Page 2 of A Home for His Omega

Henry reluctantly grabbed his phone and went back outside. It was cold, the ground covered in wet snow and mud. Aunt Mia had told him that Maine had more than four seasons. In addition to summer, fall, winter, and spring, they also had mud season. The mess of the yard and pastures of the sanctuary certainly proved her point.

He fiddled with his hair for a moment, making sure he was presentable. He was rocking the wind-blown look, hair tousled and cheeks pink. Audrey wouldn’t mind, but his papa would be appalled if he could see him.

“It’s alright to not be perfect,” he reminded himself.

Journey woofed softly, climbing up to lick his chin. That was another thing his papa would be appalled to see. Henry petted the little dog for a while. Coming to Teague’s sanctuary and meeting all the animals was the best thing to ever happen to him. Journey, Sophie, and the others didn’t critique or analysis him. They just loved him.

Audrey answered his FaceTime call almost immediately. “Little brother, guess where Rosalie and I are? Here’s a hint. Brunch on Madison Avenue.”

Rosalie Riverty’s voice carried over the general cacophony of voices in the background. “It’s your fav, Henny.”

“Sant Ambroeus,” he answered promptly, nibbling at his lip. He hadn’t seen Rosalie or any of his friends from New York in over a year. Ros was one of the few he actually missed.

“Correct,” Audrey cheered. “I’m having caprese invernale. What about you?”

“Vegetable soup,” Henry answered. “Aunt Mia made it.”

“I’m not going to lie. I’m a bit jealous.”

“I know, right?” Henry sat on an old bench next to the door, shivering in the cold wind. “Don’t get me wrong. Sant Ambroeus’s risotto di mare is phenomenal, and I love it, but Aunt Mia’s food is just better.”

“True.” Audrey smiled sweetly. “I emailed your contractor some plans, but what did you think of the links I sent? I want to go with an Art Deco style, maybe black and white marble in a diamond pattern. Of course, you’ll need to add on to that house, since it’s tiny. Are you sure you don’t want to just tear it down and start over?”

Henry made a face. “Absolutely not. Also, I’m not sure Art Deco is me.”

“Art Deco is everyone,” Audrey said, rolling her eyes. “Trust me. I’m an expert on this.”

“When will the party be?” Rosalie asked from the background.

“What party?” Audrey frowned toward their friend.

“To show off Henry’s house.” Rosalie laughed. “New place, new party. Right?”

Henry shuddered, bile rising in his throat.

Audrey gave him a sharp look. “Henry? What’s wrong?”

He pasted a smile to his face. “Nothing at all. I should really go now. I’m meeting the contractor after lunch.”

“Alright.” She frowned. “Let me know how it goes, baby bumblebee.”

It was Henry’s turn to roll his eyes. “I’m twenty-six now, Audrey. You can’t call me that anymore.”

She shook her head. “You’ll always be my baby bumblebee. Talk to you tonight.” She blew him a kiss, then ended the call.

Journey whined from his warm, comfy spot in the pooch pouch.

Henry stroked the dog’s small ears. “Don’t worry. Those people will never come to Hobson Hills. They have no reason to.”

“Henry?” Aunt Mia stood in the doorway. “Your soup is getting cold, dear.”

He forced another smile. “Okay. I’m coming in now.”

Lunch with Teague, Sam, and Aunt Mia was as warm and fun as usual. He sat at the table in front of the kitchen window and breathed in the savory scent of vegetable soup and fresh bread.

“What are our plans today?” Sam asked, looking around the table. “I’m cleaning house, hanging with the goats, then covering the evening shift at the pub.”

“Napping for the both of us,” Aunt Mia answered, patting Casey’s back. “As long as we want. Then, we’ll watch our soaps.”

---