A Royal Christmas Wish by Caroline Mickelson

Author:Caroline Mickelson [Mickelson, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bon Accord Press

Chapter 4

Overnight a fine layer of powdery snow dusted the palace grounds. The effect was utterly charming. Graciela thought it gave the royal residence an even more fairy-tale appearance than usual.

"It's like something out of a storybook." She inhaled the crisp winter air, finding it a balm to her bruised spirit. "I love it."

"It's beautiful." Robert looked around. "I'll give you that." He stopped walking and dropped the ropes to the sleds he was dragging uphill. "Now where on earth is Josephine? Didn't she just tell us half an hour ago that she was going to burst into flames if she didn't get to go sledding?"

Graciela laughed. Robert wasn't exaggerating. Josephine had insisted that she couldn't possibly go on if she didn't go sledding. Hence the fact they were now on top of the hill looking down on the palace. "She was right behind us." She looked around but the girl was nowhere in sight.

"You know the Tollvi family far better than I do," her companion said. "What do you think the punishment will be for losing their youngest child?"

"Banishment from the kingdom, would be my guess."

Robert laughed aloud. Graciela appreciated his sense of humor and ready laughter. He was so easy to spend time with, so easy to like. This was the kind of man she should have fallen in love with. But she couldn't imagine loving anyone other than Alejandro.

"Do you think Josephine's alright?"

Graciela nodded. "Just because we lost track of her doesn't mean that her security detail did the same thing."

"I forgot about the bodyguards." He gave a low whistle. "Crazy life for a kid."

Her response was drowned out by the roar of approaching snowmobiles. They both turned as two vehicles drew up alongside them.

Luis took off his helmet and waved a cheery hello. Madison was driving the second snowmobile. "I'm glad we found you," she said.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," Luis' wife reassured her. "It's just that someone from California has called several times to get a hold of Robert. Apparently it's not an emergency but they want to talk to you, Robert."

"Hop on," Luis motioned to the back of his snowmobile. "I'll give you a lift back."

"Go ahead," Graciela encouraged Robert when he hesitated. "I'm going to track down our little runaway princess."

"You're sure?" he asked.

She waved toward Luis' snowmobile. "Yes, absolutely. I'll catch up with you later."

No sooner had Luis and Madison's snowmobiles taken off than Graciela heard another one approaching. She whirled around, expecting to see Josephine with her security detail. Indeed, Josephine was on the vehicle, but the man with her wasn't her bodyguard. It was Alejandro.

As soon the engine cut out, the little girl hopped off and ran over to hug Graciela. "Did you go down the hill without me?"

Graciela returned the hug. "Where have you been? We were waiting for you."

Josephine's smile was apologetic. "I forgot to give Prince Alejandro back his cell phone yesterday so I went to find him. When I told him that we were going sledding he asked if he could come too.

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