Enchanting Sebastian (Big Sky Royal 1)

When our lunch is consumed, we stow the garbage in the pack, and I help her off the rock to wade our way back to shore where Liam and Nick are waiting.

“Shall we head back down?” I ask.

“We probably should,” Nina says. “But thanks for this. It was a great day.”

***

Nina’s been gone for an hour. I’m alone in the house, thanks to the technology Liam spoke about the other day, and security patrolling the perimeter of the building.

I should be catching up on the dozens of emails that have come in since I left London. Or reading. Anything, really.

But instead, I’m sitting here like a sap, missing my wife.

She’s been gone for an hour.

Nina went to a local florist shop with her friends for a girls’ night out. Nick’s with them, and I’m sure they’re having a smashing time. I was sure I’d take advantage of the time alone to catch up on work.

The most I’ve managed to do is open my laptop.

I suppose I should have rung Jacob to see if he’d like to have a beer. I still could, in fact.

But just as I pull my mobile from my pocket, it rings, Christian’s name on the caller ID.

“Hello?”

“Hi. I’m sorry to interrupt your evening. I’m not sure what to do here.”

“What’s wrong?”

He’s quiet for a moment. “I feel like a dick for not telling Nina first, but I know she’s with Jenna and the others having fun, and I didn’t want to fuck that up.”

“Christian, what’s going on?”

“Our mom died today.”

I blink, staring out the windows into the dark night. “Oh, Christian, I’m sorry.”

“I wasn’t close to her,” he says. “And neither was Nina really, but she’s going to be sad. I just don’t know what to do.”

“Come over,” I reply. “I’ll call Nick and have him bring the girls. Then you can tell her.”

“That’s a good plan. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, of course. I’ll see you soon.”

“Oh, and I should mention,” he adds, “my sister can be mean when she’s sad. I just want to warn you.”

“Duly noted. Drive carefully.”

I hang up and let out a long breath. It seems tonight just went into the shitter.

I dial Nick’s number.

“Yes, sir.”

“I need her home. Both her and Jenna. Right away.”

“Yes, sir.”

Nick ends the call, and I close the computer and walk into the kitchen to get a pot of tea brewing. It’s the best I can do for right now. Until she’s here and knows what’s happening and can tell me what she needs.

I’m in new territory.

Chapter Sixteen

Nina

“CITRUS POPPYSEED CAKE with huckleberry filling, anyone?” Maisey Henderson asks as she swoops into the room, carrying a tray of delicious goodness. Maisey owns Cake Nation, the best bakery in town, and her sister, Brooke, is the owner of Brooke’s Blooms.

Their shops are located on Main Street, right next to each other, which is perfect for the parties they host.

Tonight, we’re here learning how to make pretty fall flower bouquets while we sample Maisey’s amazing cakes.

“Yes, please,” Jenna says, immediately raising her hand. “I need all the cake.”

“Same,” Willa says. “The more cake, the better. Also, I need to order a birthday cake for Max. I know it’s still a few months out, but you book up fast these days.”

“We can do that,” Maisey assures her.

“Actually, I think I need a cake for Sebastian,” I add in surprise. “You guys, his birthday is coming up. This is our first occasion together, aside from our wedding, of course. What do I do?”

“Well, you order a cake, invite some people over, and have a little party,” Fallon says with a smile. “Your new house is perfect for it.”

“Is it weird that I’m living in your husband’s old house?” I ask Willa.

“Not at all. We have a fabulous new house,” she says with a smile. “And Fallon’s right, that house is awesome for parties. We’ll help you plan something.”

“I need to invite his family.” I reach for my phone and shoot a text off to Ellie, asking her how I should handle this.

Me: Hey, sister-in-law. Sebastian’s bday is coming up in a couple weeks. Would you guys like to come to Montana for a party?

I set my phone aside, take a bite of the strawberry cake still on my plate from a bit ago, and concentrate on how to fit the greenery and flowers together without it looking like a whole bunch of weeds.

“This is an art form.” I smile across the table at Brooke, who’s helping Jenna get her flowers under control. “I feel like I’m all thumbs.”

“It just takes some getting used to,” Brooke says. She’s a beautiful and kind woman.

“Would you like some cake, Nick?” Maisey asks my bodyguard. I glance over in time to see him shake his head no.

“Come on, Nick. Eat the cake. I won’t tell.”

His eyes narrow on mine. “No thank you, ma’am.”