The Princess Problem by Diane Darcy Page B

She tried to see it through the eyes of a man who lived in a mansion, but found it didn’t matter. She loved the place, and he was right--it was her. “Thank you.”
    She set her rose on the kitchen counter and hurriedly picked up a few things she’d left lying around, stacking paperwork on the kitchen table, then bundling sweaters, shoes, and a couple of shirts in her arms to take with her into the bedroom.
    He looked pleased, his lips curving when he spotted the pink rose in a vase on her coffee table. He didn’t say anything, just stood there looking gorgeous, and Alicia headed for her bedroom, suddenly in a hurry to start their date.
    “Alicia.”
    She stopped. “Yes?”
    “I just want to thank you for everything.” He shrugged. “This is the first time my mother has been excited about anything since my dad died. It’s like she’s come back to life. I know your project is what pulled her out of her depression. So, thank you. It’s a big deal to me.”
    Alicia clutched the clothes in her arms a little tighter. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad it’s worked out so well for all of us. This has been a great chance for me, too.”
    He nodded once.
    Alicia tried to still the sudden suspicion taking root in her mind. Could Jonas’s mother be the reason he was interested in Alicia? She knew how much he loved his mother. Could keeping his mom happy and excited about life be the reason Jonas was dating her? It had been pretty obvious from the beginning that his mother would be pleased if they got together. And really, what did Alicia and Jonas have in common except his mother? His mother who asked him to take her out tonight?
    It was a real let down to think that might be the only reason he was there with her now.
    Again, she had to remind herself that this was just a date. She wasn’t making life and death decisions here. All the same, it was an added incentive to protect her heart.
    She smiled to cover her emotional turmoil, but didn’t quite look at him as she handed him the remote control for the TV. “I’ll be out in fifteen minutes or so. Make yourself at home.”
     
    * * *
     
    On the way to the gardens, Jonas pulled over and stopped at the Elephant’s Delicatessen. “I hope you don’t mind, but it’s sort of a tradition. Whenever we go out to the International Rose Test Garden, we stop here and pick up a sack picnic.”
    “Sounds great to me.”
    Alicia glanced up at the elephant sign as they went inside the round building and headed to an empty spot at the counter. “What’s the motto here? One bite at a time?”
    Jonas laughed. “I’ll have to suggest it to the management.”
    There were very few tables in the main area, but it looked like they had more around the corner. The place was crowded, smelled wonderful, and had fancy jams, cured olives, and cheeses on display. Sumptuous bowls of salad were laid out behind a long glass case.
    “So what’s good?” she asked.
    “Any of the sandwiches.”
    They ordered--Alicia getting a turkey sandwich and Jonas a club--and before long they were on their way again, picnic in hand.
    When they arrived at the garden, Jonas was quick to open her door and carry their dinner. She picked up her sweater and followed.
    He indicated a brick pathway. “Let’s go this way.”
    Alicia followed. “I suppose with your mother being who she is, you know all the best places.”
    “Not just my mom, but my dad, too. They liked to come here together. Mom could spend hours rhapsodizing over any new species of rose and my dad liked to indulge her. I spent a lot of time here while I was growing up.” He lifted the bag he carried. “They could usually talk me into coming by bribing me with food.”
    As they walked up the path, there were quite a few people wandering along in the various levels of the garden. They passed sculptures and plaques interspersed with row after row of beautiful roses in different colors and sizes. The aroma was wonderful.
    “There are over