Page 52 of Once Upon A Royal Christmas
The child was surrounded by about half a dozen other girls who squealed Gracie’s name. “Princess Snowflake!”
“Your adoring public awaits,” Nick said.
Gracie stared straight ahead, bracing herself for a sarcastic comment, and when none was forthcoming, she slid her gaze toward him. “This seriously doesn’t bother you?”
He arched a brow. “What? The fact that I need a party princess to help me look good?”
“I’m sure that’s not true.” Sympathy closed up her throat. Since when did she feel sorry for Prince Abominable?
“Gracie.” He gave her a penetrating look as the carriage slowed in front of the crowd. “It’s okay. That’s why you’re here. I’m a big boy. I can handle it.”
“Of course you can.” She swallowed hard. For a minute there, she’d forgotten why they were sitting next to each other in a royal carriage.
What was happening?
She pasted on a smile and greeted the children, aware of every move Nick made beside her.
“Hello, snowflakes,” Gracie sang out as she tossed candy canes to the girls.
“On behalf of her royal highness, Princess Snowflake,” Nick said as he leaned over the side of the carriage and passed out candy.
They gazed up at him like he was a Prince Charming action figure come to life. Gracie caught herself doing the same a few seconds later as they resumed their ride around the square.
She marveled at the care Nick took to make sure each child received a treat. Gracie was accustomed to dealing with throngs of excitable children. She did it every day, but even she could barely keep up. As the carriage sped up after a pause in front of a flower shop with lush pine wreaths frosted with snow decorating the windows, Nick called out to the coachman.
“I think we missed one, Charles,” he said.
“Yes, sir.” Charles pulled lightly on the reins and the horses slowed to a stop.
Gracie swiveled on the tiny bench seat and spotted a small boy with a sweet round face standing in front of the florist, empty-handed.
She pressed a hand to her heart. “Oh, no. Shall we turn around?”
Before she’d finished uttering the question, Nick leaped over the side of the carriage. He just jumped right out of it and ran toward the child, as if the girls at the yarn shop had been correct and he was, indeed, a Prince Charming action figure.
Gracie’s mouth dropped open as she watched him kneel so that he was on eye-level with the child. They exchanged a few words, and Gracie strained to hear what they were saying.
“I came back because it looks like you didn’t get a treat,” Nick said.
The boy pulled a candy cane out of the inside pocket of his coat. “I did, sir. I’m saving it for my sister. Mommy said she couldn’t come because she has an ear ’fection.”
“That’s too bad. I had ear infections when I was a kid.” Nick pulled a face. “They’re the worst.”
The child’ nodded and tucked the candy back inside his jacket for safekeeping.
“It’s nice of you to save your candy cane for your sister, though. You’re a very thoughtful boy.” Nick held out his hand. Two new candy canes rested in his palm. “So thoughtful that I want to make sure you have a candy cane of your own. And one for your mommy, too.”
The boy’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Thank you, sir.”
Nick ruffled his hair. “You’re very welcome. Merry Christmas to you and your family.”
“Merry Christmas,” the boy said as he threw his arms around Nick’s neck with the pair of candy canes gripped tightly in his small fist.
Gracie melted like a snowflake on a summer day.
Nick bid the child goodbye, ran back to the carriage, and hopped over the side like he did these sorts of things every day—vaulting in and out of coaches, charming small children. Who knew? Maybe he did. Gracie was beginning to think she didn’t have the first clue what Prince Nicolas was really like.
“You’ve been holding out on me,” Gracie said as the carriage trundled forward again.
