Rags To Riches: At His Bidding. Rebecca Winters

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СКАЧАТЬ and warned her that the ocean temperature might be a little chilly for the baby. She appreciated his consideration. With help from him, she was quickly situated on the beach with an umbrella, chaise longue and an extra-large towel.

      Coco put Emma in her infant carrier, and for once, the baby didn’t struggle to escape. Emma sat, appearing relaxed, with her eyes half-open. Coco smiled at the sight of Emma, wondering if the sound of the ocean was soothing to the baby.

      Sighing, she leaned back against her chair and let the breeze and surf sounds assuage her own riot of feelings and thoughts. With one eye on Emma, Coco watched the soft whitecaps as they gently met the shore. She wondered how often Prince Edward had taken solace at the sight of the sea. Everyone had told her how much he had loved yachting.

      The last time Coco had been to the ocean had been three years ago—a too-brief trip with college friends. Her favorite part of that trip had been a walk on the beach by herself. Was that something she had in common with her birth father? Or was it just crazy to consider that she had anything in common with him except some genetic material?

      Coco dismissed her debates and focused on the peace and relaxation of the moment. Emma was quietly content, the sun was shining, and Benjamin wasn’t nearby to disrupt her—although his presence wasn’t required to mess with her mind. Just a thought would do.

      “Hello, hello,” a voice called from behind her.

      Coco glanced up to see Bridget walking toward her, wearing a bright pink hat, a pink suit and pink heels. In the sand? Coco stood and watched as a man followed after the princess carrying a chair. “Thanks so much, Anthony. I won’t be long,” she said to the man then turned to Coco. “Would you like a little cocktail?”

      “I’m good with my water,” Coco said. “What a surprise.”

      Bridget shot a sly look and sank onto the chair. “I’m good with those,” she said. “I hope I’m not interrupting, but I heard you were having some beach time and since I was driving by, I thought it might be fun to make a little stop.” She glanced down at Emma, who was regarding the princess with curiosity. “Do we have a little beach baby here?”

      “I think this is her first ocean sighting and she seems to love it. The sound of the waves and the breeze. It affects me that way,” Coco said. “It was nice of you to stop by.”

      “My pleasure. I’m in between appearances today. I’ll turn into ranch frau tomorrow. The things I do to please my husband,” she said, making a tsk-ing sound. “Well, he did give up his career in Dallas to move to my country and my brother immediately saddled him with a hugely challenging job. I would do anything for him, even though he drives me crazy,” Bridget said. “I’m sure it the same with you and your Benjamin.”

      Coco clenched her teeth for a moment then produced a smile. “I wonder if all men make their women crazy.”

      “Oh, they must,” Bridget said. “You’ve probably heard that whole Venus and Mars thing. Well, scientists have conducted a study on the differences between men and women, and they say we’re so different we could be different species. Pippa the brainiac told me that. So now scientists are telling us what we’ve always known. Men are aliens.”

      Coco laughed despite the fact that her heart was still hurting. “And you have two little males, too,” Coco said.

      “I know. And I love all three of my men. The twins are always doing something that makes me laugh and sometimes cry. I suspect the same thing has happened with you and little Emma,” Bridget said, glancing at the baby. “Oh, look, she’s blowing bubbles. I miss those days.”

      “If you miss it that much, you could have a baby,” Coco drawled.

      “Mon dieu, no,” Bridget said. “I’m sure I’ll do it one day, but Ryder, the boys and this ranch keep me quite busy enough.” She shot Coco a sideways smile. “Cheeky of you to suggest it, though. Sounds like something I might say to one of my sisters.”

      A throwaway comment, but the word sisters caught at Coco’s heart.

      “Well, enough about that subject,” Bridget said. “The other reason I wanted to chat with you is because there’s going to be a charity gala at the palace in a few days. And we would like you to join us.”

      Surprise raced through Coco. “Charity gala,” she echoed and shook her head. “That’s so nice of you, but I would need a babysitter. And I can’t imagine I have anything to wear. And—”

      “Excuses, excuses,” Bridget said. “We have several wonderful nannies who would provide excellent care for Emma. And although no one would accuse us of having runway fashions to rival Paris, we do have a few nice boutiques.”

      Coco could easily imagine that the price of a dress in one of those boutiques would require at least a month of her pay. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said, thinking the event sounded like the adult version of prom.

      “Eve, Pippa and I will be very sad if you don’t attend,” Bridget said.

      “And Stefan?” Coco asked, although she suspected she already knew the answer. Stefan would love for her to just disappear.

      “Stefan is secretly grateful to you for telling Eve that she is doing a job by being pregnant. No one has been able to get her to slow down. Slow down and Eve don’t belong in the same sentence. She’s one of those save-the-world types,” Bridget said.

      “Like you?” Coco asked and took a sip of water.

      Bridget twitched her lips. “There you go being cheeky again. We can go shopping for your dress tomorrow,” Bridget said and rose to her feet. She waved for her chauffeur. “Time for me to go. Thanks for letting me join—”

      Panic set in. “Bridget, I’m very honored by your invitation, but I don’t think—”

      “I don’t want you to be honored. I want you to attend,” Bridget said. “Don’t tell me you don’t like shopping. I had that trouble with Eve and Pippa,” she said, shaking her head.

      “That’s it,” Coco fibbed. “I’m just not much of a shopper.”

      “Well, I’ll just have to pick something out for you and send it over. Will Benjamin need a suit?” Bridget asked.

      “No, but—”

      “But nothing. If he brought a suit, he’s ready.”

      “I’m not sure this is his kind of party,” Coco said.

      “It won’t be that bad. There will be beer available and Benjamin can chat with Ryder about sports. He misses that.” She brushed her hands together. “There. All done. I’ll talk to you soon. Ciao, darling.”

      * * *

      A couple hours later, Coco strolled into the villa toting Emma.

      “How was your time at the beach?” Benjamin asked.

      “Great,” Coco said. “I found out we’re going to a charity gala sometime soon.”

      “What?” he said.

      She felt a quick tension in her belly, but pushed it aside. “No problem. You have a suit, СКАЧАТЬ