The Doctor Prince and the Outsider by Cami Checketts

CHAPTERNINE

Hattie didn’t like walking away from Steffan, which should have worried her. She was used to being independent and having her friends, especially her male friends, follow her around like sheep.

It was unusual to be around a man who was a prince, an obviously alpha male, strong in every way possible. Instead of making her feel diminished around him, she felt appreciated, valued, and protected. The doctor prince reminded her of her dad. She hadn’t had a man pay for something or hand her cash like Steffan had done since her dad died.

Steffan. What a man he was. A man like him needed someone strong like her to stand by his side. The way her parents had worked and accomplished so much good and stood side by side, happy and loved and secure.

For her, such a love was a pipe dream. She couldn’t stand by Steffan’s side. Be his princess. Not without exposing herself to the manipulative and evil Rindlesbachers and giving poor Jensen a load of stress he didn’t deserve. Jensen was once again helping her, and she really needed to vacate this gorgeous country and never return. For her own safety, but more importantly so Jensen and Steffan wouldn’t be in trouble because they’d helped her.

Striding along the picturesque trail, she reached the spot where the overgrowth was thick. She was soon surrounded by trees and bushes from the sides and above. Anybody who might be looking from the visitor’s center or another trail couldn’t see her now. She slowed her pace so Steffan could catch up. She’d hiked and backpacked all over the world, sometimes with friends, sometimes by herself with a gun and pepper spray in her backpack. At the moment, she had nothing besides the clothes on her back and her trusted Sorrels, and she didn’t want to be alone. She wanted Steffan. He was the first man since her dad that she trusted and wanted to stand side by side with and rely on when necessary. Like right now.

Footsteps approached from behind. For an instant, fear filled her throat and made her hands sweaty. That was silly. It had to be Steffan. She checked over her shoulder and then realized she was saying a prayer in her head, Help me, help me, quietly repeated over and over.

She had to stop that. She wasn’t going to allow herself to pray just because she was in such a low spot.

Steffan would help her. If it was him.

She checked again and breathed a sigh of relief. There he was. In all his manly glory.

Her stress level lowered, but her awareness of him revved right back up. Had he really said he had a thing for her? The look in his glorious blue eyes definitely backed up those words.

A thrill of pleasure traced through her. Hattie had traveled to many of the most romantic spots in the world. She’d never thought she’d long to kiss someone in a public restroom, but with Steffan it had seemed to be the most romantic spot she’d ever seen. She smiled at her foolishness.

He returned her smile and reached her side. “You all right to hike a bit?”

“What’s a bit?”

“About six and a half kilometers, if I remember right. I haven’t come this direction in a while.”

“Oh, sure. I’m in incredible shape. In case you hadn’t noticed.” She loved teasing with him.

“I had noticed that, actually.” He chuckled.

They increased their pace and were able to walk side by side on the trail.

“We’re going to your brother’s cabin? The mountain man prince?”

“Yes. Curt’s a newlywed, but they’ll welcome us with open arms. His wife Aliya is from the States as well. Georgia.”

“A Southern girl? I like her already.”

“She speaks a lot more Southern than you do.”

“I’ve been traveling for so long, sometimes I forget my roots.”

He gave her a concerned look. It was interesting because he was so firmly attached to his roots. Seeing Jane killed then being robbed of her parents had hacked hers apart. She’d done even more damage with her selfish lifestyle, pulling up any remaining roots from her hometown and her faith. She’d always kept to Christian values and didn’t sleep around, drink or do drugs, lie, cheat, or steal.

And she was waxing far too philosophical.

“Tell me about your brother and his bride,” she requested, so he wouldn’t ask about her hacked up faith and forgotten roots or maybe why she was so awkward about him paying or tipping and arguing with him about it.

Hattie felt unstable and vulnerable right now. She was usually neither, and she should be upset and embarrassed, but Steffan made her feel secure and happy, despite her uncertain circumstances. He was exactly who and what she needed right now. Was that a gift from heaven?

Steffan obliged her, pulling her mind from worrying about heaven and gifts. He shared stories about Curt and Aliya, and then that morphed into stories about Ray and Macey. The trail thinned, and they had to go single file, but they kept chatting as the morning wore on. They weren’t in a hurry and with some decent inclines and declines, she would bet they weren’t going over two miles per hour. They chatted, and she enjoyed being with him and learning more about his family. It was interesting that both his sister-in-law and future sister-in-law came from humble circumstances. In her experience with royalty, Macey and Aliya were almost the opposite of what a royal prince would choose to marry.

Steffan asked questions about her family and her travels. She told him more than she usually would—about her parents and their business, about Sadie and Wolf, and about her favorite spots around the world.

The hike was beautiful, like everywhere she’d seen in the Alps. She could appreciate the verdant greens, yellow, red, blue, and white wildflowers, and some picturesque mountain lakes, almost as blue as Steffan’s eyes. She liked the comfortable pace and the views.

She appreciated being around Steffan even more. He didn’t bring up his enticing line, ‘maybe I have a thing for you,’ or the almost-kiss in the bathroom, and that was okay. They couldn’t proceed with a relationship. It was easier to skirt the issue than address it. She had this feeling deep in her gut that she’d met her dream man, possibly sent straight from her parents watching over her from above, and she couldn’t riddle out how she could ever be with him. Disappointment wasn’t a strong enough word for how she felt.

Many men had tried to date her or secure her heart and she hadn’t been interested. Now, when she was interested … it wasn’t meant to be. Steffan wouldn’t leave his family, his country, or his hospital—she could easily tell that from their conversations—and she couldn’t stay.

She was thirsty, and though she’d enjoyed the hike, she was ready to be off her feet. “We close?” she asked, not wanting to complain.

“Yes, milady.” He’d been leading the way to clear the spiderwebs and make sure they didn’t get lost. She appreciated both. He stepped to the side and gestured.

A clearing was about twenty feet away, and she glimpsed a large timbered cabin. They increased their pace until they broke through the trees. It was a beautiful two-story structure with a large porch and massive windows.

“What a great spot.” She glanced around at the natural but trimmed landscape, a huge shop behind the house, and all the natural beauty surrounding it. How would it be to live in such a gorgeous place, all alone with the love of your life? She chanced a glance at Steffan, and her face burned. Hattie didn’t get embarrassed often—never, really—but her thoughts were running away with her and she hoped he couldn’t tell.

“It is. Curt and Aliya are happy here.” He led the way across the open space and up the porch, trying the door. His brow squiggled. He knocked and then told her, “Curt used to never lock his doors, but then Aliya was almost killed twice by the two backpackers who murdered and trafficked twenty-eight women.”

“I heard about that. Terrifying.”

“It was.” He peered through the window. “I bet they’re out hiking.”

Dang. She was ready to take her shoes off, drink some water, and relax. “Where should we go?”

“Ray sent me the code to his doors because Curt never used it and he wanted at least two of us to know it. I’m pretty sure I saved it in my passwords folder.” He pulled out his phone and clicked on something. Within a few seconds he typed in a code. The door beeped, and he twisted the dead bolt open, swung the door wide, and gestured her through.

“Thank you.” Hattie walked into the day-lit cabin. The main level was large and open, with windows letting in a lot of natural light and gorgeous woodwork. She’d been to many beautiful places in her life, but she felt something special here.

Steffan walked in behind her and shut the door.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “I love the woodwork and all the light from the windows.” She wasn’t about to tell him her ‘special feeling’ thoughts. She was so off-kilter right now.

“It’s a great house,” he said. “Curt did all the woodwork himself.”

“Seriously?” She stepped closer to the fireplace mantle, running her fingers along the smooth surface and appreciating the intricate wood design even more. “That’s impressive.” Her parents had restored so many homes in their business. Hattie had always admired people who built or restored.

“It is. Are you hungry or thirsty?”

“Both, actually.”

“You’ve come to the right place.”

They both slid out of their dusty shoes, used one of the bathrooms to wash up, then met in the kitchen. Steffan got them each ice water from the fridge. It was delicious, like drinking from a mountain spring. He pulled leftover fajita fixings out of the fridge as if he lived here. It was great how comfortable he was at his brother’s home.

They each assembled a steak fajita and ate, chatting more about Steffan’s undergraduate and medical degrees at Traverse University and his advanced medical training and residency in Lucerne, Switzerland.

“Is that the only time you’ve lived away from Augustine?” she asked. “When you did your training and residency?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Why what?” He finished his last bite and pushed his plate away, taking a drink of his water and leaning back against the hard chair.

“Don’t you like to travel and explore?” She’d spent her adult life doing home. She was at home on the road. And even as she said the words in her head, she knew it was just a cover so she didn’t have to face stark reality. Of how lonely and unfulfilling her life was. The fact that she had no home.

“Are you simply a homebody?” she asked.

“I love my home and my country.” He shrugged. “My family traveled. We took at least one major trip a year throughout Europe, America, the Caribbean, Japan, the Philippines, India, New Zealand, and Australia. I enjoyed the places and the people. But I prefer home.”

“I see.” She ate another bite of her fajita, but she was full and could hardly chew and swallow.

“What do you see?”

His smile was charming, and she found herself blinking back tears. What was wrong with her?

“Nothing.” She pushed away from the table, grabbed her almost-empty plate, and hurried around the large bar to the kitchen area and the sink.

Footsteps sounded behind her. She set the plate on the counter and focused out the large window above the sink. Thick, thick greenery, almost as thick as the lump in her throat. Could she blame these sudden emotions on the head injury, or Franz taking advantage of her generosity, or the fear of being back in Augustine and the danger surrounding her?

Or was it all because of Steffan and her yearning to be with him?

“Hattie.” Steffan rested his hands on the counter on either side of her hips and leaned around her side. His lips brushed her cheek. “What did I say that upset you?”

“Nothing,” she lied, ignoring the brush of his chest against her back and the warmth that filled her. He wouldn’t leave Augustine, and after this mess was fixed, she wouldn’t return.

“Hattie.” He gently turned her to face him. Now the warmth was a fire with his hands on her waist and a searing look in his blue eyes making her heart skitter and her pulse race. “I know you well enough to know you’re hiding something.”

She jutted out her chin, trying to be sassy and in control like she usually was. This entire situation had thrown her for a loop. That was all it was. “You don’t know me.”

“Oh, but I do.” His larger body pressed against hers, and she had nowhere to go. She secretly loved it. She’d never had a man be this daring with her. “I know that you’re an island. Independent and brave, able to weather any storm. I know that you fear nothing, except maybe what’s in here.” He lightly tapped her temple. “I know that your confidence is a suit of armor and your humor is a sword.”

Hattie couldn’t speak. She swallowed hard and stared at him. Running her hands along his forearms, across his well-formed biceps, and to his lovely shoulders, she squeaked out, “How do you know all of that?”

“Observation.” He smiled slightly. “And the more I learn, the more I like you, Hattie Ballard.”

She tried to meet his eyes but couldn’t hold his gaze. “Don’t look too deep.” She was selfish and always had to be in charge. She was generous to her friends and numerous charities, but she was only devoted to her own family.

With a gaze as firm as a glacier, he captured and held her eyes. “I want to look past the visor of that suit of armor,” he said softly. “I want to learn everything there is to know about the extraordinary person in there.” His gaze traveled over her lips, making that fire turn into a raging inferno. “Because I like everything I know about you.”

Hattie melted. This man was a talented doctor and a tantalizing prince. He hadn’t asked a thing of her, only gave and protected and helped her. She had no idea why he did what he did for her, but she appreciated it and craved more interactions with him.

This amazing man liked everything about her? She could bet once he knew her better, he’d change that opinion. She wasn’t even sure Sadie liked everything about her. Could she change for him? Could she settle and focus her time on more worthwhile pursuits? It was crazy to even think about; she was leaving Augustine soon, and he was meant to be here. Roots to his royal family, his hospital, and his country were deep. Nobody could hack them apart.

“I love everything I know about you,” she admitted, rather than listing her own faults and opening his eyes to the improbability of them being together. Even if she could stay in Augustine or he was willing to permanently leave his home, they weren’t a match. Anybody—besides Steffan, apparently—could see that.

His only answer was a devastating grin. She was grateful to have the counter to lean against. His grin alone could take her legs out from under her. Hattie wasn’t used to being unsteady, off-kilter, at someone’s mercy. She should’ve hated that and blamed Franz and her crazy situation. She didn’t hate being at Steffan’s mercy, but she could still blame Franz.

Steffan slowly bent closer to her, giving her a chance to turn away if she wanted, or maybe he simply knew the effect his slow descent to her lips was having on her. She melted into a puddle of yearning for him. It was delicious torture.

Their lips met, just a soft touch of his alluring lips, a heartbeat of a perfect, sweet kiss.

Then Steffan let out a telling groan and murmured, “Hattie.”

In the next instant, he claimed her lips with his.

Claimed. Hattie had never been claimed by a man. She’d been kissed many, many times by men who weren’t brave, brilliant, bold princes.

This kiss was everything she’d been searching for. Years of traveling and meeting people and dating handsome and fun and accomplished men, and in this moment, this kiss, she knew she’d been found. And she knew she wanted—no, needed—more out of life. More out of herself.

She needed him.

Hattie arched up and returned the kiss with all the connection, respect, and love she’d never admit she was longing for. It wasn’t only her longing; it was him. Steffan was all she’d longed for, all she wanted.

Steffan, Steffan, Steffan, her mind cried out happily as his lips took possession of her heart, body, and soul. This kiss was eye-opening and life-changing. She’d found her home and it was this man’s arms, not a location. All she knew was she never, ever wanted to leave.

The front door banged open.

Hattie yanked away, looking at the man and woman staring at them from the doorframe. A tall, handsome prince, obviously Steffan’s brother, and a beautiful dark-haired lady with warm, brown eyes.

“What in the Sam Hill is happening here?” the woman demanded, delight filling her eyes and her Southern accent strong. “Y’all are eating my delicious leftovers, making a mess of my kitchen, and then smooching against my countertop?”

Hattie tried to pull away, but Steffan hadn’t even looked around at his brother and sister-in-law. He was fully focused on her. “This is to be continued,” he said softly, his blue eyes sincere.

Hattie wanted to continue kissing and being close and falling for him.

But reality crashed into her. Hard.

Steffan wasn’t her home. He wasn’t hers at all. After they finally met Franz at four a.m., she’d go on her way. A different direction than she’d been going, but it didn’t include Augustine. How would they ‘continue’ anything?

She didn’t have the heart to admit that right now.

“Happily,” she told him.

A slow grin spread over his face. He straightened away from her, turned, and put his arm around her waist.

She was sunk.

“Curt, Aliya, allow me to introduce Hattie Ballard, the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.” He focused on her. “She was in a paragliding accident and then a man stole her money, passport, even her clothing, and she has never once given up or even complained. She simply keeps dealing with everything with a positive attitude while putting a smile on my face.” The adoring gaze he bestowed on her said he meant every word. “Hattie, this is my brother and sister-in-law. We’re interrupting their honeymoon, but they’ll forgive us once they get to know you.”

Hattie’s heart rate picked up. Was he for real? He saw more in her than anybody except her own parents had.

“Whoo-ee,” Aliya said, fanning her face and winking at her princely husband, who looked amused. “That is the sweetest introduction I have ever heard. Well, stop keeping her all to yourself. If you’re going to interrupt our honeymoon, let us get to know this beautiful and incredible lady.”

Hattie smiled, but her heart raced. She always did well in social situations, but she had an odd fear of letting Steffan and his brother and sister-in-law down. She wanted to be as incredible as he claimed and continue to make him smile. To be a woman who would make her parents proud, worthy of a man like him. She wanted to never leave his side, but the fact was she wasn’t an equal to him or worthy of him.

Like an old farmer from home used to say, “You can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first.”

She had to learn how to deal with leaving Steffan, because wishing for a different future than she already knew was set in stone wouldn’t change anything. All she’d end up with was a crap-load of heartache—and she’d already had enough heartache to last a lifetime.