Page 68 of A Royal Arrangement
“You think so?”
Beverly picked up her dinner napkin and dabbed at her eyes. “Seeing the way she is with Addie melts my heart. I wish Isabella were still here, but I’m so happy you’re with someone who loves our granddaughter so well and who Addie so clearly adores.”
Colin nodded. “Addie really does love her.”
“What about you?” Richard asked.
“What about me?”
Richard, usually the more reserved in-law, looked him straight in the eyes. “Do you love her?”
That question had been bouncing around in his mind for quite a while. After his initial and immediate attraction to her, he had realized how much he truly cared about Rosalie in a slow progression over time. The first moment was when he felt protective over her at the ball, helping her escape Lord Marston’s clutches. And there were so many small moments since then. When Rosalie knew exactly where to look to find his daughter when she was missing. The day they had their water fight. Her little dance after finally beating him in chess.
Each of the moments was like a small stepping stone on their path to love. He didn’t think he had taken that finalleap to being in love. But it seemed that, more often than not, people weren’t aware they were falling…they just fell.
“I care about her,” Colin responded, not fully sure how to answer Richard’s question.
“Love will follow.” Beverly walked over and patted his hand. “It always does.” She stepped back and placed her hands on her hips. “We should get going, but I hope you know how happy we truly are for you. We’re just a phone call away if you ever need anything.”
Colin got out of his chair and pulled Beverly into a hug. “Thank you. We’re lucky to have you in our lives.”
“I’m going to go to the car so I can cry my happy tears in peace.” Beverly laughed.
Once they left, Colin walked to the place he now referred to as Rosalie’s balcony and collapsed on the outdoor couch. He rubbed the scruff on his chin and looked out at the ocean. The sun was setting, casting brilliant shades of pink and orange across the sky.
As he stared at the view, thoughts of Rosalie flooded his mind like a wave crashing over him. For both her sake and his, he needed to figure out where his feelings laid soon.
“Knock, knock.” Rosalie slowly pushed open the door to Colin’s study, peeking around it.
“I don’t think you’ve ever visited me in here before.”
Rosalie pressed her lips together. “I suppose I haven’t.”
“How can I help you?”
“Iknow there are certain things—like seeing a sandcastle—that bring back up big emotions for me about losing Ari. I wanted to check on you because I thought having Beverly and Richard stop by might have stirred up memories of Isabella.”
Colin’s heart warmed. She was always so considerate of others. “It was good for me to see them. They love me like one of their own, and I’m grateful for that after everything I’ve lost.”
“I’m really glad to hear that.” She shot him a genuine smile before rocking on the balls of her feet. “Well, I wasn’t sure how their visit would impact you. And I remember you told me during our conversation at the beach that you never got to say goodbye to Isabella, so I set up a blanket by her gravesite in case you want to visit her and tell her all the things you wish you could’ve said to her.”
Colin stared at his desk, mulling over her idea. On one hand, he didn’t know if it would help to talk to her, knowing she was no longer here. But on the other hand, talking to Isabella could be the one thing he needed to move forward.
“I—” Colin stuttered, at a loss for words. How he ended up with such a thoughtful, caring wife was beside him.
“You don’t have to say anything.”
“Thank you. I think that might be just what I need. I’ll have to check my schedule with Hector to see when—”
“I already checked with him, and he said your schedule is open after lunch today until your Royal Board meeting at two.”
He let out a small laugh. “Of course you thought of everything. Thank you. Were you planning to go with me?”
“I thought it might be best for you to go alone, but I’ll be on my favorite balcony if you want to talk at all when you get back.”
He rose and pulled her in for a quick hug, pausing to place a quick kiss on her temple. “I’ll find you later.”
She pulled back, and pink tinted her cheeks. “I’ll see you then.” With that, she left him to finish his work for the morning. He had a call with the king of Meldovia to discuss when he would be hosting the upcoming Fenimore Kingdoms Alliance meeting—a yearly gathering with all the kings from the countries in Fenimore. By the time that was over, his stomach growled, letting him know it was time for lunch…and time for him to go talk to Isabella.
