Reluctantly Royal(57)

“Absolutely not.” I frowned. “I don’t want him to turn on you.”

“Please. He’s not going to do anything to me. And I have bodyguards, anyway.” Cathy shrugged. “It’ll be simple.”

“We spread out the family.” Sam nodded her head. “You stay with Meredith and Marty while me, Cathy, and Alex manage Arthur.”

“I don’t know.” I shook my head.

“Really. It’ll be simple. The media will see it as though we’re showing Arthur special support. I’m betting he will see it that way too.” Sam nodded her head. “Alex will help. He’s good at putting people at ease.”

She was right about that. My big brother was excellent at making things appear easy and simple. I’d say I was envious of that trait, but I’m not. It would mean I’d have to take on more responsibility.

“We’ll see.” I stood up. “I’m going to check on Marty.”

“And Meredith.” Cathy grinned at me.

“Shut it, brat.” I messed up her hair when I walked by her, content to see her annoyed expression.

“Jerk.”

I took the stairs slowly. I didn’t want anyone to think I was in a hurry. Was I in a hurry? Why was I even checking on them? They probably wanted to be left alone.

As I neared Marty’s door I could hear the two talking softly. I hesitated, not wanting to intrude. Then something changed. Instead of talking, Meredith began singing softly. I leaned against the wall by his door and listened. It wasn’t a lullaby, but a soothing, soft song. Her voice was effortless as she worked through the verses. Perfect without any accompaniment; it was like the song had been written just for her voice. It was a powerful thing, when someone could touch something inside you without even being in the same room.

Her voice quieted and I could hear her moving away from the bed and toward the door. I waited where I was, unashamed that I had listened to their song.

“Oh.” She looked at me with big eyes when she stepped into the hallway. “I didn’t realize anyone else was up here.”

“I came to see how you two were doing.” I placed my hands in my pockets.

“I was just tucking Marty in.” She looked back toward his sleeping form and quietly pulled the door closed.

“What song were you singing?”

“Just something I heard growing up.” She frowned. “He hasn’t asked me to sing for him in a while.”

“He’s very proud of your voice.”

“Is he?” She smiled.

“He was bragging on you.” I chuckled softly. “With good reason.”

“Thank you.” She leaned against the wall and looked up at me.

I took a step closer to her. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”

“I think so.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m nervous.”

“About what?” Honestly, I was nervous and I wasn’t the one singing or burying their grandfather.

“About my father. I have no idea what to expect tomorrow.” She smiled shyly. “And a little about singing.”

“You? Nervous about singing? The same woman that tells me she lives for the spotlight?”

“It’s different this time. It’s not a show. It’s . . . personal. Real. I can’t become another character.” She lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “I’m proud to sing for my grandfather, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a little nervous.”

“Well, how do you deal with the nerves?” I leaned against the wall with one shoulder.

“Distraction.” She lowered her eyelashes. “Trying to not obsess over things.”

“Hm.” I looked at her, letting my eyes travel over her face. There were some things I’d like to do as distraction, but knew that now wasn’t the time. “I have an idea.”

“What?” She stood up a little straighter.

“Do you trust me?” I held my hand out to her.

She looked down at my hand, then back to my eyes. I waited while she fought through whatever was going on in her mind. My question hadn’t been simple.

“Yes.” She slid her hand into mine. “I do.”

“Good.” I lifted her hand to my mouth and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Come with me.”

“What about Marty?” She looked back at his door.

“Cathy’s room is right next to his.” I pulled her away from the wall. “I’m sure she won’t mind babysitting.”

“Boy, you really have a habit of deciding things for everyone.” A hint of amusement crept into her voice. “You’re bossy.”

“She’s my little sister. I’m supposed to boss her around.” I winked at her. “It was in the rule book I got when they brought her home from the hospital.”