by Leanne Banks
If only he could startle Leo, Ericka thought. If only she could make a sound that would startle him. Ericka stared after Mr. Walker, hating him and liking him at the same time. What could he possibly know about having a child with special needs? Nothing, she suspected. His life had probably been perfect. No troubles. No trials.
Leo’s future was full of trials. She stiffened her back. She needed to cushion her child in his infancy and make him strong for his future years. Her job was to provide the perfect amount of support and hope. Whatever that was.
A flash of fur passed between them.
Mr. Walker frowned. “Was that a cat?”
“Yes. The doctor said Leo would benefit from a pet.”
He frowned in confusion. “A cat? Don’t they sleep twenty-three out of twenty-four hours a day?”
“Sam is awake much more than that, plus he watches after Leo.”
“You mean, he stalks your baby,” Mr. Walker said.
She blinked. “He does no such thing. Sam protects Leo. He’s probably studying you right now to make sure you won’t hurt the baby.”
Mr. Walker lifted a dark eyebrow. “This is one more challenge for implementing a sound security system.”
She lifted her head. “Sam stays. We brought him back from Texas. My brother insisted he was neutered before we arrived. Stefan doesn’t want any more potent cats on the island. He’s afraid Chantaine will end up with too many cats.”
“Understandable,” Mr. Walker said. “Practical.”
“Mr. Walker, you need to understand that you’re dealing with a very human element. My son. I know that the people of Chantaine don’t hold a grudge against me. They’re delighted I have returned.”
“But there could be one person who’s not delighted,” he said. “And I’m here to protect you from that person.”
Ericka stared into his dark eyes and knew he would protect her from anything. She held his gaze for a long moment and saw a flash of tenderness. It surprised her. How could a man who appeared so hard be kind?
If he couldn’t be kind to her son, she had no use for him. If he couldn’t tolerate her cat, he would be dismissed.
* * *
Treat Walker looked into Princess Fredericka’s disapproving blue eyes. He’d read her file. She’d been known as the teenage wild-child beauty. She’d even made a few trips to rehab before she’d gotten herself straightened out and married a French film director.
Although the princess had returned to Chantaine frequently for public and family events, she’d seemed to prefer life out of the limelight. With the exception of red carpet appearances with her husband, Fredericka had focused more of her time on studies in fine arts.
When her husband fell for a younger actress, Fredericka’s life began to fall apart. The combination of the scandal and her pregnancy had been overwhelming, so she’d disappeared to live in Texas with her older sister during her pregnancy.
At first glance, she looked a little too perfect. With her aristocratic bone structure, she could have modeled for a Renaissance sculptor. Although she was trying to hold him in cool contempt, he glimpsed humanity and a little bit of fear in her eyes, a hint of purple shadows that showed she wasn’t sleeping well.
Taking care of an infant with serious hearing loss could be hard on anyone, especially since she appeared to be trying to do most of it on her own. “Your son,” he said. “He’s lucky you have the resources to give him the best help he needs. Not everyone can get their child the right kind of help.”
Her eyebrows knitted slightly. “Money can’t solve everything. The choices may be difficult,” she said before she turned away from him.
* * *
Ericka spent the day juggling caring for Leo and planning her work schedule. Since the nanny had gone to market, Ericka carried Leo in a cloth baby carrier against her chest as she talked on the phone. Leo quickly drifted off to sleep and Ericka answered a few calls. When he began to drool against her collar, she suspected he was ready for genuine nap in his crib. Just as she pulled him from the cloth carrier and set him in his crib, he let out a squeak of protest.
Wincing, Ericka immediately placed her hand over his tummy. Her sister had taught her this trick. Leo didn’t like the abruptness of being detached after being held. A little more of a human connection seemed to soothe him and he gave a little snorty baby sigh. Ericka held her hand on him for several more moments, staring at his rosy, plump cheeks and dark eyelashes against his perfect skin. Pride and love welled up inside her. He was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen in her life.
Carefully backing away, Ericka turned around and pulled the door partway closed behind her. Then she walked straight into a wall. Or, it felt like a wall until it swore under its breath. Her heart hammering in panic, she opened her mouth to scream at the same time she looked up into the hard face of Mr. Walker.
She slumped in relief and he immediately clasped her arms as if he thought she were going to faint. The notion annoyed her, “Remove your hands from me,” she said in the icy tone she’d learned from one of her governesses.
He immediately released her and she stumbled backward, glaring at me. “I thought you had left to get an alarm system. What are you doing here now? And why didn’t you knock?”
“First, since I’m your security detail, I’m like a member of the family. I don’t have to knock,” he said.
“Oh, yes, you do,” she said. “You’re not family. You’re staff. All staff knocks before entering.”
“Plus I didn’t want to wake your baby if he was sleeping,” he continued.
She opened her mouth then closed it, feeling as if someone had let the air out of her balloon. “Well,” she said, desperate to establish some boundaries with this man who seemed to take up entirely too much space. “You shouldn’t come up behind me like that and startle me. There’s no excuse for that.”
“I was examining the hallway for the best alarm system.”
He was so implacable, she thought, her irritation growing. “I’m not sure this is going to work,” she said, and walked past him. “My nanny and I are working perfectly well together. Your presence is disruptive.”
“Give me a couple days,” he said. “You’ll barely notice I’m around.”
That did it, she thought. Mr. Walker was going back to the States. She would talk with Stefan that afternoon.
Except Stefan wasn’t picking up his private cell phone, and his assistant said he was indisposed. Stalling tactics. Ericka recognized them because he’d used them before on rare occasions when he wanted things his way. She considered calling Stefan’s wife, Eve, but with two young children and another on the way, Eve had her hands full. Besides, this was between her and Stefan.
Ericka made another call. “Bernard, this is Ericka again. How are you?”
“Quite well, Your Highness.”
“I realize Stefan is quite busy today,” she said.
“Yes, yes, he is,” Bernard said.
“Lots of activity in his palace office,” she said.
“It’s often busy in the Prince’s office. As you know, he works hard for the people of Chantaine.”
“Of course he does. Since he is at the Palace office today, I’ll just scoot over for a quick visit. I promise it won’t take more than a moment or two. Ciao,” she said.
“But, but, but—”
Ericka disconnected the call and smiled grimly to herself. Two could play this little game. Stefan would be hard-pressed to avoid her if she was standing outside his office.
Ericka found Nanny Marley taking a well-earned break reading in the sunroom. “Marley, I need to make a quick trip to the palace. I won’t be gone long.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll keep an ear out for him.”
Ericka shook her finger at the sweet middle-aged woman. “We�
��ve already discussed this. You’re not supposed to address me as ‘Your Highness.’ Please call me Ericka.”
“I keep forgetting,” the woman said. “It just doesn’t feel respectful.”
“It’s my wish,” Ericka said. “So that makes it respectful. Please?”
“Yes, Miss Ericka,” Nanny Marley said.
Ericka smiled. “That’s a little closer. I’ll be back soon.”
“No hurries on my account, ma’am,” the nanny said.
Ericka drove her tiny smart car through the winding streets of Chantaine. Her route to the palace took her past the view of the azure ocean trickling against a white sandy beach. She’d never realized how much she’d missed her homeland until she’d returned. In fact, she’d fought the idea of ever returning. She’d had too many memories of feeling confined and suffocated in Chantaine. Leaving had felt so freeing.
Even now, she felt twinges from her memories, but she was determined to keep her feelings and future in perspective. One of her most important decisions had been not to live at the palace. Another important decision had been to hire Nanny Marley. The next decision would be to get rid of her assigned security man, Mr. Walker.
As she pulled up to the palace, the gates were opened and she was waved through. Parking her car at the side of the main building, she touched her finger to the sensor that would allow her inside the door. Her shoes echoed on the marble floor of the hallways as she made her way to her brother’s office. The same office had once belonged to her father, although her father had spent far less time performing royal duties and much more time on his yacht with his mistress du jour. She’d always found it amazing that her father had managed to sire six legitimate children despite his numerous affairs. Now that Ericka was grown, she could look back and see that her mother had continued to have children in hopes of truly winning her father’s heart. Unfortunately, her mother’s wish had never come true.
Ericka’s stomach knotted as she remembered feeling that same sense of desperation at losing her husband. She’d been all too aware of the deterioration of his feelings for her. In fact, she’d made love with him in a final effort to win him back. When she thought of how weak she’d been, she could hardly bear it. It had taken her over a year to find herself again and get centered. She never wanted to be that weak woman, dependent on a man again. Never.
Reaching her brother’s office, she knocked on the door and waited. Impatience nicked at her and she knocked again.
The door swung open and one of her brother’s assistants dipped his head. “Your Highness,” he said.
“I need to see my brother,” she said.
“But he’s—”
“It won’t take long. I promise. Stefan,” she called. “I know you’re in there. Do you really want me yelling outside your office?”
Her brother’s assistant groaned and seconds later, he backed away, allowing her entrance. Stefan frowned at her. “I just got off a conference call with two dukes from Spain and Italy.”
“Great timing,” she said, and shot him a broad smile. “I thought you might be signing off around this time.”
“I actually had some other items on my list,” he said, his irritation clear.
“I imagine they could wait until tomorrow. Eve and your little ones would probably love to see you tonight.”
His hard gaze softened. “You’re probably right. Eve is worn out by the end of the day with this pregnancy, although she would deny it.”
“You married a strong woman,” she said.
“So I did,” Stefan said. “I suspect you’re here to complain about your new security man.”
“Your suspicion is correct. I specifically requested someone low key, who won’t interrupt my routine or bring undue attention.”
“Mr. Jackson will work out with no problem. He comes highly recommended. I wanted the best for you and Leo.”
“You gave me the Texas version of the Jolly Green Giant. He’s been an interruption since he walked through the door. He doesn’t like the cat—”
“Can’t blame him there,” Stefan muttered.
“Leo likes the cat,” she said.
“Leo doesn’t know any better,” Stefan retorted. “Listen, you haven’t even given Mr. Walker a chance. He hasn’t been there a whole day. The least you can do is give him a trial period.”
“One more day,” she said.
Stefan shook his head. “At least a week. He left an assignment in the States at my request.”
“I don’t need this kind of invasion into my privacy. I can’t believe you think Leo or I are at risk here in Chantaine.”
“You forget Eve’s encounter with that crowd before we were married,” he said.
“That’s different. I won’t be doing nearly as many appearances since I’m focusing on the conference. Any time I’m making an appearance, you can assign someone from your security detail for me.”
Stefan sighed. “I don’t like to frighten you, but I don’t trust your ex-husband. How do you know he won’t try to use Leo to get some sort of settlement?”
Ericka’s blood ran cold at the thought. She swallowed over a lump of fear and shook it off. “My ex-husband couldn’t be less interested in Leo. He knew I was pregnant when I left.”
“He could change his mind. If he does, I want to be ready for him.”
Chapter Two
Treat heard two voices coming from the den of the house as he walked down the hall. He stopped outside the den and watched as the princess used sign language while she gazed at her computer tablet. The baby sat next to her with his eyes closed, apparently asleep.
“So, how did you like that, Leo?” she asked and turned to look at her child. She gave a soft laugh. “Bored you to sleep, right?”
She sighed. “Well, maybe we can get you to extend your little nap in your crib,” she said as she gently picked up the baby and stood. She turned and met his gaze.
Treat saw the way her body stiffened slightly. “Anything I can do for you? I’ve decided to focus security around the perimeter of the property and give you and your nanny a panic button.”
“Fine,” she said with a total lack of interest. “I’m going to try to put Leo down now. He has a hard time sleeping unless he can see me or I’m holding him.”
“Maybe it has something to do with his other senses being heightened. Do you leave a light on in the bedroom?” he asked.
“No. I hadn’t thought of that,” she said. “I use room darkening shades for him during the day.”
Treat shrugged. “Just something to think about. He’s probably a very visual guy.”
She studied him for a moment. “I’ll do some research.”
He nodded. “Looked like you were doing well with the sign language,” he said.
“You know sign language?” she asked.
“A little. Not enough to get any—” he said, and wiggled his hands for the sign for applause.
Her lips twitched in an almost smile. “I’ve got a long way to go. Right now, though, I’m putting my big guy to bed. I’m glad you won’t be concentrating as much on alarming the house. Leo may not be able to hear the alarms, but it would be startling for Nanny and me.”
“I hear you,” he said. “Listen, do you mind if I take a swim in the pool at night? It’s one of the ways I like to stay in shape.”
He felt her gaze dip to his shoulders then she blinked and cleared her throat. “Of course not,” she said. “Excuse me while I put Leo to bed.”
Treat felt something wrap around his ankles and watched Sam wind around him. He frowned.
“Looks like Sam likes you,” Princess Fredericka said.
Treat watched her as she retreated down the hallway. He shifted from one foot to the other and narrowed his eyes. Sam looked up at him and gave a meow. He glar
ed down at the cat, but the cat continued to mark him. Glancing toward the hallway, he thought about the woman who’d just left the room. He’d expected a snooty princess. At first glance, maybe she was. But in less than twenty-four hours, he’d glimpsed something else. A princess trying to teach herself and her baby son sign language? She wasn’t what he’d expected.
Treat felt a strange gnawing sensation in his gut. He hadn’t felt anything like it in a long time. In fact, he hadn’t felt much of anything for a long time. He’d made sure not to invest in anything too emotional. His life hadn’t allowed for it once he’d suffered that last professional football injury. Treat hadn’t gotten truly involved with a woman in several years. He’d been too busy trying to make a living. Once he’d switched to security, he’d decided to make his fortune with it. The past few years he’d worked non-stop with his partner to build their security business. Now, he was making the step to take the business international.
He needed cooperation from Princess Fredericka and he also needed not to get emotionally involved. No problem, he told himself.
* * *
Another near-sleepless night, Ericka thought as she rubbed her face when the sun shone through the crack of her window coverings. She wasn’t sure when Leo had fallen asleep for more than an hour, but she planned to check out night lights and anything else that might help him. She’d finally turned on a lamp in the hallway. She wondered if that had helped.
Nanny was more than ready to step up, but Ericka had a hard time handing over Leo’s care when he seemed so distressed. Now, however, she had calls and plans to make and she wouldn’t feel quite so guilty handing Leo over to his nanny. Ericka was so exhausted that she knew she needed help.
Lying on her back in her bed, she took several deep breaths and stared up at the ceiling. She needed to open the blinds, she told herself. She’d recently read that exposure to light during the first thirty minutes of her day would make her feel more awake.
“Wake up, Ericka,” she urged herself and dragged herself from her bed. She thrust herself under a shower, brushed her teeth then stumbled toward the kitchen where Nanny sat at the table.