Page 104 of Royal Reluctance

Dad turns, his shoulders hunching even more. “I wasn’t here for you when you needed me,” he mutters to the stove. “Don’t know why you want anything from us.”

The first step is the hardest, and then it gets easier. My father used to be a hugger, so I rest a hand on his back. “Because I’m older. And I’m a mother and I know how hard it must have been with Mom left. Granddad wasn’t here, you didn’t have any help with us.”

“So?”

“You did your best. I know that now.”

He gives a sharp nod but doesn’t turn around. “She’s really married?” Earl asks Reggie.

“To Bo,” Reggie confirms. “I saw them last night. Was he serious about giving me a job?”

“He was. Go talk to him today.”

“And you’re moving back?” Earl asks.

“I am.”

My father is still nodding and my hand is still on his back. I move it, because it’s getting awkward just touching him. “The stew won’t be ready for a while,” he says over his shoulder. “You should come back tomorrow, it always tastes better the next day.”

I don’t bother hiding my smile. “I will. I’ll bring Mabel.

“Bring your prince,” he instructs. And this time when he turns around, there’s a hint of a grudging smile on his face. “And my granddaughter.”

38

Bo

The talking thing iseasier this time.

Dr. Patel says that it must be difficult to be a prince, and that sets off a whole monologue about what I hate about being born into a royal family.

She lets me talk myself out, and then she asks what I like about it.

I find out that I like quite a bit about being a member of this family.

After the session is over, I collect Tema from the big ballroom where Mrs. Theissen, Dad, and Duncan all watch Tema run riot across the polished floor. I bundle her up in the warmest clothes she has and take her up to the battlements.

The wind whistles and I tug Tema’s hat over her ears. The air might have a hint of spring on the ground, but here, five stories up, it’s still winter cold.

“This is my favourite part of the castle,” I tell her, lifting her up so she can see over the edge.

“Whoa.” Tema’s eyes are wide with delight. “I can see all the way to the coffee place in town.”

“Maybe not that far. But that roof over there?” I point to the south, between the trees, naked without their leaves. “That’s Abigail’s parents’ place.”

“Nana and Papa Locke,” Tema supplies. She stares at the slice of shingled roof for a long moment, then, “I have a lot of grandparents.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“No one I know has so many.”

“Someone must. It just means more people love you.”

“Do you have a grandpa?”

“Not anymore.”

“That’s sad, because he was the king.”

---