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Chad smiled tenderly at the child, and it hit Hope like a ton of bricks. If Chad would’ve secured Sophie Pederson’s heart, this would’ve been his daughter.
“Forgive me,thePrincess Sunny. You look superbly beautiful today.”
“Thank you, my friend Chad.” The six-year-old talked like an adult. “Of course I forgive you. You are suberb, super …” she shook her head, “veryhandsome, and your new girlfriend is very beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Hope said.
“We had better rush through the back staircase and find our seats so you all can proceed with your wedding duties,” Chad said.
“Nice to meet you all,” Hope said.
“Incredible to meet you all,” Faith gushed.
They all waved and smiled. Classy, beautiful, and kind people. Chad was blessed to have friends like these. Hope didn’t have friends besides Faith and her employees. Chad was her most exciting and enticing friend.
If she refused to move past ‘friend’ would she lose him in her life? The thought stabbed at her gut. Lonely and depressing wouldn’t begin to describe her world without Chad.
ChapterSix
Chad directedHope and Faith gallantly down the long hallway and two more sets of stairs.
“I can’t believe I just met the royal family,” Faith’s voice was out of breath and airy.
“Everyone except Malik, Sophie, and King Nolan,” Chad said. “We will make certain to complete your royal introductions after the ceremony.”
“Yay!”
Hope wasn’t nearly as exuberant about it as Faith, but she was enamored with the royals. It was surreal to be in this castle and meeting princes and princesses, being escorted to a royal wedding. She knew how close Chad was to them. It explained his charm and confidence. How could he not be confident being a natural part of a group as impressive as the one they’d just met?
They hurried through a side hallway and out into the spacious courtyard where the wedding would be held. It was a chilly but gorgeous fall afternoon. The wedding area was picture perfect, glowing in the late afternoon sun. All the hard work she’d witnessed earlier had paid off to a mystical wedding setting with an overabundance of floating white and silver in the form of chiffon, gossamer, tulle, and organza. Myriads of different flowers in pots, hanging baskets, centerpieces, and sprays brought in natural and becoming color. The castle and everything else seemed to glow like an ethereal diamond. Hope had never glimpsed anything so magical and otherworldly. She was in a dream.
The groom was already standing next to the pastor, an arch covered in gauzy white satin and flowers behind them, next to a courtyard wall. Prince Malik was a very handsome dark-haired man. He had swarthier skin that any of his brothers besides Prince Steffan but shared the distinctive blue eyes. He shifted from foot to foot, obviously a little nervous, but the confident smile on his face and glint in his blue eyes said otherwise.
Chad saluted the groom, and Prince Malik’s grin grew as he lifted a hand to him. He gave Hope an approving smile that made her feel welcome. Who had trained these royals to be so kind and almost unassuming? She’d imagined it was King Nolan and the deceased Queen Anne. They must have been the most loving and wonderful parents. She wasn’t jealous but couldn’t relate to wonderful parents or royal blood.
Prince Malik was off-the-charts handsome, but he didn’t hold a candle to Chad’s appeal in Hope’s mind.
“I apologize for the wait, but we will introduce you after the ceremony,” Chad said as he escorted them to their seats.
A classically beautiful lady with shoulder-length blonde hair and Chad’s emerald green eyes stood as they approached her.
“Chad!” she cried out.
He held on to Hope’s hand as he hugged the lady. “Good evening, the most beautiful Mum on earth.”
A man stood next to the lady. He was distinguished looking, average height, with salt and pepper in his beard and hair.
Chad glanced at the man as he released his mother from the hug. His grip on Hope’s hand tightened, and a muscle popped in his jaw.
“Chad. You remember Roger Pitcher. He’s served on several committees with me.”
“I know who he is.” Chad said, not an ounce of his usual charm in his voice, his mouth and shoulders tight. He turned and focused on Hope just as the man extended his hand to shake. “Mum, I’m honored to introduce you to Hope Radisson and her sister Faith. This is my mum, Madeline Prescott.”
Why did he leave out the girlfriend part that time?
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Hope and Faith.” His mom was still warm, though she obviously didn’t appreciate that Roger had to drop his hand and Chad pretended as if he hadn’t seen the gesture. “I’ve heard so much about the both of you.” She focused on Hope, a twinkle now in her emerald eyes. “Especially you, Hope. I look forward to spending time with both of you.”
“Thank you.” Hope felt a stirring in her breast. Chad’s beautiful and accomplished mother had heard so much about them, especially her. She liked that. Madeline was a member of Augustine’s parliament and Hope had wondered if she’d be distant or cold, but she was as warm and kind as the mother Hope had never truly known. She had a nurturing air about her and love radiated from her emerald eyes. Another clear reason why Chad was so confident and accomplished. Where Hope had to claw her way to confidence and success, Chad had love engrained in him that helped create the impressive man he was.
