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Sophie’s five-year-old daughter Sunny leaped into Tristan’s arms as the family waited for the well-wishers to taper off so they could walk in a royal procession with the bride and groom around front to continue the celebrations.
Tristan kept searching for Henry and checking on the woman he suspected was Jennifer. She wasn’t surging forward with the crowd, anxious to greet the prince and his new princess. She held back. He could’ve sworn her gaze was on him, but it was impossible to tell with that hat and sunglasses covering her pretty face, curly hair, and intriguing brown eyes.
He wanted to storm to her, remove both the hat and the sunglasses, and sweep her into his arms. She’d been defensive and befuddling this morning. Was she truly angry at him? She’d left him without even a simple text saying she’d someday return.
Now that she was back, he wished he hadn’t agreed to any dates with other women, but he had to have dates to events as the crown prince, and he had also dated to appease his dad, his brothers, and so Chad wouldn’t worry about him.
Was Jennifer a mess with her mum in the Rindlesbachers’ power? Was she being forced to keep secrets from him? Tristan feared William’s plots to overthrow the crown would never end, and it was sickening to think of Aunt Leslie in that man’s power. To his knowledge, there had been no ransom note and no acknowledgment from William admitting to the kidnapping. What if William didn’t have her? It was no wonder Henry had been so anxious to meet with any person who claimed to have news of his wife—this morning being no exception. Was that why he was missing?
Knowing how horrific it was to lose his own mum, and for his dad to lose his wife, Tristan ached for Henry and Jennifer. Neither seemed interested in confiding in him or trusting him to help.
“Prince Uncle Tristan?” Sunny fluttered her lashes at him. Though Sophie’s five-year-old daughter had already taken to being part of the family, she was enamored with royalty and refused to drop the royal titles.
The little girl was absolutely adorable. Malik had confided in him and Derek, and asked him not to share with anyone, that Sunny was Treven Rindlesbacher’s daughter. Treven had forced himself on Sophie six years ago.
One more sickening crime to chalk up to the Rindlesbacher family.
Sunny was sunshine and joy in a rambunctious little girl form. The entire family doted on her, especially his dad and Kiera. He’d never imagined the two of them could be so taken with a little one. It was delightful to see his dad carefree and loving his role of ‘King Papa’ as Sunny had taken to calling him.
“Yes, Princess Sunny?”
She grinned unabashedly. “Will you carry me to the dinner, since you have no wife or girlfriend to hold hands with?”
Most of the time, the child spoke as if she were an adult. Probably the result of being raised by her grandparents and Sophie as a single mum.
Malik and Sophie were both laughing at his expense. Sophie tried harder to hide it, while Malik chortled openly.
“I’d be honored.” Tristan pointedly ignored his youngest brother.
“Thank you, kind prince.” She looked him over. “I don’t know why those girls don’t like you. They must be dumb. I think you’re very handsome, even with your ouchies.”
“Thank you. I think you’re very beautiful.” He hated his ‘ouchies,’ but he would never let on. Jennifer hadn’t even seemed to look at them this morning, besides telling him she was sorry he’d been hurt. Then he’d upset her by teasing about women. Dumb of him, as that seemed to be the main reason she was angry at him. He was defensive about the scars and often resorted to joking quickly when they were brought up.
“Well, duh.” She rolled her eyes and then gave him a dimpled grin. “Everybody thinks that.”
Everyone close by exploded with laughter.
Tristan used the distraction to cast a quick glance around to check Jennifer’s position. She was with a crowd walking to the suspended bridge. Shoot. He wanted to chase her, but she’d be at the dinner and reception. He’d pull her aside then and get some answers. Tell her why he’d dated and get past that obstacle.
Unless she disappeared. Tristan’s gut tightened at the thought. He’d stewed about her miraculous reappearance all day. And now Henry hadn’t shown up for the wedding. He needed answers, and he would pin her down until she gave him some—or kiss her until she conceded. Heat filled him at that brilliant idea.
“Don’t worry about T,” Malik told his future daughter. “He has women crawling all over him, despite his ‘ouchies’.”
Sunny wrinkled her delicate nose. “Crawling all over him? That sounds yucky, Daddy.”
Even though they all laughed, it touched Tristan deeply to hear this angel calling Malik ‘Daddy.’ Malik was the youngest and would be the first to have a child. Tristan didn’t begrudge his brother’s happiness. Those two had been to purgatory and back before they found their happily ever after. Still, Tristan longed to have Jennifer by his side, looking at him like he hung the moon, a baby on the way or their little one in his arms.
He chanced a glance. She’d disappeared in the crowd. He had to find her.
“I don’t think he’s complaining, love,” Malik said.
“Do you like women ‘crawling’ on you, Prince Uncle Tristan?” Sunny asked innocently. “It sounds like they’re creepy spiders or something. Gross.”
“No, sweetheart. Your daddy is being silly. Women aren’t creepy spiders; they’re simply drawn to me because I’m so charming.”
“Oh. But I thought you was the Charming Prince, Daddy?”
“Yes, I am.” Malik pushed his chest out. “Poor T is simply the Crown Prince. Very boring.”
