Page 18 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

“Okay. No visits, though, remember.”

“Oh, I know. Don’t worry about that. How’s your trip?”

“Great. We’re hiking Nepo.”

“Oh, that’s a beautiful walk. Take lots of pictures.”

“Will do, Dad. Gotta go. Love you, Lily. You being as good as ever?”

“You know it! Goodbye, Mom, love you. And goodbye, King Rhett.”

“Goodbye, Princess.”

Her excited squeals were the last thing they heard before the phone disconnected.

“She’s an angel. What a beautiful girl you’re raising.”

“I pinch myself sometimes. She’s such a good girl. She’s my life now.”

“She’s something special. I can tell.” He laughed. “She reminds me a whole lot of her mother.”

“Really?” Emily’s excited expression warmed his heart.

“Absolutely, brought me right back to our tree-climbing days. Same voice. Same inflection. And even the same energy.”

Emily’s steps were lighter and had a definite bounce after talking with her daughter.

“Do you miss her?”

“Like I left my arm at home.”

“Bring her sometime. Anytime. I’d love to spend some time with her too.”

Emily’s troubled expression said more than any words would have. She wasn’t ready to involve him in Lily’s life. So Rhett let it alone.

They started up the steep switchbacks. A low rumbling behind him stopped them both in their tracks. They turned slowly and groaned together at the thick, dark clouds rolling in.

“When did that get there?” Emily asked, peering up at the oncoming storm.

“You know how it is. They come fast, with no warning.” Three successive flashes of lightning accentuated his words as the wind picked up.

“We’re gonna have to find shelter.” Emily turned in a full circle—there wasn’t even a tree in sight.

The clouds moved closer, and Rhett wasn’t sure which direction to go. Did they run back to the woods, or did they head up over the ridge? “There’s a cave on the other side.”

“Oh! Oh! You’re right. Let’s go!” Emily took off running.

He laughed. Decision made, he followed her, trying to beat the weather. As they reached the rocky ridge, the rain hit. They had no warning drops, just a sudden downpour. The ground turned dangerously slick, and Emily slipped, catching herself with her hands.

Rhett reached forward, lifting and steadying her. They scrambled up the remaining rock, clinging to each other as they tried to keep their balance. Then they slipped over the other side and around the path. Rhett took the lead and slid through a crack between the rocks. Emily followed. The air was immediately cold on their wet skin. The sky was darker, and the cave was almost without light.

Rhett reached inside and turned on his flashlight, shining it ahead into the space.

Emily turned in a circle. “I don’t think we’ve ever been in here.”

“Nope, I’m certain we haven’t. I just discovered it a few years ago.”

“Then this is nice.”

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