Page 34 of The Prodigal Prince

They both turned back around, looking out over the city to the water beyond. This time they stood close enough together that the sleeve of his shirt brushed against her forearm. With a sigh, Fiona leaned her head against his shoulders.

“It’s gorgeous here, Mac. I don’t see how you would ever want to leave.”

Mac tipped his head until his cheek rested against hers. “Southwest Missouri has its own kind of beauty. It’s different, but still has some amazing views. Sunsets through storm clouds? Don’t get those here, not like those.”

“You mean back lit tornados?” She’d seen a couple of those.

Mac laughed. “Occasionally. We don’t have those here.”

“You do have hurricanes from time to time, though.”

He reached over and grasped her hand lightly. “Every once in a while. It’s been a long time since we’ve really been hit by one. The outer bands come through but rarely full force.”

They stood there as the sun lowered toward the water. As it neared the horizon, Mac spoke again. “Are you about ready for dessert?”

Fiona straightened. “That sounds lovely. What are we having?”

Mac rested his hand on her lower back as they moved back toward the table. As soon as they were seated a member of the palace staff brought plates of dessert and set them down. The decadent chocolate cake with some sort of red filling called to Fiona. The first bite told her it was every bit as delicious as it looked.

A chuckle from Mac made her look over. “I’ll make sure the chef knows how much you like it. He’ll either keep some on hand or at least make it regularly while you’re here.”

“That would be very nice of him, but absolutely not necessary.” She took another bite. “But if he wants to, I won’t stop him.”

As much as she loved the taste, Fiona wasn’t able to finish the whole piece of cake. She’d eaten too much and it was too rich to eat the whole thing.

Once they ate as much as they were able to, Mac helped Fiona to her feet. They watched the sunset as they leaned against the balustrade. They talked about a little bit of everything, and nothing, all at the same time.

He rested his hand on her lower back as they went through the open doors into one of the many sitting rooms. “I think it’s probably time for me to walk you back to your quarters. I have a feeling there’s a young man waiting for you to tuck him in.”

She laughed as he took her hand, linking their fingers together. “I always prefer to tuck him in myself, but it’s not always possible. Tinsley does a great job taking care of him when I can’t be there. The other day was a fluke. He got away from her once, at the theme parks in Spring Meadow. It lasted less than three minutes, but she was distraught. She offered to quit, to file her own police report. She meant it, too.”

He nodded like he remembered.

He probably did.

Fiona gasped. “It was you! You were the man who helped him find Tinsley at the park that day!”

Mac shrugged. “I just made sure he didn’t wander off too far and that he found Tinsley when she turned around.”

“Thank you.” Her voice caught in her throat before she cleared it. “Well, tonight, you’re close enough you can do the honors yourself.”

They turned a corner and started down another long hall, one Fiona didn’t recognize. “Did we come this way earlier?”

“No. I thought we’d go back another direction, so you can at least see a bit more of the building.”

She looked around. “Is there a map of this place? An app that will tell me exactly where I need to turn to get where I’m going?”

Mac stopped when they reached an intersection of hallways. He looked one way then the other. “Um... there wasn’t a few years ago, but I hope there is now.”

Fiona’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t know where we are, do you?”

He let go of her hand and spun in a circle. “No?”

“Are you sure? You don’t sound very certain of yourself.”

“Well, notexactly.” He stood straighter, a confident look on his face. “This way.”

Stifling a smirk, Fiona followed him as he strode down the hall. She tried to look at all of the paintings and portraits and other things lining the sides of the hall, but she couldn’t take it all in as she hurried to follow Mac. Hopefully, she’d have a chance to take her time, maybe with a historian. Someone who could tell her all about the different artifacts.

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