Page 40 of A Royal Arrangement
“Thank you. This is very thoughtful.”
He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged, looking at his shoes. “It’s just a pastry and some caffeine.”
But to her, it was so much more than that.
If Colin’s romantic gestures for the rest of their marriage included pastries, she wouldn’t be mad about it. She would have to teach him how to make her coffee the way she liked it, though.
She smiled up at him as he slowly backed away toward the door.
“I’ll leave you be.” He waved goodbye and turned around, running right into the glass door before quickly side-stepping and rushing through the doorway.
Rosalie giggled at how out of his element he was.
Maybe I’m starting to change my husband’s heart after all.
After a long nap, Rosalie finally felt like herself again, and she knew just how she wanted to end her day. She made the short walk down the hall to Addie’s room and chatted quickly with Luna and her stepdaughter about her idea. Addie practically bounced as they walked down the stairs together.
Before they exited the palace, she spotted Wes down the hallway. He was the perfect person to help them further enact their plan.
“Wes,” Rosalie called after him. He turned and waited, allowing her to catch up. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Ask away, Your Majesty.” He bowed, though his expression remained playful.
“Would you be willing to bring Colin to the front lawn in about thirty minutes? You’ll probably want to remain indoors, though.”
“Do I even want to ask why?”
“Let’s just say he’ll be in for a cold surprise.”
“Say no more. I’ll make sure he’s there.” Wes winked at her.
Rosalie wasn’t sure if this was the best or worst idea she’d had since arriving here, but she was about to find out.
Chapter Thirteen
Colin
Wes was undoubtedly up to something. Colin wasn’t sure what, but his friend’s grin was more wry than usual. He also wasn’t saying much, which was definitely out of the ordinary. Wesneverran out of things to say.
Colin skidded to a stop when they reached the palace’s main doors. “Okay, what’s going on?”
“I’m under strict orders of secrecy. Just go outside.” Wes opened the door, put his hands on his shoulders, and physically forced him outside before shutting and locking the door.
He tentatively stepped a few feet away from the door. “Hello?”
A small giggle was all he heard in reply, and all nerves fled his body. Addie must have planned a surprise for him. He walked farther out onto the lawn, looking around bushes for his daughter.
“Attack!”
Suddenly, Addie and Rosalie jumped out from behind a bush near him, pelting him with water balloons. Within seconds, he was drenched from head to toe. His shoes made squishing sounds as he jogged toward them.
He picked up a large water balloon and popped it right over Addie’s head before picking her up, throwing her over his shoulder, and spinning her around as she giggled.
“Put me down, Daddy. I have mowe watew balloons to thwow.”
“All right,” he conceded, setting her on her feet again.
While he was bent over, Rosalie snuck up on him from behind, dumping a whole bucket of water directly onto his head. Colin let out a gasp at the shockingly cold water—and the fact that she was being so bold and playful with him.
