The Princess (21 page)

“Is that how you knew?”

“Um hm.”

The couple was walking toward Nikolai’s car now, and Shelby glanced sideways up at him.

“What did that person say?”

“Oh, he was very respectful, but the gist was simple: The princess is out here and looking quite lost. Does anyone want to claim her?”

Shelby looked away, feeling very much a fool. It had all seemed so innocent. She just wanted to learn of the sport. Never was she hounded by people or pursued in any way, but having everyone know who she was had its keen disadvantages, not to mention the fact that the king regent had asked his minister to call ahead.

“I’ll see you back at the palace,” Shelby said, her own path parting from his. “Thank you for showing me, Nikolai.”

“Where is your car?” Nikolai asked her retreating back.

“I rode my bike,” Shelby answered without turning.

“Ride home with me,” he called, needing to raise his voice to be heard. “I’ll send someone back for your bike.”

“Thank you, but I need the exercise.” Shelby had stopped and turned to say this, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she continued on toward Kris. She had just sat down in the bike seat when Nikolai reached her. Shelby continued to strap on her bike helmet, put her hands on the handlebars beneath the seat, and put one foot on the pedal, her message clear.

Nikolai stared. “This is your bike?”

“No, Nikolai, this is my swimming pool. I ride it everywhere.”

He was so astounded by her sarcasm and the recumbent style of the bike that all he could do was laugh. Shelby sat in bemused silence over his outrageous response.

“I’m sorry, Shelby,” he finally gasped. “You just took me by surprise.”

“Have you really never seen this bike before? I ride a couple of times a week.”

“Never. I’ve seen you on your skates, but not this bike. I’d like to try it sometime.”

“Anytime except now is fine. I’m getting hungry for lunch.”

“Why don’t you come back with me in the car?” His offer was most sincere.

“Because I want to ride.”

Nikolai thought it was her way of saying she needed some space. He was happy to oblige her.

“I’ll see you at home.”

“All right. Thanks again.”

Nikolai waved as she took off, amazed at how swiftly she covered the yards to the road and then started back toward town.

“No wonder Kris looks like he’s dropped weight,” Nikolai observed as he watched the companion stay at an exact distance behind the princess, and seemingly with remarkable ease.

Ivan heard the remark but kept silent. Kris had lost weight, but he was loving it. He claimed to have more energy than he’d had since his school years.

“Let’s go home, Ivan. If we don’t hurry, she’ll beat us.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ivan was as faithful a servant as any royal could hope for and not given to gossip, but if Arlanda should ask, and ofttimes she did, the report he would give would be very positive indeed.

The clock read 2:15 the next morning when Nikolai woke from a startlingly real dream. He lay looking into the dark, his arms aching to hold his wife.

Something is happening here, Lord. I’ve never dreamed of Shelby. I’ve even tried to have her in my last thoughts before sleep so I could, but it’s always been Yvette.
Nikolai’s chest rose and fell.
It was so real, Father. I still can’t believe she’s not here.

In a single move he sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes on the door that separated their rooms. He knew it would only frighten Shelby if he checked on her, but the temptation was strong.

She might be your wife, Nick, but you’ve got to go slow here. You’ve got to give her time. She still looks at you with too much apprehension and doubt.

The prince rose. The water he splashed on his face from the bathroom sink felt very good, but his heart was no more settled.

Show me, Lord,
he prayed as he lay back down.
Show me the next step. Help me to be more approachable, and help Shelby to move toward me too. Show us how to do this. Show us in Your time.
Nikolai was still asking God for wisdom when he finally drifted back to sleep.

Shelby watched the old man next to her as he pushed his food around his plate with a fork. Her eyes, which darted about the dining room, took in what she was accustomed to seeing in that room of the care center. Not one of the staff members ate with the residents, nor did any of the directors save herself. Shelby also took note of the fact that visiting family members only sat with their beloved—they did not eat with them.

The princess felt the time for a confrontation had come. The directors’ meeting was to start in less than ten minutes. Shelby had a few more words with the people at her table and then rose to freshen up in the bathroom. By the time she took her seat at the huge table in the meeting room, she was ready. The old minutes were read and a few changes were made, but just as soon as the floor was open for new business, Shelby’s pen went into the air.

“Princess Shelby,” the head director acknowledged.

As was the custom, board members presented new business at the small podium set up at the head of the table. Shelby grabbed her notebook, hoping her knees would carry her, and took her place behind the smooth oak stand.

“It has recently come to my attention that I am, as a member of the royal family, allowed a certain measure of influence, within reason, in this facility. Is that correct, Mr. Chairman?”

“Indeed, Princess Shelby. You may add or adjust rules that only the king can change.”

“Thank you. I have not as yet felt a need to take advantage of my status as the princess, but today I will. Effective November 1, just a little more than a month from now, no employee or director of the care center may bring food onto the premises, including the parking lot.”

As Shelby expected, Mrs. Radford, the center’s administrator, put her hand into the air.

“Yes, Mrs. Radford?”

“Princess Shelby, I find a need to remind you that the staff has only 30 minutes for lunch and 10 minutes at break time. There is no time for them to go out to eat.”

“Precisely,” Shelby said with no triumph in her voice. She went on quietly. “Which means they’ll have to eat what the kitchen prepares.”

Shelby knew exactly which directors had known where she was headed and which were surprised by this announcement. Mrs. Radford was dumbfounded. Her face was a deep shade of puce, and had she been wearing a corset, Shelby was sure the stays would have creaked.

“I don’t think you know what you’re asking,” she began, but Shelby cut her off.

“On the contrary, Mrs. Radford, I know just what I’m asking, and that’s why I’m giving you five weeks to implement the change. Today was the last day I will be forced to watch the residents in this home push tasteless food around on their plates. Not even visiting family members will eat the food provided.”

“I’m not sure you understand, Princess Shelby,” Mrs. Radford cut back in. “Food prepared in great quantities and in an institution such as this tends to have a certain institutional-type flavor.”

“I do understand. There will be certain limitations, Mrs. Radford, and I have appreciated your efforts to keep costs down, but you will no longer trim costs in the kitchen. I want fresh fruits and vegetables served whenever possible. I want meat served on
its own, not smothered in sauces that disguise all taste. I want fresh desserts every day, not something baked on Monday and served all week.”

Shelby’s eyes met those of everyone around the table. Some were furious and some held respect.

“I have gone over the books repeatedly. This care center can well afford better food. We spend a small fortune on grounds, which most of the patrons cannot even go out to enjoy. They look beautiful, but something simpler would be just as appreciated. Three delicious meals a day will go much further for the hearts and lives, no matter how brief, of our elderly patients.”

Again Shelby studied their faces. “You have five weeks to make the changes. If this is not enough time, you may see me about an extension, but the rule stands.”

Shelby took her seat, still trembling inside. The table was quiet for a few seconds, and Shelby kept her eyes down. When she did look up, it was to see one of the sternest men at the table staring right at her. Shelby had to force herself not to look away. The table erupted in argument just a moment later, but not before Shelby watched one of those stern eyes wink at her. It gave her just the courage she needed to stand her ground.

Shelby skated down the hallway to her bedroom, sweat dripping down her back. The morning’s meeting had been long and heated, and she had felt a great need to skate into the park for some time alone. She took a chair right inside her bedroom door and took her skates off. A moment later Shelby dampened a hand towel and put it around her neck, then walked into the middle of her bedroom and stood still.

I believed with all of my heart that You wanted me to do that, Lord. I’ve tried so many times to get Mrs. Radford to improve the
food, but she always makes excuses or says she’ll do it and then doesn’t. I felt I had no choice. I didn’t want to go to all the other directors and start a conspiracy behind Mrs. Radford’s back, but maybe this wasn’t the way either.

Shelby thought for a moment about who had been opposed. The people who had been against the change, Mrs. Radford and four others, had never had family members in the care center. So many people believed that the elderly couldn’t taste anything. Shelby knew that some of the tongue cells grew dull, but she had yet to see an old person who couldn’t taste the difference between sour cream and ice cream.

Shelby paced around a bit, still feeling hot and miserable. She was just about to open the window when a startling thought hit her.

What if I’ve gone too far, Lord? What if I’ve put the crown in a bad light? What will Nikolai’s father say to me? How will I explain? Maybe I should have gone to him first.

Shelby was still in a quandary over this when someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” she called absently, turning to see Nikolai enter. She waited until he’d shut the door and then blurted, “Nikolai, can the princess be fired?”

Nikolai stopped short. He blinked and stared at his wife.

“No,” he finally said slowly.

Shelby nodded but still looked distressed.

“Shelby, is there something you want to discuss with me?”

She opened her mouth but ended up shaking her head. “No, but thank you for offering. I still have some thinking to do on my own.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“All right,” Nikolai said but continued to watch her.

Shelby’s brows rose after a moment, and her husband seemed to come out of his trance.

“Here is that list of names Murdock said he would get to you.”

“Oh, that’s right, thank you,” Shelby said as she took the paper from his hand.

“You’re sure you’re all right?”

“Yes, Nikolai, thank you again.”

Not until after he went out the door did Shelby wonder if she should have talked to him. Thinking she’d missed her chance, she mentally shrugged and went to take her shower.