7:58 am—Stetson-King Household

"Philip, it's your mother," Amanda greeted after the beep on her son's voicemail. "I know you have your big presentation at the Pentagon, and you're probably too old to have your mother wish you luck before these things anymore, but I just wanted to say—before you have to go in for that meeting—that I love you, I'm proud of you, and I'm sure you'll do great!" Amanda sighed softly. "Well, that was about it. Call us and let us know how it went—I mean, if you can. And tell Julie and the twins that we love them. We'll see you Sunday for dinner."

Amanda hung up the phone before she turned to her stove in the kitchen to prepare a good breakfast. Jennifer probably wouldn't be hungry for another day or so, but she wanted to make sure that some toast, applesauce, yogurt, and other easily digested foods were at least available on demand. As for herself, she happened to like big breakfasts—no matter how against them her husband was. She liked the sound of bacon crackling on the stove, the smell of waffles on the iron, and the taste of freshly squeezed orange juice. Every once in a while—especially when she was by herself—she would indulge in a nice breakfast. She might even go out into the garden and pick a rose for her breakfast tray.

The phone rang, and Amanda reached for it and expertly put it in the crook of her neck before cracking an egg in the bowl. "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Amanda King's phone number?"

"Who's calling?"

"An old friend," the woman said with a surprisingly characteristic smile in her tone.

"Penny?" Amanda cried in surprise as an unbroken egg dropped from her hands into the waffle batter she was making.

"I thought it was you," the princess greeted with a laugh. "How are you?"

"Me? I'm fine," Amanda stammered, picking the egg up with a grimace before she took the egg to the sink and rinsed it off. "How about you?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Rheza and I are visiting Washington again. I was hoping that you might come—and that maybe you could convince Mr. Stetson to join you? I'd love to hear whatever happened between the two of you," she said in a conspiratorial whisper.

Amanda laughed somewhat nervously. "I'd love to tell you something, but—"

"Oh, Amanda, am I keeping you from going to work? I know you were looking for work the last time we talked, and I just—I didn't think," Penny interrupted with instant concern.

"No," Amanda shook her head. "Actually, I had to take the day off. My daughter's home sick from school."

"Daughter?" Penny cried in surprise. "You didn't have a daughter last time I visited."

"I didn't?" Amanda asked, her smile faltering.

"No," the princess said with a droll smile sounding in her voice. "I take it that things with Mr. Stetson have progressed well?"

Amanda swallowed. "I'm really looking forward to your visit—it will give us a chance to catch up," she said after a moment.

The sound of footsteps upstairs told Amanda that Jennifer had hurried to the bathroom once again. "You know, I hate to cut this short, but my daughter's got the stomach flu, and I really should see if she's all right."

"Of course," Penny said kindly.

Amanda managed a small chuckle. "I'll call you back."

"Oh, don't bother," Penny said with a sigh. "You'll have quite the time trying to get through. What time would be a better time to call?"

"Well, maybe tomorrow," she said with a shrug. "Everything should be fine by then."

"Tomorrow it is," Penny said with a nod. "But if that doesn't happen, please tell me you'll come with Lee to the Embassy? I've specifically requested him as our agency contact."

"I'll do my best," Amanda promised.

"Good-bye, Amanda," Penny said with a smile. "I hope your daughter gets well soon."

"Thank you, Penny," Amanda said with a small half-smile. "I'll talk to you later."

Amanda shook her head as she hung up the phone. Imagine that, after all these years of exchanging infrequent letters, Penny had called to see how she was doing—and to let her know that the royal couple would be in Washington next week. It would be so good to see her again.

Amanda hurried up the stairs and headed for her daughter's bedroom. "How are you doing, sweetheart?"

Jennifer managed a weak smile. "I've decided to give up trying to sleep for the next few hours. I thought maybe I'd watch some TV."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Amanda said with a nod. "Besides, if you're downstairs, I can keep an eye on that fever of yours."

"I was hoping you'd bring the TV up here."

"Nice try, sweetheart," Amanda said with a small chuckle. "But it will do you good to get out of your bedroom. So, grab your blanket and your pillow, and head downstairs."

The teenager nodded slowly as she rolled out of bed. Amanda helped her gather her blanket and pillow, and walked down the stairs with her.

"What are you missing at school today?" Amanda asked.

"Nothing much," Jennifer mumbled. "We've really only just gotten into the new material for the school year."

"I see," Amanda said with a nod. "Well, we'll get you caught up in no time."

"I'm not worried," Jennifer said with a shrug as she settled herself on the couch.

Amanda helped her get her blanket and pillow situated as Jennifer turned on the television with the remote control. "What are you going to watch?"

"I don't know yet," Jennifer said with a shrug. "If there's nothing on, I'll probably turn on a movie."

"Will it bother you if I make some waffles in the kitchen?" Amanda asked as she carefully brushed a strand of hair from her daughter's face.

Jennifer grimaced. "Not as long as you don't expect me to eat one."

"Of course not—at least not until you're feeling like you want to try real food again," Amanda said as she leaned down and kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Hey, when does Dad come home?" Jennifer asked as her mother walked back into the kitchen.

"He's scheduled to be on a flight this afternoon around 2. I was supposed to pick him up from the airport around 3:30," Amanda explained as she went back to whipping up the waffle batter. "But I think I'll probably ask Philip and Julie if they can go and get him or I'll have him take a cab."

"Mom, I think I can manage to take care of myself while you go and get Dad," Jennifer said with a shake of her head.

"I know," Amanda admitted. "But I still want to be here—just in case you need me, okay? Your dad will understand. Besides, your dad's flight could be delayed—I haven't been able to reach him this morning because of his meetings—so it would probably be best for him to just take a cab."

"If you say so," Jennifer said with a shrug as she returned to her television program.