Page 60 of Royal Agenda

“Time to knock down some pins,” Sean said, looking at the clock on his phone. “Can’t be late.”

Sean whistled all the way to the three-lane bowling alley. They parked and headed inside.

“I did not know you enjoyed bowling so much?” Ryker asked as they got out of the vehicle.

“I like bowling just fine.” Sean lifted a shoulder. “Besides, Grandpa and Grandma are my only family in town.”

Ryker smiled woodenly. Sean caught the stiffness and groaned. “Sorry. Sometimes I forget that you’re—”

Ryker brushed his hand through the air, batting away his concern. “I will see my family again.” He pulled open the door and stepped inside to a welcome cool breeze. The smell of disinfectant and wood floor polish greeted them. “We have a bowling alley in the castle. I am quite good at this.”

Sean clapped him on the back. “Sure you are.” Don and his group of friends from the retirement community stood around a couple of lanes. Don grinned as they approached.

“There you are!” Don clapped Sean on the back, making Sean stumble forward a step. Ryker held out his hand, American-style. “Caio, Don.”

They shook hands. Don didn’t let go, but pulled Ryker along with him. “I’m glad you made it, son.”

“Son?” Sean’s eyes sparkled with mirth as they followed.

Don ignored Sean as Sean gave each of the ladies there an individual welcome, and then Walt and Harry too because they grumbled about being left out. “We’ll add you to our team, Ryker,” Don said. We’ve got the place to ourselves tonight.”

“That is well,” Ryker smiled at Polly and Harry, who were tying their shoes.

Don stepped up and put Ryker’s name in the computer.

“Oh no!” Polly stood up and began counting people. “We have too many for this lane. I’ll move over to that one.” She gathered her shoes and moved.

“If you’re bowling over there, I am too,” said Harry. He glanced at Sean. “You’re on my team.”

Sean dusted his hands together in apparent glee. “Oh, it is so on, Gramps.”

“You don’t stand a chance,” Don said with a flex of his arm that could’ve been intentional or could have not been. It was hard to tell with Don sometimes.

“Well, considering we outnumber you—” Sean prodded.

“Not anymore.” Nancy put down a light blue bowling ball.

“Maybe I should go,” said the most wonderful voice on the planet from behind him.

Ryker spun around so fast the room kept turning when he stopped. In the middle of it all was Grace. She wore a pair of cutoff jeans–the ones that made her legs look so very long. “La mia sirena,” he whispered, not quite sure what incredible twist of fate had brought Grace to him at this moment.

Grace bit her lower lip and glanced away. “Hey, Ryker.”

“I need a different sized ball.” Nancy hurried away.

“Nachos?” asked Polly.

“Of course.” Harry grabbed Sean’s arm and pulled him away.

“Shoot. I forgot to get a ball.” Don left too, and they were alone, but not alone.

Ryker did not care who watched them. No one else was in the room but he and Grace. He stepped up to his fate and brushed his fingers down her arm. “Sei bello, la mia sirena.” He continued in Italian. “You’re beautiful, my siren. Only the most impossible of situations has kept us apart.”

She dropped eye contact. "Perché non hai repost al telefono?”

She’d tried to call him! “My phone was taken.” He wanted to be as honest with her as possible. “I have not had a moment to myself nor an opportunity to seek you out, though my heart has yearned for you the whole time we’ve been apart.”

She studied his face. “There’s more, Ryker. You’re not telling me everything.”

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