Page 25 of Trapped with the Undercover Prince

Jean Paul looked he was thinking hard about it. “I’ve never considered the United States for such an activity, but it sounds possible.”

Zar stared at her, his gaze warm. “Summer or winter?”

“Summer. Winter is a dangerous time for exploring in the mountains. Avalanches are common.”

A uniformed train employee came into the car and announced that they’d be moving shortly and asked everyone to take a seat.

Anna and Zar sat on one of the love seats while his guys spread out through the rest of the car.

“So, what happens next?” she asked.

“The engine car will pick up this car, then attach it to the rest of the train.”

“So, we’ll be at the front of the train?”

“Correct.”

“Can anyone get into this car?”

“The doors are manned.”

She took in the opulent furnishings. “Were you going to use this car yesterday?”

“No, I was trying to move around like anyone else, but now that the press have revealed my presence, I have to keep up with appearances or my investigation will be in jeopardy.”

“That makes sense.”

The car jerked backward then forward, then they were moving at a slow, steady pace.

Anna watched out the window as the engine maneuvered their car around to connect with the public train cars. There was still a crowd of people on the platform, but they weren’t boarding their train.

“They’re probably waiting for the next train behind us. The bombing has shredded the schedule.”

Within five minutes, they were moving away from the station, gradually picking up speed. Anna’s stomach rumbled.

“Hungry again?” he asked, sounding shocked.

“Hey, trying on clothes is hard work. Is there a dining car?”

“This car has a small kitchen fully capable of feeding us all for the duration of our trip.”

“Is it still a five-hour trip to Cime?”

“Yes. We’re going to go through one of the longest tunnels under the Alps. Fifty kilometers.”

Her stomach rumbled again, and Zar laughed. “Shall we see what’s available in the kitchen?”

“Sure.”

The space was tiny, but laid out in a way that used the space to maximum effect. The small refrigerator contained an excellent selection of vegetables and two dozen eggs.

“Who wants an omelet?” she asked in a voice loud enough for all of Zar’s entourage to hear. The answers were unanimously positive.

Zar insisted on helping her chop vegetables, and Anna discovered she had to shoo away his men repeatedly.

Jean Paul was the loudest complainer. “Princes and their guests don’t do domestic duties,” he said with a scowl on his face.

“Everyone should be able to cook for themselves,” Anna replied. “Also, be able to change a tire on their car, wash their own laundry, and understand how to save for their retirement.”

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