Page 34 of Summer on the Ranch (Royally Wed #1)

‘‘Then let’s have it here,’’ Robert said. ‘‘Plenty of room on the ranch. We don’t have much time, though, with your Alex already being pregnant.’’

Alex flinched. This wasn’t happening.

It was as if Mitch read her mind. He put a protective arm around her and raised his free hand. ‘‘That’s it,’’ he said. ‘‘While we appreciate all the advice, not to mention the planning, this isn’t your decision to make.’’

King Phillip glared. ‘‘Are you sure you want to disagree with a king, young man? Not to mention your future father-in-law?’’

‘‘Not really, but I will anyway,’’ Mitch told him evenly. ‘‘No one makes decisions about our future except us. As for who plans the wedding, how big it is and where it will be, or if there’s going to be one, that’s Alex’s decision.’’

‘‘Of course there will be a wedding,’’ King Phillip told him.

‘‘What’s the problem?’’ Cissy asked. ‘‘You two love each other. You’re going to have a baby together.’’

‘‘What we’re going to have is some privacy,’’ Mitch said. He moved to the door. ‘‘I’m sure Betty has prepared coffee for the four of you. Please return to the living room and we’ll join you as soon as we’ve figured everything out.’’

Everyone started backing out except King Phillip.

‘‘Sir, this isn’t your business,’’ Mitch said respectfully, but firmly. ‘‘Alex and I will inform you of our decision when we’ve made it.’’

Her father glared, but Mitch didn’t back down. Finally the older man took a step into the hall. ‘‘Thanks,’’ Mitch said and closed the door.

Alex stared in disbelief as he shut out her father. ‘‘You just slammed the door in a king’s face,’’ she said.

‘‘I didn’t slam it. I closed it firmly. This isn’t about him, or anyone else. It’s about us.’’

Alex looked at him. ‘‘You don’t understand. No one stands up to the king. My father is a wonderful leader and is very willing to listen to all sides of a discussion, but he is the king. He never forgets that and neither do we.’’

‘‘I didn’t forget. But this isn’t his decision to make.’’ He stepped toward her, then pulled her close. ‘‘Now where were we?’’

Alex thought about trying to explain the importance of what he’d just done, but she realized Mitch truly didn’t care.

If he thought King Phillip was getting in the way, he would tell the man.

No doubt he would keep as close a watch on Alex, as well, making sure she didn’t take on too many responsibilities, helping her stay balanced.

He was even more wonderful than she’d known.

She slipped into his embrace. As his arms went around her, she felt as if she’d come home.

‘‘I love you, Princess Alexandra,’’ he said.

‘‘I haven’t a clue as to how we’re supposed to make this work, but I don’t want to let you go.

I want you to marry me.’’ He smiled down at her.

‘‘And to answer the question before you ask it, I’ve been in love with you for a long time, but I didn’t want to say anything.

I wasn’t sure I had very much to offer a woman like you. ’’

‘‘What changed your mind?’’ she asked, even though she knew the answer. It was her pregnancy. She tried not to let that information make her sad. After all, many successful relationships had started with less.

‘‘When I woke up this morning and you were gone,’’ he said, ‘‘I knew no matter what, I couldn’t spend my nights alone in that bed. I need you in my life. I’ll do whatever it takes to allow us to be together.’’

She felt tears again, but this time tears of joy. ‘‘I love you, too, Mitch, and it’s not about having a baby with you, although I’m very happy about that. It’s because you’re the best man I know. I would be proud to be your wife.’’

He kissed her hard, his tongue teasing hers, then he pulled back. ‘‘I’ll never be a prince.’’

‘‘You’re wrong. You were born a prince. It’s about character and strength, Mitch, not about titles. But I do have to warn you. My parents are going to insist that we attend the gala celebration in March in Wynborough.’’

‘‘I can do that.’’

She couldn’t help giggling. ‘‘That’s not what I was warning you about. If I know my father, he’s going to insist on knighting you.’’

Mitch groaned and rested his forehead against hers. ‘‘Do you know what the guys who work for me will say if they find that out? They’ll make my life miserable.’’

‘‘They’ll just be jealous.’’

‘‘You’re right. Because I have you.’’

This time she kissed him. ‘‘We have a lot of things to work out.’’

‘‘Uh-huh. I’ll do what I have to to make you happy, but I want to insist on some time on the ranch each year.’’ He reached out to caress her cheek.

‘‘All right, but what about our parents?’’ she asked, even as she drew closer to him.

‘‘Tell ’em whatever you want about the wedding. I don’t care if there are fifty people there or fifty thousand. As long as you marry me.’’

‘‘I meant that they’re waiting for us in the living room.’’

He kissed her neck, then her cheeks, then her mouth. ‘‘They’d be thrilled if they knew.’’

She found herself laughing, then sighing as he cupped her face.

‘‘I will love you forever, Princess Alexandra of Wynborough,’’ he whispered, his mouth against hers.

Her heart swelled with joy at all that had happened to her. She’d come to this country searching for a brother. Instead she’d found the best man in the world. She knew they were going to have a wonderful life together.

‘‘That’s nearly as long as I’m going to love you,’’ she promised.

* * * * *