His grandmother flicked him a glance. “At last.”

  “Tell us everything, darling,” his mother implored him.

  Vincenzo’s next words would bring the house down, but they had to be said.

  “Valentina has called off the wedding.”

  “What did you say?” His mother jumped to her feet. “That’s impossible.”

  “You heard me, Mamma.”

  “I don’t believe it!” She looked shell-shocked, but his grandmother said nothing. Vincenzo didn’t understand her silence. That was strange.

  “I do,” Alfredo spoke up at once. “From the time the suggestion of a betrothal between Valentina and Vincenzo was proposed, they knew he was second in line for the throne. When Rinieri was injured and couldn’t carry on as Crown Prince, that put my grandson at the forefront. They expected Vincenzo to become King.”

  Vincenzo thanked his grandfather silently. That was as good an excuse as any the older man could think of for her getting out of an engagement neither of them wanted.

  “He still should be,” his mother cried.

  “No,” Alfredo muttered. “Now that Rinieri is miraculously better and expecting an heir, Vincenzo is no longer a candidate. I’m afraid the disappointment was too much for them and Valentina.”

  Letting out a cry of pain, his mother left the bedroom. His grandmother followed. Vincenzo walked over to the bed and grasped his grandfather’s hand. “You’re right, Nonno.”

  Thank heaven the old man was a realist, even if he didn’t know what was going on in Valentina’s head. The problem was Vincenzo’s mother. She’d grown way too attached to Valentina and was obsessed by her dreams for the two of them. Now the visions of the wedding and all it would signify in the years to come had gone up in smoke. Bella, on the other hand, would be thrilled for him. She believed in true love, period.

  Dimmed gray eyes focused on him. “How are you handling this?”

  “I’m fine, Nonno. I’ve already met with Marko and taken care of things.”

  “You were wise not to have the financial transaction take place until the day of the wedding. If I’m not wrong, you’re much more worried about Karl than the woman you almost married.”

  “Nobody fools you,” he murmured. Vincenzo patted his arm and stood up. “I need to have Karl put down, but I’m dreading it.”

  “Daniel will take care of it.”

  Yes, but Vincenzo didn’t want the owner of the clinic to perform that service. Someone else had been on his mind for the last week giving him restless nights. He no longer had to feel any guilt about that. “What can I do for you before I see to Karl? Shall I ask Mother and Nonna to come back?”

  “No. We need to give them time. Elsa will be bringing my dinner in a few minutes.”

  Elsa wasn’t only a wonderful caregiver, she’d become his grandfather’s friend. “I’ll be in later to say good-night.”

  He walked over to the love seat. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go back to my room and I’ll ring for dinner. Afterward I’ll let you sleep with me. How does that sound?”

  An hour later he finished some business calls and phoned Luca with his news. His friend was overjoyed for him and agreed something serious and secret had to be going on with Valentina for her to break off the engagement with that neglect excuse. After they hung up, he was eating his dinner when his mother came in the suite. “We need to talk, Vincenzo.”

  “Please sit down. I know the news of our broken engagement has come as a blow to you.”

  “But not you?”

  He walked over to the couch and put his arm around Karl. “If you want to know the truth—and I believe you’d prefer honesty between us—I’d like the kind of marriage you had with Papa.”

  “We were happy.” His mother sank down in a chair. Her marriage to his father had been special.

  “I never felt Valentina and I were right for each other, but for Papa’s sake and yours I was willing to try and make it work. Now I don’t have to.”

  “I knew you weren’t enthusiastic, but I’d hoped you and Valentina would grow closer. She has to be devastated.”

  “Valentina wanted to be Queen, Mamma.” Might as well use his grandfather’s words. “In time her parents will find her another prince who will elevate her to the status she wants.” He had no idea what Valentina really wanted.

  His mother sat forward. “What we have to do now is arrange for a betrothal between you and Princess Constanza. You need to be settled with a wife, and I like her. If your father were still here, he’d insist on it.” His mother had become much more overbearing since his father’s death.

  Vincenzo shook his head. “No more of that, Mamma. Rini met the love of his life and married her even though she was a commoner. He had the right idea. I’m no longer looking for a princess. When I meet the right woman and fall in love, I’ll marry her.”

  “You can’t mean that! I forbid it.”

  He burst into laughter. “Mamma—look what has happened. You and Papa tried your best for me by finding Princess Valentina, but it didn’t work. I honored your wishes. Now I would like you to honor mine and accept how I feel.”

  “But Constanza has been crazy about you since she and Bella became best friends years ago. She’s lovely and an heiress who would bring Lorchat Robotics Corporation with her.”

  “I like Constanza, but I’m not in love with her and never could be. It’s out of the question. When the right nonroyal woman comes along for me, I plan to marry her.”

  She got to her feet. “Wait until your grandparents hear about this.”

  “You can talk to them, but no one will change my mind.”

  “Vincenzo? You’re not thinking clearly right now,” she said in an authoritative voice. “I’m going to leave you and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”

  He walked her to the door and kissed her cheek. “You need a good night’s sleep, Mamma. Thank you for taking such good care of Karl today. That meant more to me than anything.”

  “He’s been a remarkable dog. It pains me that he’s gotten so old. But I’m more pained to think that you won’t be marrying Valentina. I know you liked her. Don’t forget that she’s been in love with you for a whole year. Since you refuse to consider Constanza, I’d like to believe there’s still hope for you and Valentina. This isn’t over yet. Wait and see. Good night.”

  He shut the door behind her. His poor mother. She refused to see the truth and wasn’t about to give up on her dream. No doubt she would try to think up an added incentive to win over Valentina and her family, but Vincenzo had news for her. Without the timber fortune, nothing else could make up for it with Stefano. Fortunately, Bella would be coming home from her trip soon. He needed an ally.

  His gaze flicked to the loving dog who lay there without moving. It was time...

  * * *

  Daniel had worked out a schedule. Each vet would work at the clinic one Saturday a month, half day for emergencies. Francesca was just finishing up her Saturday duty before leaving at two when the last call came in at the desk. She picked up. “Zoller Veterinary Clinic—”

  “Dr. Linard?”

  Her pulse raced. She knew that deep voice. “Your Highness? How’s Karl?”

  “I think you already know.” His mournful tone said it all.

  “Why don’t you bring him to the clinic. We’re closing in a few minutes, but I’ll stay and we’ll take care of him.”

  “Thank you. I’m on my way.”

  Francesca clicked off, steeling herself not to give in to the sadness. She went to the examining room to prepare the IV that would relax Karl and put him to permanent sleep.

  When everything was ready, she walked through the clinic and opened the front door. A glorious August day greeted her. She leaned against the framework with her arms folded across her waist. The Prince’s image had been on her mind since the first day he’d come in the clinic with Karl. This would be his last visit. She should be glad because her attraction to him was too strong and pure insanity.

  Francesca started to turn away when she saw his black Mercedes approach. As she watched his tall, fit body get out and carry a limp Karl toward her, sadness crept through her. Pain lines defined the Prince’s unforgettable male features.

  “Bun di, Karl,” she murmured good morning in Romansh and kissed the top of his head. He lifted it a trifle, but not enough to lick her. “Follow me.” She walked ahead of them until they reached the designated room.

  Vincenzo laid him on the table. He leaned over. “You’re with friends, Karl.” His dog moaned as if he understood completely.

  Her gaze collided with the Prince’s mournful eyes. “If you’ll steady him, I’ll administer the dose in his back leg. It’ll relax him and send him into sleep.”

  “This is it,” he whispered. His grief reached inside her.

  “Yes, and the best way. Merciful. When you two are in heaven together one day, he’ll thank you.”

  “You believe that?” he whispered.

  “I’m planning on being reunited with all my pets. My latest dog, Mitzi, had to be put down while I was away at medical school. I plan to see her again one day.”

  Tears had filled those incredibly blue eyes. He looked down. “It’s okay, buddy.”

  The dog didn’t stir as Francesca inserted the IV. She stared at Karl. “You’re going to have the most wonderful dreams. You’ll be running and chasing everything in sight. You’ll be joined with other dogs who will be there to play with you. Your life is just beginning, darling Karl.”

  Within a minute and a half, he was gone. She knew the Prince needed time alone with him, so she left the room and went out to the desk to wait.

  He appeared ten minutes later, his eyes still moist. She looked up at him from the computer.

  “Karl passed without any trauma. That’s because he knew he was in the hands of an angel,” he told her.

  “Thank you, but you gave him the constant love in his life. Do you want an urn with his ashes delivered to the palace?”

  “No. I have pictures and videos to remember him.”

  “My sentiments exactly.”

  After a pause, “Dr. Linard, when will you be off work?”

  Her pulse sped up for no good reason. Why did he want to know that? “In fifteen minutes.” She needed to take care of Karl.

  “Do you have plans for the rest of the day?”

  She blinked. “Only to go home and get some housework done.”

  “If I come by then, would you be willing to take a drive with me to Karl’s favorite spot where he loved to chase around?”

  The invitation thrilled her to the core of her being, but it was out of the question. “Surely your fiancée, Princess Valentina, will want to go with you.” Francesca would never consider it.

  “I’m afraid not. Our engagement has been called off permanently.”

  Permanently? She reeled. He wasn’t marrying her cousin? What was going on?

  The news surprised her for several reasons she didn’t dare examine. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness.”

  He shook his dark head. “It was an arranged engagement that didn’t work out.”

  What? She had so many questions, but couldn’t ask one. “Still, this must be a painful day for you.”

  “Learning about your dog, only you could understand my feelings at the moment.” His emotions stirred hers. “Will you come with me?”

  She could hardly breathe, let alone refuse what her heart wanted. “I’d love to. I bet Karl will be there wondering what took you so long.”

  A compelling smile broke out on his handsome face. “Imagine his joy when you show up with me.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER Dr. Linard left the clinic and walked to Vincenzo’s car carrying her purse. The sun gilded her hair. Without her uniform, her feminine curves looked fabulous in jeans and a short-sleeved print blouse. She had to be five foot five. Her beauty electrified him.

  He got out. “Why don’t I follow you to your home, and we’ll go from there.”

  “Luckily I live here in Zernez.”

  “Perfect. Don’t mind my security people trailing us. They go where I go.”

  She smiled and walked over to a yellow Volkswagen. He loved her choice of car and enjoyed trailing her to the apartment complex with flower boxes where she lived.

  “I’ll run in and be right out.”

  “No hurry,” he called to her. He noticed she lived on the second floor. When she returned, he opened the front passenger door for her and they were off. Her flowery fragrance wafted past him.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To the mountains outside Scuol about ten minutes from here.”

  “What made them so special for Karl?”

  “He liked to find ground-nesting birds and bark at them. His favorites were several families of skylarks and corncrakes hiding in the grass.”

  She smiled. “I never did hear him bark.”

  “He loved scaring them.”

  Francesca’s laughter infected him. “I can only imagine how much you’re going to miss him. He had the sweetest disposition.”

  “I never had a dog like him.”

  “You’re lucky he was able to live with you to the very end. I told you about Mitzi. She was a Bernese Mountain Dog like Karl. I was away at school and didn’t get to say goodbye to her.”

  He took in her profile. “I’m sorry about that. Our pets mean a lot.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  “Where did you study?”

  “In Milano.”

  All the time she was in school there, his former fiancée lived in the same city. But it was no good to think about the “what-ifs.”

  Vincenzo took a turnoff and the car climbed to a higher elevation. He parked at a vista overlooking the familiar alpine scenery and turned off the engine.

  “What a beautiful sight!” She turned to him. “This is heaven. Can you see Karl yet?” Her warm brown-eyes twinkled. The sad day was turning out to be something else.

  “Why don’t we try to find him?” he teased.

  “You’re on.”

  They both got out and followed a path that led to some trees. “Karl would sit here and wait until he heard the low buzz-like call of the corncrakes.”

  Her eyes wandered over him. “Will I know it if I hear it?”

  This playful woman was getting to him. “Let’s find out.” They both sat on a log where Karl would sit at his feet.

  Different kinds of birdsong filled the air while they listened. After five minutes the funny buzz sounds rent the air. She jumped up with the joy of a child. “I heard it!”

  Nothing got past her. He stood up. “You certainly did. Maybe Karl is spooking them for you.”

  “Oh, I hope so!”

  They stood there together smiling into each other’s eyes and waited. Pretty soon they heard more on-and-off buzzes. A couple of the little birds scuttled through the grass. “Karl’s after them, all right.”

  She looked up at him, her face glowing. “Thank you for bringing me here. The second I heard your voice on the phone earlier, I knew the reason. But being here where you said Karl loves to play has relieved much of my sadness.”

  His eyes darkened. “Mine too.”

  “From now on I’ll think of him up on this mountain having the time of his life. I love the mountains too.”

  He didn’t want this day to be over. “How would you like to get a bite to eat on our way back?”

  “That sounds good. I skipped lunch because of the shorter day.”

  “I couldn’t eat anything today, but now I find I’m hungry.”

  “Understood.”

  Vincenzo drove them to Zernez, asking her more about her work with Daniel. He stopped at a drive-through for ham-and-cheese croissants, which they both enjoyed.

  Much as he’d wanted to take her to a restaurant, he didn’t want to create publicity until the news of his broken engagement had circulated and died down. For now, this kind of excursion would have to do. Despite saying goodbye to Karl, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this relaxed and happy. She’d made all the difference.

  Once he’d driven her to the apartment complex, he shut off the engine and turned to her. “I want to thank you for helping me get through this day.”

  “To be honest, it helped me too,” came her unexpected response without looking at him. “I find I’m attached to all my patients, especially ones that look like my last dog. Karl headed the list. Daniel says I need to toughen up, but I have a feeling there’s no cure for it.”

  Every word out of her mouth enchanted him. He had to see her again. “Since you told me Daniel asked you to watch some videos on the Biosphere Reserve, I thought you might be interested in meeting the biologist who used to work with Dr. Zenger. The conservation board is meeting Tuesday evening at the information center here in Zernez. The chief ranger of the park will be speaking.”

  “I would absolutely love it!” she exclaimed without hesitation. “I was envious when Daniel told me Dr. Zenger helped take care of some of the animals up there. What time does this meeting start and I’ll drive over.”

  “Seven o’clock. The information center consists of three buildings. The meeting will take place in the Planta-Wildenberg castle. I’ll look for you there.”

  “Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity, and for the dinner.” She started to get out of the car.

  “It was my pleasure. See you there.”

  He waited until he could see she was safely inside her apartment, then he left for home with a new excitement. Only three more days before he saw her again.

  When Tuesday arrived, it dragged on. After talking to a couple of plant managers who had complicated problems, Vincenzo took off for Zernez later than he’d intended. Dr. Linard had arrived ahead of him. She was surrounded by mostly male members of the board in the small conference room. Gian Mattlis, the head biologist, was talking animatedly with her. No surprise there. She looked fabulous in a peach-colored two-piece suit with short sleeves.