Page 76 of Appointing

“I know you know that’s not how it works, Elin. I’ve taught you–”

“Dad, why are we fighting right now?” she asked. “I came here to have dinner with my parents, not to fight.”

“We’re not fighting,” he replied.

“Mom, thank you for dinner. It was lovely, but I should be going. Erik is in town, and Mari wanted Lillian and I to spend some time with him tonight to get to know him better.”

“When willwebe able to spend time with him and get to know him better?” her mother asked.

“You’ll have to talk to your other daughter. I think she’s introducing her new boyfriend to her sisters first.”

“I’ll call her tomorrow.” Her mom smiled at her. “Let me walk you out.”

Elin stood up, kissed her father on the cheek, and said, “Night, Dad.”

“Good night, Elin,” he replied, still upset about something.

“He’ll be fine,” her mom spoke as they walked toward the front door. “He’s just struggling right now.”

“He’s used to being in charge,” Elin said.

“He went from being King of a country and a father of four to having his daughter as Queen, his son leaving him, and his two other daughters not including him in their lives anymore while he tries to recover from a nasty fall, Elin. Just be patient with him.”

“I’m trying, Mom. But he retired. Sometimes, I think he forgets that.”

“It wasn’t exactly his choice, was it? He did the right thing for Norway, but the wrong thing for himself, Elin.”

“I’m trying to make him proud, Mom.”

“Youare, honey. You are, I promise. He just doesn’t know how to express that all the time.” Her mom pulled her in for a hug. “He loves you. You know that, right?”

“Yes, I know. I love him, too.”

“Enough to tell him your secret?”

“Mom…” she said softly.

“Honey, you can’t expect me to keep it forever.”

“I don’t. I just need a little more time.”

“How much more?”

“He’s still recovering. And he’s mad at me right now because I saw something in that deal that he didn’t, so tonight isnotthe night.”

“I suppose not. But, Elin…” She took Elin’s hand. “He won’t be around forever. I’d hate for you to never have the chance to let him surprise you with how he handles this.”

“Is there something I should–”

“No, baby. He’s doing well right now, but neither of us is getting any younger.”

“I know,” Elin replied.

“So, I’ll keep it for you a little longer, but secrets have a way of coming out; especially, when Lillian knows.” Her mother winked at her.

As Elin sat in the back seat of the car that headed back to the palace, she thought about how she might tell her father that she was gay. Then, she thought of Ingrid that morning at the palace, in those sleep shorts and T-shirt. Tears filled her eyes because she really missed her. She kept them from falling by switching her thoughts to Steven and Markus, who were fine secretaries, but they weren’thersecretaries. Ingrid washersecretary.

CHAPTER 23

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