Worlds and hearts collide in this beloved tale by New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

All-pomp-no-play Princess Alexandra Wyndham gets a royal wake-up call when a letter arrives at the palace, alleging the rightful heir to her throne is alive. Now she must travel to the ranch of the most majestic man she’s ever met. Cowboy Mitch Colton might be the key to finding her missing brother…if she can keep her focus on the search instead of the sexy rancher.

Mitch is tight-lipped when it comes to the whereabouts of his elusive stepbrother—the suspected long-lost heir!—but he grudgingly opens his home to Alexandra. He can’t seem to resist the regal beauty, and it isn’t long before he opens his heart to her, as well. But can their romance survive their abiding differences…and the revelation of a royal baby on the way?

A Royal Baby on the Way was originally part of the Royally Wed miniseries, which also featured the following titles:

Undercover Princess by Suzanne Brockmann

The Princess's White Knight by Carla Cassidy

The Pregnant Princess by Anne Marie Winston

Man…Mercenary…Monarch by Joan Elliott Pickart

A Royal Masquerade by Arlene James

A Royal Marriage by Cara Colter

A Royal Mission by Elizabeth August

The Expectant Princess by Stella Bagwell

The Blacksheep Prince's Bride by Martha Shields

Code Name: Prince by Valerie Parv

An Officer and a Princess by Carla Cassidy

A Royal Baby on the Way

Susan Mallery

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Title Page

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Excerpt

Copyright

Prologue

‘‘Alex, I think you should take a look at this.’’

Princess Alexandra Wyndham, the oldest of King Phillip’s four daughters, glanced up from the computer printout she’d been scanning. It was nearly eleven in the morning and she was, as usual, buried in her daily reports. The kingdom of Wynborough might not be huge, but it required a large staff to keep things running smoothly. Despite the efficiency of the palace’s employees and loyalty of the senior staff, Alex insisted on overseeing many things herself. She spent her mornings in her office, looking for potential problems and smoothing them out before anyone noticed they’d been there in the first place. Her afternoons and evenings were reserved for state functions and occasionally, very occasionally, time for herself.

Alex set down the papers and smiled at Laura Bishop, the social secretary who had been with the royal family for five years. ‘‘Another marriage proposal from an American rock star?’’ Alex asked. ‘‘While I don’t understand them, I do confess to being flattered. After all, I’ll be thirty next year. Not exactly the right age to be a bimbo.’’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘‘Is that term still in use or am I being old-fashioned again?’’

Laura grinned. ‘‘I think bimbo still works, although it’s not really appropriate when used to describe a princess.’’ Her smile faded. ‘‘No marriage proposal this time. It’s a little more serious than that. I didn’t know what to do with this.’’ She waved the single sheet of paper. ‘‘I thought about going to the king, but he and your mother are busy with plans for the celebration and I wasn’t sure….’’ Her voice trailed off.

Alex gave Laura her full attention. The royal social secretary was many wonderful things, including efficient. It wasn’t like her to be indecisive about anything.

‘‘All right,’’ Alex said slowly and held out her hand. When Laura gave her the letter, she scanned it quickly, then read it a second time. Her breath caught in her throat and her chest tightened. ‘‘Dear Lord, can this be right?’’

‘‘I don’t know,’’ Laura admitted.

Was it possible? Alex shook her head to clear it, but her confused thoughts refused to be put in order. What to do?

‘‘I’m glad you didn’t go to my parents,’’ Alex said slowly. ‘‘If it’s true, then it’s wonderful news, but if it isn’t, they could be devastated all over again. I don’t want that.’’

Laura nodded. ‘‘That’s what I thought, too. I don’t know the whole story, but I’ve read about the basics.’’

‘‘I don’t think anyone knows the whole story. That’s part of the problem.’’ She set the letter on her desk. ‘‘All right. Tell my sisters that I need to see them immediately.’’ She glanced at her slender, elegant gold watch. ‘‘Have them meet me for lunch in our private dining room at noon. I’ll tell the kitchen to have something simple sent up.’’ She looked at her friend. ‘‘I’ll want you to be there, too, Laura.’’

Laura stared back at her. ‘‘Are you sure? Isn’t this a family matter?’’

‘‘Yes, but I suspect we’re going to need your help. I have a couple of ideas. If my sisters agree with my plan, then you’ll be an important part of things.’’ Despite her shock, Alex managed a smile. ‘‘As usual.’’

‘‘Thank you.’’

After Laura left, Alex turned in her chair and stared out the window. The view was nearly as familiar as her own reflection. She’d spent many hours in this office, working, planning and, during rare moments of quiet, dreaming. While Wyndham Castle was a major tourist attraction, and even now a large group of visitors toured the manicured gardens below her third-story window, it was also her home. She’d been born here, grown up, played, laughed and cried, all within the confines of the old stone-and-wood structure. People she met often asked her what it was like to live in a castle, but for Alexandra it was all she’d ever known. If she occasionally wondered what it would be like to live a normal life, she reminded herself that she’d been blessed by her circumstances and her loving family. She had wonderful parents and three sisters with whom she was very close.

Without turning around, she reached behind her and picked up the letter Laura had brought her. As she fingered the inexpensive writing paper, she considered how she’d thought her future was set. Was that all about to change?

* * *

‘‘We should go skiing over the holidays,’’ Serena said as she scooped some chicken and mango salad onto her plate. She picked up a piece of mango and popped it in her mouth. Impish lights danced in her green eyes. ‘‘There are always so many good-looking men at the chalets and goodness knows you three all need to get married before you’re over the hill.’’

Alex looked at her baby sister and tried not to take the comment personally. As the oldest, she should be married first, and no doubt her parents would get around to arranging a match in the near future. But right now that was not her most pressing issue.

‘‘We have something more important to discuss,’’ Alex said as she glanced around the table.

A lace antique cloth protected the gleaming oval surface. Water, iced tea and soft drinks had been poured into crystal goblets. Alex sat at the head of the table with Serena and Laura to her left and Katherine and Elizabeth to her right.

‘‘You look serious,’’ Katherine said. ‘‘Is something wrong?’’

‘‘Not exactly.’’ Alex paused as she tried to figure out how best to share the news. ‘‘Laura opened a letter this morning and immediately brought it to me. I made the decision not to share the contents with our parents. They’re both busy with the business of running the kingdom, not to mention the celebration of Father’s twentieth year as monarch.’’

‘‘We know all this,’’ Serena said and rolled her eyes. ‘‘Alex, you could make a roller-coaster ride boring if you tried. What has you all in a huff? What’s in the letter?’’

Alex glanced at her other two sisters and saw them nod. She chose to believe they were encouraging her to read them the message and not agreeing with Serena’s assessment of her personality.

She pulled the single sheet of paper out of her jacket pocket and cleared her throat.

‘‘Dear Royal Family. I saw something on the news today about your king celebrating his kingship of your country. While I didn’t find this especially interesting, I happened to see a picture of the family crest—is that what it’s called? That shield with the thingamajigs? Anyway, seeing that reminded me of something that happened a long time ago.’’

Alex heard a catch of breath. She glanced up and saw all three of her sisters staring at her.

‘‘Nearly thirty years ago I was housekeeper for a place called The Sunshine Home for Children in Hope, Arizona. One day I noticed a real fine piece of linen in the laundry. It was some kind of blanket and I decided to take it for my own use. I knew it belonged to one of the children, but I didn’t think they would miss it. It was the nicest tea cozy I’d ever had and now I realize it had your crest on it. With all this fuss about the celebration and all, there have also been stories about your lost boy, James. It got me to thinking. Three boys came to The Sunshine Home that year around the time of the kidnapping. They were all the right age to be your boy. One of them could belong to your family. My memory’s not what it used to be and I can’t remember all of them, but I do sure recall John Colton. He was a real scrapper. I’m not saying John’s the one, but I’ll bet my last pair of boots that he would know where to find the others.’’

Alex put down the letter. ‘‘She signs it ‘Most Sincerely, Grandma Beulah Whitaker.’ Oh, and she would like a picture of the four princesses sent to her if we have time.’’

There was a moment of silence, then everyone started talking at once. It had taken Alex a few minutes to gather her own composure after absorbing the news, so she understood her sisters’ confusion and questions.

‘‘Do you think it’s really possible that James is alive?’’ Katherine asked.

Elizabeth shook her head. ‘‘It’s been what, twenty-nine years? Could he have survived all that time and we never knew?’’

‘‘Let’s go to America and find him,’’ Serena said with a broad grin. ‘‘I’ll go. I can be ready to leave this afternoon.’’

Alex glared at her baby sister. There was no way she would trust that wild young woman alone in a foreign land. Given Serena’s determination to find romantic adventure, she would forget about looking for James and set about getting herself in trouble as quickly as possible.

‘‘First things first,’’ Alex said calmly. ‘‘Do you all agree with my decision to keep this from our parents? I don’t want to get their hopes up only to dash them again, but I would like to hear what you three think.’’

Katherine leaned toward her. Her gray eyes darkened with sadness. ‘‘None of us was born when they lost James, but I can imagine their pain. Mother hasn’t spoken about it much, but when she does mention those days after James was kidnapped, she always cries. They have both worked very hard to bring prosperity to Wynborough. As they prepare for the twentieth anniversary of Father’s coronation next year, they should be happy. Telling them about this letter will only distract them.’’

Elizabeth, normally a close and loving confidant for Alex, looked distracted. In the past couple of months, things had changed for the sister closest to her in age. Unfortunately Alex hadn’t figured out what, and Elizabeth resisted all her gentle questions.

Elizabeth focused on the issue at hand long enough to nod her agreement. ‘‘Katherine’s right. I don’t think either of them want to go through that pain again. We should investigate this ourselves.’’

Alex glanced at Laura. Her social secretary raised her hands. ‘‘I’m just the hired help. I’d prefer not to vote.’’

‘‘You’re more than that,’’ Serena said, giving Laura a quick hug. ‘‘You’re practically one of the family.’’ She grinned at Alex. ‘‘I say we find him ourselves and present him as a gift to Mother and Father. Their lost son returns home after twenty-nine years. Everyone will be so thrilled that there’s finally an heir.’’

Alex stiffened slightly at the words, then tried not to notice as everyone’s attention shifted to her. She knew what her sisters were thinking. That as the oldest, she’d taken on most of the responsibilities of heir. She worked hard and frequently traveled abroad to represent her country. But Wynborough law stated that the heir must be a son. While there had been some discussion about parliament changing the law, to date nothing had been done. After all, King Phillip was still in the prime of his life. There was no concern about the monarchy. But it left Alex in the awkward position of being a potential heir-in-waiting without knowing if that was going to happen.

That’s not important, she told herself, and firmly pushed those thoughts away. Right now she and her sisters had to concentrate on their brother. If James was still alive, how were they to find him?

‘‘Obviously we have to go to America,’’ Alex said. ‘‘That’s where the kidnapping occurred.’’

‘‘I could arrange a publicity tour,’’ Laura said. ‘‘There has been talk of bringing worldwide attention to King Phillip’s years as a successful monarch. If all four of you were willing to travel to the States, you could quietly inquire about your brother while promoting Wynborough and the king.’’

‘‘Of course we’ll go,’’ Serena said. ‘‘At least I will.’’

‘‘No one’s in doubt about that,’’ Alex said dryly. She glanced at Katherine and Elizabeth. ‘‘Is this all right with you two?’’

They both nodded. ‘‘I could use a change of scenery,’’ Elizabeth said.

Again Alex wondered what had happened to make her sister so quiet these days. But if Elizabeth didn’t want to talk, nothing was going to make her.

Alex opened the file next to her plate. ‘‘I think the best plan would be to start the investigation at the scene of the crime. James was kidnapped from the family home in Aspen, Colorado. While the place hasn’t been used in years, I checked and it has been maintained by caretakers. They could have it ready for us in two days—so that will be our base of operation. Laura will put together a publicity schedule that leaves us plenty of time to search. In fact, I intend to go to Arizona to talk with ‘Grandma Beulah’ as soon as we arrive in the States.’’

Katherine leaned forward. Like all the sisters, her hair was a variation on the theme of red. She had thick chestnut hair and wide gray eyes. Sensible as always, she asked, ‘‘How on earth are we going to get our parents to agree to this? They’ve never wanted us to visit America before. Do you really think they’ll let all four of us go there?’’

‘‘Let me handle that,’’ Alex said. ‘‘Laura and I will come up with something. You just get ready to leave.’’

Serena bounced to her feet. ‘‘I’m going to Disneyland.’’

‘‘Not if any of us can help it,’’ Elizabeth murmured under her breath as she stood up.

‘‘Okay, then New York or California or Las Vegas.’’

Alex drew in a deep breath and told herself to remain calm. Serena was a handful and she was going to require around-the-clock watching. ‘‘Make a note,’’ she told Laura as they left the small dining room. ‘‘Put extra security on Serena.’’

‘‘Gabriel Morgan’s our man,’’ Laura said. ‘‘Plus, he’s American, so he’ll be most at home.’’

‘‘Good. The last thing we need is a wild princess on the loose.’’

‘‘What about Elizabeth and Katherine? Or for that matter, you?’’

Alex laughed. ‘‘As if anything would ever happen to us. I promise you that except for possibly finding our long-lost brother, nothing exciting is going to happen while we’re in America.’’

Chapter One

Mitch Colton could smell trouble a mile away…or right in his own driveway. Especially when it came packaged in a sleek, midnight-blue Jaguar. He’d been on his way into the house after spending the morning in the barn with a sick cow when the sound of a car engine had caught his attention. And not just any car engine, but one belonging to an elegantly beautiful sports car.

He stared as the vehicle came to a stop in front of the wide porch that encircled the low, one-story ranch house. While he could admire the sleek lines of the car, he didn’t get the point. Sure, he could buy one, or even a dozen if he was so inclined, but he lived on a working ranch, and a car like that wasn’t practical.

Neither was the leggy redhead stepping out from behind the wheel.

Mitch blinked. Redhead? As in a woman? He looked closer. Yup, and to quote his father, she was a looker. Well dressed in a toast-colored sweater dress, the hem of which flirted with her calves. She was slender, with plenty on top to capture any man’s interest. Sunglasses hid her eyes, but enough of her face showed to convince him that she was somewhere between very pretty and knock-out gorgeous. Long, auburn curls fell down her back. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon, he thought.

‘‘Good afternoon,’’ the woman said as she approached the porch. ‘‘Are you Mitch Colton?’’

He frowned. She sounded funny. Almost English, but not quite. She sure as hell wasn’t from around here. He pushed his hat farther back on his head, propped one foot on the porch railing, leaned forward and rested his forearms on his raised thigh.

‘‘That depends on who’s doing the asking.’’

He’d half expected her to get annoyed, but she surprised him by smiling. ‘‘Don’t you sound like the local sheriff in a Western movie. All right, cowboy, we’ll do this your way.’’ She pulled off her sunglasses, extended her hand and approached the porch. ‘‘I’m Alex Wyndham. If you are Mitch Colton, I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.’’

He’d been holding his own, right up until she smiled and removed her sunglasses. The one-two punch of full lips curving in delight and baby-blue eyes hit him like whisky on an empty stomach. He straightened, swore silently, then leaned down to take her fingers in his. Even though he braced for the impact, the not-so-unexpected jolt of awareness crackled down to his toes. On the return trip, it settled somewhere a tad more interesting. Geez. All this over one little smile. Imagine what would happen to his body if she laughed, or God forbid, made that throaty purring sound women were so good at when they wanted a man.

He straightened and cleared his throat. ‘‘Ma’am.’’

Her smile broadened. ‘‘Ma’am. I’m sure you’re using that mode of address for different reasons than is normally the case. But I like it.’’

Okay, now he was officially lost. ‘‘What are you talking about?’’

‘‘Nothing. I’m just savoring the moment. Here I am having a real conversation with a real cowboy. You are a cowboy, aren’t you?’’

‘‘Yeah.’’ He drew the single syllable out a couple of beats, then sighed. He didn’t like the new direction of their conversation. ‘‘You’re not some buckle bunny out looking for a ride, are you? I didn’t do that kind of thing when I was a kid, and I’m sure as hell not going to do it now.’’

Her delicate eyebrows pulled together in a frown. She had the most perfect skin he’d ever seen. Except maybe on a baby’s butt. Faint color stained her cheeks, but he would have bet a prime steer or two that it was natural, not out of a compact. Her eyes were large, her lashes dark. High cheekbones and a pointed chin focused attention on her full mouth. Dress her up in some leather and lace and she would look like the poster girl for sin.

‘‘Buckle bunny?’’ His guest shook her head. ‘‘Are you talking about a rabbit? Don’t you have cattle on this ranch? I didn’t know anyone bred rabbits out West. Is there a market for them?’’

‘‘What are you talking about?’’ he asked. Rabbits? Was she crazy?

‘‘Rabbits. You mentioned them. Well, you actually said bunnies, but aren’t they the same thing? Are we having trouble communicating?’’

‘‘One of us is.’’ He folded his arms over his chest and glared down at her. Was she being dumb on purpose? ‘‘Why don’t you tell me why you’re here, lady.’’

She flashed him another smile. ‘‘Actually, I’m looking for your brother. John Colton. Could you tell me where he is?’’

While her conversation about rabbits had done a whole bunch to dilute his desire, her question squashed the last, lingering flicker of interest. Over the years he’d come to terms with his relationship with his brother, but he refused to be attracted to one of John’s old lovers.

He raked his gaze over her, starting at her expensive boots and ending at the riot of curls on the top of her head. ‘‘First of all, I don’t give out personal information to strangers. Second, you don’t look like his type.’’

‘‘Type?’’

The woman stared at him blankly. She repeated the word again, silently, as if trying to figure out what he meant. Her surprise was so genuine, he had to reassess his opinion of her.

‘‘You think we were involved?’’ she asked, faintly bewildered. ‘‘Oh, my. No, it’s not that at all.’’

But before she could explain exactly what their relationship was, or he could ask, a black sedan pulled into his yard and parked behind the Jag. Must be his day for company, he thought as two men in dark suits stepped out of the car.

Mitch might have spent most of his life either on the ranch or the rodeo circuit, but he knew security people when he saw them. The not-so-subtle bulges under their left arms came from handguns, not muscles.

‘‘You’ve got my attention now, lady,’’ he said.

‘‘Alex,’’ she murmured as she turned to look at the two strangers. ‘‘Just plain Alex.’’

He ignored her statement, mostly because it didn’t make sense. Interestingly enough, the two thugs were ignoring him, too. What was going on?

‘‘Why don’t you tell me who you are and what the hell you’re doing here?’’ Mitch asked.

One of the security men looked up and nodded politely, then spoke to the woman. ‘‘Princess Alexandra, you know you’re not allowed to go off unescorted. You’ve only been in this country a short time and you’re not familiar with the driving laws, nor will you know how to communicate with the local citizens.’’

‘‘They’re just people, Rowan. I’ve been communicating just fine.’’ The woman laughed.

How nice that she was amused, Mitch thought. Then he replayed the man’s statement a couple of dozen times in his brain. Princess Alexandra? Had he really said Princess?

‘‘No way,’’ he muttered, mostly to himself. ‘‘Not a real princess.’’

Alex, or Princess Alexandra or whomever she was, turned to face him and shrugged. ‘‘Sorry, yes. I’m a real princess. I have a king and queen for parents, three princesses for sisters. There’s even a palace.’’

His mind went blank. All he could do was stand there and repeat the same thing over and over again. ‘‘A princess? A real princess?’’ She didn’t look like a princess, he thought, staring at her dress and then her face. There wasn’t any crown or whatever it was princesses wore. ‘‘This is a joke, right?’’

‘‘I’m afraid not.’’ Her gaze moved to the two security men standing next to her. ‘‘He doesn’t seem to be understanding me. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I will have some trouble communicating.’’

That comment got through to Mitch. It also annoyed him. ‘‘I’m not stupid,’’ he said. ‘‘I heard what you said, I just don’t believe it.’’

The woman nodded slightly. ‘‘I suppose in your position I would feel the same way.’’ She motioned to the house. ‘‘Would it be possible to go inside and talk about this?’’

He looked at the two armed men. To think the most excitement he’d been expecting in his quiet Sunday afternoon had been to catch a couple of football games on television. ‘‘Sure. Will the rent-a-cops let you do that?’’

Neither security person responded to his mild insult. The taller of the two turned to the woman. ‘‘We’re going to have to search the house.’’

‘‘Do you mind?’’ Alex asked Mitch. ‘‘It’s really a formality. I’m sure you’re very safe.’’

‘‘Thanks for the vote of confidence.’’ He had the strangest feeling that he’d been dropped into a movie somewhere in the middle. He had no clue what was going on and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

‘‘If you’ll give me a minute,’’ the taller man said, then walked up the three stairs and across the porch. He paused at the front door.

‘‘You’re kidding, right?’’ Mitch asked.

‘‘Not really.’’

The bodyguard slipped a thin wallet out of his jacket pocket…the one on the opposite side from the gun. He opened it and handed it to Mitch.

Mitch studied the official badges. The top one showed a royal coat of arms, while the bottom came from the U.S. State Department.

‘‘There’s a photo ID as well,’’ the man offered helpfully.

Mitch flipped to the picture and noted the card below, then handed the wallet back to Reginald Rowan, security expert and a man licensed to carry a handgun in at least two countries.

‘‘Door’s open,’’ Mitch said. ‘‘I don’t bother much with locks. There aren’t many strangers out here. At least not until today.’’

‘‘How nice,’’ Alex said as she glanced around. ‘‘It’s very private. You must like that.’’

‘‘I guess.’’

His gaze moved from her back to the remaining security agent, to the bulge of the man’s gun, to the sleek Jag parked in front of the house. If it was a joke, someone had gone to a lot of trouble to make it look real. He shrugged. What did it matter? He would play along for a while, just to figure out what everyone wanted.

* * *

Twenty minutes later he and Alex, as she’d insisted he call her despite frowns of annoyance from the security men, sat across from each other at the old oak table in the kitchen. Mitch tried to concentrate on what his guest was saying, but all he could think was how ticked off Betty, his housekeeper, was going to be if Alex turned out to be the real thing and she’d missed her chance to meet royalty.

‘‘So the last time my parents were in America was twenty-nine years ago,’’ Alex said, continuing her story. ‘‘They brought their child, James, with them. He was barely a year old.’’

‘‘And that’s when he was kidnapped?’’ Mitch asked.

‘‘Right. They’d been staying at the family home in Aspen, Colorado. I don’t know all the details, of course. I wasn’t even born. From what I’ve learned, a massive search was instigated, but it was as if the baby had just disappeared. A ransom note had been received, confirming everyone’s belief that the kidnapping was for monetary gain and not political purposes.’’

‘‘But your family didn’t pay in time?’’

Alex leaned forward and rested her forearms on the scarred table. ‘‘That part is a little hazy. I think the ransom was collected, but before it could be delivered, the authorities found the kidnapper’s hideout. Through some freak accident, the small cabin burned to the ground during the rescue attempt. The kidnapper’s body was found and identified, and a few bits of my brother’s clothing were discovered. He was presumed dead. Only recently did I receive this letter.’’

She pulled a single sheet of paper from her handbag and passed it to him. Mitch read it once, quickly, then a second time. He was having trouble keeping track of everything going on. One minute he’d been admiring a pair of pretty legs and the next he was reading about a lost royal heir.

He glanced up from the sheet. ‘‘This could be a hoax.’’

‘‘I know, but we have to assume it’s not. What if my brother really is still alive?’’

‘‘So that’s why you want to talk to John.’’

She nodded. ‘‘We have no way of knowing if he’s James or not. According to Grandma Beulah, whom I spoke with yesterday, she thinks it’s one of the other two.’’ Alex pressed her full lips together. ‘‘I don’t know what to tell you about her information. She’s a lovely woman, but her memory has faded and I wasn’t completely convinced she even knew why I was visiting her. From what I can piece together, three boys around the same age came to The Sunshine Home within a short time of the kidnapping. That information, combined with the fact that a baby’s body was never recovered at the fire and Grandma Beulah’s possession of James’s baby blanket means there’s a possibility my brother is still alive.’’ Her blue eyes darkened. ‘‘I don’t suppose you remember anything that might be helpful.’’

‘‘I was four when my family adopted John. Sorry, but I don’t remember much except being annoyed at having to share my toys.’’

She sighed. ‘‘I understand. I’m not sure why I’m surprised that this is proving difficult. I suppose I had hoped my sisters and I would fly over here and just figure out what had happened. An unrealistic expectation on my part. The trail is years old, and the odds of James being alive have to be slim. But we’re determined to learn as much as we can.’’

‘‘Why did your parents send you instead of hiring a private investigator?’’

Alex flushed slightly. ‘‘The king and queen don’t know about the letter. There have been so many false leads over the years. None of us wanted to upset them again, especially with them preparing for the celebration.’’

Every time he thought he’d figured out what was going on, she threw him another curve. ‘‘What celebration?’’

‘‘My father will have been king for twenty years next year. The entire country will be honoring him. It’s a time of great joy, and my sisters and I didn’t want to distract my parents from that. If we do find James, then their happiness will be complete. If not, they won’t have to deal with any more disappointment.’’

She folded her hands primly together. Mitch noticed she hadn’t touched the mug of coffee he’d offered her. Wasn’t it up to royal standards? Uh-oh. If he was worrying about royal standards, that meant he believed her story. Which meant he believed that she was a princess. Maybe he’d been kicked in the head earlier that day and hadn’t noticed.

‘‘As far as our parents are concerned,’’ Alex continued, ‘‘we’re on a tour of your country, publicizing the upcoming celebration. We’re making several public appearances. The investigation is being kept quiet.’’

Mitch half glanced over his shoulder. Was there going to be more of an invasion? ‘‘Where are your sisters now?’’

‘‘In Aspen. I’m here to talk to John and to go through records at The Sunshine Home. Laura, our social secretary, is setting that up with the present administration.’’

If Alex wasn’t a real princess, she sure had her act together. She spoke formally enough to be royalty. Her accent intrigued him. As did her perfect posture and the faint tilt of her head. He thought about asking if she had any ID with her—maybe a business card with a little crown on it or something.

He held back a grin. This wasn’t really happening, he thought. Women like her didn’t stroll into the lives of men like him. He was a decent guy with a successful ranch. He’d been told he was good-looking, and for what it was worth he believed it. But a princess? No way.

‘‘When is he coming back?’’ Alex asked, interrupting his train of thought.

Mitch looked at her. ‘‘Who? John?’’

She nodded. ‘‘Will he be home this evening?’’

Mitch took a long swallow of coffee. ‘‘I don’t know when John will come home. He’s not gone for the day, he’s just gone. He does that kind of thing. He takes off without saying anything and comes back when he’s done with whatever he’d been doing.’’

Alex stiffened. ‘‘What are you saying? Where does he go?’’

‘‘Hell if I know. He doesn’t talk about it. It’s just his way. He’s been doing it since he was a teenager. For a while my folks tried to keep him on the ranch, but he refused. He was too big to send to his room, so they let him go.’’ What he wasn’t going to tell her was that for a long time he’d been happy to see his brother leave. In the past couple of years, though, he’d come to terms with many things and now he missed John when he was gone.

‘‘But what if you have to get in touch with him? He must phone.’’

‘‘Sometimes. Not always.’’ His gaze narrowed. ‘‘I don’t know what the rules are like where you come from, but here in this country, no one has to check in if he doesn’t want to.’’

Her full lips pursed in obvious annoyance. ‘‘I assure you that Wynborough is not a dictatorship. My point was simply that family members often prefer to stay in touch. What if there was an emergency with your parents?’’

‘‘I don’t have an answer to that. I guess John would just have to live with what happened.’’

Her shoulders slumped a little, the first slip of otherwise perfect posture. ‘‘But I have to talk with him.’’

‘‘You really think he might be your brother?’’ Mitch asked doubtfully. John, the lost royal prince? Mitch turned the idea over in his mind. No, it wasn’t possible, was it?

‘‘I don’t know what to think,’’ Alex admitted. ‘‘I just know that I must speak with him.’’

They both heard footsteps from the hallway. The security men walked into the kitchen. ‘‘Princess Alexandra, how long are you planning to stay this afternoon?’’ the taller of the two asked. ‘‘We have a long drive ahead of us.’’

Alex looked at Mitch. ‘‘Could it really be weeks until he comes back?’’

Mitch nodded.

She drew in a breath. ‘‘Mr. Colton has informed me that his brother is away for an unspecified period of time that could turn into several weeks. I intend to stay in the area until he returns.’’

‘‘That’s not possible,’’ the security agent told her. ‘‘We can’t spare the manpower to keep you safe here and to watch your sisters.’’

‘‘Then hire more people.’’

‘‘And alert your parents?’’

‘‘You’re right,’’ Alex said slowly. ‘‘They would question additional security personnel, and I don’t want them worrying.’’

‘‘Return to Aspen. You can ask Mr. Colton to phone you when his brother returns.’’

Alex rose to her feet. She was tall, five-nine or five-ten. There was something regal about her bearing, and when she turned her full attention on the security agent, Mitch almost felt sorry for the man.

‘‘I’m going to assume that was a suggestion and not an order, Rowan,’’ she said, her voice crackling with ice.

The man inclined his head briefly. ‘‘Yes, Your Highness. However, it is my responsibility to keep you and your sisters safe. That means keeping you together.’’

‘‘We have plans to go to different parts of the country as part of our tour. We’ll be attending various social functions.’’

‘‘Agreed, and we have security set up for all those venues. What we don’t have is enough manpower to set up a separate home base here in a hotel. You would be at risk, and I will not allow that, ma’am.’’

It was a battle of wills, Mitch thought as he leaned back, bracing his chair on two legs. Given the odds, he would put all his money on the princess. She didn’t look like the kind of woman who gave in easily.

‘‘I’m not leaving,’’ she said evenly. ‘‘I want to be close so that I can speak to John Colton as soon as he returns. I also need to spend some time going through records at The Sunshine Home. I can do neither of those things from Aspen.’’ She raised her hand to silence the other man before he could interrupt. ‘‘If you want me to live somewhere secure, I will. I know a place that is relatively isolated and has already passed a security check.’’ She turned to Mitch. ‘‘Would it be too much trouble if I stayed here with you until your brother returned?’’

Chapter Two

Mitch’s mouth dropped open at the same time his chair thumped down onto all four legs. Based on the stunned expression on his face, Alex realized she’d caught him off guard with her question. She didn’t want to turn around and look at either of her security people. Rowan, the one in charge of her personal safety, would get coldly quiet, and his assistant, Ted, would be gaping like a fish. She decided to plunge ahead before any of the men could start with the protests.

‘‘It would only be for a short time,’’ Alex said quickly, focusing all her attention on Mitch. ‘‘I would only need a place to sleep and somewhere to set up a small office. I know this would be a tremendous imposition, but I desperately need to speak with your brother. If he’s not the missing heir, then he might know something important about the others. I’ll be happy to pay whatever you’d like.’’

At her final statement, Mitch’s shocked expression shifted to narrow-eyed irritation. ‘‘This isn’t about money,’’ he said slowly.

Too late Alex realized she’d offended her potential host. ‘‘Yes, of course. I didn’t mean—’’

But she never got to say what she didn’t mean. Rowan was already talking.

‘‘This is completely out of the question, ma’am. I cannot spare the personnel necessary to keep you safe here on a ranch in the middle of Arizona. You must return to Aspen and stay with your sisters.’’

Rowan’s gaze also narrowed. What was it with men and their steely looks? She braced herself, knowing that the by-the-book bodyguard was about to play his trump card. ‘‘If I don’t receive your cooperation in this matter, I will be forced to go to the king.’’

Alex felt herself being maneuvered into a corner. If Rowan called her father, there was no way she could keep their mission in America a secret. She had to keep the security agent’s cooperation and stay on the ranch. Talking to John Colton was important.

‘‘I’m not sure I see the problem,’’ Alex said with a calm she didn’t feel. ‘‘The ranch is isolated, which works to our advantage. Who would look for me here?’’

Rowan stepped closer to her. He lowered his voice. ‘‘You don’t know what you’re talking about. This is a matter best left to professionals. While Mr. Colton passed the preliminary background check we did yesterday, there is no telling what a more detailed study might find. What do you know about him or the people who work here?’’

‘‘Wait one damn minute,’’ Mitch said, coming to his feet. ‘‘I’ll vouch for every cowboy on this ranch. Just because we don’t live in some fancy castle doesn’t mean we’re not decent, hardworking folks.’’

‘‘I’m sure that’s true,’’ Rowan said with obvious insincerity, ‘‘however it does nothing to ensure the princess’s personal safety.’’

Alex had to press her lips together to keep from smiling. If Rowan and Mitch were going to get into a male power contest, then she was bound to win. The harder Rowan pushed, the more Mitch would shove back. In a matter of minutes the cowboy would be insisting she stay for as long as she liked.

‘‘My family has been safe enough here for three generations,’’ Mitch growled.

‘‘Your family hardly compares to a royal princess.’’

‘‘So you’re saying we’re not good enough for the likes of her.’’

Rowan clearly saw his mistake a moment too late. ‘‘Not at all,’’ he amended. ‘‘It’s more a matter of not knowing enough about you.’’

Mitch took a step toward him. The cowboy was about three inches taller and twenty pounds heavier. From what Alex could tell, every one of those pounds was muscle. Mitch had shoulders broad enough to, well, be an old-time movie cowboy, she thought as she studied the way he went toe-to-toe with Rowan. His hair was a medium brown, a few shades lighter than Rowan’s. It was also a bit longer, just grazing the collar of his blue work shirt. The contrast between the two men’s dress—Rowan in his tailored suit and Mitch in jeans and boots—highlighted the differences in their personalities. Rowan was content to work for the royal family, keeping their princesses safe. Alex suspected Mitch had never worked for anyone but himself and that he preferred it that way.

‘‘Maybe you should take a few more minutes to find out about me,’’ Mitch said.

‘‘This situation is out of the question.’’

Mitch jerked a thumb at Alex. ‘‘Seems to me the lady is the one in charge. Now why don’t you go do what you have to so she can get her way in this?’’

Alex’s mouth twitched again, but she forced herself to maintain a pleasantly neutral, faintly regal expression. It was one she’d perfected in her teens, after hours of practicing in front of a mirror. When Rowan pulled a cellular phone from his pocket and ventured out of the kitchen, Mitch gave her a quick wink.

He was nice, she thought with some surprise. She’d been so caught up in the excitement of actually being on a working ranch, then disappointed that John Colton wasn’t available, that she hadn’t paid much attention to her host. He had an ease about him. Even though he was having a little trouble dealing with the fact that she was a princess, he didn’t let the information overwhelm him. She had a feeling he was one of those people who would quickly forget the fact and start treating her like a regular person. The thought was heady indeed. She was rarely allowed to be anything but the eldest daughter of a king.

‘‘Is this really that important?’’ Mitch asked. ‘‘I don’t usually get into power struggles with complete strangers, but I didn’t like his attitude.’’

Rowan and Ted had retired to one of the other rooms. She could hear both of their voices as they made the necessary calls to find out all they could about Mitch Colton and his ranch.

‘‘It’s important to my family,’’ she said. It was also important to her, but she wasn’t going to share her personal reasons for wanting to know the truth about her brother. She couldn’t say she missed James. She’d been born nearly a year after he’d been kidnapped so they’d never met. But until she knew for sure if there was a male heir to the Wynborough throne, she couldn’t plan her life.

‘‘Seems like a lot of fuss just to have a conversation,’’ Mitch told her. His gaze moved down her body, then retraced the journey back to her face. ‘‘You look like the kind of woman who makes trouble. That true?’’

This time Alex allowed herself to smile. ‘‘I don’t believe I’ve ever made trouble in the past.’’

‘‘Right.’’ The single word was issued in a tone of disbelief. ‘‘In my experience, someone as attractive as you can’t help but make trouble.’’

Alex felt a flush of pleasure stain her cheeks. He thought she was attractive? ‘‘Thank you.’’

‘‘You can take it as a compliment if you want, but I didn’t mean it in a good way. I don’t want trouble in my life. I like things just the way they are.’’

‘‘I’m not going to change things.’’

He shook his head. ‘‘You can’t help it, princess. You’ve got high maintenance written all over you.’’

Alex was reasonably confident she’d been insulted, but she wasn’t sure how. ‘‘High maintenance? What does that mean?’’

He walked to the large window over the sink and stared out at the well-tended yard beyond. It was late October and many of the flowers had lost their blossoms, but lush green stalks still grew up toward the sun.

‘‘It means you’ve got more luggage than what’s in your trunk and that I’m going to regret not letting your security guy win.’’

She stiffened. ‘‘While I do have more luggage that will be sent to me, I promise not to get in the way. I’ll need a bedroom and some place to set up an office. I have to stay in touch with both my sisters and the palace.’’ She thought about the logistics. ‘‘Maybe a couple of phone lines for calls and the fax machine. The computer can share that line and…’’ She glanced at him. ‘‘Is that what you meant by high maintenance? I assure you I will cover any expenses.’’

‘‘I don’t doubt that for a minute.’’ He jerked his head toward the closed kitchen door. ‘‘Your security people are going to give me and my employees the all clear, so let me give you the nickel tour and you can start planning your redecorating.’’

As he left the bright kitchen, Alex trailed after him. ‘‘Mr. Colton, I sense your resistance to this plan. While I need to be close to speak with your brother when he returns, I won’t stay here if you find the idea repugnant.’’

He’d walked into a large living room. Like the kitchen, the room was big with hardwood floors and oversize pieces of furniture. Brightly colored rugs picked up tones from the sofas and the paintings on the walls. A huge rock fireplace dominated the far wall. It was a room one could relax in, she thought as her gaze drifted from the dozens of family pictures over the mantel to the handmade afghan over the back of the sofa.

Mitch stopped in the middle of the room and spun on his heel to face her. ‘‘Let’s get a couple of things straight. First, call me Mitch. I’ll call you Alex, even if it’s gonna give your security people a seizure.’’

‘‘Rowan’s more of a silent suffering kind of individual.’’

Mitch’s stern expression relaxed a little. He had warm brown eyes, she thought. And a very nice mouth—well shaped and firm looking, without being hard. She’d never really taken the time to notice a man’s mouth before. How strange that she should do so now.

‘‘Second,’’ Mitch went on, ‘‘try to avoid using really big words. It’s not that I don’t have a college degree, but folks around here prefer life simple and their friends straightforward. You’re a little fancy for the ranch, so you’re going to have a work at fitting in.’’

Alex didn’t know how to respond to that. ‘‘I’ll do my best,’’ she managed.

‘‘That’s all anyone can ask.’’

He led the way through the living room and down a long hallway. ‘‘The house has five bedrooms. I’m going to give you the two at the back of the house because they have the most privacy. There’s a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between them. This was always sort of the guest suite, so it should suit your needs.’’

She had a brief impression of open doors and large bedrooms, then Mitch came to a stop at the end of the hallway. He moved aside to let her enter first.

Alex stepped into a large bedroom with a four-poster bed and a long triple dresser. To the left, a big bay window let in light and had a window seat. The quilt and matching rugs looked handmade and very old. She walked to the bed and touched the pale-pink-and-green quilted squares. The tiny stitches told their own story and she wondered about the women who had spent hours making this gift of the heart.

‘‘It’s lovely,’’ she said, meaning both the room and the handmade spread.

‘‘It’s no palace, but it’s clean and quiet. That armoire has a television in it. We have a satellite dish so you can keep up with what’s going on back home.’’

Alex checked out the walk-in closet. Her clothes would fit nicely. ‘‘I won’t have any trouble with that. I’ll be sent daily bulletins. Some things will come by fax or e-mail, but the sensitive documents will be hand delivered by a messenger.’’

‘‘What’s so important that it can’t wait until you get home?’’

She looked at him and smiled. ‘‘I’m not just a princess. I have official state duties that continue to be my responsibility even when I’m out of the country.’’

She crossed to the door leading to the bathroom and stared at the vanity and double sink. Another door led to the toilet and tub. Beyond that was a matching vanity and the study beyond. ‘‘So that’s what you meant when you said ‘Jack-and-Jill’ bathroom. I’d never heard the expression before.’’ Mitch had followed her on her inspection tour. She gave a light laugh. ‘‘I was half expecting something labeled His and Hers.’’

‘‘No. Families do this when they have a bunch of kids. It makes it easier for them to share a bathroom without arguing over who’s spending too much time at the mirror.’’

‘‘I see.’’ Although she couldn’t. Alex didn’t think she’d ever shared a bathroom with anyone.

The sister bedroom to hers had been converted into a study complete with a desk across from a sofa and chair. The matching bay window faced a fenced paddock that held three mares. Alex crossed the room to gaze at them.

The animals grazed in the peaceful afternoon. She felt a flicker of envy. What would it be like to live a life like this one? ‘‘It’s so quiet here,’’ she said. ‘‘When I left Aspen, there were security people everywhere. My sisters were arguing over who got what bedroom, and the cook was complaining because the proper supplies had yet to be delivered. To make it all the more interesting, half the town had already figured out we were in residence, so there was a constant stream of cars driving by the front gates. It’s just a matter of time until the press starts camping out.’’

‘‘If your sisters are as pretty as you, then I can sure understand why. Any of you married?’’

It was the second time he’d complimented her. Over the years she’d been told many positive things about her appearance. Some had been outrageous flattery, and some she’d believed. Even so, no practiced collection of words had made her feel as flustered as this man’s casual comments.

‘‘Um, no. We’re all still single. I’m the oldest.’’ She smiled. ‘‘I’ve had several rock stars propose, but I’ve managed to steer clear of any romantic engagements.’’

He leaned against the door frame, and it seemed as if he held up the wall instead of the other way around. ‘‘I can’t imagine living like that,’’ he said. ‘‘I promise no press or rock stars out here. The most excitement will be when Betty, my housekeeper, finds out you’re really a princess. She has a thing for royalty. She follows the British royal family and that one in Monaco.’’

His gaze drifted over her body again. As he looked at her, she had the oddest sensation of heat and pressure, almost as if he was really touching her skin. How ridiculous, she told herself. It must be jet lag.

‘‘She’s going to want to fatten you up,’’ he said.

It took her a minute to figure out who the ‘‘she’’ was. ‘‘Your housekeeper?’’

‘‘Yeah. Betty’s not one for skinny women.’’

She wanted to ask about his preference, but didn’t have the courage. Besides, something wonderfully alive and hot flickered in his eyes. Something that made her mouth go dry and her legs tingle.

Their conversation was far too personal to be appropriate, she thought, trying to distract herself. Yet if she was honest with herself, she would admit that she didn’t want to change the subject. Nor did she want to complain about the way Mitch was looking at her. Because very few men bothered to see her as a woman instead of a princess. Alex would have bet her favorite pair of diamond earrings that at that moment he’d completely forgotten she was anything close to royalty.

She had to clear her throat before she could speak. ‘‘You have a very lovely home, Mitch, and I’m honored to stay here. Thank you.’’

‘‘Your watchdog hasn’t cleared me yet.’’

‘‘Is there any doubt?’’

He sighed. ‘‘Not a one. And I’m a dozen kinds of crazy for letting you move in, princess.’’

‘‘Will it be so awful?’’

His gaze settled on her face. She found herself studying his mouth and wishing it weren’t quite so intriguing.

‘‘Awful?’’ he asked. ‘‘No. It’s going to be worse.’’

* * *

At exactly seven that evening, as it did every Sunday night, the phone rang. Mitch picked it up on the first ring. ‘‘Hi, Mom, hi, Dad,’’ he said into the receiver.

‘‘Mitch!’’

His parents greeted him as they always did, their familiar voices bright with pleasure.

‘‘How are things up there?’’ Mitch asked as he leaned back in his favorite chair and closed his eyes.

He could picture his parents in their quarters in their bed-and-breakfast in the San Juan Islands in Washington state. They’d retired there about five years before with the intent of buying a small house and finally taking things easy. After six months they’d both been going crazy with boredom. As his mother put it, a body couldn’t spend a lifetime working from sunup until midnight and then just stop. So they’d purchased a small bed-and-breakfast, fixed it up and started catering to an upscale crowd. They both loved it.

‘‘We’re doing well. I have to tell you, though, some days I think cattle are a darn sight easier to deal with than people,’’ his father said.

His mother laughed. ‘‘He’s just annoyed because some of the guests wouldn’t go on his evening walk. You know how your father likes to collect everyone together, then herd them along the path by the cliffs.’’

‘‘The exercise makes them appreciate their dinners more. It’s healthy.’’

‘‘They’re on vacation, Bob. Let them rest.’’

It was a familiar argument. Enough of one that Mitch allowed himself to be distracted by faint noises coming from the back of the house. He hadn’t seen much of his guest since her security team had reluctantly cleared both him and his employees. They’d driven off only a short time ago, and that was after leaving him with pages of written instructions, phone numbers to call in case of emergency and a cell phone that connected automatically with the FBI.

He knew he was going to regret letting Princess Alexandra of Wynborough stay with him, and not just because she was going to be a pain in the butt. He was going to regret it because she was the first woman in a long time who tempted him. He couldn’t help staring at her body and wondering what it would feel like next to and under his. He wanted to kiss her and hold her and lick her and—

‘‘Mitch, are you listening?’’

His mother’s voice broke through his erotic daydream.

‘‘I’m here, Mom.’’

‘‘Is everything all right?’’

He’d decided not to mention his guest to his parents. His mom would get way too excited about royalty, and his dad would figure it was a cover for a hot romance and start talking about grandkids. ‘‘Everything’s fine. Have you heard from John?’’

There was a brief pause. He knew both his folks would be momentarily sad at the thought of their youngest son. They never understood his need to roam, although they respected it and always welcomed him home. ‘‘Not in a few weeks.’’

‘‘Me, either. I’ve just been thinking about him. If he calls you, will you ask him to phone me?’’

‘‘Of course, dear.’’

They chatted for a few more minutes, then Mitch heard the beep of his call-waiting. ‘‘I have another call.’’

‘‘Go ahead and take it,’’ his father said. ‘‘We were about to say goodbye. We love you, son.’’

‘‘I love you, too. Bye.’’ He pushed the Flash button and connected the waiting call. ‘‘Hello?’’

‘‘Mitch Colton?’’ an unfamiliar male voice asked.

‘‘Yes.’’

‘‘This is Andrew Morgan from the State Department. I’m calling to thank you for extending your hospitality to Princess Alexandra. Our nation has a long and cordial history with her country. After the unfortunate loss of their son, the king and queen choose not to visit us. We were deeply disturbed by this. Fortunately, the visit of the princesses allows us an opportunity to make some kind of amends for what happened before. Your nation is very grateful for your cooperation in this matter.’’

Mitch held the phone in front of him for a second and stared at it disbelievingly before returning it to his ear. This wasn’t really happening to him, was it?

‘‘Mr. Colton?’’

‘‘Yeah, I’m here. I’m happy to help.’’

‘‘Good. I have a special phone number for you. Please call with any problems or special requests.’’ The man went on to talk about the importance of making the princess’s stay a pleasant one, that FBI security would be instantly available in the event of something going wrong and would Mitch like some information from the Protocol department on how to interact with royalty.

‘‘I think we’re doing fine on that one,’’ he said dryly.

‘‘As you wish,’’ Mr. Morgan said. ‘‘If you change your mind, you can reach me at the number I gave you. When all this is finished, the government would like to show its gratitude in the form of an invitation to the White House. Perhaps your parents would like to attend with you.’’

Mitch would have preferred a cut in his property taxes for the year, but he doubted Andrew wanted to hear that. ‘‘Thanks. I’m sure that will be very nice.’’

‘‘Call me if you have any questions. And again, Mr. Colton, thank you from a grateful nation.’’

There was a click and then silence. Mitch hung up and swore. Yup, just like he’d thought. Nothing was ever going to be the same again.

Chapter Three

‘‘Are you all right?’’

Mitch glanced up and saw that Alex had walked into the living room. She still wore the toast-colored knit dress that clung to her curves in a way that was decidedly unroyal—at least in his masculine opinion. Not that he was going to complain. If he had to have a princess in his house, at least he’d gotten a beautiful one.

‘‘The State Department just phoned,’’ he said. ‘‘They wanted to make sure I planned to extend every courtesy to the representative of an important country, or something like that.’’

She didn’t even have the decency to look surprised. Instead she nodded seriously. ‘‘I forgot to mention that they would be in touch. It’s more of a formality than anything. I wouldn’t worry about it.’’

‘‘I hadn’t planned to.’’ He stared at her, taking in the blue eyes and the cascade of auburn curls. Deep inside, the flame of need roared into a full-fledged wildfire. Just his luck. The first woman to get his attention in several years turned out to be about as unapproachable as a nun. ‘‘You really are a princess,’’ he grumbled. ‘‘So what am I supposed to do with you?’’

She gave a soft laugh that threatened his composure. ‘‘You could invite me to sit down.’’

Only then did he realize she was standing. ‘‘Sorry.’’ He waved at the sofa, then leaned forward in his chair. ‘‘Look, Alex, if you’re going to be staying here, you’re going to have to just go ahead and do what you want. If you’re planning on waiting for me to ask you if you want a drink or something to eat, you’re going to starve. I spend most of my days out with the cattle and my evenings working on the books. I don’t have much company, certainly not your kind.’’

‘‘I appreciate the warning. I promise to take care of food and water for myself.’’

‘‘Except for Sunday, you won’t have to worry about food. Betty will be here in the morning and she’s going to be thrilled to have someone else to cook for.’’

‘‘Are you sure I won’t be in the way? I don’t want to be a bother.’’

‘‘You won’t be,’’ he told her, answering the question in the context she’d intended. After all, she bothered him plenty, but that was his problem and he would solve it all on his own. Her stay was very temporary. When she was gone, he was going to have to force himself to start dating again. Obviously he’d been spending way too much time alone.

‘‘I spoke to my parents,’’ he said. ‘‘I didn’t tell them about you being here, but I did ask them to have John call me if he got in touch with them.’’

‘‘That’s wonderful. Thank you.’’ She tilted her head. ‘‘Why didn’t you say anything about me?’’

‘‘For one thing, I hadn’t talked to you about it. I figured you’d want to keep your presence here as quiet as possible. For another, they wouldn’t understand.’’

She wrinkled her nose slightly. ‘‘Because I’m a princess?’’

‘‘Because you’re a woman.’’

She raised her eyebrows but otherwise didn’t respond to his statement. The lamplight caught on the curls on the top of her head and gave them a goldish glow. Again he saw that she had the most perfect skin and long, slender hands. She moved those hands now to open a folder that he hadn’t noticed until just that moment. Inside were more than a dozen sheets of paper.

‘‘There are a couple of items I would like to discuss,’’ she said. ‘‘As I mentioned earlier, my parents don’t know the real reason my sisters and I are in this country. They think we’re here doing publicity for my father’s celebration.’’ She looked up and gave him a quick smile. ‘‘We are doing that, as well, but our real purpose is to find out information about our brother.’’

‘‘You’re not going to get much publicity out here,’’ he said. Then an ugly thought occurred to him. ‘‘You’re not planning on inviting the press to the ranch, are you? I don’t want things disrupted more than they have to be.’’

‘‘Of course not, Mitch. No press, not even an interview. We arranged the schedule so each of us would have some free time to work on the investigation. I have to attend a charity fund-raiser in Los Angeles in a few weeks, but other than that my calendar is clear until after the first of the year.’’

‘‘You’ve thought it all out.’’

‘‘I hope so. This is important to us.’’

She continued to talk about her plans, but Mitch found himself distracted by the thought of what she was doing. While he believed the story about her brother, in his mind the odds that the kid had survived seemed slim. Did she really think that John might be the long-lost heir to a kingdom? Mitch shook his head. Not John. No way. He was a drifter, someone who had, despite the family’s best efforts, never fit in. If he was Alex’s brother, wouldn’t he behave royally or something?

‘‘I’ve already made arrangements for the extra phone lines,’’ Alex was saying.

‘‘You got through to the phone company on a Sunday?’’ he asked.

‘‘I didn’t call the phone company directly. I was given a special number. They’re going to have to run another trunk line to the house.’’ She paused. ‘‘I’m not sure what that means, but I’m hoping it won’t be too disruptive. Of course, I’ll cover any costs involved.’’

He waved her comment away. ‘‘Don’t worry about it.’’

‘‘All right. The rest of my things will be here on Tuesday. The office equipment, the computer, copy machine and fax will arrive tomorrow. Then there’s the messenger service. They’ll be delivering daily, sometimes twice a day.’’

Mitch leaned back in his chair and tried not to let his dismay show. Just as he’d thought, his life was being pulled in a direction he didn’t want to go. ‘‘You’re not going to start playing polo on the front lawn, are you?’’

Alex glanced up. ‘‘I don’t play polo.’’

Her accent intrigued him. He wanted to hear her say his name softly, but with passion. Down boy, he told himself. Don’t go there.

‘‘If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you some questions about your brother,’’ she said, flipping to another page in her folder. ‘‘You both went to school locally.’’ She read for a second. ‘‘You played sports quite a bit, I see, as did John. Football? That’s different from soccer or English rugby. I’ve actually seen a few games live. It’s a little confusing, but I liked it.’’

He stared at her, then at the papers in her hands. He’d assumed she just had lists of whatever princesses kept lists of, but it wasn’t that at all. Irritation built inside him until it pushed him to his feet and across the room.

‘‘May I?’’ he asked, even as he took the folder from her. He scanned the contents of several sheets. There were detailed histories of himself and his family members, information on the ranch employees and even copies of his last three tax returns.

‘‘What the hell is all this?’’ he asked, tossing it back at her.

Alex grabbed the papers and stared up at Mitch with some surprise. His change from cordial host to hostile adversary startled her. ‘‘Is there some mistake? Did they get something wrong?’’

He planted his hands on his hips and glared down at her. She suddenly felt small and faintly alarmed.

‘‘No. They got everything right.’’

‘‘Then I don’t understand the problem.’’

‘‘That is the problem.’’

She studied him for a couple of seconds, then realization dawned. ‘‘Oh, I see. You’re upset because I have this information. What’s the expression? You consider it an invasion of your privacy?’’

‘‘Damn straight.’’

She drew in a deep breath. It was easy to forget that the rest of the world was different from her reality. ‘‘If you would stop looming over me, I could try to explain.’’

Despite his obvious irritation, he flashed her a quick grin. ‘‘I’m looming?’’

‘‘Rather impressively. I’m tall, and most men are my height or shorter. You’re taller by several inches. I’m not used to that.’’

He sank onto the far end of the sofa. ‘‘We grow them big out West.’’

‘‘So I’ve heard.’’ She closed the folder and smoothed the cover. ‘‘I’m sorry this has upset you. I never thought it would be a problem, but that’s because I have very little privacy of my own. I often forget the rest of the world isn’t like that.’’

‘‘I guess I can understand that,’’ he said.

Alex searched his face. She sensed that he was saying the right words, but that he didn’t really mean them. She wanted him to understand. She not only needed his cooperation to help her find her brother, but she and Mitch were going to be living in the same house for a short period of time. It would be easier if they could get along.

‘‘I know this isn’t anything you expected or wanted. One minute you were living your life and the next I invaded it. I do hope we can find a way to make this work for both of us.’’

His gaze sharpened suddenly, as if her words had a meaning that only he could understand. Then he rose to his feet. ‘‘You’re right. I didn’t ask for you to be here, but you’re here now so there’s no point in complaining. As for making this work, I suggest we try to stay out of each other’s way as much as possible. The ranch is big enough, as is the house.’’ He headed for the door.

‘‘Mitch, wait.’’ She gestured to the folder. ‘‘I still have more questions. I’m not finished with you.’’

He paused and looked her up and down. ‘‘Maybe not, princess, but I’m finished with you.’’

* * *

Alex compared the numbers on the computer screen in front of her to the papers that had arrived earlier that morning by messenger. Donations to the Wynborough children’s organization she ran were up considerably. The new advertising campaign was a success. She made a note to send the publicity director a handwritten thank-you letter, then went to the next item on her list.

She’d been on the ranch four days and finally had things organized. Setting up a remote office had taken longer than she’d expected, but now she was able to stay in touch with the palace and her sisters. Now if only the mysterious John Colton would make an appearance.

She heard the sound of approaching footsteps in the hallway and glanced at the clock on her desk. It was nearly ten, so the visitor would be Betty with her morning coffee.

‘‘You don’t have to do this,’’ Alex said as she rose to greet the other woman. ‘‘I’ve told you, I’m not a real guest here. I’m more of an intrusion.’’

Betty, an attractive woman in her mid-fifties, waved her off with a smile. ‘‘I haven’t had anyone to spoil in ages. Mitch is always working, and there’s never anyone else around to cook for. I like it. Besides, when all this is over, I get to tell all my friends about taking care of a real live princess.’’

As she had for the past couple of days, Betty set the tray with two cups of coffee and some incredibly delicious cookies that she made herself. The two women moved to the sofa at the far end of the study and sat down. Alex enjoyed both the break from her work and the company. Despite Betty’s short gray hair, the woman had a youthful glint in her eyes and a wicked sense of humor. She also knew everything about the ranch.

‘‘Are you all settled?’’ Betty asked.

Alex took a sip of coffee and nodded. ‘‘I was able to get right to work this morning. I’m trying to clear up as much of my work as possible so I can get on with the investigation. What with coming over to America, then moving to the ranch, I’m a little behind.’’ She glanced at the piles of papers on her desk. ‘‘I’m in touch with the palace several times a day. There’s so much to organize.’’

‘‘Almost sounds like you’re running a company.’’

‘‘In a way it’s very similar.’’ Alex pressed her lips together. ‘‘I spoke to my parents this morning. I haven’t done that since moving here.’’

Betty nodded sympathetically. ‘‘Did they accept your story about taking some time to relax at a private ranch resort?’’

Alex nodded. She’d had to come up with a way to explain a different area code and phone number to her parents. Betty had been the one to suggest saying she’d gone away to unwind for a couple of weeks. ‘‘It was horrible. They were both pleased I was taking time for myself.’’

‘‘What’s wrong with that? They sound like lovely people.’’

‘‘Oh, they are, but I’m not used to lying to them. It’s not something I do often or well. I just felt uncomfortable.’’ She took another sip of coffee, then sampled one of the chocolate chip cookies on the tray. ‘‘But I reminded myself it was for a greater good. If we find James, they’ll understand. If we don’t, better that they aren’t troubled by what we’re doing.’’

Betty leaned forward. ‘‘I think it’s very exciting that you’re searching for your long-lost brother. I hope it turns out to be John.’’

‘‘That would be convenient,’’ Alex admitted. ‘‘But there’s only a one-in-three chance of it being him. I want to get over to The Sunshine Home and go through their records. I finally have permission from the current owner. Although, she warned me that nothing that old has been put on computer, so it’s going to have to be a manual search. We’re going to have to find the other two boys who arrived around the same time as John.’’

Alex paused and took another bite of the sweet cookie. ‘‘There’s so much to coordinate. And as if searching for my long-lost brother isn’t enough, I worry about my sisters, especially Serena.’’

‘‘She’s the youngest?’’ Betty asked.

‘‘Yes. She has a wild streak that is going to get her into trouble. And there’s something wrong with Elizabeth, although I can’t figure out what.’’ Alex thought about the conversation she’d had with Elizabeth just that morning. Her sister had seemed distracted again. ‘‘Right now the only one I can count on is Katherine.’’

‘‘I’ve seen their pictures in the paper. They’re all very pretty young women. I’m surprised you all aren’t married.’’

‘‘Sometimes we are, too,’’ Alex admitted. She glanced around the homey room. The decorations had a woman’s touch. ‘‘Did you and Mitch’s mother decorate the house?’’

‘‘Most of it. Now that she’s moved away, I don’t change things as much as I used to. Mitch’s study is off-limits, of course, as is his bedroom. That man is incredibly stubborn about certain things.’’

He might be stubborn, Alex thought, but he was also a man of his word. He’d told her that they should stay out of each other’s way, and so far that was exactly what he’d done. She’d barely seen him since Sunday, and when she had sought him out to ask him a question, he grunted rather than answered. Telling herself it was silly didn’t make the faint sensation of disappointment go away. Foolishly she’d thought they could be friends.

She glanced at Betty. The housekeeper had known Mitch since he was a boy. Alex had thought about asking her about him, but hadn’t quite worked up the nerve or the right question. Impulsively she decided she might as well plunge in with both feet.

‘‘I’m surprised Mitch isn’t married.’’

Betty snorted. ‘‘I keep telling him he needs a woman around here, but he doesn’t listen. Of course, there aren’t that many to choose from in the area, and city girls don’t usually take to ranch life.’’ Her gaze turned speculative. ‘‘You’re different enough from…’’ She shook her head. ‘‘Never mind. I won’t discuss his personal business.’’

Alex brushed her hand self-consciously against her wool skirt, then touched the cuff of her silk blouse. What personal business? she wanted to ask, but didn’t.

‘‘No. It wouldn’t work at all.’’ Betty set her cup on the tray and started to laugh. ‘‘I had a moment of being crazy. Oil and water. A fancy woman and a simple man.’’ Betty chuckled again. ‘‘I mean simple in his ways, not in his head. Mitch is about as smart as they come.’’

Alex realized that Betty had wondered about her and Mitch. ‘‘You’re right, it wouldn’t work. You should have seen the look he gave me when I asked him about covered parking for my car.’’

‘‘You’ve changed things for him, and he doesn’t much like that. But give him time. Sometimes the grumpy old bear can be sweet as pie.’’

‘‘I’d settle for an actual conversation,’’ Alex said.

Betty smiled and rose to her feet. ‘‘I have some fresh salmon. Would you like that for lunch?’’

‘‘How nice. Thank you.’’

‘‘I’ll see you in a few hours,’’ Betty said, then left.

Alex stood up, but instead of returning to her desk, she crossed to the window. From there she could see out to the paddocks by the barn. Mitch stood there, talking with two other men. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she could see the gestures he made as he spoke. The other two listened with obvious respect.

She told herself it didn’t matter what he thought of her. She was here because she had to find out the truth about her brother. But even though she believed the words, she didn’t like them. She didn’t want Mitch to resent her presence on his ranch. Unfortunately, she didn’t know how to change things. She was great at large-party small talk and giving speeches about needy children, but one-on-one with a man was a mystery.

To make matters worse, she didn’t even think Mitch liked her. At first she’d thought he had, but something had changed and she didn’t know what. If she didn’t know what was wrong, she couldn’t know how to fix it.

‘‘It doesn’t matter,’’ she told herself, speaking aloud. ‘‘I have work to do.’’

So she returned to her desk, but it was a long time before she could forget the handsome cowboy outside and focus on the details of the report in front of her.

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