Page 7 of Omega's Reluctant Mate
“Yes, sir.”
The chauffeur came up behind me, and both Reginald and I moved aside so he could set my bags just inside the door. It was then that I noticed the activity inside the house.
“Oh, no,” I sighed, spotting a cleaner and what looked like a caterer moving around. “What’s Zaya up to?”
“A party to welcome you.”
I groaned, the last thing I wanted was a party. “Please tell me he’s keeping it small.”
“Under a dozen.”
I blew out a breath. That was manageable. “Ok.”
“The party starts at seven, so you have a bit of time to freshen up if you’d like.”
“I’d like that. Should I assume I’m in the same room as last time?”
“That’s the one we prepared, unless you’d like another.”
I shook my head. “That room is fine.”
“Very well. I’ll take your bags up.”
“Thank you.”
Reginald nodded, then grabbed my suitcases and carried them deeper into the house.
I took a deep breath of the sea air and walked inside.
I’d only taken a few steps when I heard the pounding footsteps of a squealing child.
“Bryce!” chastised the nanny, who was on his heels. “Don’t you want to go play with Hope and Bryan?”
“Nooooooo!” screeched Bryce.
“Bryce,” I said as he scurried past.
He stopped and stared up at me. “Unca?”
I chuckled. “Yep.”
He leaned to one side, then the other, looking behind me. “Ganpa? Ganfa?”
I shook my head. “They’re still in Chicago, it’s just me.”
He studied me, and I realized that he had never seen me in his house, and without Papa and Father around.
I laughed and swooped in, scooping him off the floor and tickling his stomach with my free hand.
Bryce erupted into high-pitched squealing giggles as I spun us around.
A sigh of relief came from my side, and I turned to see the nanny standing there. “Hi Ellen,” I said, pausing my tickling of Bryce.
“Hello Mr. Starling. Apologies for his outburst.”
I chuckled. “He’s young, it’s to be expected. What’s he refusing to do?”
“We’re headed down a few houses this evening so that Bryce and a couple other children can play during the party.”
