I squinted at him. “Are you making that up?”
“About the free time?”
“About the world’s largest ball of tin foil.”
“No, it really exists. Haven’t you ever been on a road trip?”
I shook my head. “Not really. I mean, I’ve been on sleigh trips, but you know how fast that thing travels.”
He picked me up and whirled me around, making me laugh. “Oh man, Jayne, you are in for a great time.”
When he put me down and I caught my breath, I tipped my head and tried not to look too skeptical. “If you say so. Although I do really want to see that ball of tin foil now.”
He chuckled. “As your driver and tour guide, I will do my best to make it happen. Now let’s get those suitcases down and get packing.”
Easy for him to say. Even easier for him to do. Planning for a trip that required me to be Princess Jayne in an official capacity took a little more doing.
Good thing we’d just about squared that closet away. I took a deep breath and headed in.
Chapter Five
Sinclair
I didn’t know if Jack was a mind reader or he’d sensed my mood or it was all just serendipity, but I’d never been more pumped about a trip in my life. Okay, our honeymoon was amazing. It really was.
But this was a road trip. In what I knew was going to be a killer RV. And I was getting to drive.
I had a feeling that Jayne’s reluctance, which was about as easy to see as her pretty pointed ears, would disappear in a hot second once we got underway.
And if it didn’t, I’d do everything in my power to help her see just how much fun a road trip could be. I’d stop at every diner, roadside stand, cheesy attraction, scenic overlook and point of interest along the way if it made her happy. Giant balls of tin foil, houses made from beer cans, enormous dinosaur statues…we’d see it all.
I’d enjoy it too. There was something special about seeing the country at your own pace. Finding all the hidden gems along the way. I’d driven cross-country a few times on my own. But this trip, with her at my side, was bound to be epic.
Packing was a real undertaking. It took the better part of our two days. In part because there was some clothing that had to be cleaned and pressed but also in part because we were packing for a more involved excursion. Even our honeymoon hadn’t required this level of wardrobe.
We also hadn’t taken the cats with us on the honeymoon. Ezreal had assured us the RV would be equipped with the necessities they needed, like food bowls, litter box, and a scratching post, but that we should bring anything that might help them feel at home in their new surroundings.
According to Spider and Sugar, this meant toys, treats, their favorite brush, Sugar’s pink blanket that Aunt Birdie had crocheted for her and Spider’s boo mouse, which was actually a catnip-stuffed ghost he’d gotten last Halloween.
As for us, well, I’d never gone on a road trip that required taking suits before, but considering that we were representing the kingdom, I understood. At least we were only doing meet and greets and not full-blown royal functions, like dinners.
Those were a little tedious, if I’m being honest. Usually there was someone interesting to talk to but not always. And on those occasions, being a royal felt like a tremendous amount of work.
I hoped this wasn’t like that. But if it was, I’d suck it up and keep a smile on my face. After all, I’d married Jayne knowing full well what I was getting into.
“I think I’m done.” She stood back from her second suitcase, gazing into it like the secrets of the universe were contained inside. And maybe they were. She certainly had everything else in there. “I just need to get the appropriate jewels from Davide and I’m good to go.”
“What jewels do you need?” I was sure the RV had decent security, but I didn’t love the idea of traveling with the kind of sparklers she typically wore to royal functions.
“My traveling set.” She looked at me. “This is a state secret, by the way, but I have an exact replica of my snowflake tiara done in cubic zirconia. I have a pair of diamond earrings, a diamond bracelet and a House of Frost sapphire and diamond crest done the same way.”
“Really? That’s genius.” And a big relief.
She nodded. “My mom has the same thing. It just takes the risk out of losing the real ones. Or having them swiped, which has never happened yet, thankfully.”
“And thankfully, it won’t be attempted either.”
“Right.” She went to the phone and dialed. “Davide? Hi. Yes. You heard? Okay, great. Yes, for him too. Sure, I’m here. Thanks.” She hung up.
I wiggled my finger at her. “What’s that ‘for him too’ business?”
Her look said I might not like her answer and she didn’t care. “You’re the Prince Consort. Did you think you weren’t getting some sparkly things too?”
I shot a look right back at her. “Like what?”
“Like a good watch and a House of Frost lapel pin.”
“What’s a good watch?”
“The same kind my father wears. A Patek Philippe. Although yours won’t have as many diamonds.”
“Well, then, that’s fine.” I almost laughed. If all I had to do to look princely was wear a flashy fake watch and a lapel pin, I was good with it.
Davide showed up a few minutes later with a simple black case. It had a fingerprint lock, which he programmed to open using either of our index fingers, and then we were done.
When he left, I looked at Jayne. “Should we call for the footmen then?”
She looked around, a little bit of longing in her gaze. “I guess so. I can’t believe we’re leaving this brand-new apartment. We’ve barely moved in.”
“We’ll be back.”
“I know.” She still didn’t look happy.
“Hey,” I said softly. “Home is where we make it. And with Spider and Sugar with us, what else do we need?”
She nodded. “You’re right, I know. I just…” She shrugged. “I feel a little melancholy, that’s all.”
“You’re allowed.”
Spider and Sugar came tearing through, jumped on the bed, then back off the bed and out again.
She laughed. “They’d better get that out of their system. There won’t be room for that nonsense on the camper.”
I laughed. “Honey, it is not a camper. I promise.”
“You haven’t seen it.”
“Yeah, but I have a pretty good idea of what a forty-five-foot RV is going to look like.” I gave her side a little tickle, then grinned my most lecherous grin. “Just think. You’re going to be trapped with me.”
She laughed. “You’ll be driving. Hard for you to do much from behind the wheel.”
I stalked closer, still leering. “But when we stop…”
She shrieked and tried to dodge past me, but I caught her. “I have to call the footmen!”
I nuzzled her neck. “The footmen can wait.”
And wait they did. An hour later, after our recreational activities, they arrived to haul all our stuff down to the South exit, where Ezreal and a large crawler awaited us.