Free Her Charming Secret by Sam Ayers Page A

said he wanted to take a walk and left,” he sighed and took his bag upstairs.
    Ashton knew it was going to be a long day, but he was sure Alex would take care of the mess his dear grandfather created. His phone started to ring and he saw it was Aiden calling him. He picked it up and answered, informing him that Alex was back.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Alex walked out to find Pierre running, and he couldn’t help but laugh at the look on his uncle’s face right next to him.
    “Grandpa Pierre, what a pleasant surprise! I didn’t know you were visiting,” Alex called, and as expected, Pierre turned towards him with a frown. “You willz talk with ze rezpect wiz me, brat. And whaz do you meanz vizit you! I am herez to ztay with mi wonzerful dauzer. The queztion iz what ’re you doingz ’ere?”
    Alex grinned at Uncle Nick’s relieved sigh, hoping he would play along. “You didn’t know?! I am staying here for a while . . . there’s a problem with the plumbing at my place, so Aunt Lynn and Uncle Nick graciously decided to let me stay with them.”
    Alex almost snickered at the look on Pierre’s face. They didn’t hate each other, but they usually didn’t see things eye to eye on most matters; since he bossed over everyone else in the family, it was always Alex that had come to the rescue. Alex turned and looked at his uncle, expecting some sort of comment to back him up, but Nicholas just stood there staring at them both.  What was with him? He could bring strong businessmen to their knees, but he just wouldn’t fight with   grandpa .
    “Oh, Alex! There you are! I have been looking all over for you.”
    Alex grinned as he turned to see Adelynn walking out the door with Ashton a little behind her. She winked, and his grin grew. So she had caught on to the plan. Brilliant!
    She turned towards Pierre and said, “I’m sorry, Papa, but I forgot to inform you that Alex is going to be here for a while.” Turning back, she signaled Alex to follow her and left.
    Relishing the sight of Pierre slowly turning purple, Alex walked inside just to be smacked on the head as soon as he entered the kitchen.
    “Hey! What was that for?” he yelled, turning to see his aunt with both her hands on her hips . . . and she would have scared him if not for the playful glint in her eye.
    “The next time you boys come up with a plan, don’t forget to include me,” she said.
    Alex stared at her for a minute and then they both burst out laughing. “You, my dear Aunt Lynn, are the best!” he grinned as he hugged her.
    She smiled, “Okay, I baked a new set of cupcakes. Do you want one?”
    Alex grinned. “You know I’d never say no to a cupcake,” he said, picking up a chocolate cupcake that looked like it would melt in his mouth before making his way to his room to unpack.
    When William started leaving him with Nicholas and Adelynn a lot after his wife died, Alex started sharing a room with Aiden. Lynn had reasoned that since he was their unofficial son, he would have his own room like the rest of the children, but he loved to stay with Aiden, so they ended up in one room; this was basically his childhood home. This room still had the rock posters he put up as a teen and all sorts of scratches and holes – each with a story to it. The room at his dad’s place looked like a guest room. He smiled when he saw the fresh sheets on the bed. Even though all of them had flown out of the proverbial nest, Adelynn still kept their rooms like they lived there. Perhaps that was why he preferred to crash here when there was a problem with his apartment or he was down or simply missed home. Wait . . . if he was going to stay here, then that meant he would be able to see Abigail more often.  Oh yeah!
    His phone ringing broke his thoughts.
    “Hi, Aido! Wassup?”
    “Hey, Alex. Just wanted to know the situation at home. How is everyone holding up?” Aiden asked.
    Alex grimaced, “Grandpa Pierre has gotten it into his head that Adele has to marry