Leanne Banks - A Royal Christmas Proposal

Stefan sighed. “This situation is going to put a lot of pressure on you. I hesitate to bring up the past, but—”

“You’re talking about the time I spent in rehab in my teens,” she said. Ericka couldn’t blame any of her family for being concerned, but if she’d successfully survived her most recent humiliation, she could handle anything. “I’m lucky I learned to avoid chemicals early on. I haven’t had a drink in nearly a decade. I learned to wake up every morning and make the decision that I’m not going to drink or use drugs that day.”

Stefan nodded. “It’s obvious you’ve come a long way, but I still don’t want you to be overwhelmed.”

“I’m going to be overwhelmed at times,” she assured him. “I have a baby. Being a mother is new. But I’m a Devereaux and I’m not the weak link you may have once thought I was.”

“I never said you were the weak link,” he said with a dark frown.

“Well, maybe you just thought it,” she said gently with a smile and lifted her hand when she could see he was going to protest. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll soon see there’s more to me than you thought. I’ll be very happy in my cozy cottage.”

“Okay,” he said reluctantly. “As you wish. However, I insist on providing you with security. You’ll have a guard within the next couple of days.”

Ericka made a face. “If you insist,” she said. “Just make sure whoever you choose is low-profile or they’ll get on my nerves. No one too pushy.”

“I do insist, and I’ll make sure you have the best security possible. You’re working for the palace, so protection is more than appropriate. The new rules specify that if any of the Devereaux family is working for Chantaine, they shall be given security. You’re taking over the coordination for the conference for The Royal Society for A Better World, although I don’t know how you expect to do it with a baby and no husband,” he said.

“Single mothers have been accomplishing great things for ages,” she said. “I’ll have a nanny and two sisters willing to help.”

“Along with Eve,” Stefan said of his wife. “She would kill me if I didn’t offer her assistance.”

Ericka smiled still amazed at the change Eve had wrought in her brother. The two were soul mates. Her happiness faded a little when she thought of her own future romantic prognosis. She wasn’t sure her soul mate existed. Brushing the thought aside, she knew it was silly for her to waste one moment on any ideas about romance. She had no time or energy for a man in her life right now.

“You’re always welcome at the palace if you should change your mind.”

“Thank you, but I won’t,” she said. “Now shall we cover a few issues about the upcoming conference?”

Stefan shot her a smile that held a hint of approval. “Down to business already?”

“I’ve been ready,” she said, and powered up her tablet.

* * *

Two days later, Stefan sent Ericka a text message informing her that one of his assistants would be bringing her security detail to her for introduction. Ericka frowned at her phone in response. This wasn’t the best time. She was tired and hadn’t even taken a shower yet. Leo hadn’t slept well and had been fussy throughout the night. Even though Nanny Marley was more than able to care for Leo, Ericka had wanted to soothe him. Ericka was finding it more difficult than she’d planned to turn Leo’s care over to someone else.

Silly. Ericka had never considered herself overly nurturing, but Leo had provoked powerful changes within her. Of course now that sunlight streamed through the windows of the cottage, Leo slept peacefully.

Yawning, she pulled her hair into a topknot and quickly changed clothes. She dashed to the bathroom to splash water on her face and brush her teeth. The introduction with her security detail shouldn’t take any longer than five minutes. After that, she planned to sneak in a little nap before working. Before Leo, Ericka would never have considered meeting someone without being turned out to as close to perfection as possible. Having a baby had changed her priorities.

A knock sounded at the door and she rushed to answer it. Leo was already being treated for his hearing disability with infant hearing aids, and Ericka never knew what sounds might awaken him.

Spotting her brother’s assistant through the glass window beside the door, she opened it. She immediately caught sight of a man standing just behind her brother’s assistant. He stood at least as tall as her brother-in-law from Texas. Over six feet tall. How was this subtle? she wondered. He would stick out like a sore thumb in Chantaine. What had her brother been thinking?

“Hello, Your Highness. Rolf here,” her brother’s assistant said as he made a quick bow. “I’m here to introduce you to your primary security detail. Mr. Montreat Walker.”

Ericka nodded toward Rolf then turned to Mr. Walker out of politeness. “Mr. Walker.”

He gave a half-hearted dip of his head. “You can call me Treat,” he said in a Texas twang.

“Oh, really,” she said, thinking he was not a treat. With his stubborn chin and too-broad shoulders, he looked as if he would be a pain in her derriere. “Mr. Walker,” she said then turned to Rolf, who appeared to be cowering from both her and Mr. Treat Walker. “Thank you so much for stopping by. I’ll be in touch with Stefan.”

“I’d like to check your home security system first,” Mr. Walker said.

“Excuse me,” she replied, unable to hide her disapproval.

“Yes,” the overly tall, overly muscular, overly American man, said. “I’ve been hired to protect you. I need to make sure your home is adequately secure.”

“I have a security system,” she told him.

“Then you won’t mind me checking it,” he said.

Actually, she would, but she couldn’t say that. She shrugged and opened her door widely. “Don’t wake my baby.”

He lifted his eyebrows for a half-beat then stepped forward. “I’ll do the best I can, but I will need to test your alarm system.”

Ericka stared at Rolf. “Please tell my brother I’ll be in touch,” she said.

“Yes, Your Highness,” he said before he dipped his head and walked away.

“I’m a done deal,” Mr. Walker said to her. “Your brother has made his decision.”

Ericka tried to look down her nose at him, but he was too darn tall. “Nothing is a done deal.”

Mr. Walker shrugged. “Good luck. I’ll check your system.”

Ericka frowned at him as he swaggered through the hallway. “I told you not to wake my baby.”

Mr. Walker paused and turned to look at her. “How strong is his hearing disorder?”

Ericka could have cried at his question. If only she knew how extensive his hearing loss was. Even the doctors had told her the measurement for his hearing disorder could change. “Profound. He’s been awake most of the night.”

Mr. Walker nodded. “I’ll check the house. I’ll have to test the alarm system some time. You let me know when I can do that without startling him.”

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.”