The Blacksheep Prince's Bride. Martha Shields

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      “I—”

      “Ewwww, Daddy!”

      Rowena’s attention snapped back into place like a stretched rubber band…with the same sharp sting.

      Jake leaned over Sammy, looking at her with one eyebrow lifted.

      What was wrong with her? Never in her life had she had a thought like that. Lick syrup off a man’s fingers? What was she thinking?

      The worst part was—Jake’s smile said he knew exactly what she’d been thinking.

      Damn.

      “Or lizards’ gizzards.”

      Sammy giggled. “You do not!”

      “Or—”

      “I get it.” Rowena fought the urge to touch her blazing cheeks. She’d been caught staring. She’d been around the palace long enough to know how rude—not to mention how dangerous—staring at a man was. She could either apologize or change the subject. “Would you like some coffee?”

      “Coffee?” He grinned knowingly, but took her bait. “Sure. Does it come with a waffle?”

      She relaxed. “If you like. Plain or—”

      “Any more booberries?”

      Rowena smiled. She could certainly see where Sammy got his sense of fun. “If you like. But I have to warn you, they’re not fresh this time of year. They’re frozen.”

      “Doesn’t matter to me. They taste good in the waffles.” She smiled as she poured him a cup of coffee, pleased by his compliment. “How many would you like?”

      “Is two too many?”

      “For a growing boy like you? I don’t think so.”

      “Growing boy?” Sammy asked. “Daddy?”

      Jake tousled his son’s hair and began pulling out a chair to sit down. “With many breakfasts like this, I’ll be doing plenty of growing…sideways.”

      Rowena cleared her throat. “Two waffles will take me just long enough for you to shower and put on some clothes.” She placed the coffee in his hands. “You can take this with you.”

      “Black?” He glanced up from the mug. “I like my coffee sweet.” He grinned. “Just like I like my—”

      She cut him off. “Sugar is on the table. There’s cream in the icebox.”

      “—waffles.”

      Her eyes narrowed. What was he doing? Flirting with her? And what had last night been about? Read with him in the library? Sharing the space like a married couple?

      “I’m sticky,” Sammy announced, drawing both their attention. “I’m gonna wash.”

      Rowena pushed away from the counter. “I’ll come with—”

      “No, Ena.” He paused at the door, placing his sticky hand on the jamb. “I’m a big boy. I do it.”

      She watched her charge desert her.

      “His third birthday is still three months away,” Jake said. “So he’s just beginning to make it out of the terrible twos. He’s as stubborn as…” He grinned. “…his dad.”

      Uneasy alone with Jake, Rowena picked up a washcloth and walked over to wipe the syrup off the doorjamb.

      Jake turned toward the icebox. “I’m sorry if I shocked you. I just couldn’t resist teasing. You seemed so surprised to discover that I have a chest.”

      So he was teasing, not flirting. Thank God.

      “I was…a little,” she admitted, but wouldn’t admit to herself even a trace of disappointment. “Men don’t wander around the palace half-naked, as a rule. Especially not the royals.”

      Jake pulled open the door of the icebox—it had probably been bought when they still called them that—and reached inside for the cream. “How long have you worked there?”

      “Since I was nineteen. Seven years.”

      He poured a heavy dose of cream into his coffee. “Have you worked for Isabel the whole time?”

      Rowena nodded. “I dreamed of working in the palace since I was little. Isabel needed a lady-in-waiting when she turned twenty-one, and my father knew someone on the palace staff who got me an interview. We clicked immediately, and I’ve been with her ever since.”

      He heaped three teaspoons of sugar in his coffee and stirred thoughtfully. Without glancing up, he asked, “Any…fringe benefits?”

      “Like what? Insurance? Paid vacations?”

      His eyes were narrow when he looked up. He stared at her for a long moment, then shook his head. “Never mind. Do you like the job?”

      “Of course I do. Isabel has become a good friend.”

      “Then why are you here?”

      Rowena walked back to the sink to rinse out the dishcloth. She’d known this question was coming and had a ready answer. “I’m here because Sammy needs someone to take care of him. Someone who’s around more than the occasional sitter. Isn’t that why you asked for a nanny?”

      “Yes…but why you?”

      “There is a distinct shortage of qualified nannies in Edenbourg. Even baby-sitters, for that matter. Our unemployment rate is so low that our daycare workers are paid much higher than those in the States.”

      “And just what are your qualifications?”

      “You didn’t ask Isabel when she suggested to you that I come?”

      “Answer the question, please.”

      “Yes, Mr. Barrister.” She raised a brow to let him know she recognized his arrogance. “I worked in child care during secondary school. And…” she shrugged “…children seem to like me.”

      “Sammy certainly does. I’m amazed at how much you’ve brought him out already.”

      “Then why are you worried?”

      Jake shrugged and took a sip of coffee. “I’m his father. It’s my job.”

      She sighed. “I’m here because I like children. I really do like Sammy. And Isabel asked me to help, since you might be here a while. I’d do anything for her. She’s as dear to me as a sister.”

      “I might be here a while.” Jake pounced on her offhand comment. “Why? Because I’m guilty?”

      Rowena could’ve kicked herself. “Guilty of what?”

      “Of СКАЧАТЬ