Page 16 of The Duke

Her phone rang and her heart skipped a beat. “Trane.”

“You sound cheerful.”

“I’m at San Vitali.”

“Ah, shopping. How long will you be there?”

“Another hour or so.”

“Great, I’ll pick you up when you’re done.”

“Really?” She sounded like a teenager and she didn’t care.

“Yes, and I asked Heidi to gather a few of your things you might need.”

“And might I know what we are doing and where we are going?”

“Does that sound like the kind of date I would plan? Full disclosure?”

“Absolutely not. I don’t know why I asked.” She laughed, thrilled at the thought of more time with Trane. “I’m excited to see you.”

When she finished shopping, she arranged for the packages to be delivered to the palace including one gorgeous blue gown that would be perfect for the gala. Once she knew her presentation would be appropriate, that she would look stunning when necessary, capable when important, and supportive and fun during all the appropriate times, she allowed herself to address her other concerns. Like what if the Valdez family had secrets to hide. What if, dear Trane was finally showing her the attention she had craved all these years, but she would have to expose him? She had a feeling she wouldn’t know what to do until the situation was upon her.

Trane pulled up in an enclosed jeep. She suspected it had bullet proof glass. Her meeting with Lucan this morning taught her that he was serious about his job. And nothing was overlooked. Trane hopped out, eyed her business attire and tossed her a small duffle. “As smoking as I think this new skirt suit is on you, you’re gonna want to change.”

She peeked in her bag. Nikes, leggings, and a t-shirt. “We working out?” The thought of Trane, bulging muscles, sweating, and working made her blood race.

“Not in the way you’re thinking, I’m sure.”

“And what am I thinking?”

“I don’t totally know but your eyes wandered over me like a hot coal.”

She blushed. “Did they?” She turned form him and rushed back inside to change.

Once they were on their way, he turned down a dirt road and headed for the remote part of the island.

“Oh, the falls?”

“We’ll see them.”

“But there’s more. The caves?”

“Nope, not today.”

She craned her neck ahead of them as though that would provide the answer. Stretching up to the sky, Mount Galapo rose to the clouds. “The volcano?”

“And she guessed it!”

“I haven’t done that in years.”

“Nor I. But it’s supposed to be beautiful in the spring; there are multiple new species of flowers.”

“Thank you Trane. This is just what I needed.” And the hike would take hours. The thought of hours on end with this handsome man couldn’t be any better.

They pulled to a stop at the edge of the wilderness area. “No cars past this point.”

He pulled two bikes off the back of the jeep. She hopped on hers, adjusted the seat and then followed him down a long dirt path. It started out wide so they rode side by side and talked of everything. He pointed out birds while she signaled towards trees. They talked of high school memories and common quirks their royal families shared.

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