by Leanne Banks
Frustration trickled through him like acid. Although he could understand part of what she said, the idea of her or their baby being exposed to the dirty paws of the paparazzi on a regular basis made his stomach churn.
She moved closer to him and lifted her hand to his arm. “I understand that this is difficult for you. You weren’t raised in a fish bowl. Do you remember when I told you that I hadn’t planned to tell you that I was pregnant? This is why.”
His gut twisted at her words. She made an important point that he didn’t want to be true. She was from a different world, and her different world wasn’t just going to go away. “I’ll figure something out,” he said and pulled her against him. “I’m good at that. Trust me.”
Tina returned to the ranch and continued to gestate. She badgered Hildie until the housekeeper taught her how to cook some of Zach’s favorite dishes. Zach visited every weekend, and she felt closer to him. Then he would seem to draw away from her. Tina suspected his conflicting feelings were related to his former wife and child. The knowledge made her feel helpless, but if Tina even hinted at bringing up the subject, Zach immediately shut down. Tina felt as if they weren’t making any progress.
Thanksgiving passed and she became larger than she’d ever dreamed possible. Despite the fact that she grew tired more quickly, Tina organized a charity drive for local families—parents, grandparents and children. She was thrilled with the response. So often at Christmas, only children were remembered, but Tina wanted all ages to experience the happiness of Christmas even if it was only in a small way.
“You’re doing too much,” Hildie said as Tina helped the housekeeper bake Christmas cookies on a Friday afternoon while a chicken dish simmered in a large Crock-Pot.
“I told you before. I can’t just sit like a hen on an egg,” Tina said.
“Humph. At least it’s Friday. Maybe Zach will get you to calm down.”
“It’s not like I’m running a marathon,” Tina said as she put another sheet of cookies into the oven.
Eve sighed and munched on a cookie. “This is a great break from my job.”
“You have a good job,” Hildie said. “Good salary. Good benefits.”
“If only I didn’t hate it,” Eve muttered.
Hildie whipped around. “There are much worse situations you could be in, Missy. Plenty of people would love to have your job.”
“I know,” Eve said with more than a trace of guilt in her voice. “I work hard, Aunt Hildie. I just don’t like it.”
Hildie sighed and patted Eve on the shoulder. “You won’t have to do it forever. Maybe you can find someone who will pay you good money to take care of their horses.”
Eve smiled, unconvinced. “Yeah, and maybe I’ll win the lottery next week.”
“Don’t be negative,” Hildie said. “You weren’t raised that way.”
A knock sounded on the front door. “I bet one of the ranch hands smelled the cookies,” Hildie said with a knowing grin. She put a few still-warm cookies on a plate and headed for the door. “I’ll feed ’em and tell them to get back to work.”
Lost in thought, Tina sprinkled green sugar on the cookies. The baby was kicking and her back ached. She wondered when Zach would arrive.
In her peripheral awareness, she heard the sound of a familiar male voice. She stopped mid-sprinkle and listened more closely. Her heart jumped. “Stefan,” she called and ran to the foyer, which was filled with a royal entourage.
Her brother in all his tall, strong handsomeness gaped at her. “Valentina,” he said. “Oh, my God. You look like you’re ready to pop.”
She laughed then flung herself at him and gave him a big hug. “I’ve got a few more weeks. What are you doing here?”
His smile dipped. “I haven’t been satisfied with our communication lately. I’ve been concerned that your—” He cleared his throat and frowned. “Mr. Logan has been keeping you from the palace and me.”
Tina shook her head. “Oh, no. Zach has been in Dallas lately. I’ve been in charge of a special Christmas sharing project and I can’t deny I’ve been very tired at the end of the day. I told Bridget I couldn’t do as many e-consultations, so I think she’s felt a bit overwhelmed. You may need to hold Phillipa’s feet to the fire a bit more.”
Stefan sighed and shook his head. “There’s just no one who can replace you.”
She waggled her finger at him. “There you go, flattering me. You must be desperate.”
“We’ve truly missed you,” he said. “All of us. I insist you return. The palace physician is ready to oversee the delivery of your baby.”
She bit the inside of her lip, feeling pulled in opposing directions. Seeing her brother again made her homesick for Chantaine. “We can talk about that later. You must be exhausted from the flight. Let’s get something to drink for you. Something to eat.” She turned to Hildie. “His Royal Highness, the Prince of Chantaine, this is Hildie Ferguson, CEO of domestic life at the ranch.”
“My pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ferguson,” Stefan said. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“It’s my pleasure, your highlyness. Would you care for some tea or apple cider?”
Stefan’s mouth twitched at highlyness. Although Tina had attempted to tell Hildie the correct way to address royalty, her suggestions had seemed to fall on deaf ears. “Cider, thank you, and please call me Mr. Devereaux. We are, after all, in America, not Chantaine.”
Hildie nodded. “And you can call me Hildie. Please come into the dining room. Have a seat and make yourself at home,” she said to Stefan and the two men standing with him. “All of you.”
The men moved to the dining room. “I’ll help with the cider,” Tina said as she returned to the kitchen with Hildie.
“You’ll do no such thing. You sit down and visit with your brother,” Hildie said.
“Brother?” Eve echoed, peeking around the corner. “Is this the prig prince?” she whispered.
“Hush,” Hildie said.
Tina couldn’t quite swallow a chuckle. “He’s not all bad,” she said and returned to the dining room with a plate of cookies. “How is the road construction project going?” she asked as she sat down.
“We’re making progress, more slowly than I like, but it’s coming along,” he said.
“And the development of new business you’ve been pursuing?”
“Not bad. Ericka’s husband had decided to use Chantaine for some more of his films and he has spread the word among the film industry that we offer excellent terms. We’re also in negotiations with a cruise ship company to become one of the stops on their itinerary.”
“That’s terrific news. More jobs, more exposure.”
“But not too much,” he said. “There’s a balance we’re determined to keep.” He smiled. “This is part of what I’ve missed with you. Bridget and Phillipa couldn’t care less about infrastructure unless it interrupts their trip to the beach.”
Tina laughed. “Give them time. They’ve only been doing the job for about five months.”
Stefan shot her a look of doubt. “I’ve never been one to rely on wishful—”
He broke off as Eve served apple cider, lifting his eyebrow at Tina as a demand for an introduction.
She caught herself thinking how much fun it would be to watch Stefan try to pull his royal attitude over on Eve. “His Royal Highness, this is Eve Jackson. She’s Hildie’s niece, and she’s excellent with horses. They call her the horse whisperer.”
He rose and extended his hand. “Really? My pleasure.”
Eve met his gaze and Tina could almost swear she felt a crackle of static electricity shoot between them.
“Your royal highness,” she said. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
Tina swallowed over the urge to chuckle as Stefan shot her a quick glance. “Why do I have the feeling most of it wasn’t good?”
“Please excuse me,” Eve said, her voice neutral. “I really need to get back to the barn.”
“Of course,” h
e said then looked at Tina again. “Was that one of your staff? You know, I need a new person to work with my horses. Is she that good?”
“Yes, Eve’s that good,” Tina said and rolled the idea of Eve working for her brother around in her mind. “She would love the job,” she said then reconsidered. “On second thought, I’m not sure she would be interested in working for you,” Tina said.
He lifted his chin, clearly affronted. “Why not? I would pay an excellent salary.”
“Eve is a very modern, liberated woman. I don’t think she’s the kind to bow to anyone.”
“Hmm,” he said, rubbing his finger over his bottom lip as he wore a thoughtful expression.
Hildie came into the room with a platter of mile-high sandwiches. “I fixed you a snack since we won’t be having dinner for a few more hours.”
Stefan blinked in surprise. “Thank you. I wasn’t planning to eat—”
“Please do,” Hildie said, folding her hands in front of her apron. “And your men can have a bite too.”
As soon as Hildie left, Stefan turned back to Tina. “I’m quite serious about having you return to Chantaine. My private jet is waiting for us in a small, private airport not far from here. I know the trip will be long, but the staff will make you as comfortable as possible. As you know, there will be a nurse on board if you need any medical—”
Tina put her hand on her brother’s arm. “Stefan, I can’t do that. I promised Zachary I would stay here at least until one month after the baby is born. He will want to be a part of the baby’s life and—”
“It’s not as if you’re married,” he said. “Or you would even consider marrying him. There are many men more suitable—”
Tina’s defenses flew to the roof. “Zachary has been very protective and considerate. I can already tell he’ll be a wonderful father.”
Stefan’s eyes rounded in horror. “You’re not considering marrying him? Tina, I haven’t mentioned this yet, but this is the kind of thing that could make the advisers suggest you surrender your title.”
She bit the inside of her lip. The idea of losing her title was less frightening to her than losing the affection of the people for whom she’d worked so hard. From the beginning of this pregnancy, though, she’d been faced with difficult choices. “I won’t be pressured into making a decision for my child based on a title. Do what you have to do.”
Hearing a loud noise at the front door, she broke off. “What—”
“Who disarmed my ranch hand? Where is Tina?”
Zach’s voice roared through the house. Tina stared at her brother. “You disarmed one of Zach’s men?”
Stefan shrugged his shoulders. “He wasn’t hurt. My men merely relieved him of his shotgun and cell—”
Zach burst into the room with two men hanging off of him, his eyes blazing. “What’s going on here?” he demanded as the two men in their chairs jumped in front of Stefan.
Tina cringed. This was not the way she’d wanted Zach and her brother to meet. She took a quick breath. “His Royal Highness, Prince of Chantaine, this is Zachary Logan.”
“Why is he here?” Zach asked.
Stefan slowly rose. “I’m here to take my sister back to Chantaine where she belongs.”
“Over my dead body.”
“That can be arranged, but it would be messy.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Get off my property,” Zach said, his blood pounding through his veins. It was all he could do not to go after Stefan even though the prince’s guards would likely kill him. “You’re trespassing.”
Tina touched his arm. “Zach, he’s my brother.”
He sucked in a deep breath. Nothing inside him softened even one millimeter. “He came to take you away.”
“I told him I wouldn’t go,” she said in a low voice.
Something inside him eased just a fraction. He glanced at her. “Did you?”
She nodded. “Yes. Remember, he will be our daughter’s uncle.”
Zach couldn’t say he was thrilled with the idea. After all, Stefan’s goons had disarmed his man and left the poor guy tied up on the side of the road. He gave a grudging shrug. “We were doing okay before you arrived.”
Stefan rose, his eyes glittering. “For a royal, okay is never enough.”
Zach stuffed his hand in his pocket to keep from punching the superior expression off of Stefan’s face.
“Later,” Tina said to him, squeezing his arm.
Her tone calmed some part of him and he took a deep breath, searching for some common ground. “I’m glad to see how much you care for Tina. All of us have grown to care for her too. She’s a remarkable woman.”
He saw a twinge of hostility drain from Stefan’s face. “Yes, she is. You’re lucky to have enjoyed her presence all these months.”
“We have,” Zach said.
“The palace wishes her to return immediately,” Stefan said.
Zach’s stomach twisted into a square knot. “That’s her choice,” he said, knowing he was taking a risk even though she’d said she would stay.
Stefan frowned. “She insists she wants to stay, but I still believe we can provide better medical care for her and the baby. We can provide a more thorough education for the child. More protection from the public.”
“You can’t provide the baby’s father,” Zach said.
“There are other men—”
“That’s enough.” Zach felt his blood pressure rise. Two heartbeats later, he felt her squeeze his arm again. Her gaze told him other men couldn’t replace him. He took another breath, calming himself.
“Would you like a tour of the ranch?” Tina asked her brother. “Zach has a stable of beautiful horses.”
“You like horses?” Zach asked cautiously.
“Like is an understatement,” Stefan said in a dry tone.
Over the next half hour, Zach showed Prince Stefan his horses. Even Stefan was impressed.
“They’re beautiful and well-trained. Perhaps I should steal your horse whisperer away,” Stefan said.
“I’m not sure Eve will fit into your budget,” Zach said. “She has an executive salary with benefits.”
“But not from you,” Stefan said.
“No,” Zach reluctantly admitted. “But I helped her through college, so we have a deal. She takes care of my horses that need some extra attention.”
“How long would she be required to pay that debt?” Stefan asked.
Zach shot him a half grin. “As long as I say.”
Stefan nodded. “A smart man. What are your plans for my sister?”
Zach sighed. “I’m doing my damndest to get her to marry me.”
Stefan narrowed his eyes. “You are not who I would have chosen for her.”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Tina, it’s that she doesn’t want someone else making this kind of choice for her. You. Or me,” Zach said.
Stefan regarded him thoughtfully. “True. But Tina cannot fully turn her back on Chantaine. In one way or another, she will always be our princess. She will want to return.”
“Marriage is a negotiation,” Zach said.
“Ah, yes, you know that because of your previous marriage. Please accept my sympathies,” he said.
“You had me investigated,” Zach said.
“I wouldn’t be a good brother or ruler if I hadn’t,” he said. “The views of your former wife’s parents are unfortunate. Her death and your child’s could not have been prevented.”
“Nice of you to say so,” Zach said, the discussion turning his stomach.
“Trust me. I wouldn’t say that if I couldn’t find a way to twist the story against you to influence Tina to return with me today,” Stefan said, his gaze ruthless.
“Always good to know who’s got my back,” Zach said.
“I look after Chantaine,” Stefan said.
“I look after Tina and the baby,” Zach returned.
After that, they returned to the house. Tina greeted them with a
n anxious expression. “How did it go?” she asked Zach, then turned to Stefan. “What did you think of his horses?”
“They are quite beautiful and well-behaved. I would like to talk to his trainer,” Stefan said, cutting his eyes at Zach.
“Eve will turn you down flat,” Zach said in a low voice.
“We’ll see. In the meantime, Valentina, I must leave. Are you sure you won’t join me?” Stefan asked.
Zach’s gut twisted as she glanced at him then away. “I told you I can’t go back right now,” she said to Stefan. “But I’m so glad you visited. Seeing you made me realize all the more how much I’ve missed you and the rest of the family.”
“Good,” Stefan said and kissed his sister on both cheeks. “I brought a gift for the baby.”
“Really?” Tina said in surprise. “What?”
He waved to one of his staff who hurried to the stretch limo in front of the house. Seconds later, the man appeared with a white box wrapped with a satin bow. He gave the box to Stefan, who presented it to Tina.
Tina beamed at her brother. “What is it?”
“Open it and find out,” Stefan said, laughing.
Tina removed the top of the box and her face softened. “A flop-eared bunny. You remembered.”
“You had one as a child, but one of the staff misplaced it,” Stefan said. “I thought your little Kiki might like one too.”
Tina dropped the box to the ground and threw her arms around her brother. “Thank you, Stefan. It has been so good to see you.”
Her brother squeezed her tightly in return. “We miss you, Tina. Come back soon.”
She drew back and Zach watched her draw in a deep breath. Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. “Call me about road construction and infrastructure.”
Stefan chuckled. “I’ll do that.” He turned aside and lifted his head toward Zach. “Take care of her, Zachary Logan.”
“I will,” Zach promised, and within seconds, Stefan and his entourage rode away.
Thank God.
As they watched the stretch limo disappear into the distance, Zach watched Tina swipe tears from her eyes as she hugged the pink flop-eared bunny to herself. “I didn’t know bunnies were your favorite,” he said.