Page 32 of The Princess Home for Christmas

She sat back in her chair, letting out a breath she was holding. “Now what do we do?”

“We clear his name, help Theresa’s children, and make sure she stays in rehab for a long, long time.”

“Okay, but what do I do? I have so much unwanted press attention right now. Next week’s tree lighting ceremony. Do I even go to that? And Thomas, we just started dating, do I involve myself romantically in this mess?” She looked from face to face. The wives just looked on with sympathy. Finally Jo said, “All that’s up to you. You don’t have to do the tree lighting if you don’t want. It is a special event though and with all the new extras, you thought of it would be a shame to miss it.”

“But all the negative press surrounding Thomas would ruin it for everyone. No one wants the press shouting questions while they try to sing ‘Silent Night’.” The whole thing made Dahlia ill. And all she wanted to do at this point was escape to her little village and deliver gifts to refugee families. Something she probably wouldn’t be able to do again for many months.

Seraphina grimaced. “She has a valid point. It would be better if another couple was crowned king and queen in their stead. We can watch on television?” She smiled.

Dahlia nodded. “I think Lucan and Anna should do it. Really, it should have been them to begin with. The Queen of Spain and the only unmarried Valdez brother, engaged. What could be more romantic?”

Lucan nodded. “We’ll do it. Anna would love it.”

She was home in Spain where Lucan usually was, but he had flown back and forth more than once since Dahlia’s arrival to participate in different events with her. She loved him for it.

So, now that she was off the hook for the tree lighting and pretty much banned from all public Christmas traditions, Dahlia asked, “Who’s up for watching a movie tonight?”

They agreed as though it was their first and most pressing plan and she was grateful for the love and support from such a large and capable family. But inside, everything felt lacking now that Thomas was not at her side.

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