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Chapter Four
Nolan couldn’t believe Madeline had agreed to pretend they were dating and his one reservation, Kiera, had been absolutely great about it. He shouldn’t be surprised as Kiera was uncommonly good-natured but it was still a relief.
The anger he’d felt earlier at parliament and the prime minister for questioning his integrity and daring to believe he would help or get close to Naomi took a backseat to the joy of being around Madeline. Together they’d already proven where the purchases of vehicles and clothing had come from. His wealth was due to centuries-old family money that he had managed well. As a team, he and Madeline could easily prove he had no associations with his remaining Rindlesbacher enemy—Naomi. He looked forward to being a team with Madeline. If only he knew where Naomi would strike next.
Each time Madeline glanced up at him with her mesmerizing emerald green eyes, he was filled with warmth, longing, and completely enraptured by this smart, fun, and teasing woman. For the first time, he visualized a different future than standing on his own and focusing on his children, their spouses, his granddaughter, and his future grandchildren. Could he find love again?
Now as he and Kiera walked up the stairs to the pool with Kiera chattering happily away to Madeline, he met her gaze over Kiera’s head. There was definitely a strong connection between them. They were pretending to date, but the issues parliament and the prime minister had raised had to be addressed and settled before he could truly date her. Maybe he’d been short-sighted to insist pretending to date was the easiest explanation for her staying here. When the media caught wind of the sought-after king having a girlfriend, they would have a field day with it.
They reached the pool area. The retractable walls and ceiling were open on this beautiful summer night, showcasing a million stars. Greenville’s lights twinkled below. The valley beyond was mostly dark, with only an occasional light from a farmhouse.
Nolan was blessed to live in such a beautiful place, but the responsibility of taking care of his kingdom and his family weighed on his shoulders. Without Anne, the load had become heavier—much heavier. What he wouldn’t give for a partner and support like his wife had been. He glanced at Madeline again. She smiled at him, and his heart raced.
For the first time in eighteen months, he was hopeful. He hadn’t realized that though he’d been blessed not to go into a deep depression, he’d definitely not had the light and joy in his life that he’d experienced with Anne by his side. Could he fall in love and be happy like he’d been with Anne, or were his hopes running away with his brain? He didn’t know, but Madeline appeared enthralled with him and at the moment, he was willing to put in the effort to find out if he had a chance at the love and happiness he’d once known.
Kiera immediately yanked off her coverup, yelled, “Watch this,” ran for the diving board, and did a double front flip off of it.
Madeline cheered loudly when Kiera surfaced. Nolan joined her. Kiera always gave him something to cheer about. His daughter was a delight to everyone who knew her. It was fun to share the cheering with Madeline.
“Come on!” Kiera called, diving underwater to touch the bottom.
Nolan slid his shirt off and dropped it on a chair. He turned to Madeline. Her eyes were wide, unblinking. She was fixated on his chest.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Her eyes trailed over his shoulders and arms before she swallowed and shifted her focus to the dark night. “Fine.”
Nolan tilted her chin up, savoring the smooth skin under his fingertips. “What is it? You can tell me. We’re a team now, remember?”
She blinked up at him, her lovely mouth pursed and worry lines forming around her mouth and eyes. She was beautiful, and he appreciated her wrinkle lines. He didn’t want some young, tight-faced woman. He wanted someone who had experiences and battle scars and was stronger because of them.
“You are unbelievably fit,” she said in a quiet tone.
Nolan couldn’t hide the grin that spread over his face. He hiked most mornings and lifted weights three to four times a week in the castle’s gym, following the strength training program Derek and Malik had created for him. He’d been motivated to stay strong and healthy for his family. Now he had even more motivation.
“Thank you. I’ve worked hard to become so.”
She smiled, but her gaze went to his chest again. He had a hard time not flexing.
A spray of warm water hit his legs.
“What are you two doing?” Kiera demanded.
“Waiting for you to do another trick,” Nolan said.
“Yes!” Kiera bounced out of the pool and to the diving board. This time, she did an aerial twist.
“Amazing,” Madeline called to her when she surfaced.
“Thank you, Chad’s mum.”
Nolan laughed. “Her name is Madeline, sweetheart.”
“Oh. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful lady,” Kiera chirped. “But I prefer Chad’s mum.”
Nolan agreed about the ‘beautiful name for a beautiful lady.’ “Does it bother you that she calls you ‘Chad’s mum’?”
“I like it. I’m very proud of, and grateful for, my boy.” Her feelings for her son shone from her emerald eyes. “And of course, I adore Hope and Faith.”
