Chapter 17

Luke walked through Cambric's kitchen and the adjoining spaces, giving a last check to all the team's work. Mrs.Kershaw had gone through things with him an hour before, oohing and aahing at all the changes and additions.

The new kitchen would certainly serve Cambric much better than the old. Two new industrial ovens, a massive griddle, an additional sink, a much larger pantry as well as additional storage, and some better insulation would only prove to keep the cooling and heating more efficient than before.

And the soft green wall color paired with the oak cabinets made the space not only functional but pretty too. All Ellie's suggestions.

He grinned, his gaze moving to a painting here and a light fixture there that they'd added at her recommendation. She really had a gift for adding beauty.

He gave the room a final nod before meeting Gordon and Pete in the hallway.

"Nessa's expecting you two for supper, you ken?"

"Aye." Luke imitated Gordon's usual response, bringing a wry smile to the man's face.

"Now you're embracin' our world, lad." Gordon placed a palm on Luke's shoulder. "You ken you are always welcome in Crieff? With us?"

"I know."

"I'd welcome the opportunity to work with you anytime."

"And I you."

"Not me, Gordon?" Pete offered with a wink. "Though, I have to say, I've learned enough on this job to whet my appetite for more."

"May the Almighty help us all!" Gordon sighed, incurring a laugh from Pete and a smile from Luke.

"I'll meet the two of you in town." Luke nodded, drawing a deep breath and stepping back. "But I need to speak to a few people before I leave Cambric."

"A few small people?" Pete's grin broadened.

"One small and two who are nearly as tall as me," Luke corrected and turned to Gordon. "I'll meet you in an hour. Will that work for Nessa's supper plans?"

"Aye," he said, drawing out the word for emphasis. "And if the bairns can come, bring 'em on. Jamie and Cade have proved good workers and fine boys, and Faye would be good for Nessa's heart since she's not seen the grandweans in a month."

"I still can't believe the two of you are old enough to have grandchildren." This from Pete. "My parents are older than you and only have one."

Reminded Luke of his parents. They'd been high school sweethearts and had Josephine in their early twenties. Probably similar to Gordon and Nessa. Neither of them could be more than fifty.

"Ah, but when you love young, you parent young." Gordon gave his hefty brows a shake. "And then you still have movin' bones when you have grandweans. You may be sore after they leave ya, but you can still move the next morn." He groaned. "Mostly."

Luke smiled as the two men left, Pete regaling, or attempting to regale, Gordon with a story about his nephew's antics in usual Pete fashion. Lots of words and animation.

Gordon offering a gruff response or teasing look here and there.

This side of the world kept growing on him, especially when a certain drop-dead-gorgeous blonde came to mind.

He raised a gaze heavenward, wondering what God was trying to teach him. As he'd told Pete, life brought choices of all sorts. Some were easy. Others difficult.

And some left you asking yourself what you really wanted and treasured.

But in all truth, he didn't have much of a choice about this one. Whatever "list" royals had for their children's spouses, he didn't make the cut. And even if he did, could he really see himself giving up his home and life for somewhere he didn't belong at all? Sure, he could help out here and there with remodels or coming up with ideas to help kids, but banquets and balls and meetings with lots of fancy people all the time?

He groaned at the very idea.

And he wasn't a big fan of the media, but he could ignore their nonsense for the most part. His grimace deepened. Until he couldn't and ended up punching somebody important. He shrugged. But at least then that would overshadow Ellie's past.

After receiving permission from Mrs.Kershaw—who basically offered Luke permanent residency at Cambric Hall for how well he'd worked with the kids—Luke found Jamie and Cade more than willing to take a trip to the Frasiers'. In fact, the boys had developed almost as close a relationship with the grumbly carpenter as they had with Luke. He paused on the thought. Did he come off as a grumbly carpenter? By the time he was Gordon's age, would he then?

He nodded to himself. He could certainly see that in his future.

He found Faye sitting on the side steps of the hall, doll in hand and a very impressive pouty lip on display. Luke slid down to a seat beside the little girl and allowed the silence to encourage her response.

She rubbed a hand against her sniffling nose, looked up at him, and then sighed so loudly, he was pretty sure she'd only done it for his benefit.

He wrestled with his grin and attempted to portray the seriousness her exaggerated emotions warranted. "Is something wrong, Faye?"

She tucked her doll close and buried her chin into the worn strands of the doll's hair, releasing another sniffle.

He waited.

"Are you leaving today?"

"I finished my job."

She sniffled again. "I don't like it when nice people leave."

Luke leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, staring out at the view. "I don't like leaving nice people."

"Could you stay?"

He looked over at her, at those big eyes searching his, and his heart pinched. "It's a really nice place to consider staying, that's a fact. But I have folks back home who want to see me too."

She nodded and nestled her face back into the doll. Luke couldn't imagine the dozens or more of "goodbyes" Faye had experienced. And he was another one. A person who came into her life, showed her he cared, and then left.

He'd thought and prayed about some small way he could make this transition a little easier. Probably not the best idea, but he'd seen the necklace in a shop in Crieff and it just fit.

He reached into his shirt pocket and brought out a little box. The shopkeeper even placed a tiny pink bow on top when he'd told her the reason for the purchase.

"But I got you something."

She looked down at the box and then pushed her doll to the side. "What is it?"

He grinned and pushed it into her waiting hand. "Open it and find out."

The box lid slipped away to reveal a small gold necklace. Faye looked up at him with wide eyes.

"I got a gold necklace for you because gold is pretty and special, like you are. But you know what is the most like you?"

"What?"

"Gold is strong. And you are strong."

She looked down at the necklace, studying it.

His throat tightened. "And it's a heart because I want you to remember something."

Her gaze fastened back on his. "What?"

"That you are loved by lots of people." He nodded toward the hall. "Mrs.Kershaw."

Faye wrinkled her nose in disagreement. Luke held in his smile.

"Mrs.Rue."

Faye liked that name a little better.

"Amara from all the way in Nigeria."

Her smile brimmed at that one.

"Lots of your friends at the orphanage." He tilted his gaze upward. "God."

She looked up at the sky.

He swallowed through the tightness and worked the words through his lips. "And me."

She smiled up at him and his heart nearly broke into a zillion pieces. "You too?"

"Me too. You were one of the very first friends I made when I came here."

Her cheeks dimpled with her widened grin and his throat squeezed tight.

"I spied on you."

"You did." He cleared his throat. "And that heart necklace"—he tapped the box to give him something else to look at besides her face—"well, when you wear it, I want you to remember all those things."

She touched the heart with her little finger, her smile fully intact. "I'm pretty and special." She looked up at him. "And lots of people love me."

"And you're strong." He nodded. "Strong enough to keep hold of that kindness and sweetness inside of you, even when things are hard."

Her eyes rounded. "I'm not always sweet."

"Who is?" He shrugged a shoulder, glad for the levity in the subject change. "But I hope you can hold on to your sweetness long enough to join me for supper with Mr. and Mrs. Frasier tonight."

Her little mouth dropped open. "Mr.Frasier from the old treasure shop in Crieff?"

"That's right. He's specifically invited you, Jamie, and Cade to join me and his wife for a supper to celebrate finishing up the kitchen work." He refused to say a goodbye supper because somehow the word kept getting stuck in his throat.

Text from Izzy to Luke and Penelope:Thanks so much for the photos. Faye is the cutest thing. Those eyes just sparkle.

Luke:They sure do. With a whole lot of sass and mischief.

Izzy:Anyone with sass and mischief is your kind of someone.

Penelope:Oh my goodness, Luke! She looks like a little fairy. In that one picture, is she getting ready to throw a cup of something on one of those boys?

Luke:Yeah, Nessa caught her in time so it didn't happen, but Jamie was teasing her about redheads.

Penelope:Some of the best people are redheads. *batting eyelashes proudly*

Luke:Is it possible to bat eyelashes humbly?

Penelope:You're not funny.

Izzy:So... will you see Ellie again before you leave Crieff?

Luke:She'll be at the Donors' Banquet, so I'll see her there.

Izzy:Are you still being followed by the paparazzi?

Luke:Yeah, a little. I just move through them or go around them. If Ellie isn't here, I don't think they'll stay long. And they'll likely lose interest once the banquet's over and I get out of town.

Penelope:I know you think I'm crazy and too stuck in movie-brain, but I just feel like it can't be the end of your story with her.

Luke:Penny-girl... real life. It happens.

Penelope:I know you're not as laissez-faire as you're pretending to be. And she CAN'T be. A girl just doesn't forget a guy like you.

Izzy:Actually, Penelope is right. Despite all your faux grumpiness...

Penelope:And faux arrogance.

Izzy:And short sentences.

Penelope:And facial hair.

Luke:You can end the list now, thanks.

Izzy:You really are the type of person who leaves a lasting impression.

Penelope:And not just the kind like permanent markers... or that time with cousin Thomas and the iron. You may not want people to know, but you listen. That's an amazingly attractive character trait (despite the beard).

Izzy:And you find ways to show people you care about them so they FEEL it.

Luke:Okay, y'all. Stop or you're gonna make me cry. Oh wait, I don't cry.

Penelope:Well, there was the time you ate the ghost pepper.

Luke:Not the same thing.

Penelope:Are you going to be okay? Really? I'm so far away I can't tell whether you're just being your regular grumpy self or you're really sad.

Luke:It sucks to fall for a princess you can't have, but I suppose this may be as close as I'll ever get to feeling like you did most of your young life, Penny-girl. Oh wait, all the princes you fell for weren't real.

Penelope:Never underestimate the heartbreak of fictional romances.

Izzy:She does have a point, Luke. Fictional characters can be very powerful. But we just want you to know (even if you don't want to know) that we think you're pretty amazing.

Penelope:Totally worthy of any princess. EEEE!!! That sounds so magical.

Luke:Okay, I'm getting off here before you start singing some movie song performed by animated creatures. Besides, I'm getting ready to rewatch The Expendables, grill some hamburgers, and try to clear my head of all your emotional talk.

Penelope:Love you BIG, bro!

Text from Izzy to Luke:Just so you know, if you need me, I can be there in an hour.

Luke:I'm okay, Iz. I wish things could be different, but they can't.

Text from Maeve to Ellie:I still think you ought to ask Luscious Luke to the Hyacinth, Ellie. Timorous Timothy of Tallon is nice-looking and all, but really can't compare. In looks or conversation.

Ellie:Timothy is very sweet and only sees me as a friend. It's a good pairing for the Hyacinth. I can have a date and he can appease his own mother by attending a social engagement now and again. Besides, after the Hyacinth, I plan to turn my attention to my duties.

Maeve:Because your heart needs time to heal.

Ellie:I haven't known him so long as that, Maeve.

Maeve:It doesn't have to take a long time to care for someone, El. And when it's the right person, it doesn't have to take long at all.

***

Driving a car in Crieff proved a lot different than driving one to a castle.

A real castle.

To meet a king.

And possibly end up in a dungeon for dating his daughter?

In all honesty, it was only one real date.

Heat crept up his neck.

And about a half dozen unofficial ones. Or more. Sort of.

Gordon and Nessa had assured Luke his fears were unfounded. That the king was a reasonable and kind man, which was what Luke believed after having dinner with him. But that was before Luke went around... what was the Scottish word? Snogging his daughter?

He gave his head a shake. Nope. He still preferred the word kissing. Snogging sounded like something you'd spit up rather than the fantastic activity kissing really was. Or at least, how it was with Ellie.

After doing a little research online, he'd worn his best jeans, a white button-down, and his sport jacket for the occasion, hopefully balancing casual with a "fit for a king" meeting. If Prince William could make the look work, surely Luke could get by with it.

Even with a beard.

And, maybe, a scared rabbit expression.

He parked in the allotted spot indicated by a detailed email on protocol and then proceeded to pass through a series of security checkpoints, including one set of guards who opened the gift he'd brought for Ellie that he planned to leave with her dad. Thankfully, he'd purchased a box with an easy slip-off lid and separate bow. He didn't even realize they made boxes like that. Game changer.

The castle itself looked like something off some show Penelope loved to watch about royals. Like the Biltmore Estate back home... only on steroids. Gold-trimmed mirrors, crimson and dark green wall colors. Woodwork with the most intricate designs carved to frame doors or accent crown molding. Massive stone, marble, and ceramic fireplaces. The furniture didn't look like you were supposed to sit on it, and if you were supposed to, it wouldn't be comfortable.

Even the ceilings glistened like works of art, from their designs to their colors. One even had a painting covering the entire ceiling, very much like the Biltmore's library.

Though everything glowed with more grandeur than the estate back home, something about having a frame of reference eased a little of his discomfort in walking through the space. The craftsmanship shone through, only highlighting things he'd already come to appreciate from Skymar. They valued woodwork and stonemasonry.

And quality.

Luke followed his black-suited escort up a narrower stairway and less ornate hallway, still well maintained, but the atmosphere changed from grand to... something else? Luke glanced behind him the way they'd come, trying to remember the direction in case he needed to run for it.

The servant leading the way stopped in front of a large oak door with wood carvings of flowers twining up each side in distracting detail. The leaves looked fragile enough to be real.

Luke didn't have time to study the designs further because the manservant—did he call him a manservant? Butler?—knocked and a voice within beckoned entry. Unlike the previous and larger rooms, Luke stepped into a space of cozy, pale blue couches and white walls. The chairs looked more comfortable, though it seemed pretty clear that no one had been eating Doritos while watching movies here.

As weird as it sounded to his brain, this place felt more like the middle ground between how he imagined Ellie's life and what he knew of his own. This was comfy-class. He cringed. Where had that thought come from? He'd only watched HGTV a few times, and those were only during emergency moments involving Izzy and Wuthering Heights, Penelope and boy drama, or Josephine and some of her strange diet crashes.

King Aleksander stood from behind a desk by one of the large windows in the room and walked forward, hand extended. "Happy to see you again, Luke."

"Your Majesty." Luke gave a small bow before taking the man's hand. He got a little help from research for that protocol too. "I'm grateful to have a chance to talk with you again."

"Good. Come sit." The king waved toward one of the matching chairs and then turned to the two men in the room. "You can leave us, thank you."

No witnesses. Luke watched them leave. But that also meant no ganging up on Luke. He studied the king. The man looked in good shape, but Luke thought he could take him, if he had to.

The king sat and Luke followed (another tip from the cyberworld).

"You didn't have to bring a gift." The king gestured toward the box in Luke's hand.

Luke looked down at the offering and heat rushed to his face. "I'm sorry, sir, but I actually brought this in hopes you could give it to Ellie—Princess Elliana for me, since I've finished my work at Cambric Hall and we don't plan to see each other in casual circumstances again."

The king scanned the long, rectangular box with a raised brow.

"It's a fishing rod." Luke leaned forward as if someone else might overhear. "PENN Spinfisher."

The king's eyes widened. "You bought my daughter a fishing rod?"

"Yes, sir."

"And you think this is a good choice?" The king's lips crooked just a little beneath his golden beard.

"I do, in fact, sir. It's something on her list."

"Her list?" The king tilted his head, studying Luke with curiosity more than skepticism.

Did her dad not know about her list? Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned it.

"I beg your pardon, sir, but it's a private list your daughter has. I imagine she'll be glad to tell you about it if you ask her, but if you don't mind, I'd rather not betray her trust about it."

The king dipped his chin in acceptance and his smile returned. "Well, first I'd like to thank you for your presentation to the Board of the Children's Trust. We have already begun making contacts in the community to review possible individuals who would be willing to mentor and train any of the children in our children's homes who are seeking trade work."

"That was fast."

The king's grin widened. "With great power comes expediency." He raised a brow. "Sometimes."

"I'm sure a great deal of children will benefit from that choice, sir."

"I believe you're right." The king relaxed back in his chair with a sigh. "But I'm certain you are curious as to why I asked to meet with you. I have a long acquaintance with Gordon and Nessa Frasier. They speak very highly of you, and Gordon praised your work ethic and quality."

"It's been a real pleasure working with Gordon." Luke had attempted to keep his posture straight, but now he noticed that the king had relaxed into his own chair just like a regular guy. So Luke followed suit. "He knows a lot about building, but even more than that, he loves his town and the North Country."

"Yes, he's advised Ellie and me on several conservation projects we've started within the last year." He folded his hands on his lap, appearing much more like a regular guy than what Luke knew he actually was, which added a whole different level of weirdness.

Sure, he'd welcomed Luke during dinner a few weeks ago and they'd engaged well, but now they sat in a study in the man's castle. Was he supposed to be more kingly here? Or could he really be this... semi-normal?

"He took me on a few drives into the forests you all have up there. Fantastic areas. Beautiful too."

"Yes, which is why I hope to create more wildlife reserves, but also capitalize on what we offer as a country to bring in more tourists and hopefully transplants." His smile flashed a little, the movement reminding him of Ellie. "Which is one of the reasons I invited you here. Gordon recommended you take a look at a few additional properties I am contemplating for renovation into holiday homes—one may even prove an excellent option for a hotel. But Gordon mentioned you'd worked in... what is it called in your country? Wildlife management?"

Air burst from Luke's lips like a cough. "Um, I worked in that a bit during college."

"Received a double major, I believe."

Luke blinked. "Yes, sir, wildlife management and accounting."

"Neither of which you use at the present time?"

Had the king run a background check on Luke or something? "I got out of accounting because it really wasn't what I wanted to do. I prefer being outdoors or working with my hands. The wildlife management degree was a way for me to study something in school that I liked while studying something my parents liked." He shrugged a shoulder. "The accounting smarts come in handy for running my own business and during tax season." He chuckled at his own joke, one that the king seemed to understand because he responded in kind. "But I saw that I could make more money in building than I could in wildlife management, so when I decided to start up my own business, building made the most sense."

"And how did you learn carpentry and stonemasonry?"

Was this the real reason the king had invited him? Work talk? Luke's whole body relaxed. "I had an uncle who mentored me from the time I was twelve. I even worked with him in college during the summer to earn some extra money."

"You're quite the jack-of-all-trades, aren't you?"

"Maybe if those trades are manual labor or more outdoorsy." Luke gestured toward the room. "But I'm not into diplomacy or political meetings or anything fancy enough to fit this place."

The king's grin spread wide. "My mother used to say that God gifts different people for different jobs so they can use their gifts to their fullest potential."

"I like that." He nodded.

"But He's not afraid to stretch us."

"No, sir. He's not." Luke's grin twitched. "I've learned a great deal by being here and seeing how things are done in building on this side of the pond versus my side. And I look forward to working on another renovation for Mr.Gray before I return home."

"Did you like Crieff?"

"Yes, sir. Small-town folks are small-town folks no matter where you go in the world."

"Indeed." The king's expression turned thoughtful. "I've learned to appreciate small-town virtues by marrying into the family I did. It was not my family's first choice, but it taught me the value of those who have lived lives very different than my upbringing."

"Which is why I think your people appreciate you so much, Your Majesty. Most folks value good-hearted genuineness and understanding."

"Yes." The king studied Luke again with an intensity that Luke wasn't quite sure how to handle, but he managed to keep from fidgeting or moving beneath the stare. "Would you ever have any interest in relocating? I could use someone with your experience, integrity, and knowledge to assist in a great many ways."

Luke's jaw slacked a little. Was King Aleksander offering Luke a job? His brain stopped working completely. A job from a king?

He could just see Penelope's head explode with confetti.

But a job? For him?

His brain started working again, piecing together what that meant. He could be with Ellie. And he'd live near Izzy.

He could learn new skills and enjoy the countryside here.

But it would also mean leaving his parents, selling his new and thriving business, embracing a life of paparazzi, ballrooms, suits, and—he groaned inwardly—dress shoes. He cared for Ellie, so much more than he imagined in such a short time, but his parents relied on him for help. Josephine did too. Living so far away meant they'd suffer from his absence.

And he'd even miss Penelope, which he'd never admit out loud, but it was enough to admit it in his head.

He drew in a breath and steadied his attention on the sovereign. "I can't tell you how honored I am that you would consider me worthy of a job in service of you and Skymar. Truly, I'm humbled by your faith in me and my skills."

"But?" The king held his gaze.

"I can't leave my parents to move here, sir. Or my business." He leaned forward. "Coming here for a few months to work is one thing. I'll be back home in a month or so to help with all the things they've been storing up for me, but relocating here, especially as my parents get older?" He sighed. "A good family is a precious thing in life and something I value a great deal. I don't know that I'm ready to make a move like that."

"I can understand that, Luke, and it only makes me respect you more." The king's expression softened. "But the offer stands, should you have a change of mind... or heart."

Luke held the king's gaze, not sure whether he was supposed to or not, but the king seemed to have a deeper intention behind his words. Surely he couldn't mean what Luke was a little afraid to believe he might mean.

"Thank you, sir."

"Now," the king said as he stood and Luke followed. "I would like to get your thoughts on a few of these properties Gordon and I have discussed, so let's move to the desk."

The king called in his secretary, who took notes while Luke offered suggestions on a few of the sites the king presented, all the while fighting an inward battle over whether he'd made the right decision about the job offer... and whether he even could choose differently.

And all at once he realized his dilemma matched Ellie's exactly, except on a smaller scale. Family expectations versus the heart.

And for better or worse, they both chose the former.

For all the right reasons.

And broken hearts healed.

Eventually.