Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“What do you suggest?” Sebastian asks.
“That leads me back to my original question. Am I right to assume that you’ll want a home in Montana?”
“Of course,” I reply immediately. “I have family there, and I love it.”
“I do, too.” Sebastian takes my hand in his and gives it a squeeze.
“I’ve taken the liberty of printing out several homes that are currently for sale in the area that would be better suited to the kind of security you’ll need.”
He pushes several pieces of paper our way and folds his hands on the table as he waits for us to look them over.
“This one’s out,” I say immediately, pushing one of the houses to the side. “I want to be on the lake.”
“That’s an issue,” Nick says, speaking for the first time. “It’s too easy to access the house from the water.”
“I don’t care.” I stare him down. “I love living on the lake. If you’re going to insist I sell my house, the one I paid for by myself and love, then I’m not going to bend on this.”
“Agreed.” Sebastian pages through the papers and pulls out anything not on the lake, setting them aside. “So, when we take those out of the pile, we’re left with three properties.”
He spreads them out, side by side for us to look over.
“These homes are huge and millions of dollars.” I frown up at my fiancé. “My house wasn’t cheap, but there are only two of us, Sebastian. Why would we need this much space?”
“We’ll have staff and security,” he reminds me. “And my family will certainly want to visit.”
Of course, they would. And I’d love having Ellie and Catherine, along with the rest of the family there. I know they’ll adore Montana. But the cost seems crazy, even to me.
And my brother owns more property than any one person should.
Well, until I met Sebastian, of course.
“We don’t necessarily have to buy a house there,” I say, biting my lip. “It seems silly to spend that much money on a place we aren’t at very often.”
Sebastian’s ice-blue eyes turn down to me.
“Montana is your home, and we’ll have a place there. Please look at these and tell me which is your favorite.”
I lean in again. The house in the middle catches my eye.
“Hey, that’s Max’s house.”
“Max Hull?” Sebastian asks with surprise.
“Yes. He and Willa built a new house right after they got married. I knew he’d be putting this one on the market, I just didn’t realize he was doing it so soon. It’s a really nice place, with a movie theater, and even a guesthouse. The boat slip is ridiculous.”
I yawn again. As much as I’m invested in this conversation, I’m just out of gas.
“I think Miss Nina is dead on her feet,” Charles says kindly. “Perhaps she should go to bed.”
“Good idea,” I agree with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, guys. It was a heck of a day.”
“I’ll walk you back,” Sebastian says and then turns to Charles. “I’ll return in a moment.”
He escorts me to the bedroom and helps me into a black tank and yoga shorts, then tucks me into bed.
“I don’t think anyone’s done this for me since I was a toddler.”
He smiles and kisses my forehead. “I won’t be long, darling. Go to sleep.”
“Sebastian, it’s really not necessary to spend that much money on a house for me.”
He frowns down at me and brushes a lock of hair off my cheek. “Nina, the money is insignificant. I’ll also enjoy having a home there.”
“I don’t want to sell my house,” I admit in a whisper. I’m filled with guilt that he’ll spend the money, and because I don’t want to sell my little house. I worked hard for it. “I just love it so much.”
“You don’t have to,” he says, sitting next to my hip on the bed. “Darling, we have many options when it comes to your house. We can use it as a guest house, or you can even use it as an investment and ask Jenna to manage it for you. Selling isn’t the only option here.”
And just like that, I feel so much better. I nod sleepily.
“You’re right.”
“Go to sleep, love.”
He turns off the sidelight and walks out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
Montana.
I miss it.
And part of me feels guilty for that. The royal family has done nothing but make me feel welcome and at home here, despite the circumstances.
But I long for my boat, and my little piece of the lake in Cunningham Falls.
Chapter Ten
Sebastian
“HOW IS MISS NINA adjusting?” Charles asks when I return to the table.
“Don’t look now, Charles, but it almost sounds like you like her.”
He smiles and shifts his shoulders. “She’s grown on me. Despite the immense pressure of what she’s walked into here, she’s learned quickly and maintains not only her sense of humor but a backbone, as well. I’d say that’s admirable.”