more than a little condescending as her words trailed off.
“What? That they would let someone like me use their cabin?”
Ms. Crane’s husband wore an expression similar to that of his wife. “Of course we weren’t thinking that.”
Callie hoped her smile was just as insincere as she felt right now. “Of course you wouldn’t think that. Why that would make you both snobs, now wouldn’t it? Forgive me if I gave that impression.”
“Certainly.” Ms. Crane sniffed. “It has been a long time since you’ve been here.”
“Yes, it has.”
She looked around the room. “And you brought a man with you. Did you get married?” she continued to grill.
Callie smiled. “No.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, you’re not married?”
“Callie, I thought I heard voices,” Rogar said as he limped toward them.
Great, what was he doing up? He should be resting. She looked at the Cranes, who weren’t even trying to hide their curiosity. More fodder for their tight little group. She’d bet they would run straight to everyone and have a field day telling them about how the Jacksons were letting just anyone, and everyone, stay at their cabin in their exclusive little resort. She wouldn’t doubt they would have a get together to ban this from ever happening again.
Oh my God! What if she actually started dating one of their sons? Or befriending one of their daughters?
They were as bad as Zerod. It would seem she was considered just as impure here as she would be on New Symtaria.
“And you are?” Ms. Crane asked, looking down her very straight and narrow nose.
“Rogar Valkyir.”
Their condescension didn’t lessen, in fact, it seemed to increase. Callie realized it must be his accent and his name. Not only was he staying with Callie, but he was also a foreigner. Oh, they were going to have a good time relating the gossip they would gather today.
Rogar suddenly bowed at the waist. “Prince Rogar Valkyir, at your service.”
The Cranes’ mouths dropped open.
Callie could feel the color draining from her face. This was so not good.
Chapter 18
“You’re a prince,” Ms. Crane said, her hand fluttering to her chest.
“A prince?” Mr. Crane looked a little more skeptical than his wife.
“A small country.” Rogar held out his hand to the other man.
Callie was grateful he’d at least said country, rather than telling them he was from another planet.
Mr. Crane hesitated, then apparently decided if Rogar were telling the truth, he didn’t want to offend him. They shook hands. His gaze dropped to the medallion Rogar wore.
Rogar noticed his interest and looked down. “My family’s crest. A trinket my mother insists I wear as the eldest child.” He held it up for a moment. The sun caught the diamond and other stones, creating a prism of beautiful colors on the wall.
Oh, Lord, Rogar was playing his royal card.
“Can I see that?” Mr. Crane asked. “If you don’t mind. I mean, it’s very unusual.”
“Of course.” Rogar slipped the golden chain over his head, then handed it to Mr. Crane. Mr. Crane reached into his pocket and brought out his jeweler’s loupe and closely examined the medallion.
Ms. Crane gave an embarrassed laugh. “My husband is in the jewelry business.”
Rogar raised an imperial eyebrow. “Oh, he works for a living.”
Ms. Crane’s cheeks turned rosy red. Callie barely restrained her snort of laugher. It was about time Ms. Crane got a dose of her own medicine.
“Very unique,” Mr. Crane mumbled as though he hadn’t heard Rogar’s remark. “The diamond is the most perfect I’ve ever seen. The clarity is outstanding. The other jewels are equally beautiful. It’s probably worth millions.” He slipped his loupe back in his pocket, and handed the medallion to Rogar. “Beautiful workmanship, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.”
Ms. Crane perked up when her husband called Rogar, Your Highness. Apparently, since he was wealthy, it stood to reason he would also be telling the truth about who he was, a blueblood like them, and worthy to be accepted into their ranks. It would seem she had forgiven him his earlier comment.
“We’re having a dinner party of sorts tomorrow night if you’d like to come,” Ms. Crane said, her gaze fixed on Rogar. Callie had no doubts the invitation did not include her.
Rogar put his arm around Callie and pulled her close to his side. “I’m afraid my fiancée and I won’t be able to attend. We want to share this time together before we have to return to the castle.”
Ms. Crane’s eyes rounded. “Fiancée? Castle? Oh, my.”
Callie was going to kill him.
“Maybe we can join you another time. I leave most social decisions to Callie, so check back with her. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
“Certainly, Your Highness.” They backed up, and Rogar shut the door in their face.
Callie heard Mr. Crane admonishing his wife for her nosiness, and Ms. Crane telling her husband it had been crude to examine the prince’s medallion, then she asked if it was really genuine and worth millions.
Their voices drifted away as they got in their golf cart. As soon as it started, Mr. Crane floored it. Well, as much as you could speed away in a golf cart. Callie’s ears were already burning.
She turned away from the window, planted her hands on her hips, and glared at Rogar. “What the hell did you think you were doing?”
“I heard them when they were talking to you. Even I could tell they weren’t nice people. They needed to be put in their place. Aren’t you happy I treated them as inferiors?”
“They deserved everything they got, but we’re supposed to be keeping a low profile. They’ll tell all their friends.”
“We’re safe from Zerod while we’re here.”
“Yes, but you just encountered a far worse predator—the Cranes. And how do you know about castles?”
“I looked up romance on my database on your birthday. Cinderella went to live in a castle with her Prince Charming.”
He suddenly grimaced, reaching toward his injury.
Damn, what could she have been thinking? “We need to get you back in bed. Is the pain bad?”
“I can tolerate it.”
She’d noted his hesitation so she was sure he must be in excruciating pain. “I told you, I don’t need a hero, so quit coming to my rescue.”
“Sometimes I think you are more in need of a hero than even you know.”
“Well, you’d be wrong. I’ve been on my own for a long time. I work better without a partner.”
“Then it’s a good thing you have DeeDee. I’d hate to think you’d never had anyone to call friend.”
“Only because I couldn’t beat her off with a stick.” The corners of her mouth turned down. DeeDee had come to her rescue, too, and then had hung around for the last ten years. She usually brought little care packages containing specialty foods, teas, and chocolates.
Wow, she must seem pretty pathetic to people.
“Like I said, I don’t need a hero.” She helped him onto the bed, and turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm.
“Don’t go.”
