The Prince's Texas Bride by Leanne Banks Read Free Book Online Page B

immediately. “Join me,” he said. “If you dare.”
    For a moment, she wondered if she really did dare. Then she shook off the silly thought. Sure he was a prince, but he was still just a man. She walked through the maze of hedging to step inside the small courtyard. “Needed some fresh air, eh?” she asked. “What’s got you so pissed off this time?”
    â€œThis time,” he said, lifting a dark brow of disapproval. “The way you say that suggests I’m pissed off most of the time.”
    â€œIf the shoe fits,” she said. “You stayed upset with Tina for a long time.”
    â€œShe abandoned ship with zero notice,” he pointed out.
    â€œTrue, but pregnancy trumps charity teas,” she countered. “And when are you not frustrated with Bridget?”
    â€œTell me the truth,” he said, dipping his head close to hers. “Would you want her for your employee?”
    He made an excellent point, but she didn’t want to contribute to the strife-ridden relationship between the two of them. “I don’t think Bridget is the reason you were swearing at the shrubbery a few moments ago.”
    He held her gaze for a long moment and sighed. “That’s correct,” he said, then turned away, shoving his hands into his pockets.
    â€œJust curious,” she said. “What language were you using?”
    â€œItalian, French and Greek,” he said with a shrug.
    â€œMust be something big to require swearing in four languages,” she said.
    He stood with his back to her for a long moment and she wondered if it might be best if she left. She didn’t appear to be helping.
    â€œFor some time, I’ve been trying to recruit a new medical specialist for Chantaine’s health care. Our current chief of health and medicine is retiring soon and we need to bring in a younger M.D. for this position. I’d all but sealed the deal when the doctor of choice announced he’d chosen another position.”
    Surprise rushed through her. “Wow, you have your finger in a lot of pies. I didn’t know you were involved in health care. I figured someone else was in charge of that.”
    â€œThere have been other people in charge of Chantaine’s health care, but I’m taking a more active role than my predecessors. It’s not acceptable to me to coast when my family has received such an enormous benefit from our birthright. It’s time for us to give in return. Some in the government welcome my input and some do not.”
    The passion in his voice emanated throughout the space they shared. “I don’t know what the position of ruling prince entails, but I had thought it was more about decorum than governing.”
    â€œI’ve been extensively educated in matters of government, world economics, health care policy and infrastructure design. I’m not going to let all that go to waste by sitting on a yacht in the Aegean Sea and showing up for photo ops every couple of months.”
    â€œOkay,” she said warily. It was obvious this was a touchy subject. “I wasn’t suggesting you spend your life on yacht, although it may not be a bad idea for a vacationevery now and then. You seem pretty wound up. Maybe you should take a little vacation.”
    He met her gaze and his lips twitched. “How many vacations have you taken?”
    â€œI wasn’t born into your world. My family was very poor,” she said. “I worked as a matter of survival, through high school, then paid for most of my own college education. As soon as I finished, I worked that job until I came here. There’s been no time for vacation.”
    â€œBut even if there were, I suspect you wouldn’t take it. You had to be forced to spend a day at the beach today. You and I are alike. We don’t want to take a break until the job is done.”
    â€œYes, but your job will never be done,” she said.