Falling for the Baldasseri Prince, page 6
“Amen to that.”
Over the next little while they passed grasslands, meadows, forests, all the elements of nature that caused people to flock to Switzerland’s grandeur. Visitors were out en masse. He handed her a pair of binoculars. “If you’ll look over on that crest, you may see some sights people spend thousands of dollars hoping to glimpse.”
The Prince was loving this. So was Francesca, more than she would have ever dreamed possible.
She kept scanning the top of the crest and soon she saw movement. “Oh—there’s a tan chamois! Your binoculars are so powerful, I can tell it has dark legs and two horns. It looks like a goat, only bigger.”
He nodded. “More like an antelope?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful! How wonderful we have creatures like this. I love it that you and your family have fought to preserve places where we can see them outside of a zoo.”
“I suppose a zoo has its place, but there’s nothing like the great outdoors.”
They kept climbing higher.
All of a sudden, she cried, “There are two red deer and further on an ibex!”
His deep chuckle sent delicious chills through her body. “You’ve hit the jackpot today. Many are the times when you don’t catch sight of an animal. Today they’ve come out for you.”
The things he said...
He pulled the van to the side of the road and parked. “I’ll get us something to eat and drink.” Quick as a shot he got out and opened another door to grab some items. Once in front again, he handed her a water bottle and some Cailler Swiss chocolate.
“How did you know this is my favorite?”
His brows lifted. “Isn’t it everyone’s?”
They both laughed before she handed him the binoculars. “Your turn.” She started eating several squares of chocolate. Heaven.
“Another Ibex has appeared. It must be its mate. They’re having a great day just like we are.”
Francesca averted her eyes. Every moment, every word with him was making this outing unforgettable.
“I’m going to drive higher. Who knows what we’ll find?”
After putting the binoculars around his neck, they headed out again. She didn’t spot any hikers at this point. “We won’t see brown bears, right?”
“No.”
“That’s too bad. I love to watch them.”
“They’ve been extinct since 1904, but some time ago a young bear did migrate here. It was a male and no population will develop without a female. I presume we’ll see more from time to time.”
“How do you feel about allowing them here?”
“They would be good for tourism though there is pressure against it in some sectors. I welcome them as long as we put appropriate safety measures like fencing in place. Brown bears are pretty shy.”
“They’re part of the whole animal world up here,” she added. “I like the idea very much.”
He sent her a sideward glance. “You see? You’d be perfect to help us do the next video, but I won’t say another word about it. That will have to come from you.”
Clever man to bring her here. Who could refuse this Prince who charmed her down to her toenails?
When they came to the edge of a forested area, he pulled off the road once again. “Time for lunch. We’ll sit on the fallen tree over there and enjoy the eastern view of the Piz Pisoc.”
Pockets of snow filled its mountainous crags. “What can I bring?”
His eyes glowed a burning blue. “Yourself.”
Heat radiated through her. They both got out and he pulled a cooler from the back. She followed his fit body over the grass. A few yards into the forest and they reached the fallen tree. He lowered the cooler and opened the lid. Two plates had already been prepared with food and he handed her one which she uncovered.
“This didn’t come from the deli in town. It’s a feast.”
A chuckle escaped his throat. “My favorite cook at the palace made this meal for us.”
“How am I so lucky?”
“Because you’re with me.” She loved his teasing. “I did stop at the deli for soda. I hope you like Pepita.”
“I drink it quite often.” She leaned down and reached for one that was chilling on ice. They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, but she still felt terrible for what she’d said to him.
“Your Highness? Please forgive me for being so outspoken to you a minute ago. I can’t believe I did that. No one has ever been kinder or more wonderful to me.”
His eyes glinted. “Are you saying you’re sorry enough to help with the video we’ll be working on next month?”
“After what I did, I’m putty in your hands. Oh, dear—” She felt herself blush. “That’s the wrong thing to say too. I’m so embarrassed.”
A deep laugh poured out of him, disturbing some white-bellied alpine swifts clinging to the side of a nearby tree.
They finished eating and he packed everything up to take back to the van. “If you’re ready, I’ll drive us to a spot where we might see an old married couple I’d like you to meet.”
Her eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ll see,” he murmured. “At least I hope they’ll show up.”
He had her intrigued as they climbed to the summit where he slowed down. “Look to the right.” She did his bidding. “What do you see?”
“No people.”
“I’m talking about the old married couple. Look again.” He handed her the binoculars.
She put them to her eyes. It took her a minute to cover everything. “All I see are two birds with large wingspans cruising around.”
“Not just any birds, Dr. Linard. They’re golden eagles, hunting for marmots. I’ve hiked close to their eyrie many times. Their marriage has lasted longer than those of some humans.”
Francesca shook her head in amazement. “How wonderful! What a fantastic sight! I wouldn’t have missed it.” She turned toward him. “Thank you so much for bringing me here. I’ll always treasure this day.”
His compelling smile illuminated her insides. “It’s been my pleasure and I’m sorry we have to head back to the clinic.”
So am I...so am I.
They turned around and talked about the forthcoming video while they made the breathtaking descent. The last thing she wanted to do was leave this land of enchantment that included a man she couldn’t believe existed, a man who... Her thoughts had to stop right there.
He handed her some more chocolate and her bottle of water, always looking out for her. She was desperate to find any faults in him. So far she hadn’t found one. Her only problem was that she’d been born a Visconti, the natural enemy of a Baldasseri.
At quarter to five in the evening they pulled into the clinic parking area. The Prince drove the van over to her car and helped her get out. “When arrangements are made, I’ll be in touch with you about filming the video next month. Now I’m due back at the palace.”
“Of course.” Emptiness filled her to realize it would be a whole month before she talked to him again. “Today’s tour made me appreciate the great value of the biosphere. It thrills me to be a tiny part of something so important.” She opened her car door. “Buna sera, Your Highness.”
* * *
Vincenzo went into work early the next two days, anxious to get busy making up for being gone the day before. Over lunch on Thursday he took a call from his mother. Bella would be home from vacation today. At dinner his mother planned to discuss what he was going to do to fix the situation with Valentina. His poor deluded mother. He told her they’d talk later.
At four thirty he left for the vet clinic. By the time he arrived there, it would be the end of Francesca’s working day. She was constantly on his mind. He’d never been so entertained in his life, nor as attracted, and couldn’t wait a second longer to see her. Thoughts of her finally being willing to help make the video had brightened his mood.
The receptionist smiled up at him. “Prince Vincenzo?”
“I know I don’t have an appointment, but I need to see Dr. Linard. Is she available?” Her car was still in the parking area.
“She’s with a client, but I’ll walk back and tell her you’re here.”
“Thank you.”
As he stood there, a woman carrying an empty crate came through. She stared at him for a moment. It happened wherever he went. Vincenzo would never know the meaning of anonymity. He greeted her before she left the clinic.
The receptionist came back. “Dr. Linard will be with you in a moment.” She walked to the front door and let herself out.
Five minutes later he heard footsteps. “Your Highness?”
He turned in the direction of Francesca’s voice and feasted his eyes on her beauty. When their gazes met, those fabulous brown eyes looked worried. Why? “I’m glad I caught you before you left for the day,” he murmured.
“I was about to go home.” She sounded a trifle breathless. “I’m afraid Daniel is away until tomorrow.”
“I came to see you about the script for the video.”
She blinked. “The script?”
He cocked his head. “I was hoping you would put down some of your thoughts and we could go over them while we grab a bite to eat.”
“You mean this evening?”
He sensed she was nervous. “Do you still have another patient?”
“Yes,” she responded too quickly, averting her eyes.
What was going on with her? “Do you mind if I wait?”
“I might be a while.”
“That’s no problem for me, Doctor. My mother says I’m the bane of her existence.” He heard a slight chuckle. “How can I convince you that I won’t bite?”
She let out a troubled sigh. “It’s not that. I’m afraid that if you knew about my patient, it might make you sad.”
“In what way?”
“I can see it’s useless arguing with you. Come with me.”
Relieved she wasn’t fighting him anymore, he followed her down the hall to the examining room she used. No one was there, but he spied a crate on the floor with a dog inside. It whined and she spoke to it.
“I told you I’d be right back. We’re going home.”
Vincenzo hunkered down for a good look. A playful Bernese Mountain Dog, probably three months old, was in the last stages of puppyhood. The male reminded him so much of Karl at the same age, his heart felt a pang. Now he thought he understood Francesca’s comment and was touched by her concern for his feelings.
He flicked her a glance. “Your new dog is made in Karl’s image.”
She nodded. “I knew it would remind you of him. Maybe too much. I couldn’t resist this one the other day when he and his siblings came in for their shots. I’m crazy about the breed.”
“That makes two of us. What’s his name?”
“Artur.”
“Well, Artur. What a lucky little tyke to have Dr. Linard for your owner.”
“I hope he’ll feel that way. I need to get him home.”
“Let me help with any paraphernalia.”
“You don’t have to, but I guess I can’t stop you.”
“I’m glad you understand that, since it’s clear my former dog and yours had a lot to do with this acquisition. I feel partway responsible.” Nothing could have excited him more.
“Karl was special.”
Amen.
“What do you need carried to your car?”
“That satchel on the chair. We’ll leave through the back door.”
When they reached the rear of the clinic, she removed her uniform and put it in the laundry bin. Vincenzo opened the self-locking door while she carried the crate. He would have done it for her, but knew the dog needed to trust her first. With the satchel in hand, he walked to the car and put it on the backseat next to Artur. The dog began whining.
He shut the door and went over to his car. They drove in tandem and within a few minutes reached her apartment complex. He carried her bags and the satchel up the stairs and into her living room. Her apartment felt cozy and comfortable.
“I’ll take him outside and be right back.” After putting a collar around the dog’s neck and attaching a leash, she carried him out and down the stairs. The house training would go on and on. Vincenzo knew all about it.
Once back inside, she undid the leash and let the dog run around to explore while she set out water and food for him in the kitchen. More memories of early days with Karl filtered through his mind.
“What are you going to do with him during the days when you work?”
She followed the puppy around. His eyes followed her gorgeous figure. “Daniel said I could keep him with the other pets in the clinic’s boarding kennel. They have their own backyard for a place to play. I think he’ll love it. Of course, I’ll have to take him out every few hours, but we’ll be together.”
“He’ll be in doggie heaven knowing you’re there too.” Vincenzo unpacked the satchel and sacks. She’d been to a pet store and had bought a doggie bed and some fun toys.
He reached for the pack of jungle plush pals and a rope to chew on. After getting on the floor, he rustled the rope around until her dog got excited and pounced on it. “Karl used to love to do this.” For the next ten minutes the two of them laughed at Artur’s antics as a tug-of-war ensued.
She got up from the floor. “I bought frozen pizza. Would you like some after I warm it up, Your Highness?”
“Sounds good.” He continued to play with the dog while she fixed them a meal and called him over to the small dining room table. Artur whined for their food, but they knew better than to feed him.
“Sorry, buddy. Karl was a beggar too.”
She laughed. “They all are, but I have a jerky dog treat for him.” She unfastened a wrapper and made him reach for it. Her happy laugh and appealing personality were like an elixir to Vincenzo who never wanted to leave. But he was due at the palace at eight and they’d finished eating. He knew she had work to do with her new pet and got up from the table.
Artur ran over to him. Vincenzo gave him a quick rubdown. “Thank you for the pizza and salad, Dr. Linard. Now I must get going, but be warned—tomorrow evening after work, I’ll be bringing our dinner to repay you. Maybe we can work on some of your thoughts to put in the video.” His eyes found hers. “Have fun tonight. I envy both of you.”
CHAPTER SIX
BOTH OF US?
Waves of heat swept through Francesca as she watched her dog follow him to the door. She locked up and had a full evening before going to bed. Artur lay in his new doggie bed in a corner of her bedroom. Like a child, he didn’t want to go to sleep until she’d talked to him for a long time. Francesca couldn’t sleep either. Not while her mind remembered every moment of the evening with the Prince.
To her amazement, she’d felt so comfortable with him she forgot he was Prince Vincenzo Baldasseri. He had sat on the floor laughing and playing with the dog. Everything had seemed to come naturally to him. The man was so easy to be around, and there couldn’t be another one on earth as attractive.
Francesca had found that out after their day of touring the biosphere where she’d discovered hidden depths to him. She’d had the time of her life. At this point it was more than a crush and it frightened her.
Prince Vincenzo wasn’t a man you would ever let go. Her cousin had to be madly in love with him. Francesca could only imagine Valentina was in the depths of despair right now. Before long she expected to hear that his wedding to Valentina was back on.
She also needed to remember that his arranged engagement to her cousin had been broken recently. No doubt he was feeling the void in some way. Francesca had helped him with Karl and it was natural for him to be friendly with her. But not for one minute did she dare believe this bond between them would last.
If her cousin knew he’d spent this evening eating pizza with Francesca, a blood relative... The thought put the fear in her. Tomorrow evening she’d let him know once and for all that she couldn’t be with him again except to do that one video. That was it!
After getting in bed later, she phoned her brother. “Rolf? I’m so glad you picked up!”
“Hey—what’s wrong?”
She lay back against the pillow. “A lot has happened. Last week I had to put down Prince Vincenzo’s dog. Karl was the sweetest thing and died peacefully.”
“Your first patient and you had to put him to sleep,” he commiserated. “I can only imagine how hard that was on you.”
Rolf understood. In the next breath she told him about the conservation board meeting for the Biosphere Reserve and her trip there with the Prince. “He’s asked me to help narrate the next video.”
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”
His comment caused her to sit up. “Why on earth would you say that?”
“I may be your brother, but I have eyes. You’re even more beautiful than our cousin. Over the years my friends have commented on it. I’m not at all surprised the Prince is interested in you. But unlike them, he’s not intimidated by you.”
She trembled. “What are you saying?”
“The Prince is after you, Francesca. You’re brilliant as well as gorgeous. That’s hard on a lot of guys. When are you making this film?”
Her hand tightened on her cell. “Next month, but it’s not a good idea.”
“Why?”
“You know why.” Heat swarmed into her cheeks. “I’m a Visconti and so was his fiancée.”
“So? Didn’t you just tell me that Dr. Zoller said it’s over and the Prince has never been happier? If he’d loved her heart and soul, he wouldn’t have broken with her. I can promise you that.”
She clung to her cell while his logic sank in. “Even so, our cousin isn’t just anyone. She’s family, even though they don’t recognize us. To spend any more time with the Prince she almost married would be...well, it would be—”
