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Ellery went back inside and set the tray of food on the table, torn between the unreality of a princess bringing her room service and affection for the girl. The spread was a delicious-looking seafood pasta with a large Ceasar salad, breadsticks, and a marbled strawberry cheesecake.
Delicious.
She really didn’t want to eat it alone.
Ellery didn’t want to participate in a girls’ day tomorrow. She’d rather go climbing and adventuring and learn how to shoot. With how well learning to drive went today, though, she’d be better off getting pampered. With her luck, she’d shoot someone or fall off a cliff.
The real worry … Had Derek instigated the boys’ and girls’ days because he needed a break from her?
Nobody would blame him for that. Nobody. Especially not her. Why, then, was she sniffling and blinking back tears again?
She looked at her phone on the concrete patio. If only she could call her mom, but no way was she bringing stress to her mother. She was stronger and more independent than that.
Ellery sniffled, then lay on the bed and let the tears come. Strong and independent? Derek’s ‘Brave Boston Beauty?’ What a laugh.
Macey rapped on Ellery’s suite door at seven, and it was just the two of them at the gym. Kiera would rather sleep in, and Aliya would be coming down the mountain after she and Curt fed all the men breakfast at their cabin. Ellery was jealous of Aliya getting to see Derek this morning. Silly.
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.
“They were like 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.”
