Page 38 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
Robbie let out a frustrated sound. “Better not be, man. There are women present.”
“Not only women—I see a fair maiden without a crown in this room,” Tim bellowed, making Reagan sputter with laughter. “Princess Sunshine. Would thou wish for a crown? Being in disguise does not suit thee. You are the sun itself in that gown.”
“The sun is yellow,” Robbie ground out. “Her dress is white.”
“The moon then!” Tim said without missing a beat as Lily chuckled at their exchange.
Oh, this was fun! “I would love a crown, kind sir.”
Robbie sidled up closer to her, Cassidy thrusting out her bear for Lily to see. “Egging him on will only extend the show,” he said for only her ears.
She set her wineglass down so she could shake hands with the bear. “I know, and I find myself much entertained. Cassidy, is this the incredible Miss Rosie I’ve heard about?”
The little girl grinned and nodded. “Mine.”
“Why, she’s absolutely beautiful,” Lily declared, punching up her own theatrics. “The perfect companion for a princess like you. But you seem to be missing your magic wand?”
Her eyes went huge in her little face, and Reagan stopped playing with her crown, clearly fascinated with this development. “Magic wand?”
Lily spied the utensils crock by the stove. She pranced over to them, making her dress billow around her, and plucked up the crock. Carrying it over to her new friends, she handed a plastic spatula to Cassidy first, still cradled in Robbie’s arms. The little girl squealed and thrust it in the air, nearly knocking him in the eye. Oops.
Turning, she presented the crock to Reagan. “You should pick your own wand like a proper princess.”
The young girl shyly pointed to the knife sharpener. “I want that one.”
Robbie looked a little worried, but before he could say anything, Lily said, “Interesting choice, Princess, and one filled with great magic, I’m sure. So you’d best be careful with it.”
“I will,” Reagan answered with awe.
“I’ve got magic,” Cassidy said, scrunching up her little face and tensing her arms like she was trying to...
Robbie glared at Lily. “If she lets out some magic now and I have to change a diaper, your white flag is going into the BBQ to feed the fire.”
Spinning around, knowing he was joking, she bowed at the waist to Tim, offering him the utensils. “And you, kind sir?”
He selected a whisk and spun it in his hand. “Thank you. You are a kind and beautiful maiden.”
She curtsied again before turning back to Robbie. “Would you want to be selecting your wand, Sir Robbie?”
A wicked look entered his eyes before he replied, “I already have one, Princess Sunshine.”
Tim snickered while Lily’s mouth moved in amusement. “Ah, to be a man. Always with a wand.”
His smile was downright flirty, so she turned away for a distraction. “Now, Princess Cassidy, what wish will you make with your wand?”
The little girl’s face immediately lit up. “Mommy coming!” she cried out.
It felt like a crystal vase had shattered on the floor. Robbie and Tim both went stiff. Reagan’s face crumbled, and then the little girl was running out of the room, her impromptu cape falling in her haste.
Lily gestured with the utensils. “I’m so sorry. I…”
“It’s okay,” Robbie assured her with a tight jaw. “She’s just missing her mother. I’ll go after her. Tim, can you take Cassidy?”
His brother grabbed the baby easily. Her lip was curling up, and she pointed in the direction where Robbie left to go after Reagan. “She’s sad.”
Tim kissed her cheek. “Yeah, a little. But you… Let me see that wand of yours.”
Cassidy thrust it out at him, which he evaded easily.
