The Rancher’s Royal Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 4) Page 5

  “You look just like I did at your age,” the woman murmured.

  The coffee machine gurgled. Ellie tore her gaze from the stranger and looked over her shoulder. Logan picked up two mugs and brought them over to the table.

  All her life, Ellie had wished her mother was alive. That she had a mom to share things with - little girl secrets, play dates with her dolls, even her mother taking her to the park. And when she was older, bra shopping, confiding to her that she liked a boy at school, and that she’d been asked out on a date. Instead, all that fell to her father and grandmother. And they had both been terrific. But Ellie couldn’t help thinking throughout her twenty-six years that there had always been something missing.

  And now this woman was telling her she was her long-lost mother.

  “Drink something.” Logan pressed the cup into her hands. She looked up at him. His gaze didn’t waver from hers, and she was glad he was here, sharing this - whatever it was - with her. With a flash of insight, she knew she could depend on him to have her back, no matter what this stranger said.

  Taking a sip of the aromatic brew, she was disappointed to find that it tasted like sawdust. But how could it taste any differently when her mind and her emotions whirled in chaos?

  She watched the stranger take a delicate mouthful of coffee.

  “I know this must be a shock.” The woman put down her mug. “I’m sorry. But you have no idea how long I’ve waited to see you.”

  “Who are you?” Ellie managed through stiff lips.

  “I’m Katerina Romanakov. And I’m your mother.”

  “No.” Ellie’s tone was flat.

  “My darling, I never wanted to give you up. But I had to.”

  “Why?” Despite telling herself she wasn’t interested in what this stranger was saying, her curiosity got the better of her.

  “Because …” the woman hesitated. “I was engaged to another man.”

  Ellie stared at her, her lips parted.

  “Please don’t think badly of me, Ellie,” the woman begged. “It was a difficult situation for your father and me and we made the best decision we could.”

  “Which was?” Ellie whispered.

  “Your father would raise you, with the help of his mother, and to all intents and purposes, I would be dead.”

  “Why?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “It was the only solution.” The woman swallowed hard. “You have no idea how often I’ve regretted my choice, but twenty-six years ago, it seemed the only choice I had.”

  “Why didn’t you break off your engagement to the other man and marry Dad?” Ellie couldn’t help feeling cheated out of a family with a loving father and mother.

  “You have no idea how I wished I could,” the woman admitted. “But it just wasn’t possible to break the engagement.”

  “Why not?” How could her “mother” be willing to give up her baby so she could marry someone else?

  “Because … I had to marry Prince Jorge of Lintovia to reunite our countries and stop a war.”

  Ellie straightened up in her chair. “What?” She stared at the stranger claiming to be her mother.

  The woman sighed. “My title is Queen Katerina Romanakov. But before I married the prince, I was Princess Katerina of Mulzonia.”

  “You’re … you’re royalty?” Ellie could barely get the words out. She glanced over her shoulder. Logan stood behind her, holding a mug of coffee, his gaze intent on the stranger. His eyes flickered to Ellie, and he laid a steadying hand on her shoulder.

  “Yes, but please, just call me Katerina,” the woman replied. “You have no idea how often I wished I was an ordinary girl. Then I could have married your father, and we would have raised you together.” She paused. “But if I had been a commoner, then I might not have met your father in the first place.”

  “Why not?” Ellie asked, reluctantly riveted to what her “mother” was telling her.

  “I don’t know how much you know about your father’s work.” Katerina hesitated.

  “Dad works for the government.”

  A soft smile touched Katerina’s lips. “When I met him, he worked for the US Secret Service. Your government sent him to our country, along with some other men, as part of the protection detail for the upcoming engagement celebrations.”

  She paused, looking at her jewel encrusted fingers. “On my twenty-first birthday, I was affianced to Prince Jorge. I was told if I didn’t marry him, our countries would go to war over valuable mineral deposits that were situated on the border between our countries. Nobody wanted a war, so it seemed a natural solution for our two countries to unite through marriage.” She laughed humorlessly. “Countries have been doing this for centuries. And I knew growing up that one day I would be expected to do my duty and marry whom my family told me to.” Her voice softened. “And then … I met your father.”

  “What happened?” Ellie murmured, caught up in the tale.

  “We had a whirlwind romance. Love at first sight.” Katerina sighed. “And I became pregnant. We’d been careful.” She glanced up at Ellie and Logan, “But obviously not careful enough. Luckily, my wedding wasn’t for another fourteen months.” She caught their looks of surprise and smiled. “Things are usually done with decorum in my country. And it can take many months to plan a royal wedding. But for once, this worked in my favor. It meant I could hide away in the country, in one of our small summer manors, with only a couple of trusted retainers and my private secretary knowing the truth. Once I gave birth there, with a royal doctor sworn to secrecy, I gave you to your father.”

  She reached out for Ellie’s hand, and as if in a dream, Ellie gave it to her. “Holding you in my arms was one of the happiest moments of my life.” A shadow flickered across her face. “And giving you up was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I trusted your father to look after you, and I can see he did a wonderful job.”

  Tears pricked Ellie’s eyes. Was all this true? Was this woman her mother? Was she really royalty? And what did that make her, Ellie? A princess? A love child?

  “Logan?” Ellie’s voice faltered.

  “I’m here.” He sat down beside her and reached for her hand. His presence soothed her, comforted her.

  So many questions flew through her mind. The moment seemed surreal. Taking strength from Logan’s hand in hers, Ellie said, “I haven’t heard of your country.”

  “Not many people have,” Katerina replied. “It’s a tiny principality near Germany, bordered by Lintovia. It’s easily forgotten, except by the various state departments.”

  Ellie racked her brains, wishing she’d paid more attention in her high school geography class. A faint memory of the words Mulzonia and Lintonia surfaced.

  She frowned. “Then why are you here? Won’t you be missed at court if you’re the Queen?”

  “Not any more.” The woman smiled wryly. “I’ve just abdicated the throne.”

  “But … how? Why?” Ellie was barely aware she’d clutched Logan’s hand a little tighter.

  “My husband died five years ago in a car crash. I continued to rule, but as time went on, I realized exactly what I had lost by doing my duty all those years ago. Not just you, but your father as well.” She gazed at Ellie. “You see, although your father was the love of my life, I tried to make the best of my marriage. Jorge and I became good friends and tried for children,” she chuckled humorlessly, “as was expected of us, to continue the royal line. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. That meant there would be no direct royal line to inherit the throne. And then Jorge died, and I continued to rule. Until now.”

  “But why did you decide to abdicate now?” Despite being wary of this elegant stranger who claimed to be her mother, Ellie was intrigued by her story.

  Katerina sighed. “Both countries wanted the throne. Now that I ruled alone and was past child-bearing age, the politicians who wanted to obtain power by placing their own hand-picked royal candidate on the throne made it clear that I should gracefully abd
icate.” She gazed at the sparkling jewels on her fingers. “I resisted at first. How could I give up the continued peace of our two countries when I had sacrificed so much for it?” She looked directly at Ellie. “But …” she hesitated.

  “But what?” Ellie urged.

  She reached out for her daughter’s left hand, and before she realized what she was doing, Ellie gave it to her. “I heard whispers that one of the parties was considering using you as a pawn to gain the throne.”

  “What?”

  “What?”

  Ellie and Logan spoke at once.

  “Until now, I knew your father had kept you safe. He sent me photos and progress reports through secure channels.” She delved in her quilted leather designer handbag and pulled out a photo, showing it to Ellie and Logan.

  “That’s when I graduated college,” Ellie murmured.

  “Your father was so proud of you - we both were.” The woman gazed at her daughter and then looked down at the photo. “You have no idea how much I treasured everything he sent me about you.”

  Logan squeezed Ellie’s right hand. “Is this the threat her father was concerned about?”

  “Yes. As soon as I heard of it, I contacted him secretly. I didn’t want anything to happen to you, Ellie.” She smiled tenderly at her daughter.

  “So that’s why Dad insisted I come here instead of going on vacation to Hawaii.” However strange it seemed, at least now she knew the truth about the situation.

  “I’m sorry, darling,” her mother said. “But it hasn’t been that bad here, has it?”

  Ellie glanced at Logan, still holding her hand. “No,” she replied softly. Was it her imagination, or did Logan’s grasp suddenly seem a fraction tighter?

  “Is that why you abdicated? So nothing would happen to Ellie?” Logan asked.

  “Yes. I had already thought of abdicating one day in the future before the two royal parties started vying for the throne. But when I heard there was a possible threat against my daughter, I made up my mind in an instant.” The woman squeezed Ellie’s hand. “I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.”

  Ellie blinked back moisture from the corners of her eyes. “Does Dad know you’re here?”

  Distress crossed the woman‘s face. “No. When I arrived in Virginia, I discovered he suffered a heart attack. How is he, Ellie?”

  “I spoke to him this morning. He said he would be well enough to go home soon.”

  “Good.” The woman smiled. “Your father’s a strong man.”

  “When I talk to him tomorrow I could tell him you’re here.” Ellie tightened her grip on her mother’s hand.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. The news may distress him.” Katerina looked somber.

  “Or it could be exactly what he needs to hear,” Logan said. “If the stress of this situation contributed to his heart attack, then knowing there isn’t a threat against Ellie any longer could speed his recovery.” His gaze speared Katerina. “Ellie’s not in danger any more, is she?”

  “I don’t think so,” Katerina replied. “Prince Gregor is now ruling, and he was the person I heard was thinking of using Ellie to gain power.” Her mouth pursed. “I can‘t believe the politicians would want him in power. Jorge and I managed to keep relations steady between the two countries since we married. And now, with Gregor on the throne …” Her eyes flashed with disbelief.

  The room was silent for a moment. Ellie tried to absorb Katerina’s words, but felt numb.

  “I can only hope that Gregor rules wisely.” Katerina continued. “Unfortunately, that is none of my concern now.” She looked distressed for a moment, then squeezed Ellie’s hand and gazed into her eyes. “But you are, Ellie.”

  Was this woman telling the truth? What if none of this was real?

  Ellie shoved back her chair. “Excuse me.” She ran into her bedroom, rifling through her purse. She flipped through her wallet, pulling out her most treasured memento. A faded photograph of her mother.

  She stared at it, willing it to tell her the truth. The young woman in the photo bore a great likeness to herself. And to the stranger in the kitchen.

  Ellie walked slowly back to the kitchen. Lifting her gaze from the photo to the woman sitting at the table, she could see Katerina’s features hadn’t changed, only aged gracefully.

  “It is you,” she whispered. “You’re my mother.”

  The phone rang. Logan flicked a concerned glance at her before answering. “Yeah. Thanks, Cole. Got it.” He ended the call, then turned to face them. “Katerina checks out. She is who she says she is, Ellie.”

  Ellie sank in a chair. There was so much to take in. Conscious of her mother’s gaze, she studied her features. It was almost like looking into a mirror. How had Dad felt, knowing she looked so much like her mother - the mother he’d lied to her about? Anger spurted inside her. How could her father have deceived her like that?

  “How could you give me up?” Pain laced her voice.

  “I didn’t want to, Ellie.” Katerina looked at her helplessly. “I’m sorry. At the time it seemed the only solution. If I’d run away to be with your father, my government would have come after me, and your father would have his government demanding answers. And Mulzonia and Lintovia would have gone to war.”

  Ellie twisted her fingers. She had a mother. A mother who had given her up.

  Logan broke the stretched silence. “What are your plans, Katerina?”

  The woman made an expressive gesture with her hands. “I’ve booked a room at a charming inn at Elk View Corner. I am now a lady of leisure with no demands on my time.” Sadness crossed her face, then she looked at Ellie. “We have so much to talk about, my darling. May I come and see you again soon?”

  When Ellie didn’t answer right away, Katerina turned to Logan in appeal.

  “That’s up to Ellie,” he replied.

  Grateful for his support, Ellie tried to summon a smile. Right now, she felt happiness, hope and anger. But she knew she would regret it if she pushed her mother away.

  “All right,” Ellie finally replied.

  “Thank you.” Gratitude filled her mother’s voice. “When may I see you?”

  Ellie hesitated.

  “What about the day after tomorrow?” Logan broke the silence.

  Ellie nodded, grateful for his suggestion. Although she wanted to see her mother again, she also needed time to process everything that had happened this morning.

  “I’ll be here,” her mother promised. And Ellie couldn’t help hoping she spoke the truth.

  CHAPTER 7

  For the next day and a half, Ellie couldn’t stop thinking about her mother - and her father. Even helping Logan with ranch chores and taking care of Salt and Pepper did little to calm her whirling thoughts and emotions.

  She spoke to her Dad again the next morning, but couldn’t find the words to tell him that she’d met her mother the day before.

  “Should I tell Dad about my … mother?” she asked Logan as she picked up the phone the following day.

  He looked at her thoughtfully. “It might be a weight off his mind, as long as you broach the subject carefully.”

  “Mm.” She nodded in agreement and starting dialing. Perhaps she could find the words this morning.

  Several seconds later, she ended the call. “Dad’s not there.” She stared at Logan, her eyes wide.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s discharged himself.”

  Logan looked as if he were trying to put on a positive expression but didn’t exactly succeed. “Maybe he’s feeling better.”

  “Why didn’t he call me and tell me?”

  Logan shrugged, clearly at a loss. “Does he have a cell phone you can try?”

  Ellie’s expression brightened. “Good idea.”

  Why hadn’t she thought of that, she scolded herself as she hurried to her room to grab her phone. She’d been using the landline to call the hospital each day, because cell reception could be patchy at the r
anch. But her father’s cell phone number was programmed into her phone. Picking up her phone, she speed-dialed his number, only to be disappointed with a voice asking her to leave a message.

  Trailing back to the kitchen, she thunked her phone on the table. “Voice mail.” She couldn’t help the glum note in her voice.

  “Maybe he’s on his way home.” Logan rinsed out the coffee machine.

  “Maybe.” She tried to cheer herself up at his suggestion.

  “I was going to clean out the barn today, but I can hang around here if you want.” He looked at her enquiringly.

  Ellie looked at her watch. Fifteen minutes until her mother was due to arrive. Warmth stole through her at Logan’s offer. She didn’t know how she would have gotten through the surprise appearance of her mother if it hadn’t been for his solid, dependable presence. Of course, she would have coped somehow, but she’d been surprised to realize how much his being there had grounded her, reassured her.

  Her long lost mother showing up had pushed away all thoughts of his kiss three days ago, but now it came rushing back. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to fall hard for Logan Trask.

  What was wrong with that?

  Everything - if he didn’t return her feelings.

  “Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll be fine with … my mother.” She didn’t even know what to call the woman who gave birth to her. Mother? Mom? Katerina? Your Majesty? Except she wasn’t on the throne anymore, so perhaps it was your Royal Highness instead. It was all so confusing.

  “I’ll be in the barn if you need me.” He smiled reassuringly, then headed out to the barn.

  Ellie took out coffee cups, turned on the coffee machine, and then paced the kitchen, waiting. She couldn’t decide if she felt physically sick or just excited about seeing her mother again. Finally, at five minutes before eleven, she heard a car engine coming closer.

  Rushing to the front door, she peered through the peephole. It looked like the same car as yesterday. Yes. She watched her mother step out of the car, leaving a large, solid man inside the car, and walk up the path to the porch.