Page 59 of Once Upon A Royal Christmas
Gracie still had no idea where they were, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of asking about it again when she knew that was what he expected from her. So she unclicked her seatbelt and reached for the door handle but in a flash, Nick was already on her side of the car, opening the door for her.
She wasn’t at all accustomed to being around men with such impeccable manners, and as much as she loathed to admit it, being treated with such courtesy made her go a little fluttery inside.
He placed his hand in the small of her back and ushered her toward the entrance of the building. When they grew closer, she noticed a small silver plaque next to the door with a quote engraved on it in understated script.
She read it out loud. “‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat… Matthew 25:35.’”
She broke down and asked the question. “Nick, where are we?”
“This is the San Glacera Soup Kitchen. Today is their Christmas party, and we’re volunteering. The members of the royal family always serve the patrons and the staff every year.” He tilted his head. “Is that okay with you?”
Of all the possibilities that had been racing through Gracie’s mind, she never would have guessed that they’d be volunteering at a soup kitchen. Or anywhere, for that matter.
“It’s more than okay,” was all she could manage to say.
Nick nodded. “Good.”
The other members of his family were already inside, donning festive aprons that looked like they’d come straight from Ingrid’s pantry over their dressed-down “Christmas casual” attire. Unlike Nick, though, their sweaters were actually holiday-themed. King Felix’s was decorated with broad red and green stripes, and as he moved through the dining room delivering plates of warm food to the guests, Gracie caught a glimpse of his socks—a perfect match. Queen Livia’s earrings were shiny round Christmas ornaments, and Emilie wore a headband topped with oversized, light-up Christmas bulbs in the shape of a halo.
“Thanks for making sure I didn’t wear my costume,” Gracie said as Nick slipped an apron over her head.
“Of course. Thank you for being here. This is probably one of my favorite holiday events. The soup kitchen is named after my grandfather.” The dimple in Nick’s cheek gave another surprise appearance. “He would have hated that, though, so we never put a sign out front.”
Gracie was so mesmerized by this secret side of Nick that she couldn’t seem to figure out what to do with her hands. Her apron strings hung loosely as she kept standing there, quietly regarding him with a goofy-feeling smile on her face.
“Cat got your tongue, Princess?” He took a step closer, reached for the ties of her apron, and gently fashioned them into a bow at her waist.
“Um…” Her mouth went dry. “Were you close to your grandfather?”
Nick nodded. “Very. What about you? Do you come from a big family?”
“No, I’m an only child. It’s just me and my parents.” Gracie swallowed.
This would be the first year they wouldn’t be together for the holidays. She didn’t like the idea of her parents spending it alone, back in Denver. But when she’d said as much before leaving for San Glacera, they’d waved off her concerns and insisted it was fine.
An opportunity like this only comes around once in a lifetime. Her father’s words had sounded like just something to say at the time—a way to encourage her to forget about her stage fright and get on the plane. Weirdly, though, they were beginning to feel true. This trip was nothing like Gracie had thought it would be.
“They’re probably missing you this time of year, if it’s just the three of you,” Nick said with a slight frown.
Gracie nodded. “I’ll miss some things this year—like my mom making her grandmother’s cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. But it’s okay. We’re going to exchange gifts and celebrate when I get home.”
“Where you’ll get each and every present all to yourself because you’re an only child,” Nick said, deftly moving the conversation to less personal territory.
“I knew you’d go there,” she said, biting back a smile.
“Excuse me.” A young man who was wearing an apron and carrying a pitcher of water came to a stop beside them. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but someone is asking if they can get a photo of you, Prince Nick. Maybe as you’re serving some of the patrons?”
“I’m afraid not,” Nick said. “It would be an invasion of privacy for our guests. Also, not quite in the spirit of what we do here. Right?”
The man nodded. “Understood. I thought so, but I didn’t want to answer on your behalf without asking you first.”
Nick rested a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “No worries. You’re doing a great job, Sven.”
“Thank you, sir.” He beamed at Nick, and a flush crawled up his neck as he turned to go back to filling glasses at the long tables in the dining room.
“Sven’s new here. He’s been at the soup kitchen just a couple of weeks. Great kid, though,” Nick said as swiveled to face Gracie again.
Her head spun. Nick was clearly more involved with this place than she’d realized and seeing him turn down what would clearly be a flattering photo opportunity made her go a little weak in the knees.
