Page 87 of Royal Games (The Royals of Monterra)

But once we got to the top, it was totally worth it. We could see the entire county, the Christmas lights that twinkled on the houses, the empty cornfields blanketed with sparkling snow. “It’s not a turret in a castle, but the view is breathtaking.”

He kissed the spot on my neck that I loved, and heat blossomed under my skin, rushing to meet his lips.

“One of the things I love most about living here is that I never have to look up to see the sky. Everything is so open.”

“That’s how I feel about the mountains in Monterra.”

Was that going to be a problem? He was a prince. He couldn’t stay in Iowa for forever. He had a life and a family that he had to get back to. Just like I had a life and a family here.

We would make it work. We had to. He kissed me again. “I love you.”

This was it. My chance to tell him. To let him know that I was on the same page. “I ...”

My throat locked up. I couldn’t speak. I loved him. I wanted to tell him. Why couldn’t I? Was I just not ready?

“I’m not telling you so that you’ll say it back. I say it to you because it’s how I’m feeling and I don’t want to keep that from you.”

I felt a prickling sensation at the back of my neck. Like we were being watched. Normally I would have dismissed it as his security, but they weren’t here. Or at least they weren’t supposed to be.

A figure emerged from the tree line and held up a bullhorn. “Get down from the water tower, Genesis.”

It was Sheriff Stidd.

“Busted,” I said. Rafe started down the ladder first.

“Are we going to be in trouble? I have lawyers on speed-dial.”

“Well, considering that you just saved the church and this is literally my only offense, I’m guessing we’ll be just fine.”

I was right. The sheriff yelled at us for a few minutes about being reckless and irresponsible, and it was all I could do not to break into pealing laughter. I actually clamped my lips shut. But as soon as we were back in the SUV, we both laughed.

“I really love you,” he said after his laughter died down.

“Yeah, yeah. You said that already.”

“Did I say this?” He leaned in to brush a soft kiss against my lips. “Or this?” The next kiss was firmer, longer. “What about this?” That kiss nearly made my socks explode.

The sheriff banged on Rafe’s window. “And no parking!”

Rafe nodded, and we laughed again as he headed back out toward the main road.

My phone rang, and I saw that it was Whitney. “Hey! What’s up?”

“You’re back in town, right? Do you have your key to the diner? I left my wallet in the kitchen, and I drove all the way back to get it before I realized I left my work key at home. Total pregnancy brain. Can you help?”

“You know I always have my keys.” I felt them in my front pocket. “I’m actually fairly close.” Rafe was massaging the back of my neck, which made my head loll all over the place. It was not easy to form words. “I’ll be there in a few.”

I explained the situation to him, and he headed straight for the diner. Whitney stood out front with a tired Gracie. I knew Christopher was in Iowa City for a training seminar. Meredith and Beau were asleep in the car. That was the nice thing about our town. She could have even left the car running and we wouldn’t have had to worry.

“I’ll go in and get it for you,” I said. “You go get in the car and rest.”

We walked back to her car. Well, Gracie and I walked while Whitney waddled. “How did your trip go? Did you finally realize that you like him?”

Rafe sat in the SUV waiting for me. “I like him more than I like candy andStar Trekcombined.”

“Wow,” Whit said as she climbed in the front and I buckled Gracie into her car seat. “That’s huge.”

“I know.” I kissed the top of Gracie’s soft hair, and she sucked her thumb, resting her head against the side of her seat. “Where is your wallet?”

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