Page 48 of The Heart of the King

They laughed. “All the time,” Lux told her. “We try not to, but it happens anyway.”

“I had friends in school who were twins. They did it sometimes, but not that often.” Jazz laughed with them. “Where did you grow up?”

“About a ten-minute drive from here.”

The phone on her desk buzzed again. Jazz stifled a groan. “I’m afraid that’s all the time we have for today. Or at least right now. I have a meeting with my assistant.”

They both stood as she did. Lex curtsied again and Lux bowed. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Once again, they spoke in unison.

A few minutes later, she was sitting with Marie and staring at her tablet.

“What are all of these?” she asked.

“Organizations that previous queens have supported over the last couple of decades. You can support all of them, though I would caution against that at first. You don’t have to support any of them, though I would caution against that as well,” she told Jazz.

The list had to have a hundred organizations or more on it. “I’m inclined to agree with both of those statements,” she told Marie.

“What are some causes close to your heart? What causes did you support back in the States? That might be a good place to start.”

Jazz shook her head. “I did fun runs and the occasional 5K, and sponsored a kid through Compassion International. I visited nursing homes sometimes with a group from my church, but nothing specific.”

“Is there something, anything, you feel strongly about? Something you love? Music? Art? Children?”

Jazz shook her head. “Not really. I mean, I love music, but it’s not something I’m passionate about. Same with art. Especially modern art.” Leo’s face swam in front of her eyes. “Widows,” she said quietly. “Is there an organization that helps widows? With or without children? I feel like there’s probably not a lot of resources out there for windows who are childless.”

Marie made a note. “You’re probably right. I’ll see what I can find out. I know there’s a bereavement organization or two on there, but I don’t think that’s quite what you’re looking for.”

Jazz shook her head and struggled to keep the tears at bay. “No, not exactly, though that’s not a bad idea. See what you can find.” She pushed back from her desk. “I think I’m ready to be done for the day, though. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She felt a sudden need to be out of there and hurried upstairs to change out of the clothes she had to wear for her job.

The job she still didn’t understand or feel she brought any value to.

Once she changed into something more comfortable, she went to find Hazel. She needed time with someone who understood loss even if they didn’t talk about their losses.

The girl dropped her workbook and ran to Jazz giving her a big hug. Jazz held her tightly until Hazel squirmed away.

Jazz laughed, her spirit already feeling lighter.

Maybe this was going to work after all.

Dinner remaineda quiet affair no matter how David tried to draw Hazel out of her shell.

He held conversations with Jasmine, of course, but they were limited in what they could discuss with Hazel present.

After ten days, he continued to ask her questions about her day, though they were all answered as perfunctorily as possible.

Time to try something new. Something he’d thought of and received permission from Randall and Daniel to do. “I do have something to ask you, Hazel.”

She simply looked at him.

“We’re having a dinner and an important meeting on our yacht soon. Do you know what a yacht is?” Did seven-year-olds know these things?

Hazel nodded.

“One of my friends who is coming wondered if you’d like to go. He has granddaughters your age. One or two of them might be coming if you’d like to go with us.” Jasmine told him Hazel didn’t have any friends. His friend was King Edward of San Majoria. One of his granddaughters was a princess. The other three were adopted by his children. David didn’t know which one or ones might be coming.

“Would you like that?” Jasmine asked her softly. “It will be a very fancy dinner, though. You’ll have to wear a fancy dress, maybe one with a twirly skirt. You’ll have to wear shiny dress shoes, ones with a little bit of a heel on them most likely. And Mrs. Sneedly will have to do your hair with curls and pins and lots of hairspray to keep it in place.”

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