was she going to offer them? A peanut butter sandwich? “It’s just, um, we aren’t quite ready,” Imogen said. “The chef won’t be arriving until morning. And the cleaning staff isn’t quite finished up.”
“I trust you’ll overcome these difficulties,” the Prince said.
His voice was so beautiful it sounded as if he had said something outrageously sexy instead of something extremely mundane.
Of course she would overcome these difficulties. Even though she wasn’t the greatest in the kitchen and cooking department, the Lodge was well stocked.
But before she could figure out the specifics of how she was going to overcome these difficulties, the crisp mountain air was split with a scream from inside the Lodge. It sounded as if someone was being murdered.
The scream snaked along Imogen’s spine. She turned to the Lodge, frozen with shock. Neither of the men experienced that same paralysis.
They both bolted toward the front door, and she snapped out of it and ran after them, even as she registered surprise that the bodyguard would be running, with his Prince, toward an unknown situation.
The men, with their long legs, quickly outstripped her. Though neither man had ever been in the Lodge before, they must have followed the sound of wailing, and when she found them, they were squeezed into an upstairs bathroom with Rachel.
“Cristiano?” the Prince asked.
The bodyguard, on the floor with Rachel, looked up. His expression was calm, but his voice when he spoke held urgency.
“She’s going to have the baby,” he said tersely. “And she’s going to have it soon.”
“But she’s not due for another two weeks,” Imogen stammered.
“Where’s the nearest hospital?” Prince Luca asked her.
“There’s a walk-in clinic in Crystal Lake, but they can handle only very minor emergencies. Rachel’s been going to a specialist in the city.”
“I have to have the baby at Saint Mary’s Hospital,” Rachel managed to sob. “They’re set up for it. They know—” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
“How far to Saint Mary’s?” the Prince asked Imogen.
“It’s in the city. At least two hours,” Imogen said quietly. “If the roads are good.” She thought of that storm cloud boiling up over Crystal Mountain with a sinking heart.
“Take her by helicopter,” Prince Luca said to Cristiano. “Do it now.”
Cristiano gave him a questioning look, and Imogen understood immediately. He was torn. His first duty was to protect his Prince.
“Go now,” Prince Luca said, in a tone that brooked no argument.
“Yes, sir,” Cristiano said, and scooped up Rachel as if she was a mere child. With the Prince and Imogen on his heels, he raced outside. Imogen noticed the weather had already changed. The wind had picked up and the blue skies were being herded toward the horizon by a wall of ominous gray clouds.
Cristiano made his way to the helicopter with the sobbing woman in his arms. With surprising gentleness, he had Rachel situated in no time.
He turned, saluted the Prince. “I should be back within the hour, sir.”
“Miss Albright and I will try and stave off danger until your return,” the Prince said drily.
Cristiano turned and got into the pilot’s seat. The engines roared to life and the rotors began to move, slowly at first, and then so rapidly they were but a blur. In moments, the helicopter had lifted off the ground and was moving in the same direction as that quickly disappearing ridge of blue sky.
Imogen hugged herself against the sharpness of the wind. A single snowflake drifted down and she tilted her head to it. Knowing these mountains as she did, she was certain of one thing.
Unless he was prepared to fly through a full-blown mountain blizzard, Cristiano was not going to be back in an hour.
“I’m sorry your arrival was so eventful,” Imogen said, turning to the Prince. “I can’t thank you enough for offering your helicopter.”
“It was my pleasure,” he said.
“Do you think it was normal labor, or do you think something was wrong?” Imogen asked him.
“I’m afraid I don’t know.”
She could have kicked herself. How would he know? Dealing with pregnancies was hardly going to be one of his princely duties.
“You’re very worried about her,” he said with grave understanding.
“Terrified for her,” she admitted, and then, even though it might not be allowed, according to the protocol book, she felt driven to expand on that. “While I’m sure your position requires you maintain a certain formality with your staff, it’s not like that here. We are a very small hotel, and Crystal Lake is quite an isolated community. In a way, we all become family.”
His eyes rested on her very intently for a moment.
“Do you know everyone in the village of Crystal Lake?” he asked.
“Residents, yes. Visitors, no.”
He contemplated that for a moment. She was sure he wanted to ask her something, but then he did not. Instead, he put his hands in his trouser pockets. She realized he was very probably getting cold. His tailored suit was obviously custom-made and absolutely gorgeous, but lightweight. The shirt underneath, which had looked white at first glance, was the palest shade of pink, and silk, which was hardly known for its insulating qualities.
“I’m sorry, Prince Luca,” she said. “I’m distracted. It’s very cold out. I’ll show you your room and you can get settled.”
Then she realized there was nothing for him to get settled with—his luggage had just gone away with the helicopter.
Still, she showed him the room, chatting about the history of the Lodge as they moved up the sweeping staircase and down the wide hallway to his suite. She was glad she had done this so many times it was second nature to her. She could not get her mind off Rachel, plus there was something about the Prince’s presence that could easily tie her tongue in knots.
Finally, she opened the door of the suite she had personally prepared for him. “I hope you’ll find the accommodations comfortable,” she said.
He barely looked around. He went to the window, and when he turned back to her, he was frowning.
“It’s snowing,” he said.
She could see the window beyond him, and even though she had been expecting snow, she was a little taken aback by how quickly it was thickening outside the window.
She didn’t want to let her alarm show; if this kept up, the helicopter might not be able to return. The chef might not arrive. And what about a replacement for Rachel? Imogen was not certain that she was up to handling a royal visit all on her
