At His Majesty's Convenience (15 page)

He held up the ring between finger and thumb. “Though it would be nice to put this ring somewhere safe, like your finger, so it doesn't get lost while we're traveling.”

The ring blurred as Andi's eyes filled with tears. She pulled off her gloves and held out her bare hands, which trembled. “I will marry you, Jake.” Her voice cracked and a violent shudder rocked her as the cool metal slid over her finger. The act felt far more powerful and meaningful than the first time, when she didn't even know who she was. “I do want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Now that Jake had poured out his feelings, everything
felt different. She no longer had any doubt that he loved her as much as she loved him. Sun poured in through the large railcar window, and the world outside seemed bright with promise. “I love the idea of going to see my family. They'll be thrilled to meet you. If this train ever gets moving again, that is.”

Jake grinned. “Let's see what we can do about that. But, first things first.” He slid his arm around her back and pulled her close. Andi's eyes slid shut as their lips met and she kissed him with all the pent-up passion and emotion she'd planned to lock away for the rest of her life. Relief and joy flooded through her and her heart exploded with happiness at the feel of his strong arms around her. When they finally pulled apart, blinking in the sun, she had a strange sensation of her life starting afresh from this moment.

“I love you, Jake.” At last she could say it out loud without a hint of embarrassment or doubt. She'd waited years for this moment and it was sweeter than she'd ever dreamed.

“Not as much as I love you.” Jake's eyes sparkled.

“You're so competitive.”

“So are you.” He grinned. “One more reason why we're perfect for each other.” Then he pulled out his phone. “Now, let's see if we can get this train moving.”

“O
f course you need an assistant.” Jake leaned in and kissed Andi's neck.

Piles of envelopes and résumés covered her desk. The prospect of going through them seemed more than daunting. “But we already have a full staff. And three nannies.”

“You need someone just for you.” He eased his thumbs down her spine. “So you can come up with a crazy plan for the weekend, and put her to work making it happen while you and I go for a stroll on the mountain.”

“That's too decadent.”

“It's an important part of any monarch's job to be decadent.”

Andi laughed. “Says who?”

“The paparazzi. They don't want to cover a bunch of dull worker bees.”

“True.” She giggled. “They did have fun taking those ridiculous shots of me sailing when I was eight months pregnant.”

“See? You're helping people earn their livelihood. And what about the tourists? They want glamour and excitement, romance and majesty, not a queen who licks her own envelopes.”

“I can think of better things to lick.” She raised a brow.

“Now that you put it that way, I think I'll cancel this afternoon's meeting on foreign policy.”

“Don't you dare.” She shot him a fierce glare. “Just save your energy for later.” She stroked a finger over his strong hand, where it rested on her desk.

“Have I ever run out of energy?” He growled the question in her ear.

“Never. Now I know where our son gets it from.” Little Lucas was a tireless eighteen-month-old bundle of energy. They'd managed with just two nannies until he learned to walk; after that, three—plus Andi—were required to keep up with him.

A joyful shriek outside the door alerted her that his morning nap must be over. Jake dodged to the side as little Lucas barreled into the room, blond curls bouncing. “Mama, read me a story!”

“Of course, sweetie.”

“See? You need an assistant so you have someone to read through all these résumés for you while you read Lucas a story.” Jake chuckled.

“You're hired.” She winked and gathered Lucas into her arms. “Lucas and I have an appointment with Thomas the Tank Engine.”

“And James the Red Engine.” Lucas's serious face reminded her so much of Jake's sometimes, despite the pudgy dimpled cheeks.

“This sounds like a very important meeting. Perhaps I should attend, too.”

“Most definitely. Foreign policy can wait. Tell them
Ruthenia just wants to be friends with everyone.” Andi swept Lucas up in her arms as she stood.

“A very sensible approach. We'll just have a big party with cupcakes and tell everyone to play nicely.” Jake squeezed Lucas's little hand.

“Chocolate cupcakes, 'kay, Daddy?”

“Hmm. Not sure. We might have to put a committee together to discuss the finer details.”

“How 'bout rainbow sprinkles?” Lucas's bright blue eyes stared at his dad.

“If rainbow sprinkles are involved I'll just have to issue an executive order.”

Lucas clapped his chubby hands together.

Andi shrugged. “I do like to be surrounded by men who can make important decisions without a lot of fuss. Really takes the pressure off. Where's the book?”

Lucas pointed at his nanny Claire, who stood in the doorway with a stack of paperbacks and a freshly made snack on a plate.

“Let's head for the garden.” Andi moved to the door. “Claire, can you call ahead and have some blankets spread on the lawn? And maybe bring out Lucas's trike and stick horse.” She tickled under his chin and he giggled. Then she glanced up at Jake. “See? I am getting better at not doing everything myself.”

“Your efforts are admirable. And much needed since you'll soon be in the third trimester and Lucas isn't getting lighter.” He picked his son up and held him in his arms. Lucas clapped both chubby palms against his cheeks and laughed aloud. “What if his sister has as much energy as he does?”

“Then we'll need six nannies. If we keep having kids there will be zero unemployment in Ruthenia.”

Lucas arched his back, signaling his desire to be free on
his fast-moving feet. Jake put him gently down and they both watched as Lucas tore off down the corridor with Claire running after him. “How do people manage a toddler without a nanny while they're pregnant?” Already she could get a little short of breath climbing stairs without carrying anyone.

“I don't know. I always had a nanny.” He winked.

“It's amazingly easy to get used to being spoiled rotten. Where's my dish of peeled grapes?”

They both laughed. They knew they worked hard, for much longer hours than most people. Andi had come to enjoy the routine round of entertaining. It felt good to bring people into their home and make them feel welcome. As the host she took special pleasure in making sure everyone had a good time, quite different than when she simply had to make sure the events ran smoothly.

Her parents had fallen in love with both Ruthenia and Jake. With her father newly retired and her mom only working during the school year, they'd allowed Jake and Andi to give them a quaint house right in the town as a “vacation home,” insisting they wanted to visit regularly without being on top of the couple.

Andi's sister and her husband flew in for the wedding, and their little daughter was a flower girl in the majestic old town church where they said their vows. They now also came to visit regularly, and the sound of little Lucy's childish laughter bouncing off the palace walls had urged Andi and Jake into parenthood.

Since Lucas was born the palace no longer felt like a place of business where people slept, but was fully a family home, where people also worked.

The difference was subtle, but transformative. Jake slid his arms around her waist. “Would you like me to carry you downstairs, Your Majesty?”

“That won't be necessary.” She wriggled against him, enjoying the flash of heat that always sparked between them when they touched. “But you can kiss me.”

His lips met hers and her eyes slid closed. She could always lose herself in his kiss. She'd dreamed of it so long and come so close to never tasting him again. Her fingers played over the muscle of his chest through his tailored shirt.

She pulled back, lips humming with desire. “Hold that thought. I have a story to read and you have to bring about peace in our time. I'll see you tonight.”

“And every night.” His soft glance was loaded with suggestion.

She glanced down at her hand, where the simple diamond ring she'd first chosen sparkled behind her engraved wedding band. A smile crept over her mouth. “For the rest of our lives.”