“I’m going—” Someone knocked on my door, and I groaned, groped for my pillow, and covered my head. “No. Make them go away”
William laughed, lifted my pillow, and kissed my cheek. “I’ll go answer the door.”
“Naked? Don’t answer the door naked,” I complained.
“I’ll wear your bathrobe.”
I was so glad I had an extra-large one for maximum snuggling capacity, as it would leave him appropriately covered. Rolling over, I burrowed into the blanket and waited for William to drive away whoever was at the door.
Instead of making them go away, he invited them in, and I heard Jessica’s laughter in the other room. Groaning, I got out of bed, and dressed, ending up wearing my pants and his dress shirt.
I gave up and wore his clothes. If Jessica wanted me appropriately dressed, she’d have to come back another day.
My living room had an infestation of royalty and two RPS agents, one of whom was an apologetic Geoff. The young child clinging to Pat’s legs captured my attention, and I blinked at him, trying to remember the name of the miniature human no older than five or six.
Geoff seemed a lot easier to handle pre-coffee. “You’re supposed to be home today, tomorrow, and for the rest of the weekend. I’m hurt, Geoff. You earned that vacation.”
The head of my detail pointed at William. “I tattled on him, and Jessica offered me overtime pay to watch over you both. My wife wants to go to the beach with her lady friends. I’m not invited. Then, while you were getting dressed, His Royal Majesty informed us you had an altercation with the head of his detail.”
“I had to demonstrate I was equipped with a dictionary including the word no.” I yawned and wandered to the kitchen to discover someone had started making a pot of coffee. “Just for the record, Mireya called, she woke us up, and she heard William. She thought I’d brought home a stranger.”
Mireya’s father chuckled and thumped onto my couch. “What Mackenzie isn’t telling you is that she told Mireya there were two horses to distract her from the fact I’m here, and she directed our daughter at Adam. If there aren’t actually horses, I’ll provide them.”
“She already bought two horses,” Jessica confirmed. “Pat agreed to sell Alexander the Great, and we’re also selling Bacon and Eggs.”
William’s eyebrows rose. “All right. I’m going to concede this battle now, since I can’t provide a horse capable of consistently beating Alexander the Great. Maybe if Maximus got lucky.”
I snorted. “Maximus? You have a horse named Maximus?”
“Maximus is my baby,” William protested with a pout. “Alexander the Great can’t beat Maximus on the track, but Alexander’s one of the best jumpers I’ve ever seen. Bacon and Eggs is an unknown to me, though.”
Jessica chuckled. “Bacon and Eggs is a knabstrupper and looks like she’ll be a promising jumper.”
“How much were they? I’ll pay for them. And no, Mackenzie, you aren’t going to win this one. If I thought I could get away with it, I’d cover all your expenses until you come home with me.”
I considered it, scowling while waiting for the coffee to finish brewing. When I relented and joined him in Montana, an inevitability I wouldn’t resist much, everything would change. I wouldn’t be paying for my way like I was used to.
I’d work, and I’d work hard, but it wouldn’t be a traditional employment. Could I manage to be a mother first and queen second? My coffee maker beeped, and I snatched a mug, filled it, and took a cautious sip. “All right.”
Silence.
I turned to face the gathered royals, and all three of them gaped at me, their mouths hanging open. I arched a brow and took another sip of my coffee. “Is it that hard to believe?”
They nodded, and I glanced in Geoff’s direction. He grinned. “You’re remarkably stubborn, Mackenzie. I expect His Majesty was planning on spending weeks convincing you to let him help on the financial front.”
“If I don’t let him, he’ll just go behind my back and do it anyway. I know how he operates.”
William stretched and smirked. “How right you are. Please bill me for the horses, Jessica, along with any other extra expenses you’ve picked up that you’re hiding from Mackenzie. Mackenzie, if you forward me your credit card statements, I’ll have them cleared, too. It’ll take a few days, but I’ll have cards drawn up on my accounts for your use.”
“Traditionally, you’re supposed to wait until we’re married before you add me to your accounts.”
“We’re an untraditional family, and I’d be a lot happier if you have my cards as fallback for the next few months until you finish your business here in Texas. After the auction, I’m taking you home with me. And since I won’t ruin Texas’s auction, I’ll volunteer to marry you in a horrifically elaborate ceremony Jessica can—”
Jessica squealed, louder than my daughter could ever hope to accomplish. “You have a deal.”
I drank my coffee, sighed, and glared at Pat. “You’re going to go along with this, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I can recognize a battle I can’t win. Why are you two here so early in the morning?”
Jessica joined me in the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. “We have a session in an hour, so our morning is blown, and since you have a stray, I thought I’d welcome him to Texas properly. I also fetched Geoff for you. William, no chasing the head of her detail off, and I mean it. I don’t want any more evening calls where he’s complaining you’re doing his job.”
“Protecting her is my fucking job,” William snarled.
“Down, boy,” I ordered, snapping my fingers him. “You owe Geoff a raise. Because of you, he had to fetch me out of trees.”
“I’m planning on offering him a very lucrative salary to move to Montana. I’m pretty sure my security budget is going to be blown hiring him out from under Jessica and Pat.”
“You don’t have to go with him if you don’t want to, Geoff, no matter how much he postures. No is an allowed word,” Jessica announced.
“I’ll ask the wife.”
Jessica turned to William and pointed her mug at him. “You will make him a reasonable job offer. You will not break your security budget luring him away from Texas. You’ll upset Mackenzie if you do, as she’ll eventually have to deal with the budget.”
If I didn’t intervene, there’d be a royal brawl in my living room. Sighing, I drank my coffee and considered the best way to put an end to the brewing feud. “Geoff, please email me a proposal for what would make you relocate to Montana and put up with me, what incentives you’d like, and assume there’ll be a full relocation package for you and your family. You’re probably the only reasonable person here.”
“I’ll send a proposal after I talk with the missus.”
I smiled my sweetest smile at William. “He’s a much more reasonable person than you are.”
“You’re wicked. Please marry me.”
“Well, you opened your mouth and agreed to marry someone so Texas looks good for the rest of the world. I might take pity on you. We’ll see. I need to get ready for work.”
“Wearing my shirt?”
“Please tell me someone brought this pest some clothing.”
Jessica laughed and pointed at the door. “His RPS team arrived an hour ago. They’re getting set up at the palace and making arrangements for the weekend. I’m covering his security for today and tomorrow. They’ll be augmenting my RPS agents for the trail ride. Just keep Geoff with you and pretend there aren’t a few extra men and women around. We’ll be making the announcement you’re in Texas to discuss the auction today, William. Wear your mask unless you’re in here, please.”
William sighed, and his shoulders slumped. “I hate that damned thing.”
“I know. If you have a spare, I’ll ask my team about making a bracelet for you with the same function. My folks are specialized in offensive talents, but we’ve made our suppressors into bracelets. As long as it dampens your magic, it d
oesn’t need to be a mask.”
“What are you going to charge me for that?”
“I’ll take a promising thoroughbred so you don’t trounce me next time we race horses. I’ll even be nice and give the filly to Pat so he isn’t jealous.”
I frowned. “Why haven’t they given you something other than a mask? Beyond worrying you’d be assaulted by every woman with working ovaries whenever you make public appearances.”
Jessica giggled. “Sorry, William. She’s not the only one who was obsessed with that rather lewd comment you made.”
Bowing his head, William groaned. “I was toying with the reporter.”
“You were flirting with Mackenzie on television and used that poor reporter to do it. There’s a frenzy of speculation now, most of it sadly accurate. I’ve had members of congress contact me asking if we should up Mackenzie’s security. Mackenzie, if he bothers you, I’ll remove him.”
I laughed. “He’s my assistant for the next two days, so don’t let him escape while I’m getting ready for work.”
Jessica snickered. “You’re going to have a difficult time getting rid of him, so never fear. He’ll still be here by the time you’re ready for work. If he tries to run, Geoff can shock him.”
“Damned shockers,” William muttered. “Please don’t shock me. It’s too early in the morning.”
I left them in my living room to get ready to face the day and the reality I’d fallen in with a king determined to keep me in his life no matter the cost.
Chapter Thirty-Two
His and Her Majesty of Texas had kidnapped William by the time I finished getting ready for work. Shooting accusing glares at Geoff earned me a crooked grin.
“He got dressed while you were in the shower,” he announced.
“He was supposed to be my assistant for today.”
“You wouldn’t get anything done. I’m sure you’ll see him again this evening. If they’re going to cover his presence here, he needs to be seen with them. You’re going to be going in for half a day of work, then you’re going to meet up with them for a trail ride in the afternoon. They’ve decided His Royal Majesty’s presence is worth beginning the ride early. Tomorrow will be a private ride including you four, with agents following at a distance. Saturday and Sunday will include other potential participants.”
“And he was okay with this?”
“He was convinced. It wasn’t hard. I suggested if he was in your office all day, he might turn you into a target. That got him on the move. He seems easy enough to manage for a royal.”
“You don’t have to come to Montana, no matter what he says.”
Geoff chuckled. “It isn’t unheard of for RPS agents to move to a different kingdom and serve a new monarch. It’s considered an honor, and in this case, it comes with a raise and a promotion. I’ll want to retire eventually, but this puts me in a position to be able to transition to management and planning instead of active duty. The head of a monarch’s detail still serves as a bodyguard, but the job involves training and monitoring active agents, too. It’s a good deal for me. I wouldn’t have that opportunity here. While His Royal Majesty already has his own head of detail, I’ll have different responsibilities with you. I expect my wife will enjoy moving to Montana.”
“I think you’re crazy.”
“That I am. You have a busy day ahead of you, and I’ve been told to warn you Princess Ambrose will be calling you at the top of the hour.”
Jessica and Pat’s decision made a lot more sense knowing I’d have to put up with a royal pain in the ass. “They took him because she’s calling, didn’t they?”
“That may have influenced their decision.”
“Damn it! I don’t want to deal with her today.”
“No one wants to deal with her, Mackenzie. Unfortunately, she asked for you. All I know is that it’s about the trail ride this weekend.”
“Please tell me she didn’t accept.”
“I think that’s what it’s about. Jessica had all the details she has sent to your office, so you’ll have a chance to review everything before speaking to her. I also asked Louisa to make sure there’s coffee on your desk when you arrive.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” I hunted for my purse, took my medications, and did a sweep over my condo, discovering William had left a watch on my nightstand. “Hey, Geoff? William left his watch in here. Can you check if this is gold for me?”
He came into my bedroom and picked up the watch, flipping it over. A laugh burst out of him, and he held it out to me. “This is far too small to fit on his wrist, Makenzie. This is a lady’s watch, and it’s made of platinum. It also has your name engraved on the back. If there’s any gold, it’s interior and shouldn’t bother you.”
Taking the watch, I turned it over in my hands, and sure enough, my name was engraved on the back, along with a note it was made of platinum. The Montana royal seal, a horse galloping in front of a mountain, decorated the clock’s face. “He got me a watch?”
“So it seems. It’s a useful gift.”
As most watches had at least a little gold, the novelty of wearing a watch lured me into trying it on, and I was pleased to discover how well it fit. “Can I wear a watch while riding?”
“I don’t see why not. I do it all the time.”
“It won’t get ruined?”
“If it’s broken, I’m sure he won’t mind getting it fixed. I suspect he left it for you to use.”
It was so like him to leave something useful for me to find, giving me the chance to accept or reject without any pressure. “If I run away, you’re going to catch me so I have to deal with that bratty princess, won’t you?”
“Alas, I must, however tempted I am to help you escape so you don’t have to put up with her.”
“Best to get this over with.”
As soon as I got the woman out of my hair, I’d be able to address the critical matters and confirm there wasn’t anything on my schedule for Friday I couldn’t miss. I didn’t have a congressional session; my next hearing would be late next week, when I would propose several options for the auction. I’d leave the king and queen to handle the fallout of a possible wedding and loss of their primary bachelor, but I’d make several plans to cover what would happen if any of the bachelors and bachelorettes found love before the date of the auction.
I took the laptop to work and tapped in notes on the drive, which took an extra twenty minutes thanks to an idiot who didn’t understand how red lights worked.
As promised, coffee was waiting for me in my office, and I made it with five minutes to spare, giving me enough time to sit down, toss my purse on the floor, and flip through the itinerary for the trail ride in case Princess Ambrose grilled me on it. I expected she would, so I spread out the sheets so she wouldn’t hear me flipping through papers while I talked to her on the phone.
She left me cooling my heels for fifteen minutes, which worked to my advantage. When my phone rang, I answered without looking at the display. “Mackenzie Little speaking.”
“I need details for the ride itinerary,” Princess Ambrose barked. “Times, dates, locations, and I’ll need to know your schedule for tomorrow to schedule in a call.”
I could work with brisk and bordering on rude, especially if it limited how long I had to talk to her. “I’m going to be inaccessible tomorrow; I leave for the ride location this afternoon, Princess Ambrose. Would you like me to email you a list or give you the details by phone?”
“Both. I’ll have questions, I’m sure.”
Starting with page one, I ran down the open ride schedule, and to appease her, I gave her the guest lists for both the Saturday and Sunday rides. “You can join the ride you wish, Your Highness.”
“And His Royal Majesty of Montana will be attending all the rides?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“When does he arrive in Texas?”
“If he hasn’t already arrived, he will be arriving sometime today, Your Highness,” I lied.
“I will be accompanying His and Her Royal Majesty on the preliminary trail ride to select the routes for the Saturday and Sunday rides.” I referred to the last page of the sheets. “We’re also doing a game check to see if a hunt will be feasible.”
“Excellent. And His Royal Majesty of Montana?”
“I don’t have access to his visitation schedule, Your Highness. I only have the information on the Saturday and Sunday rides, although I expect His Royal Majesty will be handling diplomatic affairs for the first part of his visit.”
“Which ride is the longest?”
“They’re equal length, Your Highness. Both rides will take the same trail, and the scheduling is made to match. The Sunday ride has fewer attendees due to scheduling conflicts.”
“I’ll attend the Sunday ride.”
I wasn’t surprised. If she wanted Montana’s king for herself, she would position herself in the best place to get extra time with him. As I didn’t want her to discover Montana’s king was Mireya’s father, I replied, “An excellent choice, Your Highness. That will give you extra time to meet the bachelors.”
The smart ones would know to avoid her attentions as much as possible, and if one of them did become ensnared, I wished him the best of luck dealing with her.
“Good. In case I have need of you, when do you leave?”
“I’ll be in the office until two this afternoon, Your Highness.”
“Email me the details,” she ordered before hanging up.
To keep her out of my hair for a few hours, I did as she asked, including a list of times I wouldn’t be available as well as a list of the attendees in case she wanted to change her mind on which day she wished to attend.
My boss cleared his throat, and he stood in the doorway of my office with an arched brow. “You look like you want to throw more staplers.”
“My favorite way to start a day is talking to Princess Ambrose.”
“Where’s your assistant?”
“He was kidnapped by Jessica and Pat.”
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