connection.
Although her getting pregnant had been an unexpected complication, he could not regret Daniel’s parentage. Mia brought great strength and heart to the boy.
He shaved, then stepped into the shower. As he reached for the soap, he remembered how she had asked if he had loved before. As if not sure he had loved her.
He had never allowed himself to examine his feelings for her. He had known they would only be together for a short time. But he had never forgotten her. Was that love?
Did it matter? Despite the brief marriage they would share, she was not an appropriate queen. He would let her go because it was the right thing to do. His responsibility demanded…
Everything, he thought, both angry and resigned. It always had. This time, Mia would pay the price for who he was. He stepped out of the shower. He did not want to hurt her. Before he had arrived, she had been an obstacle. Now she was uniquely herself.
When he had dried off, he dressed. Later he would call his father and tell him of his victory. They would need to begin to draw up the required paperwork. Rafael decided that he would be generous. He would allow Mia the right to visit her son as often as she would like. There was no need to keep them apart. Having his mother around would make the transition easier for the boy.
He heard a knock on the door, followed by a low, “Your highness?”
“Enter.”
Oliver stepped into the room. “Your gift has arrived and is ready.”
“Good,” Rafael said, knowing how pleased Daniel would be. “I will get the boy and be right down.”
Oliver nodded and left. Rafael finished dressing, then walked to Daniel’s room.
Mia was already there. He paused in the doorway and watched her brush his son’s hair while outlining their activities for the day. She worked quickly, with the easy grace of someone who has performed this particular task a thousand times before.
Rafael stepped into the room. “Good morning,” he said.
Daniel looked up and grinned, then darted forward. “Daddy, Daddy!”
Rafael dropped to one knee and pulled the boy close. “It has only been one night. Did you miss me so much?”
He asked the question of his son, but his gaze was on Mia as he spoke. She stood by the dresser, wearing her usual shorts and a T-shirt. Her hair was damp from her recent shower, which made him think of her naked, which made him want her again.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked with a smile that only she could see.
“Better than I expected.”
“Perhaps it was the exercise you had yesterday.”
She blushed faintly. “Yes, well, maybe. And you?”
“I slept very well.”
“Good. We’re all rested. Danny, come on. I can smell breakfast.”
Rafael ruffled the boy’s hair. “Perhaps that could wait for a few minutes. I have a surprise for him.”
Mia crossed to the door. “Let me guess. A crown?”
“You mock the scepter.”
“It’s fairly mockable.”
“Your circumstances suggest you will want to understand all of my country’s traditions.”
Her smile faded as something very close to panic filled her eyes. “Good point. Danny, your dad got you an early birthday present. Do you want to go see it?”
The boy nodded eagerly and took his father’s hand. Rafael frowned slightly. Was it appropriate for a male child this age to hold his father’s hand? He could not remember ever having such contact with his own father.
He glanced at Mia, but she didn’t act as if anything was amiss. Perhaps his childhood should not be the measure of normal, he admitted. There would be time for Daniel to learn how to behave royally.
“Where is it?” Danny asked. “Is it big? Is it soldiers? Is it lots of soldiers?”
“It is not soldiers and it is not large.” Rafael looked at the boy. “It may seem large to you. Come. You will see for yourself.”
They walked down the stairs. The Grands were already in the kitchen, fixing breakfast.
“Mornin’” Grammy M said, beaming at him. “You’re up early.”
“I have a surprise for Daniel,” Rafael told her.
Grandma Tessa narrowed her eyes. “He’s barely four. Still a little boy.”
Rafael paused to kiss her cheek. “And here I thought you had accepted me, Tessa.”
She gave him a smile. “All right. I’ll wait to see what it is before I complain.”
“Thank you.” He reached for Mia with his free hand. “You will be very impressed.”
“I’m already having doubts.”
“How can you not trust me?”
“Fascinating question. We’ll have to explore that later.”
Later he would have her in his bed again. Later he would make her forget everything but the pleasure she felt in his arms. Later she would make plans for their wedding and he would let her.
They walked outside just as Umberto led a small pony out of a horse carrier. The animal was pure white, with a long mane and tail. Ribbons and bells had been woven into both, so the pony fluttered and tinkled as it walked.
Danny gripped his hand tightly. “For me?” he asked with a gasp. “For my birthday?”
“Yes, Daniel. This is a Calandrian pony. They are specially bred and revered all over the world.”
Mia came to a stop. “You bought him a pony?”
“As you can see.”
“You bought him a pony and you didn’t tell me?”
He frowned. “Why would I?”
“Gee, I don’t know. Because I’m his mother? Because we don’t exactly have a spare stable here on our vineyard?”
“You do not have to worry about details, Mia.”
“Why not? Someone does.”
“All will be taken care of.” He turned to Daniel. “His name is Gaspare, which means bringer of gifts.”
Danny stared wide-eyed. “He’s really mine?”
“Of course.”
“Can I ride him?”
“Right now.”
Oliver appeared with a saddle and bridle.
“There is much work in owning a horse, or even a pony,” Rafael told the boy. “You will have to be very responsible. Do you know what that means?”
Danny shook his head.
“It means you will have to take care of him. You will have to brush him and feed him.”
“What? He doesn’t get a groom with the horse?” Mia asked.
“Yes, of course there is a groom, but Daniel needs to learn to take care of things. To be responsible.”
“All part of his once-and-future-king training?”
There was something in her voice, something that made him watch her closely. “You are angry?” he asked, not sure how that was possible.
“You worry too much,” he said, then kissed her on the mouth. “Help me saddle him so Daniel can ride him.”
Five minutes later a very excited boy sat on top of his pony. Mia hovered, which Rafael allowed. It was a first ride, after all. But in time she would have to learn to let her son go. He needed to be a man.
“I’m riding, I’m riding!” Daniel crowed as they made a slow circle around the backyard. “Daddy, this is the bestest present ever.”
