A Royal Christmas Proposal by Leanne Banks

Author:Leanne Banks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The next day, Ericka awakened early to the sound of Leo’s lusty cry. She waved Nanny back to her bed as she made her way to her son’s room. Today, she was determined to brighten her outlook. Perhaps Bridget was right. She’d become too serious for anyone’s good. She had plenty going for her. She had a healthy, happy baby. Her child’s nanny adored him. She had a supportive family and she lived in a lovely cottage on a beautiful neighborhood.

Ericka looked down at Leo as he whined. “Good morning, beautiful boy,” she said, putting her hand on his chest to comfort him then stroking his face. She smiled and he quit crying. After changing his diaper, she put in his hearing aids even though she now knew they helped his hearing very little, if at all.

“I bet you would like a bottle,” she said, and carried him to the kitchen where she grabbed a bottle from the refrigerator. He slurped down his nourishment and she helped him burp. If she were following her normal schedule, she would share a little sign language session with him then move on to tummy time, but the sun was shining brightly and she’d heard the weather should be reasonably warm.

She decided to take Leo for a stroll. With a cap over his head covering his hearing aids, even if the paparazzi took a picture, they wouldn’t spot anything unusual. She changed into jeans and a light jacket and put a jacket on Leo, grabbed the stroller and headed out the door. The sun was so bright Leo squinted his eyes.

“Sorry about that, sweetie,” she said as she pulled the top of the stroller forward to offer him a little shade. She walked to the gate and pushed the button for it to open. Just as she walked through it, she heard footsteps behind her. Glancing behind her, she saw Treat and felt a strange combination of excitement and annoyance.

“What are you doing?” he asked, catching up to her.

“I’m taking Leo for a stroll,” she said.

“You’re supposed to tell me,” he said.

“Nothing personal, but I didn’t want to invite you.” She shrugged. “Well, maybe it is personal,” she said. “I’m not going far.”

“It doesn’t matter. I need to have eyes on you if you leave the gate. Anything could happen,” he said.

“But it probably won’t at seven a.m.,” she pointed out. “Most of the citizens of Chantaine don’t rise much before nine.” She frowned. “This is Leo’s first stroll in a week. Don’t ruin it.”

He blinked and lifted his hand. “Okay. Just pretend I’m not here.”

“Not likely,” she muttered under her breath but gave it a good effort. She looked at the trees and her neighbor’s well-tended garden. She tried to take a deep breath and fill her mind with so many good thoughts that they would crowd out her awareness of Treat. After a few moments of walking, she stopped to check on Leo. The little sneak appeared to be sleeping.

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