The Doctor Prince and the Outsider by Cami Checketts

CHAPTERSEVEN

Hattie hurried away from the door to her suite and into the closet, shutting the door, leaning against it, and sinking to the carpeted floor. She didn’t want Steffan to hear her fall apart. She was a mess, at the lowest point she’d been since her parents died, and yet for the first time in a long time, it felt like she wasn’t alone.

Why was Steffan being so kind? She had nothing to give him—no money, no sass, no kisses, no commitment, no fun adventures. This man not only stayed around, even when she told him he could go, but he was risking so much for her, and he was taking care of her. Nobody had taken care of her. Not since her parents died.

Sadie was incredible and the person Hattie trusted more than anyone in this world, but still Hattie took on the role of caring for Sadie when they were together, paying for things, scheduling the hotels and the adventures and making sure everything worked out.

Steffan had tried to pay for everything and then he’d tipped the hotel employee and told Hattie she wouldn’t pay him back. Who did that around Hattie Ballard? Nobody. She always paid for everything. Always. It was something friends joked about, but nobody stepped forward and paid for the tip with a billionaire heiress around. What did forty euros matter to Hattie?

Then when she’d told him she’d pay him back, Steffan said, ‘No you won’t’ in that deep sexy voice, his blue eyes warming her from the inside out. She loved his voice, his accent, his blue eyes, his chivalrous nature. It was hard to think of anything she didn’t love about him. Shoot.

Closing her eyes, she tried to not be a hot mess regarding one very hot prince and focus instead on the mess Franz had created. She needed to deal with his betrayal and the fact that she’d been in Augustine today and could’ve been arrested for murder or discovered by Treven’s awful family. She’d been afraid to return to Augustine and have Jensen find her but it wasn’t the police chief she needed to worry about, it was the Rindlesbachers—powerful and underhanded terrors. If Jensen and Steffan hadn’t stepped up and taken care of her, she’d be in a much worse nightmare right now.

Even her anger at Franz and her fear of going to prison couldn’t distract her from the gentleman prince staying in her suite tonight. Steffan was unique. Incredible, really. That’s where her mind returned to over and over again. She’d almost forgotten that men could be gentlemen, and how unbelievably appealing that was. The men she traveled with usually tried to be gentlemen, with the guise of opening the door or escorting her with their hand on her lower back, but they were more than happy to let her lead out, organize, tell them what to do, and most especially foot the bill.

Steffan wasn’t a pushover, and he wasn’t a mooch. He was respectful and a true gentleman. A man’s man. A prince. A talented doctor who cared for others when he could’ve been traveling the world as a princely playboy. What did he see in her? A directionless drifter who happened to have a lot of money. Maybe he saw nothing in her and was only helping because that was what knights, or rather princes, did.

Tears traced down her face, and she didn’t even know why. Steffan was the real deal. Her dad would’ve loved him.

Unfortunately, Hattie could never go back to his country and date him properly—if he even wanted her to. She was a burden on him. She hadn’t been a burden on anyone but her parents.

Slowly standing, she realized she’d left the toiletries out in the main area. She did not want to go face Steffan to get them. She’d probably break down, tell him how impressive he was, tell him how pathetic she was, and make a fool of herself.

She sneaked to the door and listened. It was quiet. Hopefully he’d gone to one of the other suites to get some rest.

Cracking the door open, she looked out at the living area. Steffan was on the couch, texting on his phone. He glanced up and gave her a welcoming smile. Standing quickly, he crossed the room to stand in front of the sliver of the door she had open. She had to look up. She liked how tall he was. She liked everything about him.

“Can I get you anything?” he asked kindly, peeking through the crack at her.

“I forgot to grab the toiletries and pajamas.”

“Of course.” His face reflected a bit of disappointment. Had he thought she’d ask for a goodnight kiss or beg him to hold her again? Fire traced through her at the very idea of a kiss. She wanted to throw the door wide open and throw herself against his lovely chest.

Luckily he turned, strode across the living area, picked up the bag of female toiletries and the pajamas and walked back to her. She didn’t move. She didn’t open the door wide.

But she did stare, appreciating every lean inch of him. Even his walk was a confident strut of a man who knew his place in the world, was highly accomplished, and had no need to prove how impressive he was because it simply oozed from him.

He pushed the stack through the small opening. She took it, her fingers brushing against his. She jerked away. Surely she had imagined the tingly warmth produced by a simple touch.

Silly. His hug had been warm and comforting and needed, and now that she thought about it, tingly.

Oh boy.

“Night,” she chirped, shutting the door.

His semi-disappointed look was the last thing she saw.

* * *

The next morning, Hattie was an even bigger mess. She’d stewed far too late about her reaction to Steffan, her anger at Franz, the sadness and guilt of Jane’s death resurfacing, the fear of Franz and his family, and how uncomfortable it was to be without money and her personal things. She’d rinsed out her hiking clothes and underwear last night. They’d been dry enough this morning to put them on after she showered and used the toiletries and makeup the hotel had sent up.

She knew she was spoiled, but it was annoying and humbling to be wearing stiff, torn clothes and not be able to fix up and feel attractive, especially with a prince staying in the same suite.

If her parents or her Heavenly Father thought this was going to push her to do more introspection, ask for forgiveness, and turn to prayer, they were wrong. She’d said a few desperate prayers, but now she’d have to prove she was stronger than that. She didn’t need money, her nice things, or heaven’s help to stay confident and independent.

Maybe. She was relying on one handsome doctor prince. What if he was a gift from heaven? Shoot. Did that mean she needed to push him away?

If only Franz had been caught. She’d realized late last night that she’d never heard if they’d caught him. They better have. It would be perfect to get all of her stuff back from that jerk and then say thank you to Steffan. She could be gracious and grateful to the kind man who’d done so much for her. Maybe she’d even get one sweet farewell kiss. Then she’d be her brave self and figure out where she would travel next.

Why did that plan suddenly feel so empty? Maybe she should go home to Texas, visit some family friends and see if there were any worthwhile businesses locally she wanted to invest in. She loved helping people around the world, but it was very rewarding to help people from her hometown as well.

What if the Rindlesbachers had somebody watching for her to return home? That sent a shiver down her back.

Walking out into the main area, she was rewarded with a handsome prince waiting for her with a welcoming smile on his face. Maybe being down on her luck, humbling herself, and feeling like she owed somebody wasn’t such a trial after all. He was exquisite.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning,” she returned much too breathlessly.

Their gazes held, and she imagined she could stare into those blue eyes for a very, very long time.

A rap at the door broke their gazing session. Probably for the best, but it tugged at something deep in her gut when he turned away. She didn’t want him to turn away from her. Ever.

He strode to the door, tipped the waiter, and rolled in a cart full of food and drinks. Hattie felt off-kilter and confused about him tipping. Was it just normal for him to take care of a lady and pay for things? It reminded her so much of her dad, and she felt comforted and taken care of. She appreciated Steffan being chivalrous and taking care of her, but it was for the best that he’d be on his way soon. Letting down her guard and trusting a man to be a gentleman and take care of her wasn’t on the agenda now, or maybe ever.

Hattie brought her computer to the table and tried to focus on business as they sat down to eat the delicious breakfast—cheeses, meats, fruits, muesli, ham and egg quiche, chocolate croissants, bubble waffles with Nutella and banana, and a variety of drinks.

“Did you hear anything from Jensen or the police about catching Franz last night?” she asked first.

“He wasn’t at the hotel and hasn’t returned yet,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

Disappointment filled her. “I want the weasel caught, but I really want my clothes, shoes, skincare products, and makeup back.” She forced a smile. “It’d also be nice to not have to go get a temporary passport. I guess the credit cards are already garbage, and I’m doubting my cash will ever turn up.”

“It would be fabulous to find him. Jensen and the Swiss Police promised they are looking everywhere.” He gestured to the computer and cut a bite of quiche with his fork. “Did you hear anything from your contacts?”

Looking through the emails and text messages, she saw one from Sadie right at the top. “Wolf and Sadie are in Guatemala, but they’ll charter a flight if I need them.”

“That’s nice of them. Do you … need them?”

“Not if I have you.” She took a quick drink of orange juice, her face flaming red. It was too bold.

The look in Steffan’s eyes was bolder. A slow smile crinkled his refined features. “Then tell them not to charter a flight. I’ll stay with you as long as you need, Hattie.”

“You will?” Shock and pleasure filled her.

“The doctors who work for me are happy to fill in my shifts. I rarely take time off, and my head nurse says it’s ‘high time I take a vacation’.”

She smiled at that. “This is not much of a vacation.”

He gestured around at the gorgeous suite and the view of the lush green mountains and valley, then focused on her face. “It’s a beautiful vacation.”

She ate a bite of croissant to hide the heat in her cheeks and to temper her response. Finally, she said, “Once we get Franz caught and everything straightened out, maybe I’ll show you a real vacation. If you can get more time off.”

He was still smiling, but there was a wary look in his eyes. Was it hard for him to be away from his hospital and his home? He was a very responsible man. She hadn’t been around one in a while, as the men who traveled with her were more focused on travel and adventure.

“Maybe I’ll let you show me a real vacation,” he said, making her pulse race and her stomach pitch happily.

Hattie ate a mozzarella cheese ball, her mind already spinning with all the fun, adventurous, and romantic vacation spots she could take him to. She had lots of ideas to show him how to vacation; she was an expert, after all. She smiled. “I’d like that.”

He returned the smile, his blue eyes warm and full of her.

It was getting too serious, too quick. Looking down to break the connection, she scrolled through messages from friends and then startled when she realized one was from Franz.

“Steffan … Franz messaged me.”

He scooted his chair closer and peered at her screen as she clicked on it.

Meet me at the gondola view area above the Augustine castle at eight a.m. I have all your stuff, including the cash. I just want to make this right. Come alone or I will disappear.

Hattie wasn’t sure what to make of that. No apologies. No explanation beyond ‘wanting to make this right.’ And back to Augustine? Yikes. She kept promising Jensen she wouldn’t go there. Could they make certain the Rindlesbachers didn’t find her?

“Well, you’re not going alone, that’s for certain. And we can’t make it by eight.”

She looked into Steffan’s blue eyes, and she felt … not alone once again. It was a touching and inspiring feeling. “Jensen’s going to kill me if I go back to Augustine. What if the Rindlesbachers catch wind of it?”

“We have to catch this guy and get your stuff back. It’ll be all right. Nobody but Jensen, and some of his trusted men, will even know you’re there.”

“Do we have to tell Jensen?” She wanted to catch Franz. Badly.

He chuckled. “Yes, because we need him to come prosecute Franz.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Text Franz that you’ll be there by nine.” He nodded. “It’ll all be over soon, Hattie.”

Hattie stared at him. She wanted her things back, and she wanted Franz prosecuted for setting her up and stealing from her, but she didn’t want her time with Steffan to be over.

She couldn’t have everything she wanted, though.

Life had taught her that. Hattie had a plethora of the things that mattered very little, and rarely had the things she wanted most.

Like her parents.

She stared into blue eyes that she would soon only daydream about.

Like him.