Her Christmas Prince (Love in the Keys) (6 page)

“
Well,
look at what you boys caught. Well done! Are they going on the menu
or are you fixing to take them home?”

“
Hey,
Mrs. Davis. I'm taking the smallest one home, but I think the rest
is up for grabs. Tom?”

“
Anything
for you, Ma. Let me guess ... grouper sandwiches are now today's
special?”

“
You
know me well, son. Hand it over!
Can I get you boys some lunch?”

“
I
appreciate the offer, ma'am. But I have a previous engagement.”
Annie Davis raised her eyebrow at Tom.

“
With
Callie.”

“
Callie!
Ohhhhh. Well, that's interesting. Does she know?” Tom and
his mother were the only ones who know Henry's true identity and
background;
the rest of the
Davis clan just knew he was a friend of Tom's from the military.

“
Not
yet. There may not be a reason for her to know. Really, I'm just
helping her out of a tricky situation with her mother.”

“
Oh,
Milly. Bless her heart. She's a good woman, Lord knows, a fine wife
and mother. But a little forceful. Good for you for being Callie's
knight in shining armour. She's been waiting on one for a long
time.” That made Henry smile. He was actually descended from
knights. It was a fitting description, and a legacy he hoped to live
up to.

Henry
waved goodbye and headed for the boat with his fish in tow. He
needed to clean up before heading over to the Beach Buzz to see
Callie. A morning of fishing definitely didn't do much for one's
appearance, or odour. A shower and a change of clothes and he'd be
off.

When
he got to the boat, he found Biggs, his main bodyguard waiting for
him. That was probably not a good sign.

“
Biggsy.
Surprised to see you.”

“
Really,
Your Royal Highness. I rather thought you'd be expecting me after
your call this morning. The powers that be were not well pleased
that you won't be returning as scheduled. I've been asked to check
in.” Check in was bodyguard speak for spy on him. But at
least he was open about it. Fair enough.

“
It's
nothing to worry about. Really. Helping out a damsel in distress,
that's all. A mate of Tom's who needs a fake boyfriend over the
holidays. How could I resist?” Biggs looked concerned.

“
Sir,
with all due respect. That doesn't sound like keeping a discreet
profile, as we discussed.”

“
Biggsy,
you know me. I am nothing if not discreet. Really, we're just
hanging out with Tom and I'll spend Christmas Day at her family's
place here in Sunnyside Key. I'm avoiding flashy places, trust me.
Just gin joints and bar dives for me. No one has caught on.”
Biggs looked at him, as if to assess just how serious he was. “I
understand your concerns and I am taking the usual precautions.
Nothing has changed. Please don't sound the alarm.”

Biggs
considered Henry's response. And knew he was being truthful. He'd
been on the prince's security detail since he'd returned from
Afghanistan, but had been with the royal family for some time before
that. He'd seen the change in him after his military service. Henry
had new sense of purpose, a seriousness and a caution that had not
been there before. He'd asked him about it once and in a moment of
candour, Henry confided it had happened after seeing true tragedy and
evil first-hand.

“
All
right, then. I think we're fine. We'll continue to hang back but
you know we're here if you need us. And you'll continue to check in
as usual and to wear the tracker.” All the royals had a GPS
type tracking device embedded into a personal item. With Henry, it
was in his watchband. If he ever got lost, or worse, help could
always find him as long as he still had the watch.

“
Of
course. Thanks for everything, Biggs. I do appreciate you lads
always having my back. Sorry to have dragged you down here.”

“
Not
at all sir, it's my job. Happy to do it. I'll do what I can to
smooth the waters back home, but I can only do so much.”
Henry nodded. “I'll be off, then. Take good care, sir. And
please, for both our sakes, exercise caution at all times. We can't
be complacent.”

“
Will
do. I shall. ” Biggs headed back to the marina parking lot,
and Henry watched his black sedan roll out of the parking lot and
head north back on A1A towards Miami.

Henry
had sensed that he'd rocked the apple cart by calling home and
changing plans. Not that he'd had any official engagements or such,
but they were a family used to planning far in advance. He did feel
a twinge of guilt. H
is
grandmother did love to have the whole family at home for Christmas.
But at least she had a lovely grandchild to distract her.

Even
though Biggs had just been there and had surely swept the boat for
intruders, Henry did a cursory search before climbing below deck and
hitting the shower. He was surprisingly anxious to get going and to
see Callie again.

CHAPTER
SIX

About
the same time that Henry and Tom had set out fishing, Callie was
pulling her second batch of pumpkin spice muffins out of the oven.
The smell of cinnamon and cloves filled the Beach Buzz and she
realized she was hungry. After setting everything out to cool and
storing the pans ‘til they were ready for washing, she headed
out front. She had just enough time to serve herself a well-earned
cup of coffee and a breakfast bar before opening up.

She
needed the coffee earlier and more so
than usual this morning. Callie'd had a fitful night's sleep. The
events of yesterday were still weighing on her mind. But at least
the fact that she and Brian were no longer an item was finally off
her conscience. She hated being dishonest with her family but she
just didn't have the strength to do it alone. And she knew her
mother would be on her best behaviour with a stranger at their table
for Christmas.

Callie
heard the keys in the back door at 6:25. As usual, Erin was right on
time. And cheerful.

“
Hey,
girl. How are ya? Oh, coffee already? Rough night?” Her
friend knew her well, Normally Erin and Callie took a
break after the morning rush around 10 a.m. and had their first
coffee together.

“
Yes
and no.”

“
Did
you break the news to Milly?” Callie nodded yes. “Really?!
And you're still alive, no bruises?” Erin was nothing
if not dramatic. And funny.

“
Well,
technically I didn't break the news to her. Henry did.”

“
Henry?
Whoa, there. Back it up. Who is Henry? Maybe you'd better start
at the beginning.” With that pronouncement, there was a rap
at the door. Clint Barnes, a local police officer and one of their
regular customers, stood sheepishly at the door.

Callie
lifted her hands up at Erin as if to say, 'what can I do?', then
walked over to the door and unlocked the door, flipping the sign
before opening the door and letting Clint in.

“
Hey
ladies, sorry to be banging your door down, but we're driving up
island for a training seminar and I could really use a cuppa joe for
the trip.” He smiled sheepishly.

“
Not
a problem, Clint. We were fixing to open up soon, anyhow. I'm just
moving a little slower than usual this morning.” Callie gave
him a welcoming smile and ushered him in.

“
Well
hey, Clint. The usual this morning?” Erin greeted Clint
warmly. He was a favourite customer and though he'd only lived in
Sunnyside Key a few years, he was entrenched in
the community.

“
That
would be great, thanks, Erin. What kind of muffins do you have
today?”

“
Not
sure, what kind do we have today, Callie? I just got in so I'm not
up to speed yet. Boss lady?”

“
Chocolate
chip or pumpkin spice.”

“
Ooooh.
Pumpkin spice, please. Do they have pecans?”

“
You
know it, Clint. What is pumpkin without a pecan, I always say?”
Callie liked the easy banter that she had with so many of her
customers. Some would view serving coffee and snacks as a small
thing. But she provided a service to the community and really got to
know her customers. She belonged. And she liked it.

“
It's
nice to see you so perky today. If you don't mind me saying, you
weren't your usual self this last while. And we couldn't help notice
the lack of a certain individual in town these days and sort of made
the connection.”

“
I'm
fine, Clint, really. I appreciate your concern. But life is OK.
And sometimes you don't realize you're better off without them ‘til
someone is actually gone.” This was a home truth that had
come to Callie last night while she battled her insomnia. As much as
she felt deflated and rejected, it occurred to her that she didn't
actually miss Brian. Yes, she noticed his absence. But it wasn't
the same thing.

“
Well,
I do hear through the coconut telegraph that you were out for dinner
with a handsome looking guy last night at the Grill House.”
Clint grinned at her. Callie looked at his with surprise. “Callie,
I am a police officer ... we do have our sources.” Clint
laughed.

“
And
that, my friends, is the downside of living in a quaint little town
like Sunnyside Key. You can't hiccup without everyone knowing about
it.” Erin shook her head. It was amazing how news travelled
up and down the coast, like the wind.

Callie
laughed. It was true. Come to think of it, she was surprised her
mother hadn't picked up on the good old coconut telegraph herself.
She hadn't mentioned Brian being absent. Interesting, maybe her mom
was losing her touch on the news front.

“
Can
we get you anything else, Clint?”

“
No,
I'm good. I guess that means you're not spilling on who your date
was last night.”

“
Not
right now, Clint. But don't worry, I'll keep you informed if it
turns serious.”

“
I
can always do a background check for you,
it's no problem. Perk of the job. All part of the service.”

“
Actually,
he's a friend of Tom's, so that's all the background check I need.”

“
Well,
if Tom says he's good kin, that is good enough for me, too. Tom's no
fool, and he has a real sense about people. Must be from being in
the military.”

Clint
and Tom were friendly and played on the same baseball team. Callie
was sure there'd be a follow-
up
conversation between the men. Clint sometimes acted like everyone's
big brother. If ever there was a person suited to be a small town
policeman, it was Clint. He really took his job to heart.

Callie
noticed Erin was taking in every detail of the conversation. It was
obvious she was dying to ask more but was not doing so in front of
Clint. When they finally waved him on his way and out the door, some
the usual customers started heading in before their work and school
days began. They were steadily busy for another two and a half
hours, doling out coffee, tea, fresh squeezed juice and the tasty
treats lovingly baked by Callie that had made the Beach Buzz the
success it was.

When
the last customer of the morning rush left and it appeared there
wasn't another one outside, Erin burst. “Finally! I have
been dying to get the low down on last night and people keep coming
in! Start talking, and make it fast!” Erin poured out two
cups of coffee and put two muffins on a plate, and headed for the
table closest to the counter.

Callie
moved out from behind the kitchen window to join her at the table,
festively covered in a green cloth and adorned with a small potted
poinsettia plant. She hadn't realized how much time had passed. I
t
was amazing how time flew when you were busy and really enjoyed your
work. As soon as she sat down, her feet felt better.

“
Where
should I start?” asked Callie.

“
I
want to know everything!” Erin was riveted. “Who's the
guy? Where did you meet him? What about your mom? All of it.
Dish!”

Callie
giggled. Erin's exuberance was contagious. And it made her a real
joy to be around.

“
I
walked down the beach yesterday after I left here and ended up at the
Happy Clam. Tom was working. It was quiet, between lunch and
dinner.”