of the expensive beauty treatments or spa day, but because of the way she was being treated. Derek cared for her, and his family did as well.
She could hardly wait to see Derek. He treated her like a princess. Could she be an independent and tough woman and also a match for Derek? Could she trust him and let him help her at times?
