Heath clenched his hands into fists under the table.From the time he’d been a little boy, his parents had had a dream to own a bed-and-breakfast.When they’d inherited the Citadel and the village of Wildstone, it had looked like their fairy godmother had granted them their wish.They’d worked hard his whole life, and he’d promised to do everything within his power to make this a success.Telling them he’d taken a part-time job with another company felt like betrayal.
“I’m just saying that when I give something up, it’ll be the website,” he said.“I know plenty of people in the field who’d love to have a shot at it.When you’re ready.”
“It sounds more like a case of whenyou’reready,” his mother said, her voice low, a crease of worry between her brows as she studied him.
Someone kicked Heath’s foot under the table, and he knew it must have been Coop when the big man mouthedtell them.
“Iamready, Mom.I think you should hire someone to do the website.”
“All right.”His father nodded, giving Heath a knowing look.“I’ll have our HR firm put out a notice.You can help by letting some of those friends of yours know.”
Heath felt like a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
“Thanks.I will.”His mother looked like she was about to ask him more questions, so it was time to divert her attention to something more important.He said quickly, “I’d like to talk with you about our royal guest.He’s coming on to Quinn really strong, and it’s making her uncomfortable.”
“What?”his parents asked together.“What’s he done?”
“It’s more what he’s said.”How could Heath explain without giving too much away?
“He’s got some of the worst pickup lines I’ve ever heard,” Lia added.
“What’s a pickup line?”Mellie asked from her end of the table.
The adults turned to look at the little girl.She’d been so quiet during the discussion that they’d almost forgotten there were some things her nine-year-old self didn’t need to know about.
“That’s when a guy wants to ask a girl out, but he doesn’t know her,” Joel said as he slid into his chair.
“No.”Eli took the seat beside his twin.“It’s when a guy’s trying to get a girl’s number so he can call her later.”
“It’s actually both,” Coop said.“Like asking a girl if she’s religious.”
Lia shot her husband a disapproving look, but he only shrugged.
“That’s a pickup line?”Joel asked.“It sounds stupid to me.”
“That’s only part of it,” Heath added with a grin.“Tell them the rest.”
“This is rated PG, right?”Mom asked.
“Yes, Gabbie.”The corner of Coop’s mouth twitched.“You ask the girl if she’s religious and then say ‘’cause you’rethe answer to myprayers.’”
“That’s lame,” Eli complained, while the adults at the table chuckled and Mellie just looked confused.
“A pickup line is a conversation starter.”Their father lifted the papers he’d set down.“Not that you boys need to learn any yet.You’re only twelve.”
“ButDad…” both twins whined.
Heath grabbed a cinnamon roll and stood.“Gotta get to work,” he whispered to his mother and left before she could question him anymore.He wondered if she’d dare to approach the duke-let about coming on to Quinn.
As he hurried down the hall to his office, he wished he’d coordinated schedules with Quinn for the times they wouldn’t be working together.He wanted to stay available to run interference.Viktor coming on so strongly last night had surprised Heath.It’d also made him wonder what was at stake for the man that he’d push so hard for an alliance with a woman he’d only met once.Could it be the king was holding something over his head, or was there some kind of business proposition?
The first thing Heath did was write a quick search program for anything relating to Viktor, his father, and the king of Glenloria.After setting it to work in the background, he jumped into his to-do list.Usually, he could bury himself in his work, and the time would fly.Today, he couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling about what Quinn might be dealing with this morning.
“That was perfect,”Quinn said to the grandfather who had scheduled the session for his family at the Citadel.“I’ve never worked with four generations in one session, so this morning has been special to me.I hope you like the pictures.”She handed him her business card and explained the time frame for getting the proofs to him.
She had to bite back a yawn as she gathered her equipment.Last night, she had stayed up way too late trying to get caught up.It’d also been important for her to get some preliminary shots from the Harvest Festival ready for uploading after Gabbie gave her approval.
Quinn yawned again.It was going to be a long day, and she wasn’t sure about spending time with Viktor after what he’d said.She’d even had a nightmare about him.
