Everyone laughed—even Eric and Magnus. For a moment they were on the same side.
Finn led the way, organizing the support staff, who were carrying boxes of stuffed animals. He shared his visitation route with the intensity of a child who had spent considerable time dreaming of exactly how the day would go. Eric walked at his side, waving to all the children while staying true to his superhero character.
Magnus remained at Rachelle’s side, leaving her only to greet each child. They were as excited to meet him as they were Water Bear Man, and Rachelle loved watching Magnus become more and more comfortable with them. His humor was dry, but the children laughed, and their parents gushed their gratitude.
One mother said she traveled several hours each day because she could not afford to stay in the nearby hotels anymore. Magnus called the hospital’s administrator over and asked if she knew of a successful program for providing short-term housing at hospitals. She said she did, but so far, she had not made headway getting the funds to maintain it. Magnus merely nodded, but that seemed promising enough for the administrator to look pleased. His people trust him to care about them. Where do you see that in leaders anymore?
The last room they visited held Tinsley, still bald from treatments, who left her bed as soon as Magnus entered the room and took his hand. Despite the dark circles beneath her sparkling blue eyes, she turned her eyes adoringly up at Magnus. “I have waited my whole life for you,” she said so seriously that Rachelle swallowed the laugh she’d almost let out.
Magnus sat in the chair so he was at her eye level. “That’s an awfully long time.”
“Three years,” Tinsley said.
The girl’s parents stood off to one side, smiling. It was impossible not to. The little girl was absolutely adorable.
“I have good news and bad news for you,” Magnus said in a serious tone.
The little girl’s bottom lip jutted out in a pout. “No bad news.”
“Okay, then I have good news and better news.”
Tinsley smiled and clapped. “Good news.”
“There are castles at Disney, but none that are mine, so there is no need to marry me.”
The little girl’s smile faded; then she looked at him with hope in her eyes. “Better news?”
“If it’s okay with your parents, I will send you to the Disney park of your choice as soon as you are healthy enough to go. So you’d better get healthy soon. Mickey Mouse is waiting to meet you.”
“Disney!” Tinsley cried out, and threw her arms around Magnus. Her parents came over to thank him. He looked up, and the smile he gave Rachelle stole another piece of her heart.
Eric chuckled from the doorway. “Nothing I could say will top that.”
Magnus said goodbye to Tinsley one last time and walked out of her room with Rachelle and Eric. He caught his reflection in a glass window and realized he was smiling. How had something that had been such a miserable experience just a few days ago become enjoyable?
Rachelle.
He could easily picture her by his side at other events. Her simple light-blue slacks and cream blouse would not gain the front page of a fashion magazine, but his people didn’t need a fashion role model. They needed someone who would care about them, someone who would raise the next generation of his family with the same moral integrity his mother had.
For the first time in his life, Magnus had met a woman he could imagine as queen of Vandorra. She would be a pleasure to bed, she liked children, and she’d said she was at a crossroads in her life. It was at least worth further consideration.
“What are you thinking?” Rachelle asked softly, and Magnus realized he’d been staring at her with a big smile on his face.
Neither of them was ready for where his thoughts had wandered, so he shared a passing idea from earlier. “I was imagining you in a nurse’s uniform, and then in half the uniform, and then in nothing.”
She blushed, then swatted his arm. “Not here. Not with kids around.”
Her words brought a fleeting image of her saying that to him because their own children were in a nearby room. He’d enjoy quietly convincing her that pleasure was worth the risk of waking them.
The ease with which he could picture Rachelle in his life was disconcerting. With his father’s failing health, it was time to start thinking about continuing the royal line. Finding the proper wife and bearing heirs was a fundamental responsibility that could no longer be brushed aside. Despite the public image bashing Rachelle had taken, he was confident his people would embrace her—as long as he introduced her to them properly. The visit to the hospital, even though it was not covered by the press, would be spoken about and would go a long way in winning their approval.
Although there was still a lot to learn about Rachelle, he trusted his instincts in business, and a royal marriage was part business. Anyone who made a vow to him also made a vow to his people. She would have to love them as he did. Not every woman was capable of such devotion.
Rachelle’s unwavering support of her brother demonstrated loyalty and commitment. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of exploring this possibility more intimately.
While Rachelle was temporarily occupied by one of the hospital’s staff, Eric walked over to speak to Magnus. He was still dressed in his formfitting suit. “Finn said that was the last one. I’d hire that kid when he’s older. He’s more organized than half the people I employ.”
From across the hall, Finn waved before disappearing into his room. He’d looked tired but happy. “You gave the children a memory they will treasure for a long time, and for that I am in your debt.” Magnus took out a card and handed it to Eric. “Now do something for yourself. The clinic is attached to this hospital. Go down to the service elevator, and take a left. Dr. Jonas Welsh is waiting to meet you. He will ensure everything is handled discreetly. If a cover story is required for your time there, we can say you are starting a children’s foundation that was inspired by your visit today.”
Eric pocketed the card. “He’s there now?” He glanced over at Rachelle.
Magnus could have avoided the awkward truth, but he always had been a charge-forward-into-battle kind of man. “She knows.”
Anger flared in Eric’s eyes.
In explanation rather than justification, Magnus added, “She deserved the truth. Your sister’s loyalty to you is a gift, not a burden.”
Eric rubbed his hands over his face. “I didn’t want her to worry.”
“She was already worried, now let her be there for you.”
“I don’t understand why you’re doing this. Nobody does something for nothing. What did you say yesterday? You want to help me so Finn and Rachelle won’t be hurt. Well, Finn has met me now, so all that’s left is Rachelle. Are you hoping that she’ll stay here if I do?”
“She will stay, regardless.”
“You are one cocky bastard.”
“Let’s not start slinging insults—I am in a good mood.”
Eric’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t care about much, but I care about Rachelle. If you hurt her—”
“I know—you’ll kill me. You want to scare me? Go get your shit together; then come for me. Right now you’re too easy a target.”
“Fuck you.”
“You disappoint me, Eric.” Magnus straightened to his full height. “Life is full of allies and enemies. Learn to recognize the difference.”
“You’re my ally?”
“I’m not your enemy.” Magnus sighed. “And right now you’re more at risk of hurting your sister than I am. She’s here because she loves you. You can piss on that or you can be grateful that you have someone like her in your life. It’s your choice.”