Free Her Charming Secret by Sam Ayers Page B

in France. Frankly, I think everyone in the house just wants to throttle him . . . well, except for Aubrey. She seems to be in love with him and misses you like crazy.”
    “I wish I could go there, but you know I have to go to Paris next week and I still need to work on that proposal. Listen, I need to talk to you about work. I know you put in a leave because you weren’t able to concentrate, but when can you drop by?”
    “I can meet you tomorrow around two. Will that be okay?” Alex asked.
    “Absolutely,” Aiden said. “I have loads of work to do, so I’ll talk to you later.”
    “Sure, bud. Later.”
    Alex’s peace was shattered by Pierre’s voice booming through the house. He sighed, guessing he would have to go save the poor soul that was caught in his grasp this time. Walking down the stairs, he saw Pierre towering over a slightly intimidated Abigail.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Adele still hadn’t decided the location for her wedding and if it got any later, she wouldn’t get any free, so Abigail decided to drop in to ask her. Ringing the doorbell, she waited for a while before Ashton opened the door.
    “Hi, Ashton, is Adele in?” Abigail asked.
    Ashton looked tensed, “Umm . . . no sorry, she isn’t here.”
    “Oh! I should have called, I guess.” Just as she was about to wave goodbye and walk away she heard a voice call from inside, “Who iz it, Azhton? Iz it mi zear grandauzer, Adele?”
    Ashton went pale and tried to shoo her away, but all she could do was stare at him confused. The door suddenly opened further and Abby was pulled in.
    “Who iz thiz, Azhton?” She looked at the man and realized that he was their grandfather.
    “Hello, I am Abigail, Adele’s wedding . . .”
    “Oh, you are alzo getzing marriez! How goodz, you zhould alzo marriez in ze France likez mi Adele.”
    Abigail looked at Ashton in confusion. If Adele had changed the wedding location, why hadn’t she informed her yet?
    Ashton just shook his head. Before she could open her mouth to ask him what was going on, Pierre said, “Zo mi zear, who you marriez? Howz old ere you? Iz he a Frenchman?”
    She stood staring at him in confusion. Just as she was about to answer him, she heard a deep chuckle that sent shivers down her spine. A voice so baritone she swore it should be illegal said, “Seriously, old man, if you took a breath, she would tell you that she is Ady’s wedding planner.”
    Abigail gave him a small smile. Yes, she was still annoyed with him but she guessed he wasn’t all that bad.
    “Hi, beautiful!” Abigail looked up to see Alex standing right in front of her.
    “Hi,” she smiled. After the first week, she got pretty used to Alex flirting with her. He was like a cute overanxious puppy that loved drooling over her. Hmm . . . she actually wouldn’t mind him wrapped over her . . .  Wait, what? Bad Abby! Even as she had her inner monologue, Alex had started leading her towards the sitting room.
    “Hey, wait! If Adele isn’t here then I’ll come later.”
    Alex pouted, “Oh come on, Abby, will you not spend some time with us? And anyway we are also helping Adele, so maybe you can discuss whatever it is with me.”
    “I wanted her to confirm the venue,” she said.
    “Oh! That I can’t really help you with, but I can let her know if you want.”
    “Thanks, Alex. I should get going now.”
    Just as she got up, Aubrey came running in, “Al, I am hungry.”
    Alex groaned. “Alright, let’s take you out for pizza.”
    Abigail, who was standing right there, looked at him in surprise, “Are you serious?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t really know how to cook, Ashton is no better, and Pierre would just burn the house down, so . . .”
    Abigail looked at Aubrey’s cute face and sighed. “Where is the kitchen?”
    Huge grins broke out on both their faces. “Yay! Abigail, you are the best! Can I please have Cheesy Chex Mix?” Aubrey asked and she nodded at her.
    She turned to look at Alex as Aubrey led her