Page 67 of Cooper

But it’s still a difficult concept to wrap my head around. “Are you torn about leaving the babies to a nanny or whatever?”

“No. We finally found someone we like and she’s going to start soon, so I’ll have a little time to make sure she’s exactly what we need. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll start over. I can’t go back to work without someone I trust to be with them, but being a stay-at-home mom isn’t for me either.”

“Hi, guys.” Casey ambles over proffering two popsicles. “Popsicle?”

“Thanks.” I take one and Lennox takes the other.

“What is this?” Natalia asks, joining us and staring at the red icy treat I’ve just put in my mouth.

“You’ve never had a popsicle?” I ask in surprise.

She shakes her head.

“That’s not right.” Casey holds up a finger. “Hold that thought.” She hurries over to the cooler she’d brought them out in and comes back with a blue one for Natalia. “Here you go.”

Natalia takes it out of the plastic covering and inspects it for a moment before putting it tentatively to her lips.

I can think of so many things I love about her mouth but watching her experience a popsicle for the first time is probably in the top five. Her eyes widen as she gets the first taste and then she sucks a little harder.

“Mmm,” she murmurs. “This is delicious! Why don’t we have these here?”

“I made the cooks learn how to make them,” Casey says, laughing. “The twins will be here at the end of June, and they love them, so I wanted to have some in the freezer. Plus, you know, nothing like ramping up a bunch of toddlers before nap time.”

We all chuckle.

It’s one of many things that intrigue me about her—the way she’s simultaneously savvy and naïve. It makes me want to stay. Forget all my doubts and just throw myself into becoming a Royal Protector. Becoming part of every facet of her world.

Except I know that would be rash.

Before I can make a decision like that, I have to get my head on straight and make sure this is both the relationship I want—and the career I want to do for the rest of my life.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see something shiny flash in the woods. It was quick, and if I hadn’t been looking, I would have missed it.

“Is anyone on patrol in the woods?” I ask Lennox quietly.

“We don’t patrol the woods during the day.” She meets my gaze warily. “The Royal Guard handles the perimeter. Why?”

“Take the babies inside,” I say, handing Harrison back to her.

Lennox doesn’t hesitate, undoubtedly sensing the seriousness in my tone.

“What is it?” Natalia asks worriedly, glancing behind her.

“I saw something.” I slowly stand up. “Get back-up out here.”

She immediately talks into her headset while hurrying towards Levi and scooping him up.

“Casey, I need you to get inside,” I say. I’m not on duty but something is off. I can feel it in my bones and my gut is rarely wrong.

“Levi…” she murmurs, looking in the direction where he was playing less than a minute ago.

“Nat’s got him. Go.” I put myself between her and the woods, walking backward to cover her as she walks quickly toward the palace. Lennox is already halfway to the side entrance, and Xander comes out just as she reaches it.

He pushes Casey inside, followed by Natalia and Levi, and then looks to me. “What did you see?”

“A flash, like the glint of metal,” I respond.

“We need to get everyone inside.” He looks around. “If someone breached the perimeter there’s no way to protect all the kids,” he continues under his breath. “But the Royal Guard is already in motion.”

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