Page 65 of Once Upon A Royal Christmas
A tear slipped down her cheek—a single, glittering teardrop that looked like ice in the flickering light from the fire.
“The ballgown really is growing on you, isn’t it?” she said. Her voice broke, and something inside Nick broke along with it.
He stood, took her by the hand, and lifted her out of her chair. “Come on, Princess. I want to sing a Christmas carol with you. If you don’t want to join in, you can mouth the words. It’s going to be all right. Either way, I’m right there with you. Okay?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He squeezed her hand tight and started heading for the door, and in the moment before they stepped outside, Gracie lifted her face to press a gentle kiss to his cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Nick swallowed hard, and deep down, something in his soul began to thaw.
Gracie returned to the B&B later that night with a song in her heart and a certain royal prince right at the forefront of her mind.
Nick had totally come through for her earlier. His speech about how her life had turned out had really helped...more than she could really express. She’d been able to sing, right out in the open with everyone else—Christmas carol after Christmas carol. And Nick had never let go of her hand. Not even once.
It hadn’t been the same as performing, obviously. Her Christmas Eve solo loomed large, but for the first time, the thought of it didn’t fill Gracie with dread. Maybe she could really do this.
Something had shifted between her and Nick tonight, too. At least Gracie thought it had. She couldn’t be entirely sure. She knew without a doubt they were friends, but was there really something more developing between them?
Gracie certainly thought so. But was that just wishful thinking on her part? What had Nick called the starry-eyed dreamer that still lurked deep down inside her?
Your snowy princess heart.
She shut her eyes, sighed, and leaned against the closed door of the B&B.
“That’s certainly the look of one happy princess,” someone said.
Gracie’s eyes flew open. Princess Alana stood at the foot of the stairs, watching Gracie with a smile on her face. She held a small empty bowl in her hand and was dressed in a pair of red plaid Christmas pajamas instead of her usual regal coat dress or fine cashmere.
For a minute Gracie thought she might be dreaming. “Are you really talking to me right now?”
Alana’s eyebrows drew together. “I think so, yes.”
“Sorry, it’s just that I sort of got the feeling that you didn’t like me. I thought maybe you didn’t approve of”—Gracie waved a hand at her costume—“this.”
Alana scurried toward her. “Oh, no. That’s not true at all. I think it’s rather marvelous. You’re giving princesses everywhere a good name, I assure you.”
Gracie sagged in relief. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
“It’s my fault. I know I’ve been acting strange lately, but I’ve got a good reason. I promise.” Alana looked Gracie up and down for a minute, from the top of her crown to the hem of her ballgown. “You seem really trustworthy. I can’t imagine someone who’d wear a dress this fabulous betraying someone’s secret. Would you like to see it?”
Gracie wasn’t following. The conversation seemed to be going in circles. “See what?”
Alana flashed a smile. “The reason.”
“Yes?” Gracie answered, without any idea what she was getting herself into.
“Come on.” Alana grabbed Gracie’s hand and dragged her up the stairs, her princess poise forgotten.
It was a relief to know she was human, even if Gracie stumbled over her glass slippers once or twice on the way up.
When they reached the second floor, Alana paused to help Gracie smooth down her ballgown. During the journey up the steps, the tulle had puffed out of control.
“I told you this gown has a mind of its own,” Gracie said.
“I see that.” Alana laughed. “Sorry about the rush, but we need to hurry. She tends to get into trouble when left alone.”
