'Tis the Season for Romance

by Kristen Proby

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  Cover Design: By Hang Le

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  Published by Ampersand Publishing, Inc.

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  Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63350-073-0

  Prologue

  ~Nick~

  “I haven’t been released for duty.”

  The anger is swift. I want nothing more than to get back to work defending Her Royal Highness, Princess Nina. Protecting the royal family is important, and a joy.

  I enjoy it—and them.

  But since I was shot in the line of duty a month ago, ruining muscles in my right shoulder and chest, working has been impossible.

  I’m coming out of my skin with boredom.

  “Good,” Nina says with a definitive nod. “I told you that it was too soon, Nick.”

  “It’s been a bloody month,” I mutter and shove my hand through my hair. “I need to resume my duties.”

  “You need to heal,” Nina disagrees and props her hands on her hips. “I’m protected. I’m not saying we don’t need you. But for now, I have protection, and I need you to get well.”

  “She’s right.” Nina’s husband, Sebastian, says as he walks into the room. We’ve been in the couple’s Montana home for several months now; since before the incident happened.

  Neither Nina nor Sebastian has been in a hurry to return to London.

  “Sir, I feel fine. I’ve begun to work out again, building up the muscles in my shoulder.”

  “And you reinjured yourself,” Sebastian says, raising a brow. “Yes, your doctor called me.”

  “So much for patient confidentiality.”

  “You shouldn’t have listed me as your emergency contact,” Sebastian says with a nod.

  “I don’t remember doing that,” I reply, narrowing my eyes.

  “Well, you were unconscious when I filled out the paperwork,” he says, waving me off. “Your health is the most important thing. My wife, the most precious person in my life, is your job. Of course, I want you at one hundred percent before we reinstate you.”

  “Of course.” I know that arguing with the prince is futile. I’ve worked for the royal family for several years.

  “I know being idle isn’t in your nature,” Nina says. Not only is she my charge, but she’s also become my friend over the past two years. I like her very much. This family has become closer to me than mine. “And you have to be bored out of your mind.”

  “Understatement.”

  “But it won’t be forever. You’re going to heal, and you’ll be back on your feet in no time.”

  “It’s not my feet that bother me.”

  No, it’s this motherfucking shoulder that still sings like a bitch every time I move.

  “I know you can do this,” Nina continues. “But to make sure, I have some new requirements.”

  I raise a brow and wait as she continues.

  “You’ll be moving out of the security headquarters.”

  I frown. I have to leave the property? Since I came to work for the princess, I’ve been living out in the guesthouse, where our headquarters is located. “I live there. Where am I supposed to go?”

  “It’s too tempting to work out with the other guys out there,” she says. “You’re moving into my old lake house just down the street. There’s not a barbell in sight down there. It’s been empty for a couple of months. Someone should use it. It’s secluded and quiet—the perfect place to rest.”

  Or the perfect place to rehab alone, where no one can watch me like a hawk and tell me to stop.

  “And, to make sure you rest, I’ve hired you a nurse.”

  I blink at her and then scowl. “You hired me a babysitter?”

  “Call it what you want, but a medical professional will be living with you, twenty-four hours a day until you’ve healed and have been given permission to return to work.”

  “So, I’m being punished.”

  Nina laughs and shakes her head. “Nick, you get to live in a nice house on the lake. It’s snowy and peaceful, not to mention, ridiculously beautiful. Why are you complaining? Take the time to rest. Catch up on some reading. Binge some Netflix. Let yourself heal. Jordan is an excellent nurse and comes highly recommended. So, you’ll be in good hands.

  “You almost died protecting me and my family, Nick. If you think I’m going to sit by and watch you continue to injure yourself, all because you’re too stubborn for your own good, you’re sorely mistaken.”

  I turn to Sebastian, but he just nods in agreement with his wife.

  “She’s right. You’re a valuable member of our team, and I need you at one hundred percent. Take the time to recover, Nick. We’ll be here when you’re ready.”

  “A bloody babysitter,” I mutter as I turn toward the door that leads down to headquarters. If this dude, this nurse, thinks he can hold me back from rehabbing and returning to work, he’ll get a lesson in who the boss is real quick. “I’ll be at your place this afternoon.”

  “You’re going to love it,” Nina calls after me. “I promise!”

  Chapter 1

  ~Jordan~

  The snow is fresh.

  After living in Phoenix for more than five years, I missed this the most: the snow. The change of seasons. Don’t get me wrong, being able to swim in the complex pool over Thanksgiving weekend is fun, but I’m a Montana girl through and through.

  I missed big, bulky sweaters, hot drinks, and burrowing under blankets. I could do that in Arizona, but I had to crank the A/C to give the illusion of winter.

  That’s not a problem here in Cunningham Falls, Montana.

  I grew up here. My roots run deep. And I guess, way down, I always figured I’d be back.

  I just didn’t plan on not having a job when I did.

  I follow the GPS and turn my Toyota into the driveway of a house on Whitetail lake, then cut the engine and take a deep breath.

  I’m a registered nurse. I worked my ass off to get through school, and I love what I do. But there are no available jobs right now, and I need work. So when my cousin told me her friend was looking for a caretaker for a few weeks, I inquired.

  I’m ridiculously overqualified for this.

  But it’s a job.

  Not to mention, I’ll be staying in this killer house on the lake for a while, which means I won’t have to live with my mother.

  I love her, but she gets on my last nerve.

  I take one last deep breath, then get out of the car and retrieve my suitcase from the back seat, carrying it up the steps to the front door.

  I ring the bell and wait. When there’s no answer, I ring it again and turn to admire the evergreen trees, heavy with snow. It’s like something out of a painting.

  The door swings open behind me, and I turn. Then stop cold.

  Holy crap.

  This guy is my patient?

  “Hi, I’m Jordan,” I say, holding out my hand to shake.

  He looks at my hand and then back up at my face. He’s wearing dark-rimmed glasses, and his blue eyes behind the lenses narrow. His brown hair is messy as if he’s been running his hands through it all day.

  He’s tall and broad. Lean. Certainly healthy.

  “You’re a girl,” he says.

  “A woman,” I confirm, wondering if he has brain damage. “Thanks for noticing.”

  “I was expecting a man,” he says and still doesn’t let me through the door.

  “Why?”

  He doesn’t reply, just leans against the doorjamb and watches me.

  “Because my name is Jordan?” He lifts a brow. “Yeah, I get that a lot, but it’s really unisex. My dad wanted a boy and named me Jordan. Would have named a male child that, too, actually. Are we going to stand in the doorway all day? If so, I’ll grab a scarf out of my car.”

  He doesn’t say a word, just walks into the house. I follow him after I wrestle my suitcase over the threshold.

  “This is a really nice place,” I say as I close the door behind me and slip out of my coat, hanging it on a hook. I to
e off my boots and follow Nick into the kitchen—at least I assume this is Nick. I mean, who else would it be? “Should we talk?”

  “What would you like to talk about?” he asks as he pours cream into a mug full of coffee and turns to me, sipping the hot beverage.

  Okay, so he’s a bit rude and not hospitable at all.

  I’ve worked with worse.

  Hell, I’ve lived with worse.

  And I have to admit, that accent gives me little shivers.

  “We should probably go over what you need and want, and I can tell you what orders I’ve been given. You know, start with the basics.”

  “I don’t want or need anything.”

  I nod and boost myself up onto a stool at the kitchen island. I’m short. I’m always boosting myself up somewhere.

  “Nina did tell me that you might not be super excited to have me here.”

  “Don’t you have somewhere else to be? The hospital? A clinic?”

  “Nope.” My voice is cheerful as I spin on the stool and offer him my brightest smile. “I’ve recently moved home from Arizona, and I’m between jobs. So, this works out great. I mean, it’s not good that you’re injured, but—”

  “I get it.”

  “Anyway, I’m all yours for the foreseeable future.” His jaw firms, making me laugh. “Oh, come on. Don’t be so excited. I’m a likeable gal. Pretty agreeable. I’m an excellent conversationalist. And I can cook like crazy. Seriously, Rachel Ray has nothing on me. Or that Pioneer Woman. Have you seen the dimples on her? She’s just so pretty. And she can cook. I mean, is that fair?”

  Nick pinches the bridge of his nose.

  “Do you ever not talk?”

  I slump on the stool. “Huh? Sure. I mean, if you don’t want to talk, that’s okay. I’ll just fill you in on what I know, and we can go from there. Nina wants me to cook and clean, and make sure you’re not overdoing it with your shoulder. If you have questions or concerns about your injury, I can take a look. You’re not supposed to go crazy with exercise, at least not for a little while yet.”

  “I’m a grown-ass man, and I’ll do whatever the bloody hell I want with my shoulder.”

  “Sure.” I nod and rummage around in my purse for my lip moisturizer. “I mean, you’re right. You can. Except your job is important, and if you don’t follow the rules, you can’t go back to work. Aha! There it is.” I pull out the tube and rub it on my lips before tossing it back into my bag and smiling at the surly Nick. “What do you want for dinner? I figure we can do takeout tonight, and then I’ll go to the grocery and stock up on some things later.”

  “I don’t care.” He sighs and sets his empty mug in the sink. “Whatever you want.”

  “Italian it is. I haven’t had Ciao since I got home, and I’m totally craving it. What room do you want me to take?”

  His eyes narrow on me again.

  “You’re staying here?”

  “Twenty-four-seven,” I confirm. “And don’t look so scared. I won’t be in your way. I have stuff to do.”

  “Jesus,” he mutters and pushes his hand through his already messy hair. “I’m in the master. You can take any of the others.”

  “Okay.” I hop off the stool and return to the foyer to retrieve my suitcase. “I’ll just go get this settled, and then I’ll order dinner.”

  He nods, and I wrestle my case upstairs, taking the bedroom farthest from the master. We’re both going to want our privacy.

  If there was a bedroom on the first floor, I’d have taken that. But we’ll make do.

  The house is smaller than I imagined, but it’s beautiful. All the rooms face the lake, and they each have huge windows so you’re sure not to miss the views.

  Now that I think about it, this would be my dream house—something on the small side with an incredible view. It just doesn’t get any better than this.

  I unpack my suitcase and store it in the closet. When everything is in its place and organized, I freshen my blond hair, slick more moisturizer on my lips, and skip down the steps. A quick search tells me that Nick is sitting in the living room, reading something on his tablet.

  “All moved in,” I announce.

  He grunts.

  “Do you know what you want for dinner?”

  “Just get two of whatever you want.”

  I frown and sit on a chair across from him. “I’m getting all the carbs in the world. You don’t strike me as a carb guy.”

  “Why not?”

  “Well.” I look him over and feel myself start to salivate. “I mean, you’re lean and muscly. And I’m not flirting.” I shake my head. “I’m just stating a fact as a medical professional that you don’t look like you eat many carbs. In my professional opinion. Professionally.”

  “So, you’re being professional, then.” For the first time since I got here, I see humor in his blue eyes, and it gives me hope that I won’t be living with Scrooge for this entire assignment.

  “Completely. So, are you sure you want what I’m having?”

  “Add a salad on the side,” he says and looks back down at the screen.

  “Okay, but I warned you. I’ll order and go pick it up. Shouldn’t take long.”

  He nods, and I leave the room to do just that.

  By the time I’m driving into town to fetch the food, I’ve relaxed quite a bit. Nick might have a bark to him, but he’ll loosen up. He can’t be grouchy all the time.

  Darkness has fallen, but the moon is high, reflecting off of the fresh snow. It’s just past Thanksgiving, so the town has already hung holiday lights and décor throughout the downtown area, making it look like the set of a Hallmark movie.

  I freaking love it.

  I don’t have to wait for the food, and when I get back to the house, I dish it onto plates, grab utensils and napkins, and deliver the meal to Nick, who’s still in the living room.

  He did turn on the gas fireplace while I was gone, making the room cozy.

  “Thanks,” he says and then raises a brow at me. “You weren’t kidding.”

  “Bread, pasta, rich sauce. You’re welcome. But I did get your salad.”

  “How do you eat like this and stay so little?” he asks before taking a bite of his bread.

  “Wait. Are we having a conversation?”

  He chews, silently waiting for me to reply.

  “I’m blessed with a crazy fast metabolism,” I reply with a shrug and moan in delight when the first bite hits my tongue. “Jesus God, that’s good. Mmm. I mean, I remember what it tastes like, but it’s so much better than my memories.”

  I shovel more in and sigh in happiness.

  “Oh, I also run for exercise,” I say, dabbing my lips. “So, luckily, I can eat pretty much whatever I want, and things don’t get too out of hand. How’s yours?”

  “What? Oh, it’s fine.”

  “Nick. Come on, it’s better than fine.”

  “Okay, it’s pretty damn good.”

  I nod in satisfaction. “Have you had their Italian nachos? We have to get them next time. I can’t believe I forgot them.”

  “I’m going to gain fifty pounds,” he mumbles.

  “Nah, we’ll just eat like this once a week. As a treat. I’m all about healthy meals the rest of the time, I promise. Except I have one very firm rule. And I will not bend it.”

  “I can’t wait to hear this,” he says, his voice heavily laced with sarcasm.

  “If I make tacos, and I will make tacos, we have margaritas with said meal. That is not up for discussion.”

  His lips twitch. I almost got a smile out of him!

  “I can live with that.”

  “Good.” I set my empty plate aside. “I’ll make a grocery list tonight and leave it on the counter. Just add whatever you want to it.”

  “I’ll go to the store with you.”

  “That’s fine, too.” I sit back and pull my sock-clad feet up under me. “Oh my God, I’m full of carbs, and this fire is amazing. I could fall asleep.”

  “Don’t. I
can’t carry you upstairs.”

  I smile at him. “Don’t worry. I won’t. Although, I’ve always been able to sleep anywhere. The car, the plane, the floor.”

  “Not me,” he says. Just when I think he’s going to say more, he picks up his tablet and turns it back on.

  I guess we won’t be chatting it up late into the night. Nick’s a man of few words, that’s for sure. I wonder if that’s with everyone, or just me.

  Without another word, I carry our dirty dishes into the kitchen. I clean up, store the leftovers in the fridge, and start the dishwasher.

  Then, I take the magnetic to-do pad off the fridge and start making my grocery list. I search the contents of the kitchen and discover that I’m pretty much starting from scratch.

  Which is actually kind of fun. I’m sure I’ll forget something, but luckily, the store isn’t far away.

  I shoot Nina a text, letting her know that I’ll be breaking the bank on groceries tomorrow. The fact that I have a princess’s phone number is still a foreign concept to me.

  The whole situation is nuts.

  But I’m home, and I have a job. That’s really all that matters.

  Chapter 2

  ~Nick~

  “I won’t eat that.” I take the sugary strawberry jam out of the cart and put it back on the shelf.

  “Good, more for me.” Jordan smiles sweetly and retrieves the jam, putting it back in the basket. “I like it on my English muffins in the morning.”

  “You have quite the sweet tooth.”

  “Yeah, it’s a good thing I run about five miles a day.”

  She pushes the cart, and I follow a few steps behind, doing my best not to stare at her firm, tight ass.

  Okay, I’m not doing my best. I’ve looked at least four times already. Jordan’s not the male nurse I was expecting. Instead, she’s this compact, gorgeous little ray of sunshine, with her golden blond hair and bright smile. Not to mention, her green eyes would likely stop traffic in Times Square. If it were anyone else, her optimistic happiness would get on my bloody nerves.