The Rancher’s Royal Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 4) (6 page)

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.

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 ranch. 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.

Ellie opened the door before Katerina had a chance to knock.

“Hello, Ellie.” Her mother smiled at her with such warmth that Ellie felt it all the way to her soul.

“Hi.” Ellie’s voice was just a murmur. The subtle scent of the spicy floral perfume her mother wore teased her senses

They stood staring at each other for long seconds before Ellie remembered her manners. “Come in. Would your - friend - like to come in too?” She looked toward the car.

Katerina laughed. “That is Trevor, my bodyguard. He is happy to wait in the car and give us some privacy.”

Ellie frowned. “But I thought the danger was over?”

Katerina waved her hand. “Yes, but one can never be too careful. Especially these days. Perhaps, in time, I will no longer feel the need for security.”

She supposed Trevor had waited in the car yesterday, too. Leading the way to the kitchen, Ellie gestured to a chair. “Would you like some coffee? We can sit in the living room if you prefer.”

“Here is fine, Ellie.” Her mother sat at the kitchen table, as if it were a totally normal occurrence, and not as if she were used to living in a finely furnished palace - at least, Ellie assumed Katerina had lived in a fancy palace with staff to cater to her every whim.

Ellie busied herself with the coffee machine. Now that her mother was here, she didn’t know what to say to her. Peeking over her shoulder, she saw her mother sit at the table, her hands clasped in front of her. Perhaps her mother didn’t know where to begin either. The buzz of the coffee machine broke the silence.

Ellie carried two cups of coffee to the table and sat down opposite Katerina.

“Thank you.” Her mother smiled at her again.

Ellie couldn’t help wondering if her life would have been much different if her mother had married her father, instead of marrying Prince Jorge.
And abandoning her.

Katerina stirred her coffee. “You must have a lot of questions,” she said, looking at Ellie over her raised cup.

Ellie nodded. During the night, she’d thought of nothing
but
questions. Now, she found it hard to start. “Who decided on my name?” She finally asked.

“Your father and I both did.” Her mother carefully put down the coffee cup. “Your name, Ellie, means beautiful one. When I held you in my arms, you were the most precious thing in the world.”

Yet her mother still gave her away. Although Ellie had understood, to a certain extent, her mother’s decision all those years ago, she couldn’t help feeling hurt. What if her father had felt the same way? What if Dad hadn’t wanted her? Would she have grown up with her grandmother, or would she have been placed into foster care?

Just the thought of that possibility brought a tell-tale prick of moisture to her eyes. She willed it away, not wanting to be even more vulnerable before this charming stranger, even she was her mother.

Before she think of something to say, the grumble of a car engine caught her attention. Ellie frowned. Logan hadn’t mentioned expecting anyone today.

Jumping up from her seat, Ellie headed to the living room and peered out the window.

“Is someone arriving?” Her mother asked from behind her.

“Yes.” Ellie watched a cab stop behind her mother’s car and saw a tall man in his late fifties with short salt and pepper hair get out the passenger side.
It couldn’t be.

She raced to the front door and barreled down the path. “Dad!”

Her father caught her to him, giving her a bear hug that threatened to crush her bones. She savored his warmth, his closeness, before remembering that yesterday he’d been in hospital recovering from a heart attack. And that he’d lied to her her whole life.

“Are you okay?” She pulled back, watching his face closely. “What are you doing here? Did they discharge you already?”

Nicholas Sterling laughed. “One question at a time, honey. I’m okay. The doctors discharged me yesterday afternoon and okayed me to fly to see you. But I have to be careful with some things.” He patted his chest. “Not too much stress. But I feel a lot better.”

“Maybe you should cut down your hours at work.” Ellie narrowed her eyes. Her father could be something of a workaholic.

“I‘ll think about it. Really.” He patted her shoulder. “But I wanted to see you. And tell you that you’re not in danger any more.”

“I know.”

“How do you--”

“Hello, Nicholas.” Katerina walked down the path and stood next to Ellie.

“Katerina.” Her father staggered back a step, looking as if he’d just been sucker-punched. His face, already pale from his time in hospital, whitened even more. “What … what are you doing here?”

“Visiting my daughter. You and your mother did a fine job raising her.”

Ellie watched her parents stare at each other, as if neither of could wrench away their gaze.

Finally, her father realized she was still there. “Where … where’s Logan?” he asked hoarsely.

“In the barn,” Ellie replied.

“Does he know your mother is here?”

“Of course.” She realized this trip had taken more out of her father than he let on. Gently taking his arm, she said, “Come inside and have a cup of tea or hot chocolate.” She looked at him warningly. “I don’t think you should have any coffee.”

“All right.” Still looking shell-shocked, he allowed her to help him into the house, Katerina walking closely on his other side. 

Ellie found herself making a weak cup of tea for her father, wondering if perhaps she should fetch Logan. Although she was trying to hide it, her emotions were in a whirl, even more so now that her dad had suddenly appeared. Although she was glad he seemed okay, she now had questions for him too. It was turning out to be quite a family reunion.

Placing her father’s tea before him, she sat down next to him. Katerina sat opposite, in the same chair she’d occupied earlier.

“I imagine you have a lot of questions,” her father said, before sipping his tea.

That was an understatement. “You lied to me.” Ellie couldn’t keep the hurt out of her voice. “You made me believe my mother died giving birth to me.” She took a deep breath. “I always thought I’d killed her.”

“Oh, Ellie.” Her father gathered her in his arms. “I’m sorry. I never meant you to think like that. Your mother and I thought that was the only explanation we could give you. It was important as few people as possible knew you were her daughter.”

Ellie tried to stem her tears.

“I’m sorry, Ellie,” Katerina said softly. “I never wanted to hurt you. But your father and I thought that him bringing you up on his own was the only solution.”

“But what …” her breath wobbled, “what if you hadn’t wanted me, Dad?” Her tiny voice was muffled against his jacket but from the way his body tensed, she knew he’d heard every word. “Would you have … given me away too? Like … like my mother did?”

“Never,” he said fiercely, holding her to him even tighter. “From the moment I knew your mother was pregnant with you I vowed I would do whatever it took to be your father in every sense of the word.” He drew back from her, so she could see his face. “I begged your mother to marry me, but she couldn’t.” He shared a look with Katerina. “Your mother told me to take good care of you, and she hoped that one day she would be able to meet you.” His tone was wry
.
“I guess that day has come.”

“Your father would never have abandoned you.” Her mother spoke. “And you have no idea how often I wished I could change my decision. From the moment I met your father, I knew he was an honorable man, and that was one of the qualities that attracted me to him.”

Ellie watched her parents exchange a glance across the table. A look that spoke of all they had shared, what they had lost, and a glimmer of hope for the future.

“Did Grandma know?” Ellie asked. “What about Uncle Mark?”

“Yes, your grandmother knew.” Her father sighed. “I swore her to secrecy. And while she didn’t exactly approve of the situation, she did her best for you. But your uncle didn’t know, although he might have had his suspicions. But he knew not to talk about it.”

“I know grandma did her best,” Ellie replied softly. Her grandmother had been a large part of her life, never giving Ellie an inkling that there was more to her background than what she‘d been told. Her death three years ago had been a great loss.

“I love you, Ellie,” her father reassured her. “Never forget that.”

“I won’t,” she replied. Although part of her still felt angry and betrayed at the lies she’d been told, she didn’t doubt her father’s love for her. And her mother’s? She guessed time would tell. She took a deep breath, striving for a lighter tone. “Does this mean I’m a princess?”

Her dad smiled, as she hoped he would. “Katerina?”

“You’ll always be
my
princess,” her mother replied. “Although you have royal blood, because you weren’t born in wedlock, you can’t inherit the throne or a royal title. Those are the customs of my country.” Her eyes misted as she gazed at Ellie. “But you were born in great love.”

Looking at her mother, Ellie was struck once again by how similar their looks were. “We look a lot alike,” she murmured.

“You’re practically the spitting image of your mother when she was twenty-one,” her father said.

“And that didn’t bother you?” Ellie asked.

Her father laid his hand on hers. “Not in the least, honey. In fact, I found it comforting.
I
certainly didn’t mind being reminded of my love for your mother.”

Her parents exchanged another look across the kitchen table, making Ellie wonder if perhaps she should give them a minute to themselves. Before she could say anything, Logan walked into the kitchen.