Callum slips his hand into mine and gives it a squeeze. I love being here, among these people who clearly care deeply for one another. The royal family values their employees and treats them like family.
That says a lot about them, and the people they come from.
Hannah arrives within minutes, carrying a bag and a stethoscope around her neck.
“I know you don’t usually make house calls,” Nina says, “so thank you for this.”
“Not a problem at all. I’ll just take some vitals.” She approaches Alice with a smile. “How are you feeling now, Alice?”
“Foolish,” the other woman says. “I’m sorry to waste your time.”
“Helping friends is never a waste,” Hannah says and takes Alice’s temperature. “Why don’t we go somewhere more private?”
“Of course, there’s a guest room right through here,” Nina says, escorting the other two women, and David, away.
“Well, this is a busy morning,” Sebastian says while he digs into his crepe. The rest of us follow suit, filling the time until we hear how Alice is doing.
“That woman can cook,” I announce after the first bite. “If she didn’t already work for you, I’d hire her in a heartbeat.”
“She’s quite talented,” Callum agrees. “And inventive. She talked our father into eating things that I never thought I’d see.”
“Father is a picky eater,” Ellie adds.
Finally, after we’ve all eaten our fill of breakfast, the other women return to the room.
“Thank you again, Hannah,” Alice says, shaking her hand. “I’ll come see you next week.”
“Perfect. Have a great day, everyone. I have to get to the office.”
With a wave, Hannah leaves, and we’re all left staring at Alice and David, who both have goofy grins on their faces.
Before they say anything at all, I know.
“Well?” Callum asks.
“I’m going to have a baby,” Alice replies and is swept up in hugs and well wishes.
“It’s a good day,” I say as I lean my head on Callum’s shoulder. “A very good day.”Chapter 11~Aspen~These past couple of weeks have been like living in a fairy tale, and I stopped believing in those many moons ago. If I ever did at all.
I’m dating a prince. Like, an honest to God prince, not just someone named Prince. And I’m still not sure how that happened, but I don’t want it to stop anytime soon.
We haven’t spent a night apart in two weeks. Mostly, I stay at the boathouse at night because David should be with his wife. It’s just easier, security-wise. And I like the boathouse. There’s really no need for me to be home, especially now that we’re firmly into autumn, and my summer duties around my property are all over for the season. Meaning, no watering, weeding, or pulling vegetables out of the ground. So, spending time away isn’t hurting anything.
And I don’t know how long this will last, how long Callum will be here, so I’m soaking in every minute I can.
Callum is romantic, attentive, and funny. He’s also damn good at his job. This morning before I left for work at the ass crack of dawn, Callum was already up and arguing over the phone about something to do with the Olympic committee.
The other person on the line finally saw things Callum’s way. I have a feeling they usually do.
Hearing his stern voice was a turn on. I didn’t know before him that I had a thing for gruff, intense men. And I don’t outside of the bedroom.
But when we’re in bed? Holy hell, his intensity, the way he takes control with a firm hand renders me defenseless in the best way possible. A shrink would probably tell me it’s because nobody’s done that for me in any context over the course of my life. I’ve always had to make the decisions and fend for myself. Being with a man who takes the reins out of my hands, at least where intimacy is concerned, is liberating.
And they’d be right.
But I’m also leaning toward it’s hot as fuck.
I smirk at the thought as I put the tray of fresh huckleberry muffins into the display case. We’re about fifteen minutes from opening, and so far, I haven’t seen or heard from Gretchen.
In the past, that was unusual. Since she’s been seeing the douche nozzle, sadly, it’s the norm.
I hate that guy.
The door dings and, speak of the devil, there’s Gretchen and the boyfriend of the year himself.
“Good morning,” Gretchen says. Her eyes look tired, but she offers me a small smile.
“Hello.” My eyes turn to Miles. I don’t smile. “Miles.”
“Hey there, boss lady,” he says with a wink. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to stir up any trouble, I’m just dropping off my girl for work. I’d love to take a cup of coffee with me.”
“That’ll be three-fifty.” I pass him the empty cup so he can fill it himself at the self-serve station.