Page 77 of Royal Agenda

“Don, do you think you could get a boat? We need a way to get her out to the wedding.”

He tapped the side of his nose. “I happen to know a guy.”

“I thought you might.” Nancy laughed, her insides all bubbly. Her granddaughter was getting married!

“Polly, can you help me with a special assignment?” Nancy asked.

“Sure,” she replied easily. “What can I do to help?”

“Bride preparation and distraction. We’re going to give her a spa day, watch romance movies, doll her up, and then ship her out in time.” Nancy stood up. She paused and then grabbed the plate of cupcakes. “I might need these.”

“For what?” Polly asked.

“Barter.” Nancy didn’t explain. They went up to the salon and she exchanged the cupcakes for spa supplies—and a few hints about how to keep Grace’s hair looking beautiful while flying across the waves to meet her groom.

She may be following her intuition, but quality hair advice was never thrown aside.

Thirty-Two

“I’m too tired.” Grace melted into Grandma’s couch. Grandma and Polly had just said they were going on a dinner cruise and her bones turned to mush at the thought of having to go anywhere.

She’d been through four hours of massage, facials, creams, body scrubs, hair washing, conditioning, deep conditioning, masks, blowout, and style. The traveling massage therapist found a few sore spots on her hip and ribs from her tussle with the bounty hunter.

She still couldn’t believe she’d taken on a bounty hunter. Not that she’d told Grandma the story. When Grandma finally broke into her room and demanded Grace get out of bed, she’d recoiled at the welt across her cheek.

It burned something fierce this morning.

“Where did that come from?” Grandma demanded.

“I—” Grace’s hand had flown to her cheek, and the memory of Ryker softly tracing the wound flooded her with such tenderness her eyes welled up with tears. “Magnolia bush,” was all she could get out.

Grandma hugged her and then dragged her into the front room where she and Polly—and a hired massage therapist—spent the day pampering her and feeding her whole foods. Grandma said she was off of sugar for a while and didn’t need temptation in the house.

As if bran would lift her spirits. Grace wanted to swim in sugary treats. Bring on the peanut M&Ms and Sour Patch Kids.

“Can’t we stay in tonight?” she asked hopefully. Running into Ryker—or any of the SEALs—would do her in. She just couldn’t face the reminder of how she’d come so close to having the perfect man only to lose him in some gallant, gentlemanly gesture to protect her from harm.

Assuming they hadn’t left town yet., She didn’t think he’d left. She would have felt it.

Winnie burst through the door carrying a white bohemian maxi dress that was spectacular. It had a tie around the waist that finished in tassels. The V-neck had an intricate embroidered pattern and the lace! It was to die for!

Grace had never seen a dress so beautiful.

“Put it on.” Winnie thrust it at her.

“What? No. I couldn’t.”

“I saw this and thought of you. You’d better try it or you’ll hurt my feelings.” Winnie grinned.

Grace pushed herself up. “Well, we can’t have any hurt feelings.” She took the dress and went to her room to change. The women behind her twittered like excited birds.

With the dress on—it fit perfectly—she wandered to the mirror. Besides the pink in her eyes from holding back tears, she looked amazing. Her blonde hair was in large curls, gathered to cascade beautifully over her left shoulder. Her makeup was subtle, and her skin glowed. The welt had gone down considerably and was only visible if you knew to look for it.

She stepped out of her room, leaving the door wide open, and heard two gasps. Polly and Winnie rushed forward and fussed over her.

“You are too much, Winnie. This dress is amazing.” She swished the fabric from side to side.

“You’re so pretty.” Polly dabbed at her eyes.

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