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I’m happy to do this work alone. I am content. After all, I’m the same person I was before Jakob came back into my life.
I’m the same Jo. The village may look at me a little funny ever since I came back from Arenhammer alone. But eventually, they’ll stop asking questions.
I don’t know yet how the story ends with me and Jakob. All I know is I have to be here alone to sort out my feelings.
I can’t take the crush of people in the capital city. I can’t take so many questions from strangers. I can’t take media coaches and etiquette coaches and stylists and bodyguards and camera flashes.
Good gods, you would think nobody in Gravenland had anything better to do with their time than obsess about one dysfunctional family, who because of blood or luck ended up with their asses occupying some thrones. Thrones that could be melted down, the gold and precious gems sold to benefit those in need. But nobody asked me.
The sound of tires on stones has me glancing up toward the cottage.
A line of sleek black cars and SUVs has just arrived. The sigh I sigh comes from the depth of my soul.
As I watch, leaning on my garden spade, Uther exits the black SUV in the middle of the line-up. The massive kilted man sees me, nods, and then opens a door.
Jakob steps out of the car, a bouquet of bluebells in one hand and a to-go cup of coffee in the other.
“Really? Is all this protection necessary? It’s just me,” I say, gesturing to my dirty overalls.
“I’m sorry” is all Jakob says in response.
Does he know what he’s sorry for? I wait.
“I’m sorry for not telling you my mother had an affair with the king. I pushed it down and refused to think about it. I’m sorry for lying about the ring. I made the mistake of thinking it would burden you knowing I had it. I thought that all of it would come with unwanted questions and attention, which we both know you don’t relish.”
I take off my garden gloves and wipe my brow. “That’s for certain.”
I am a mess of sweat and dirt. My muscles ache. Hell, my bones ache.
In contrast, Jakob is magnificent. Much like the way he looked that day he stepped onto the train platform and took my breath away. But today, he looks different. Regal. He’s been buoyed by his newfound family and all the attention and love he’s been receiving. In the media. On the Internet.
Oh, trust me. I’ve seen the thirst posts about him. And no, we’re not going to talk about that or my head will explode.
“But you have to believe me, I did not know the king was my father. I never let myself entertain that thought, not even for a moment, until the day of Stasi and Sigurd’s wedding.”
I blow out a breath. “I believe you.” And I do.
But he has more to say, and I know all this talking is a lot for Jakob.
“Additionally, it was insensitive of me to say that our future was taken care of only because I’m a member of the Haart clan now.”
Well, now we’re getting somewhere. “Keep going.”
The still small voice inside nags at me to apologize for leaving. But he seems like he wants to get a lot off his chest.
“I didn’t mean financially ‘taken care of.’ Although let’s face it, this position does afford us a hell of a lot of financial security that we didn’t have otherwise. But what I meant was, we have family now. We have brothers and sisters and a very cranky stepmother who is dragging her feet with the palace schedulers on this coronation thing. She’s not a fan of the optics with you having disappeared. Or is she a stepmother-in-law? I’m not sure what to call her.”
The way Jakob cocks his head like he’s unsure of himself makes me laugh. He always knows how to make me laugh.
I huff out, “I don’t know what to call her either, except stubborn.” I toss my garden gloves into my wheelbarrow.
“But the point is, like it or not, I’m a man. No matter how perfectly matched we are, no matter how perfectly equally we divide household labor or how enlightened I am, at my core, I want to be a provider. And I suppose that having it confirmed who I was put that question to rest. I can provide. And if I can’t, we have family,” Jakob continues.
Although what he says is true, there are other things to consider. “But we have an entire village who loves us like family,” I remind him.
“And look at how much richer that makes us to have so many people on our team,” Jakob counters.
Jakob glances over his shoulder at the royal motorcade. A blacked-out window rolls down, and to my surprise, Princess Flora leans out. “We are all Team Jo and Jakob! We love you, Jo! Please come back!”
