Read Royal Holiday Baby for Free Online Page B

tension ease from inside her. She took a short breath and inhaled the scent of a mouthwatering meal.
    â€œZach, is that you?” a woman called. Seconds later, a tall, sturdy woman with iron gray hair and a stern face entered the foyer. Her mouth softened slightly, but she still didn’t quite smile. “There you are. The phone’s been ringing off the hook. Some kook named Rolfe got all snippy with me, accusing you of kidnapping. I finally just hung up on the man.”
    Tina cringed. She generally tried to avoid creating drama, but this time she hadn’t seen any other way around it.
    â€œYeah, well, I think we took care of that,” Zach said, shooting Tina a sideways glance. “This is Valentina Devereaux, Hildie.” He cleared his throat. “Princess Valentina Devereaux.”
    Hildie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Princess?” she echoed. “You didn’t really kidnap a princess, did you?” She glanced at Tina. “I mean, I know it’s been awhile since you’ve been on a date, but—”
    â€œHildie,” Zach interjected. “Tina is pregnant with my child.”
    Hildie’s jaw dropped. “When in tarnation did that happen?”
    Tina felt her cheeks heat at Hildie’s suspicious expression. “It wasn’t planned, Miss—?”
    â€œJust Hildie. Everybody calls me Hildie. And what do I call you? Your majesty? Your highlyness.”
    â€œTina would be fine,” she said.
    â€œHumph,” Hildie said and lifted an eyebrow at Zach. “You said you were bringing a guest, not a princess. She may not like beef stew.”
    â€œI’m sure it’s wonderful,” Tina rushed to say. “I’ll try not to be any trouble. I’m just looking forward to the quiet.”
    â€œWell, we’ve got a lot of that around here. Come on in. Dinner’s waiting,” Hildie said and walked down the hall.
    â€œOh, dear,” Tina said. “I believe I’ve already upset her.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Zach said, putting his hand on her lower back and guiding her farther into the house. “Hildie may look like she’s just taken a bite out of a green apple, but she’s got a heart of gold.”
    Hildie served the hearty meal in the kitchen nook instead of the formal dining room. Zach was pleased to see Tina eat a healthy portion of the stew and corn bread, although he didn’t eat as much as usual. Although he’d been determined to bring Tina home, now that she was here, he was on edge. The ranch had become his cave, the place where he could hide and grieve. He hadn’t brought a woman to the ranch since his wife had died.
    Hildie refilled the water glasses. “So when’s the wedding?”
    Tina choked on a bite of her corn bread. “Oh no,” she said, taking a long drink of water. “No wedding. Zach and I barely know each other.”
    â€œWell, you know each other well enough to get preg—”
    â€œHildie,” Zach interjected. “Tina just arrived here. She just made the decision to come to the ranch yesterday. Let her settle in.”
    â€œHumph,” Hildie said. “It don’t make sense to me.”
    Hildie left the room and Tina leaned toward him. “Is she always this opinionated?”
    He nodded. “And she doesn’t hold back. Don’t worry. She’ll adjust. If she gets too pushy, just tell her to back off.”
    Tina bit her lip. “I can’t fathom telling that woman to back off.”
    â€œPretend she’s your brother,” he said.
    Her lips lifted in a smile and he felt something in his gut twist. The sensation took him by surprise. “If you’re done, I’ll show you around the house.”
    â€œThank you. That would be nice,” she said and followed him to her feet as he rose.
    Zach led her through the den, formal areas and his office area downstairs, then took her upstairs.