Page 53 of Once Upon A Royal Christmas
The wind rippled Nick’s hair and his breath came out in a puff of vapor that lingered in the cold air after running to leap back into the coach. “What do you mean?”
“You’re not all that abominable.” Gracie narrowed her gaze at his chiseled face. Dare she say it? “In fact, you can be downright charming at times.”
A dimple she’d never noticed before flashed in his cheek. “Ah, so I’ve managed to trick you into thinking I’m actually a good prince in disguise. My devious plan is working.”
“Kid all you want, but I see you.” Gracie let her gaze sweep over the surrounding gingerbread-style houses and rambling cobblestone alleys with a chocolate shop on every corner. Nick’s kingdom, his home, his heart. “You care deeply about this place and everyone who lives here.”
That earnestness was what had first attracted her to him in the very beginning. She’d simply lost sight of it in light of recent embarrassing events.
“I do.” Nick nodded, and his smile turned a bit sad around the edges. “Even if the press doesn’t always realize it, I really do.”
His eyes went tender, and if Gracie hadn’t been holding onto an armful of candy canes, she would have been tempted to reach for his hand and give it a squeeze. Maybe it was a good thing she couldn’t, because she wasn’t sure she would have been all too eager to let go.
This isn’t supposed to be happening. Gracie swiveled to face forward on the plush seat of the carriage. She wasn’t supposed to be softening toward Nick, and she definitely wasn’t supposed to be holding hands with him. For a crazy moment back in the palace courtyard, she’d actually wanted to kiss him.
She lifted her gaze to the heavens. It was clear today, as blue as the bluest of Christmases as twilight began to fall over the kingdom. Snow covered the ground, but there wasn’t a flake in the sky—perfect winter weather for taking a ride in an open-air royal carriage.
Gracie let her eyes drift shut, face tipped upward toward the stars.
Things were so much easier when he was abominable.
And then, as if on cue, a cheer rose up from a small crowd gathered near a tiny, out-of-the-way building on the edge of the village square.
“We love you, Prince Nicolas!”
“Happy Christmas!”
“Three cheers for Prince Nicolas!”
She peered around the front of the carriage for a closer glimpse of the group as they let loose with a string of hurrahs and gasped at what she saw. Half a dozen or so adults stood along the walkway cheering, but that wasn’t the surprising part. Each one of them held a puppy with a bright red bow around its neck. A few even juggled a tiny dog in each arm.
“What is this?” Gracie turned wide eyes on Nick. “Puppies are cheering for you now?”
“No, not really.” He waved at the group and grinned wider than Gracie had ever seen before. One of the people held up a shaggy black and white dog’s tiny paw so it could wave back.
Gracie couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “That dog literally just waved at you. What’s going on?”
Clearly Nick was a massive hit with San Glacera’s canine population for some unknown reason.
Charles pulled the carriage to a stop without Nick having to ask. Then Nick leaned out of the side of the coach to personally greet each individual and hand them candy canes while Gracie petted the dogs. They were adorable, all decked out for the holidays. She sort of wished they could ditch the rest of the carriage ride and cuddle puppies all night.
“Let’s go, fellows,” Charles said to the horses. They tossed their thick white manes and trotted toward the horizon where the buildings and shops gave way to a wide valley covered by a sparkling blanket of untouched snow.
“Are we in the lyrics of a Christmas carol right now?” Gracie’s heart squeezed and she slid her gaze toward Nick. “I can’t believe this is your life.”
His eyes crinkled. “It has its moments.”
“Seriously, what was that back there? With the dogs.”
“It’s a local pet rescue organization—San Glacera Animal Friends. I’m their royal patron,” Nick said.
Gracie had heard of royal patronages but wasn’t sure what all they entailed. “What does that mean, exactly?”
“I lend them my name and support. The idea behind a patronage is to get more visibility for the charity and hopefully increase donations. In this case, we obviously also hope to facilitate more pet adoptions.” Nick’s fondness for the cause showed in the way his eyes sparkled as he spoke.
Gracie regarded him closely. “That’s where you got Mittens, isn’t it?”
“It seems you really do see me.” He tilted his head and let out a low laugh. “Sometimes, anyway.”
