The Millionaire's Royal Rescue

She wasn’t so sure Grayson was going to accompany her. He was worried and she couldn’t blame him, not after what he went through. But this wasn’t her first time without a bodyguard and she highly doubted it would be her last. Sometimes she just needed some privacy and that was tough to do with someone always looking over your shoulder.

She glanced around. Hers was the only car in the parking lot. Everything would be all right. They wouldn’t stay long. And contrary to her desires, she wasn’t alone.

She started up the path leading to the historic landmark. The cipher had said PLACARD. TWO. THREE. Which, if this was the place, had to be just up ahead. She prayed she was right. She just wanted this to be over and to finally have the answers that would hopefully bring her family back together again.

“Annabelle, wait.”

She paused and turned to find Grayson striding toward her. He wore a frown on his face that marred his handsomeness just a smidgen. And even if he wasn’t happy about being here, she found comfort in his presence. Because maybe she wasn’t feeling as brave as she’d like everyone to think. But she refused to be intimidated by that note. She was onto something; she just knew it.

“You’re going to do this no matter what I say, aren’t you?” His concerned gaze searched hers.

“I am.”

He nodded. “Then lead the way.”

“Thank you,” she said, not expecting a response. But she was grateful that he wasn’t going to fight her any longer.

They continued down the windy path that led them to a spot near the cliff that overlooked the sea. Here there was a small park area. There was a sign explaining the historic significance of the spot, but Annabelle wasn’t up for a history lesson right now. She needed to see if this was the place with the next clue to her mother’s murder and if not, they needed to move on.

“The message said there would be a placard. Do you see one?” Annabelle gazed around the circular patio area. There were a few tables and benches scattered about. But she didn’t see a placard.

Grayson was making his way around the circle. “Over here.”

He was standing near a rock wall that butted up against a hillside at the back of the park. She rushed over to where he was standing. She looked around and found a bronze placard in the rock wall. It was dedicated to all of the heroes who had defended their homeland in 1714.

“Do you think that

’s it?” Annabelle’s stomach shivered with nerves. Part of her wanted the truth but the other part of her worried about what she might learn. After all of this time, wondering and imagining what might have happened to her mother, she was surprised by her sudden hesitancy.

“Annabelle, what’s wrong?” Grayson sent her a concerned look.

“Nothing.” She was being silly. They had to find the answers. “Let’s do this.”

Grayson reached for her hand. “You do realize that this might not be the right place?”

She nodded. “But we won’t know until we look.”

Together they counted out the rocks, not quite sure where the starting point might be. The first try didn’t pan out. The rock in the wall was firmly in there and there was no way they or anyone else was moving it without some serious tools. The second rock they tried had the same results.

“I’m starting to think I got the clues wrong,” Annabelle said, feeling silly for taking Grayson on this pointless trip.

“Don’t give up just yet. I think this rock is loose.” Grayson gripped the stone and wiggled it. “Yes, it’s definitely loose.”

“This could be it.” She moved forward, planning to help.

Before she could move into a position where she could reach the stone, Grayson jiggled it free. Her mouth gaped, but no words would come out. They’d found it. Would they at last have answers or find yet another coded message?

Grayson gestured toward the wall. “Well, don’t just stand there, see if you can find anything.”

His voice prompted her into action. She felt around inside the hole and grimaced when she realized there were bugs, slime and a whole host of other disgusting things in there. But then in the back of the cavity, her fingers ran across something different. Much different.

“I think there’s a plastic bag in here.”

“That’s good. Can you pull it out?”

It was hung up in some soft dirt, but she easily pulled it free. The bag was covered in muck, forcing Annabelle to swipe it off with her hand if she had any hope of seeing what was inside.

“Is there anything else in there?” Grayson asked.