her father and back, then crossed to her and took her hands in his.
“Bethany, you’re here. I can’t believe it. I came all this way only to realize I had no idea how to get in touch with you.”
Because she’d disconnected the phone she’d used in Happily Inc, she thought, still dazed by seeing him. “I have a phone with local service for when I’m home. I just went back to that. Pallas has the number.” Which was all totally inane. What she should really be asking was why are you here?
Hope stirred, pushing away doubt. Both made it hard to breathe.
“I’ve missed you,” he told her, staring into her eyes. “From the second you left, I knew I’d made a mistake, but it took me a couple of days to figure out why. I knew you were wonderful, but I didn’t know I’d fallen in love with you.”
Tension eased as hope grew stronger and brighter.
“I love you,” he repeated. “I was wrong about what I said and how I acted. I apologize and I hope that, in time, you can forgive me. Not right away—I don’t deserve that. But eventually.”
He drew her close and smiled at her. “You should have protected yourself the way you did. It made sense. My past is my problem, not yours. You’re nothing like Lynette. What can I do to earn a second chance?”
She started laughing, then crying before finding herself being held tight by the man she loved. Her fears and pain healed as if they had never existed.
Her father walked over and patted her shoulder. “I’ll leave you two alone to finish this. He seems like a good man, Bethany. He stood up to me when many would not have been so strong. When I met him, I thought he might be worthy of you.”
When the door closed, Cade drew back enough to stare into her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I know why you did what you did.”
“That doesn’t make it right. I hurt you. Please forgive me.”
“Of course. I love you, Cade. That hasn’t changed.”
He kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and hung on as if she would never let go, which she hoped was the point. Then he stunned her by pulling back and dropping to one knee.
“I love you, Princess Bethany of El Bahar. I’m not the least bit worthy, but I love you and I’m asking you to marry me.”
Her eyes filled with tears as she nodded and pulled him to his feet.
“Yes,” she whispered as she pressed her mouth to his. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”
* * *
THE FEW DAYS leading up to Christmas passed in a blur. Cade called his mother to explain he would be staying in El Bahar through the holidays and that he was engaged. Libby Saunders had trouble grasping the fact that “the girl who worked in the stable” was really a princess. Bethany found her phone call with her future mother-in-law much warmer than her Thanksgiving conversation had been.
Pallas had shrieked into the phone when they’d called her and made them promise not to elope. Their wedding was her only chance to see a real live princess wedding and she didn’t want to miss it.
In deference to tradition, Cade accepted the large diamond engagement ring Queen Liana offered him. It had belonged to Malik’s beloved grandmother Fatima and he wanted his daughter to wear it.
Bethany winced when she saw the six carat stone. “There’s no way I can wear this while I’m mucking out stables,” she said. “But it’s important to my folks. You sure you don’t mind?”
Cade kissed her. “I figured you’d use it for official occasions. I’m going to buy you a ring as soon as we get home. And plan better next time.”
She laughed. “There shouldn’t be another time when you need to pack an engagement ring.”
“Excellent point.”
They were in her suite, sitting on the balcony. The family’s Christmas dinner was in an hour. They’d already exchanged presents that morning. Bethany was thrilled that her younger brothers seemed to adore Cade. Given the fact that he was having to deal with a couple of thousand years of tradition, he was doing great.
Cade took her hand in his and smiled at her. “So here’s the thing. About your ranch management degree,” he began.
“I’ve already found an online program that will be perfect for me. It’s not as if I need a lot more hands-on training with horses.”
“I’m glad. I’d go with you to Texas so you could go to school there, but I really appreciate you being willing to get your degree from Happily Inc.”
They’d talked about that, about working together on the ranch. She thought about the paperwork her father had given her that afternoon and wondered if this was the time to share it with Cade. Before she could, he spoke.
“You know I’m buying into the ranch,” he began. “When we get married, I’m going to add you to my share, so we’ll eventually own it together. We’ve talked about our plans and I want to get going on growing the operation.”
She pulled the envelope out of her back pocket. “Yes, well, there’s a small twist to your plan. Your grandfather doesn’t own the ranch anymore.”
Cade stared at her. “What are you talking about?”
“My father bought the ranch from Grandpa Frank and deeded it to you. I think it’s my dowry.”
Cade took the paper he offered, then shook his head. “Tell him I won’t accept unless he deeds it to both of us. We’ll be equal partners in everything.” He kissed her. “I love you, Princess Bethany.”
She laughed. “I love you, soon-to-be Prince Cade.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Yeah, I should have mentioned that, too. My dad wants you to be a prince.” She held up a hand. “There aren’t any duties or anything. It’s kind of honorary, although you might end up owning an island. He wasn’t clear.”
Cade started to laugh and she joined in. He pulled her close and she let herself get lost in the joy of being loved by him. Yes, there would be details. Where to hold the wedding, how long to wait to start a family, and how to convince her father to give them her favorite mare as a wedding gift, but those tiny problems would be solved in time. For now, there was only this amazing man and the incredible future they would have together.
“I’m so lucky to have you in my life,” he told her softly.
“Thanks. I feel exactly the same way.”
He rose and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go celebrate our El Baharian Christmas. Later, I’m going to sneak into your room.”
She laughed. “I’ll be counting the hours.” And the days and years to follow. Bethany knew she’d been blessed more than most and she would be grateful for the rest of her life.