Page 83 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
“I agree.” She touched Reagan’s heart. “Since you love princesses, I’ll bet you remember the other thing they have inside them besides beauty and magic.”
Curiosity smoothed out the tension in her O’Connor blue eyes. “Maybe.”
Lily smiled, aware of Robbie’s gaze on her. “Some call it courage. Others bravery. But it’s a strong trait all people with O’Connor blood seem to possess from what I can see. It means you do what you have to when things aren’t perfect and you don’t like them.”
“Like my mommy and Robbie are doing,” Reagan said hesitantly. “And Billie.”
The tall man straightened at the mention of his name, but she answered before he could respond. “Yes, but actually, I was thinking about you. Because you don’t want to leave today, but you know it’s what your mommy and Robbie want you to do. So you’re going to do it. And you’re going to help Cassidy have a good time so she won’t be too upset.”
“We don’t want her to cry.” Reagan took a few steps closer until she was standing inches away from Lily. “Do you want to stay here?”
“I do actually.” She tucked Reagan’s thin hair behind her ear. “Because I love my job, but mostly because it’s going to help us make sure you and your family can go home to Boston.”
And never have to worry about the Kellys again.
“I’m glad you’re with Robbie, then.” She brightened at last. “That means I’m going to see you in Boston. Since you really live there.”
“It does.” She smiled at Robbie when he turned his head, his gaze warm with that new tenderness she couldn’t get enough of. “Maybe we can have a princess wand shopping date sometime soon.”
Reagan nodded. “I think Tim should come along. He’s really good at accessorizing. I told Mommy as she tucked me in bed last night, and she couldn’t stop laughing. I didn’t see why.”
“It’s the Shakespeare thing,” Robbie said, playfully shoving his baby brother. “Tim seems to have discovered his inner goofball on this trip.”
Tim gave a lopsided smile. “The enlightened appreciate my special gift. Before we go, we need to do one more thing. Reagan, will you kneel, please?”
“What the—”
Lily silenced Robbie by touching his arm, and they watched as Reagan gave Tim a puzzled look before lowering to the sand. He stood above her, grinning as he touched her little shoulders with the red shovel. “For your courage and bravery on this trip, I hereby reward you with a new title. Arise, Princess Pixie.”
Awe transformed her little face as Tim grandly held his hand out to help her up. Lily watched the scene with a soft glow in her heart. Reagan hugged Tim before turning to hug Lily. Then she turned to Robbie, her entire body now straighter and more confident.
“Take good care of my mom,” she told him and then wrapped her arms around his waist.
He hugged her gently, lowering his chin to his chest, and looked to be swallowing back emotion. “You take good care of Cassidy for me, Princess Pixie.”
“I will,” she promised, looking up, very much a young girl growing up.
“Princess Pixie, huh?” Billie closed one eye and tilted his head. “It suits you.”
Yeah, it really did, Lily thought as she and Reagan shared a long smile.
Tim pointed to the house. “Come, we must tell your mother and Cassidy about your new title. Miss Pixie is no more.”
She took Tim’s hand, waving as they left. Lily watched them, feeling in her heart that she hadn’t just fallen in love with Robbie but his family.
Billie lightly punched Robbie in the stomach. “I’ll forgive you for leaving me alone with that lunatic, two young girls, and an FBI agent if you take care of Tara.”
“Don’t insult me,” Robbie shot back, but he nudged his brother playfully in the chest. “Maybe when I see you next, we won’t be calling you Billie but Prince Blockhead.”
“That’syourname.” Billie faced Lily. “Take care of Sheila. Not that she needs it, but I still don’t trust that Tyler guy. Made her see God… What bullshit!”
He wandered off, muttering to himself. Robbie turned and faced her. “Thanks for your help there. I’d rather interview a kingpin than try and assure a little kid everything’s going to be okay.”
“I thought you did a great job.” She cupped his jaw. “When you make an effort, you really are good with women. Grandpa.”
He coughed out a laugh. “Some women. It’s probably my old age and all the wisdom that comes with it.”
Her lips twitched. “Probably. Agent Petris should be arriving any minute now. If I didn’t have so many fellow agents around, I’d kiss you senseless.”
