Page 12 of The Heart of the King

“Thank you.”

Jazz started for the door, expecting David to follow her. Instead, he picked up a picture frame.

“Who is this?”

She didn’t have to look to know which picture he was holding. Leo standing behind her, his arms wrapped around her middle as they laughed. “Does it matter?”

“You’re clearly a couple.”

“We were,” she confirmed.

“You’re not anymore?” he pressed.

Jazz didn’t turn around. “I wouldn’t have married you if we were.”

“What happened between you if you still have pictures of the two of you together?” He sounded cautious, but curious.

“Nothing I want to talk about. But there’s no reason for you to worry. He won’t be around.” A fresh stab of pain struck at her heart. “I’m committed to this relationship or at least to helping you establish a new way of doing things for women in your country.”

“Very well.”

She went down the stairs to the SUV waiting at the bottom. Footsteps behind her told her the rest of them followed.

Before she could get in, another vehicle pulled up and parked behind the SUV.

Mama Beach climbed out and enveloped Jazz in a hug before she knew what was happening. “There you are, sweet girl. We were worried about you.”

“I know you were.” She was kind of surprised her parents hadn’t been waiting at her apartment, too. As much as she loved her parents, neither one of them hugged like Mama Beach.

“Your mom and dad wanted to be here, but they don’t know when they’ll be back in town, so I told them I’d keep an eye out for you.” Mama Beach finally loosened her hold. “Now where were you?”

Jazz hesitated, debating how much to tell her.

“Why don’t you introduce me to your friends?” Mama Beach left her arm around Jazz’s shoulders.

Jazz prayed David wouldn’t push his title and stuff. “Mama Beach, this is my friend, David, and his friend, Stewart.” Wasn’t that the guy’s name?

Mama Beach held out her free right hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

David shook her hand. “The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Beach.”

Mama Beach shook her head. “Everyone calls me Mama Beach.” She didn’t let go of David’s hand even as her other arm remained around Jazz’s shoulders. She stared at him intently before finally giving a nod. “You’ll do,” she said as she released his hand.

Jazz wasn’t sure what to make of that. Everyone knew Mama Beach could sense when a couple would work out. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the pronouncement.

A few minutes later, David and Stewart waited in the SUV as Jazz said goodbye to Mama Beach. After one more big hug, Jazz blinked back the tears in her eyes and let go. “Love you, Mama Beach. I’m going to be okay.”

“Yes, you are.” Mama Beach smiled at her. “Give him time to prove himself.”

“I will.” Then she climbed in her seat and buckled her seat belt, staring out the window as they drove off.

A tear slipped down her cheek. Three months a widow and already a newlywed.

And about to be a queen.

What else could happen?

They had lessthan an hour before they landed in Auverignon. David grew more anxious with each passing moment. There would be loads of press waiting for them at the airport. In less than a week, he’d be king. That made anything he did news, but bringing home a wife was even bigger news than his impending coronation, at least for the time being.

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