Chapter 7

The Daily Edge: Social Tattle from One Edge of Skymar to the Other

Another tattler spotted our reformed Princess Elliana out with Stoic Styles on what appeared to be a walk in Hyacinth Park on Wednesday evening. Did we even see the Duke of Styles smile? With a little PDA (note his hand on her back), could these two become a royal possibility for the future? She brings the crown and he brings the reputation. It's a match fit for a princess trying to leave her past in the past.

Text from Maeve to Ellie:I only read The Edge so you don't have to, but what the what? I met Stoic Styles once and it was like talking to a door.

Ellie:He's actually very nice. Soft-spoken. Quiet. Very quiet. But nice.

Maeve:Reading between the lines, I'd say he's nice and boring.

Ellie:He's not boring. Not really. He's merely quiet... and nice.

Maeve:You've typed "nice" three times in two messages. Just thought you ought to know. When I think of nice, I think of certain shirtless movie stars who will remain nameless.

Ellie:Sometimes I wonder if you're a good influence on my reformation.

Maeve:Of course I am! I say all the things you won't say, so you can stay demure and... nice.

Ellie:Oh hush! Christopher is a good man, I think. And once I get to know him better, perhaps I'll find a sense of humor and bantering abilities beneath the decorum.

Maeve:There is nothing like great banter! It can tell you so much about a person.

Ellie:Yes, it's delightful. And fun. And makes you laugh when you haven't laughed in so long.

Maeve:Whoa... whoa... THIS is not Spotless Styles talk. Who is he, El? He's the coffee guy, isn't he?

Maeve:You're not commenting, so I'm right. Oh! Didn't you mention at lunch this weekend that he was a rather tall, dark, and handsome builder?

Ellie:I do not recall using any of those words besides tall and builder.

Maeve:Was there something about his shoulders...??

Ellie:I am certain I didn't say anything about his broad shoulders.

Maeve:Broad? Ahh! I knew it. You've always had a thing for shoulders. Why aren't you going after this guy?

Ellie:You are ridiculous! 1. He is an American who will return home in three months. 2. He is not interested in a life on display, I am certain. 3. He is not on the list and never will be. 4. See #1.

Maeve:1 and 2—People do a lot of amazing, crazy, and unthinkable things for love. 3. Lists can change.

Ellie:Not this list, especially since the expectation is to marry a Skymarian. And there is NO talk of love. There's not even talk of like.

Maeve:You don't have to say the "like" part. I can tell there's already like.

Maeve:Don't you think your parents want the best man for you? Sometimes, the very best things don't come on a list. They come out of nowhere.

***

She'd been keeping her distance the past few days. Which was good. Especially for the way his thoughts responded to being near her. So why did he find his attention slipping in her direction or himself aching for another conversation?

Because he was stupid. That was why.

And because emotions led to their own private torture chamber. If he'd learned anything from the movies, let alone his past experiences, the poor guy usually had his heart beaten to smithereens before he ever made it to the end of the story.

And Luke wasn't interested in smithereens, unless it was after Rambo took out his revenge.

Right. Exactly.

And he'd keep telling himself that until he believed it... or returned home.

Why was it that just at the time he'd gotten settled with the idea of being single for a while, he was struck upside the head with an impossible attraction? Well, the attraction wasn't impossible. His roving attention could confirm that without any trouble, but any possible relationship sure was.

Emotions, in the romantic sense, had rarely served him well. He wasn't a half-hearted sort of person. Once he dove—or stumbled—into a relationship, he was all in. And any sort of anything with a Skymarian Grace Kelly didn't bode well for hearts and futures.

He continued his internal monologue as he moved from the back of the castle up the stairs to the kitchen, his arms laden with lumber. Pete followed, whistling some song that sounded nauseatingly chipper for only one cup of coffee. They'd arrived a little early to make sure the worksite was set before the others arrived. It made things move faster and better.

"Have you noticed that lovely primary grades teacher I've been chatting with?" Pete's voice lilted. The man had more enthusiasm than most women Luke knew. "The brunette, dark skin, fantastic eyes."

"I think so." Luke rounded the top of the stairs and entered the kitchen, subfloor showing from one end to the other. In truth, his focus had been split between the job and the perfume-drinking distraction.

"I'm thinking of asking her to dinner this weekend." He placed the tools in his hands down on the floor and then sighed. "But I'm not certain she's interested in me or just being friendly."

Luke pulled his tool belt around his waist, sending Pete a nod. "That's a pretty regular dilemma."

"You're older than me." Pete waved a hand in Luke's direction. "And likely much more experienced."

Don't count on it.

"How do you know if a woman is interested in you?"

Luke drew in a breath and clicked his belt in place. "I just assume she's not."

Like with Ellie. She had a lot riding on this remodel, he could tell. And her friendliness stemmed from creating a positive work environment, he guessed, and likely making up for a bit of their bad start. But interest? Nope. Not a high-class woman like her and a regular guy like him.

A movie scene popped to his mind, unbidden. A movie star and a bookshop owner? Hugh Grant, was it? He nearly got sick at the idea. Had he watched that movie with Izzy for a birthday?

Clearly, the nothing box was not working.

"A bad history with women then?"

Luke paused, thinking of how he could end this conversation as soon as possible, when a set of little faces peered around the kitchen doorframe. Yep, he was okay with the girls rescuing the guys sometimes. Especially in this case.

"Looks like we've got some company."

He walked over to the door and kneeled down to match their eye levels. "You ladies are out and about early this morning."

Amara offered him a wrinkle-nosed grin. "We're not outside. We are inside."

"That is true." His grin spread and he looked up at the ceiling as if in thought. "So what has you coming to visit me this morning?"

"Jamie said you've broken the floor." This from Faye.

"We did." Luke gestured behind him to the room. "We have to break it to make it better." Then Luke caught sight of a boy standing in the shadows nearby. Thin fellow. Maybe fourteen or fifteen?

Luke leaned close and in a stage whisper said, "Is that Jamie spying on us?"

The girls giggled and nodded, so Luke continued, "Well, if Jamie is interested in learning more about what we're doing"—Luke raised his gaze to the boy—"then just tell him to check with his teachers and I'll put him to work."

The boy stared at Luke with wide eyes before he disappeared around the corner of the wall.

"My grandmother is coming to get me in two days," Amara said, hugging a stuffed animal—was it an elephant?—against her chest. "She is going to take me back to Nigeria. I have lots of family there."

"Well, I am happy for you, Amara. I think family is a good thing." Luke caught sight of Faye's wobbly lip. "And you've had a whole bunch of family right here in Cambric Hall, haven't you?" He nodded to Faye. "The two of you stick together like you're close as sisters."

Amara's eyes brightened and she wrapped an arm around Faye's waist. "We've been friends for a whole year."

"Whew. That's a long time." Luke gave the announcement enough obvious respect to see both girls smile in return. "I heard a secret once about friendships like that." He leaned in closer. "Wanna hear?"

The girls' eyes grew wide and they edged in. He lowered his voice. "I've heard that the best friends stay friends no matter how far apart they are."

They stared at him, waiting for him to continue, so those words needed more... something. "Because we carry memories around with us that help us think of good times, and if we close our eyes real tight—" He closed his eyes and then opened them just enough to notice that both girls had closed their eyes too. He wrestled against a burgeoning grin, the itch to hug both girls nearly knocking him over. "We can see those folks we love as if they were near enough to touch."

When he opened his eyes, both girls stared back at him, nodding.

"And we can write letters," Faye said.

"Or emails," Amara added.

Luke nodded, his grin twisting for release. One reason he liked kids so much. They liked practical more than sentimental too. "That's exactly right."

"Do you have people you email from where you live?" Faye asked.

"I do. I have three sisters." Because he always counted Izzy as a sister instead of a cousin.

Both girls' eyes grew wide. "And no brothers?"

"Nope." He shook his head, sighing. "Not a one." He tapped Faye's nose. "But both my dogs are boys, so I could try to even out the score a bit."

Both girls giggled, but another chuckle behind him sounded much too mature for a little girl. He closed his eyes with a sigh, almost certain of who it would be. He turned to find his fear confirmed. Ellie leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, staring down at him with a crooked grin on her face.

He rolled his gaze heavenward as heat traveled up into his face, almost enough to make his beard sweat. He wasn't ashamed of talking to kids at all, but for some reason, her seeing and hearing it just niggled at him the wrong way. With all her high-class, she probably thought he was ridiculous.

Luke stood and the girls smiled and waved at Ellie.

"Hello, Ms.Ellie," they said in unison.

"Hello, Amara, Faye."

She knew the girls' names?

"Are you making a new friend?" Ellie looked from the girls over to Luke. He kept his gaze away from hers and gave a tug to the collar of his T-shirt, just to have something to do.

"He's breaking the kitchen floor to make it better," Faye recited.

"He is."

"Are you helping him?" This from Amara.

"I'm trying, but I have a lot to learn in regard to building."

"What do you usually do?" Faye asked. "When you're not here?"

Which meant she was probably at Cambric more often than Luke expected.

"She visits castles and rides horses." Amara nodded, looking expectantly up to Ellie. "And wears beautiful dresses."

Luke slid a glance over to Ellie to catch her response.

Ellie wrestled with her grin, her cheeks pinking a bit. And the look didn't hurt her at all.

"There are a lot of castles in Skymar and they need lots of work." She stepped closer to them. "And I do like riding horses, but I much prefer comfortable clothes than lots of dresses. However..." She drew out the word and dropped to one knee. "If I were going to wear a special dress, I would certainly want it to be a beautiful one."

"Do you have lots of crowns too?" Faye asked.

Ellie's smile faded. "Crowns?" She looked over at Luke like she'd lost what to say.

"It's all right if you still wear crowns, Ms. Ellie." He shrugged a shoulder. "I've got a sister who does too. Often. And without one apology."

Ellie's wrestling match with her smile took on a whole new force.

"Your sister wears crowns?" Faye's eyes grew wide.

"And fancy dresses and she sings all the time," Luke added, lowering back to the girls' level next to Ellie. "But you know what she loves even more than her crowns?"

Both girls shook their heads.

"Her shoes. She's got more shoes than windows in Cambric Hall."

A collective gasp from all three of the ladies came in response.

"Faye, Amara," a teacher called from down the hall. "It's time for classes, girls."

Both girls stood, their body language screaming that the last thing they wanted to do was follow the teacher, but with half-hearted smiles and a wave or two, they made their way down the hallway.

Luke stood, offering a hand beneath Ellie's elbow as they both rose. Her orange scent invaded every breath.

And she'd worn her hair down in the back today instead of the ponytail she'd worn the rest of the week. Long, thick, golden.

Like Rapunzel.

He flinched. Where on earth had that thought come from?

"Three sisters?" She raised her brow, those blue eyes dancing.

He nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Are you the eldest?"

He shook his head. "Second or third, depending on how you count it."

She tilted her head, studying him. "I... don't understand."

"My folks have three kids, but we adopted my cousin when her parents died, so I'm second born as far as biological siblings are concerned, but third in line if we count Izzy."

"A middle child no matter how you put it." The teeniest twist to her smile hinted at her tease. "That explains so much."

How could he miss having conversations with Ellie, someone he barely knew, after only a few days? But he did. Or maybe it was the company he'd kept lately. Quiet builders and... Pete.

"Best kind, in my opinion." He held her gaze. "What about you? Any siblings for you to boss around?"

"Boss around?" Her smile flashed wide. "I'm fifth of five. I'm told what to do by everyone else."

"So you just take out all that pent-up frustration on me then?"

The way her grin responded to him shouldn't matter so much, but it did. It mattered a whole bunch. And he liked it more than he should. Like a coffee addiction.

Her gaze trailed from his face to his chest and back. "You looked like you could handle it."

He nearly stepped a little closer, drawn in by those eyes. What was it about her that had him thinking romance wasn't such a bad idea after all? If she'd even consider him.

Which was unlikely.

But with her dressed in those jeans and that baggy sweater, the distance between them didn't feel so insurmountable.

"So you're the baby of the family, are you?" he said, returning her challenge. "That sure explains a lot." He tossed her words back at her, complete with raised brow.

"That I'm well prepared to manage big personalities?" She held his stare, the glimmer on full display, and for one quick second, the desire to kiss her jumped right into his head.

As if she'd read his mind and didn't like the direction of his thoughts, she looked away and stepped back.

"We ought to get to work." She moved toward the kitchen door, her smile barely hanging on. "As you said yesterday, this kitchen won't fix itself."

Luke released his breath, his shoulders dropping. Whatever broke the spell of that moment probably saved him from making even more of an idiot of himself. Women like her didn't fall for men like him, and a woman seven hours away by plane, at that. So despite this crazy magnetism toward her, he needed to keep clear of her.

Do his job. Enjoy this new experience.

And go back home.

***

Text from Penelope to Luke:Pete says you're working on an orphanage. How perfect for you, Luke! You love kids.

Penelope:And it fits right in with the usual romance trope of "save a business," "save a homestead." You really should watch more Hallmark movies to best prepare for your life right now.

Luke:I can think of five million better things to do with my time, Penny-girl.

Penelope:That's all right. I'll just keep narrating your life for you because I know you love it so much.

Luke:That threat ALMOST works, but not quite.

Penelope:Well, at least one of us is trying to be prepared for the possibilities of your romantic future.

Penelope:Your orphanage is in a CASTLE???? Luke! It's... perfect.

Luke:How on earth...?

Penelope:I asked Matt about orphanages in Skymar and told him that you were in the northern part of Ansling. He said there was one rather well-known orphanage in the North Country, so of course I put on my best detective hat and went to work... virtually. I'm even more certain you are in your own romance movie. A castle???

Luke:Penn, even if I were working with someone like Grace Kelly, romance is not in the future. Don't throw your romance confetti on me. It won't work. I'm immune.

Penelope:*chime*

Text from Matt to Luke:I had no idea she was researching where you are. But I will add that the North Country has some excellent lakes for fishing, should you get the opportunity. Text Grandfather and he'll give you more details.

Luke:Thanks for speaking sense. I needed it after the Penelope love-tornado just blew up my phone.

Text from Penelope to Matt and Luke:Just so you know, I'm only being extremely hopeful because I want you to be as happy as I am. I am NOT matchmaking. I don't possess that skill. I'm only giving you little hints as to what might happen in your life. Just think about how wonderful it all could be!

Matt:I didn't know I was dating a fortune teller.

Luke:Busybody.

Penelope:It's not fortune-telling. It's just excellent social prediction skills. For example, I'm predicting that you'd really like me to make you some strawberry tarts tonight, Matt.

Matt:If fortune-telling is related to your baking, then the answer is always yes. As far as the prophecies into Luke's love life? You didn't see our romance coming.

Penelope:That's true. I should have. All the perfect Maria von Trapp signs were there, but that's why my predictions are so helpful. We often can't see clearly when we're in the thick of it, so we might need outside observers.

Luke:I'd prefer silent outside observers.

Luke:PS: Could you guys continue your cute little lovefest in a private convo?

Matt:Sorry, mate. Don't worry. I know how to distract her.

Luke:I'm not sure your last text helped with the lovefest ideas, Matt, but thanks for trying.

***

Nessa Frasier promised a magnificent find.

Early-nineteenth-century sconces, similar to what Ellie had been in search of for the cottage. And the dear woman had seemed almost giddy with the discovery. She truly was one of the kindest people. She and her husband had taken Ellie into their lives when she'd first hidden away at Perth Hall and helped her with her healing and reentry into the world.

Crieff had been the best place to hide. And heal.

And orient herself to what she really wanted.

This village offered only a small sampling of the good people filling Skymar, people she could find a way to help and support as they'd done for her. She fit here.

She sighed. But at times, she fit in the real royal world too, more in the service part of things, especially for the past three years. Still... she knew now that her position came with power to change things for the better. She'd worked so hard garnering funds for the orphanage. It had been in dire need of improvements, but after almost a year of meeting with prospective donors and businesses, her work had finally paid off in a solid positive trajectory to expand the orphanage and associated school.

She'd also worked on improving the roadways in the usually forgotten North Country. And with its unique collection of ruins, particularly castles and old houses, she'd slowly been making progress in finding particular properties to convert into useful buildings—whether holiday homes, office space, or residences.

All in the hopes of building up not just the North Country but all of Skymar. Bringing in more people. Tourists-turned-residents.

It was one tangible way of bringing something good out of her own brokenness.

And the people of Crieff, Mara, and the North Country recognized her efforts... and heart.

Ellie's mind trailed back through the most recent day of hard work at Cambric. Despite several of the men attempting to deter her, she insisted on helping unload lumber for the new kitchen floors while Luke and Gordon made additional repairs to the floor joists.

Luke only tried once. But then, as she'd come to expect, he took her at her word and left her to work alongside Peter, who'd become a bit of a curious confidant of hers. Well, she wasn't sharing anything, but he shared a great deal about Luke Edgewood.

The carpenter kept proving more and more of an anomaly. Peter told how Luke rose early most mornings to drink one cup of coffee while reading his devotions and then, after a quick breakfast, he took a short walk before getting ready for the day.

Something about that knowledge of this strong and capable man choosing to spend each morning reading a devotion and enjoying nature only deepened her curiosity about him and made him all the more intriguing.

She slowed her pace down the path. Why would God send someone so... interesting into her life when she couldn't allow herself to even consider a future with him? To strengthen her self-control? To help her prove she'd changed?

She shook the thought away.

Not that Luke would choose her, especially when he learned the truth about her.

What quiet, behind-the-scenes man would want a royal life?

And he'd almost found out. If Luke's princess-loving sister hadn't already dulled his curiosity about women who wore crowns, Ellie would have had some explaining to do.

She frowned. Perhaps she should tell him anyway, but the anonymity was too addicting. The fact that he treated her as he did, simply as Ellie, made their interactions all the sweeter.

And the way he bantered with those girls? And then he'd brought Jamie MacGregor into work, slowly teaching him how to help lay flooring? Something about a strong, gruff, quiet man like him lowering to a knee to comfort little girls and taking an insecure, broken boy under his wing should prick at any person's heart.

She shook her head as she entered the Frasiers' shop.

Perhaps she should return to New Inswythe for a few days to distance herself from this distracting interest in the impossible Luke Edgewood. Even if he didn't have any interest in her, nursing her own fascination didn't help with her need to discover whether Christopher Montgomery was her future or not.

And the more time she spent with and learned about Luke, the more she found herself comparing the two. One offered "everything" her role as princess needed: rank, reputation, stability, history. The other offered some things that called to her heart: tenderness, humor, gentleness, strength.

Her pulse certainly responded much more quickly to one than the other.

She pressed her fingers into her forehead as she navigated one of the back ways to Rudan Air Chall, taking a few quick turns to bypass Cameron's hawk eyes. She'd learned special ways to get around the good-natured man, but he usually guessed her movements. Though in Crieff, his alertness remained more relaxed than in the city.

The bell over the door announced Ellie's entrance into the shop. A few visitors hovered on the far right, talking quietly about some piece of furniture. Ellie veered in the opposite direction. Most tourists didn't recognize her, which was a mercy. When she'd been at her worst, she'd colored her hair dark and worn clothing she winced even now to remember. It was almost like she'd tried every way to defy her royal life.

On the back side of the kitchen items section, she found Nessa and Gordon deep in conversation with... Luke Edgewood. She raised her gaze heavenward. How had this happened again? She was trying to distance herself from the man, not appear as if she was stalking him!

"Oh, Ellie, how good of you to come." Nessa stepped forward, her light blonde hair spun back into a bun. "Just in time for dinner." She waved behind her, her eyes alight. "And Luke has just agreed to join us as well."

Ellie's gaze zeroed in on Nessa, who did nothing to hide the pixie glint in her eyes.

The woman knew Ellie's situation. Had basically lived through it with her for the past five years. As a longtime friend of Ellie's mother, Nessa should be well aware how any sort of relationship with a nonnative was out of the question, but here the woman was, smile in perfect form, wearing an apron that read "Make Love Not War."

And playing matchmaker for an impossible match!

With a tight smile at the two men, Ellie took Nessa by the arm and steered her out of earshot into the book section.

"What are you doing?" Ellie whispered, peering over Nessa's shoulder into the next room to make sure Gordon and Luke weren't following.

"Making dinner for friends, as I always do on Friday evenings."

Ellie narrowed her eyes at the woman. "Nessa, just because you are one of Mother's oldest and dearest friends doesn't mean you should meddle."

"Meddle?" Her brows shot high. "I dinna know what you mean, dearie. I was simply being hospitable for a lad who's new to our wee village. If that's what—"

"You know very well what I mean." She sighed. "Why would you even contemplate such a thing when it will only lead to someone getting hurt?"

"Hurt?" She tsked and shook her head. "Havin' nice friends who will treat you well is never a bad thing, Ellie. I dinna know if there's any romance brewin', but I will tell you this: the lad in the next room is a one-of-a-kind sort and is worthy of your friendship, if nothing else."

Nessa returned to the room, casting a knowing look over her shoulder. Ellie followed, attempting not to grumble like a disappointed six-year-old. As soon as she turned the corner, her attention fell on Luke. He'd changed from his work clothes and was wearing a simple green T-shirt and dark jeans, his jean jacket hanging open. He had a wonderful wave to his dark hair, as if it was brushed back by the wind.

He didn't seem the sort to spend a lot of time fussing over his hairstyle, so the wave must be natural, softening his face probably more than he'd ever want to know. She pinched her lips tight to keep her grin intact. The fact she knew him well enough to guess such a thing made the wave even more tempting.

Her gaze traveled down him with a thrill of appreciation.

Friendship? Have mercy. Mere friendship wasn't exactly what her heart wanted to investigate with Luke Edgewood.

At all.

And her response proved two things: the Ellie of the past was still alive and well, and this time she may very well be in real danger of losing her heart.