Mikale: Harris Legacy, #3

By Jasper Trey

A Prince of Pen Pal Dreams:

 

Mikale loves his brother and with that love comes obligations. Flying halfway around the world for one wedding and a short week later, he's going through the fanfare all over again in their home country. A chance meeting at the first will guide his life for the next ten years.Catherine was determined to meet Mikale, the groom's brother, at her former teacher's wedding. What was supposed to be a distraction at a wedding turns into a decades-long correspondence that has her falling head over heels for the prince of her pen pal dreams. Sparks fly when the two are finally able to see each other again. When Catherine gets caught up in a terrorist bombing in the main market, Mikale must try to find her. To do so, he's got to control his fear—had he fallen for her just in time to lose her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jasper Trey
• Release date: Sep 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9798201915636

Book preview

Chapter 1

Mikale was here to support his brother. He would do anything his brother asked. That included celebrating two weddings within a week of each other. He sipped a beer and wandered around the edge of the pavilion on Olivia’s property. It was a sweet tribute to the history of America. Olivia and her late husband had renovated the one-room schoolhouse. They had planned and planted the prairie garden surrounding it. She was a hands-on woman; that attitude was what had drawn Dante to her. 

Still, Mikale couldn’t be the only one in his family to wonder how she would adjust to living in the palace, with all the changes it would mean for her and her children. He was more than happy for his brother. He just wished Dante’s happiness came in the form of someone who was well-versed in managing the spotlight, at least.

Being a prince of even a small country meant Mikale knew how to court the spotlight or avoid it. Avoidance was his choice as often as possible. His dark hair and chiseled jaw meant hard work when it came to staying clear of the media's attention. Dodging the press and fulfilling his family duties and commitments was a full-time job. Staying in shape took work, too; he was tall and lean like Dante and his other brother, Philip. He had to spend lots of time in the gym to keep from getting too thin.

Leaning against one of the tall poles holding up the pavilion, Mikale brooded into his beer. He could feel the roughness of the wood and reminded himself to not tear the shirt. The happy couple swayed around the dance floor. At least he didn’t have to wear a tuxedo, he thought with relief. His dress pants and long-sleeved shirt matched his brothers' right down to the suspenders. Mikale sighed heavily and took another drink from his beer.

I don’t think you’re supposed to look so unhappy at a wedding.

Mikale turned to look at the woman, who stood behind him just outside the perimeter of light. She wore a pale blue summer dress with a light sweater over her shoulders. Five foot and slender, high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes. He wasn’t sure if she had a deep tan or if her color indicated her heritage. 

He raised his eyebrows. I didn’t know one could see my expression from behind my back.

She smiled, a little lopsided, and he noticed she had dimples. He had a weakness for dimples.

I watched you walk around the edge, she said. I’m Catherine. She extended her hand to him. Her skin felt soft, but there was steel underneath. 

Mikale, he said. Would you care to lean against the pole rather than me?

Her lips twitched, trying to hide a smile. 

He felt the flush starting. That wasn’t wha–– he trailed off.

Very chivalrous of you, she said before taking a sip of her drink. But I, um, prefer not to use a pole.

Mikale was glad he had turned out of the direct light. It would make it harder for her to see the heat he felt running up his neck and cheeks. He leaned back against the wood and rubbed the back of his neck. 

I didn’t mean it that way, he said. I wasn’t trying to imply that you danced for a living.

Merriment lit her face; she giggled. While it’s true that I'd rather do without the student loans, I don’t think I’d make very much money. At least not enough to cover medical school.

Mikale swallowed. Anything I say here can get me in trouble. The safest thing I can utter is no comment. He desperately wanted to change the subject. Medical school? I started this fall. What school are you attending? The lowering of her lashes and the sweet smile on her lips indicated she was amused. Could be worse, he thought.

 I’m in Tulsa going through Oklahoma State’s program.

The rural direction?

It more or less pays for itself. Where are you going?

For the first time Mikale felt embarrassed about the school he attended. I’m at Cornell.

Her gaze seemed to sharpen. Impressive. Sometimes royalty has its benefits. The music changed and she glanced towards the floor. It takes a lot of smarts, not just money, to get into Cornell. It's one of the top schools for a reason. Congratulations.

Hmm, yeah. He suspected that even if she was smarter than him and been accepted at Cornell, she wouldn't be going. Am I that out of place?

Catherine took a sip of her own beer while she studied him. "You have a certain je ne sais quoi that is not from around here."

It could be from Texas.

Nope, I know too many Texans. I spent the first decade of my life in Texas. You’re definitely not from there.

I did spend the last four years in Austin.

It wasn't enough to rub the European panache away, she said. I’ve spent a lot of time on reservations. Doesn’t mean I’ve lost what makes me an outsider to that way of life.

An interesting thought, he said, studying her. The reservation, she'd said. It wasn't a tan, he thought. Do you think you might go back for more training after completing the required years of practice? Do you want to work on reservations?

I might go back to specialize. She shrugged. As for reservation work? As a way to give back, but I prefer research more than anything. Doctors have so little time to actually read relevant research on diseases. I would love to develop a more efficient process for summarizing data, so doctors would be better able to find clinical information they need for their patients.

You don’t want to practice?

I like helping people. I can help more of them by helping doctors.

Mikale lifted the beer for a sip. Unless he was at home or in the palace, he rarely did more than sip. That’s interesting. The music changed, and Mikale's gaze drifted to the dance floor.

They seem really happy, Catherine said.

They do. I’ve never seen my brother more content and settled than he is with Olivia. He looked back at Catherine. Is she always so happy?

Catherine took her time answering. I think she was more than happy with Sam. I only knew her as a student at that time, though. I’ve gotten to know her more since he passed than I did before. I would say she is definitely happier over the last few months than she was before meeting Dante. She looked up at Mikale. Is that what you wanted to know?

Her quirked eyebrow said everything. Censure for his question, considering whether she should condemn it or condone it.

I wasn’t trying to be rude, he said. Just wondering. He’s only known her eight months. 

Not trying to protect your family from gossip, innuendo, or a money-grubbing sugar baby?

I don’t think any of those things would make my brother happy, do you? I was thinking about his happiness in the relationship, not any of that. Or at least not actively thinking about any of that, he thought. Who wouldn’t think about it when your brother, the Prince of Madiera, brought home a schoolteacher from the American Midwest?

All right, then, she said.

Not going to apologize for thinking I was asking the worst of your friend?

Why would I apologize for something you’re bound to have thought about? But the dimples flashed at him again. 

Mikale once again found himself wanting to change the subject. It's starting to get dark, he said. I thought about walking around and seeing the schoolhouse in twilight. He tipped his beer towards her. Do you want to join me?

She studied him for a moment before she answered. Why not?

He offered her his arm as they strolled off towards the steps leading up to the schoolhouse decks. Mikale stopped at the top of the steps and turned back toward the wedding below. It was a lovely setting for a wedding, a peaceful place to celebrate.

The schoolhouse sat on the edge of bluff, giving a picturesque view of the prairie beneath them. They walked around the building and stepped up to the railing. Mikale turned and leaned against it, noting the massive windows that ran down the length of the building. He was well used to large windows and the draftiness they created. But these were very pretty, he thought, admiring the string of pin lights that hung from the roofline. 

It’s a beautiful place, he said. He looked up at the sky, A beautiful night. So many stars. He let his gaze lock with hers. Do I have to be cliché and say nothing compares to the beauty beside me? Or can we acknowledge the truth we both know and move on to other topics?

There were those dimples again. Hot damn, his friends in Austin would say. 

Catherine turned so she faced the building. I think that was a compliment. I’m not sure you wanted to give it, or if you felt you had to. But I’ll take it either way, as it comes from a handsome prince.

He crossed his hands over his heart. I say nothing I don’t mean.

Catherine looked down at her drink and then back up at him. Really? I’m not sure I buy that. Not after talking with Olivia about her up-and-coming life in the palace.

It's true. At least when I’m away from my palace duties and the press, I say nothing I don’t mean. How about that?

It’s a little better. Why did you choose to go to Texas for college?

An interesting deflection, he thought. But he was accustomed to topics turning quickly, so he adapted. I like the idea of cowboys and the Old West.

It warmed his slightly jaded heart to hear her quick laugh. The University of Texas is not cowboys and the Old West. Austin is as far from that as about anywhere.

It’s an excellent university, ranked in the top twenty worldwide, in fact, and was closer to the Old West than New England. It’s also a lot warmer. I do like the heat, considering where I was raised. I don’t believe I said where I had gone to university.

Catherine reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. Olivia mentioned it.

That half smile of hers was a killer, he thought. Did she, now?

Yep. she said, with a decisive pop on the p.

Mikale turned at the scratch of shoe on wood. There’s the groom now. He said, taking in the casual way Dante wore his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

There’s a witness. Dante said.

Mikale reached out and snapped his brother's suspender. I could have been the best man instead of a witness. Philip could stand up for you next week and me this week. Thinking it a grand idea, Mikale set down his bottle to roll up his own sleeves.

Then what would you have to complain about, little brother? Dante’s gaze transferred to Catherine. It’s Catherine, right?

Correct. It was a beautiful ceremony.

Designed by Olivia. Next week is pomp and ceremony, this week was supposed to be more relaxed.

It is that, Brother. It is that. Finished with his sleeves, Mikale picked up his beer and lifted it high. May you and your bride live a long, happy, fruitful life. They clinked glasses. 

Catherine, Olivia tells me you're also studying to be a doctor? She’s very proud of you and all you’ve accomplished.

I couldn’t have done it without her. She taught me to take notes and recommended me to the School of Math and Science. It propelled me forward like nothing else, and helped me graduate a year early from college.

Impressive. Dante turned to his brother. You slacker, graduating on time.

Mikale shrugged, sheepish, but he couldn’t keep the merriment out his voice. "Some of us needed that gap year to know for certain what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives, he said. It’s a long time."

Dante looked over his shoulder at the sound of someone coming up the stairs. One can hope.

Mikale winced to himself, having forgotten for a moment that Olivia was a widow.

Catherine stayed beside him as she greeted the older woman, Hi, Emma-Jo. Are you enjoying yourself?

The woman in her early sixties walked across the deck. There you are, sweet girl. And in the middle of these handsome young men.

Catherine stepped into Emma-Jo's hug. One of them’s the groom, Emma-Jo.

And one of them isn’t. Emma-Jo stepped back and turned to the two men. I’m Emma-Jo, Catherine’s grandmother. She held a hand out to Mikale.

I’m Mikale, Dante’s brother.

Taking both of his hands between hers, Emma-Jo said, It’s very nice to meet you. I hope you have a wonderful stay while you’re here in Oklahoma. Releasing his hands she turned to Catherine. We’re going to get going, Mama’s getting tired. But I wanted to make sure you knew before we left so you could tell her 'bye.

I hate to have you leave, but thank you for the heads up. I’ll tell Emma-Claire 'bye.

Dante. Emma-Jo stepped over and embraced him. Take care of our girls, okay? We’re sure going to miss them, but as long as they're happy, we’ll have to limp along without them here.

I plan on them being the happiest they possibly could be. He pulled back.

Emma-Jo turned to Mikale. I have to take this pretty girl to say 'night to my momma, but she can come back and keep you company afterwards.

Just over his head, he caught Catherine rolling her eyes and Dante trying to cover a grin. 

She’s very interesting to talk to, Mikale said. Don’t let me keep you. I’m sure your mother's tired and it’s getting late.

Catherine slid her arm through Emma-Jo’s. Come on, Emma-Jo, let’s find Emma-Claire.

Emma-Jo leaned down to Catherine as they reached the stairs. Loud enough for Mikale and Dante to hear, she said, That’s a very good-looking young man.

Mikale could see Catherine’s white smile as she looked back at the two brothers. You’re right, Emma-Jo, he heard her say. But we were just talking about school. He’s at Cornell this year.

Whatever else they said was