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“Stop trying to get rid of me,” he growled. “There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.” And much to his dismay, that was true.
Although she looked like she wanted to voice further protests, Lia gave a little shrug and took his arm. Her delicate grip made such a huge impression that Paul had a hard time concentrating as she told him the story of how Belle and the Beast fell in love.
Fifteen minutes had never gone by so quickly, and all too soon Paul was guiding Lia through the hospital’s entrance. Gliding along the corridors, she paid little attention to the stir she caused. The staff greeted her warmly, but Paul couldn’t help but notice the way many visitors goggled at her appearance or even laughed at her elaborate costume. He caught himself scowling at a number of them even as he recalled his own initial reaction when he first saw her.
“What?” he demanded, noticing her amused expression as they stood waiting for the elevator to arrive.
“I was just thinking that the way you’re glaring makes me think you’d make an excellent Beast.”
He forced his facial muscles to relax. “I don’t suppose I’m Prince Charming material.”
“You could be,” she murmured, stepping into the elev
ator car.
“No,” he corrected. “Ethan is Prince Charming.” A now-familiar pulse of irritation raised his blood pressure.
“Ethan?” Her snort was an indelicate sound at odds with her royal appearance. “Do you really see him dressing up in britches and a frock coat?”
Not in his wildest imaginings. Paul’s lips twitched, but he kept his tone serious. “Maybe for the right woman.”
She gave another very unprincesslike snort. “I don’t think he’d enjoy playacting.”
“I wouldn’t, either.”
She narrowed her glowing hazel eyes and shot him a piercing glance. “You might be surprised.”
Her knowing smile sent a wave of heat through him. Before he could summon a retort, the doors opened and Lia stepped into the corridor of what was obviously the children’s floor. She paused for a second, drew in a deep breath, closed her eyes. A moment later, she exhaled and a beatific smile curved her lips. Just like that she’d become someone completely different.
The transformation robbed Paul of words. He trailed after her as she approached the nurses’ station and after greeting everyone, introduced Paul. Several nurses accompanied them on the way to the lounge where some of the children had gathered to play. The appearance of a beloved princess in their midst electrified the children.
Mesmerized by the spectacle, Paul stood at the back of the room with a cluster of parents and watched Lia work her way around the space, going from child to child, spreading joy as she went. Some of the kids she called by name, proving that she was indeed a frequent visitor. In every case she lingered, answering questions, asking some of her own.
Nor was Lia’s effect limited to the kids. Around Paul several stressed-out mothers teared up at their children’s delight and tense fathers relaxed enough to smile. Once again, Lia was demonstrating the incredible magic she’d used to wrest Grady away from the brink of death.
Paul noticed a tightness in his chest and rubbed to ease it. This woman was too much. He recalled Ethan declaring that first day that Lia came off as completely genuine. Confident his brother had been hoodwinked, Paul had done whatever he could to unmask her. Now he was leaning toward her giving her the benefit of the doubt. This hospital visit was the whip cream, sprinkles and cherry on top of the ice cream sundae that was Lia Marsh.
Which made everything so much worse.
Keeping his attraction to her buttoned down had been way easier when he had reason to suspect her character and motives. Now, as she began to sing, Paul’s spirits sank. Her clear, sweet voice captivated the children. Their parents looked beyond grateful to see their sons and daughters so happy. And some of the nursing staff were singing along.
Before her topsy-turvy world had intersected with his, Paul never would’ve imagined himself attracted to a free spirit like Lia. Her ideas about the rejuvenating effects of music and aromatherapies seemed more like wishful thinking than practical fact. Yet he couldn’t deny Grady’s marked improvement.
Or his own shifting opinion.
Over the next hour Lia demonstrated an extensive repertoire of familiar children’s songs. When at long last she signaled the end of the performance with a princess-worthy curtsy and waved goodbye, Paul wasn’t surprised at the sharp tug his heart gave when she shifted her full attention to him.
“Sorry that took so long,” she said as they headed for the elevator.
“That was something,” he remarked, struggling to sort out his muddled emotions as they stepped into the car.
She eyed him while they descended, letting the princess character drop away and becoming Lia in costume once more.
“From your tone I can’t tell if that’s good or bad.”
“The kids really love you.”
“Seeing their favorite princess come to life is a wonderful distraction for them.”
