Chapitre 42: She and Her Budding Family
Famous Hotelier CAUGHT being cozy with ROMANCE AUTHOR!
"A famous hotelier was photographed at a local book signing event in his hometown with a romance author. The author was also the innkeeper of The Belle, one of the famous hotels in Scotland.
The said pair had been seen by the locals and their relationship has been growing for months. Although, from our sources, it was The Laird that pursued our lovely author…"
Well, it looks like me and Duncan were officially known now. So much for being low-key, it was a good thing that Duncan was able to blur or alter my photo.
"Whoever he hired, did a good job," I muttered.
It was a miracle that this news was printed a week after the event. Otherwise, Riley's Confectioneries will be swapped with reporters. Yes, it would be good for the shop, but not for Riley or her staff.
I looked at the newspaper and scanned the article about us. Other than the bare info, the kids were not mentioned.
The tension that I felt when Jane dropped the newsprint vanished. This was the thing that I was afraid of, being featured on the news. I could handle the limelight, however, my kids were a different matter altogether.
"Mommy," Nicole called me. I looked at my little girl, she was clad in her favorite Unicorn PJs and was clutching her dino toy. "Where is Daddy?"
"You mean Duncan?" I asked. All I got was a nod before she leaned her head on my hip. "Are you okay?" another nod. "Want some pancakes?" She shook her head and wrapped her arms around me.
Concerned, I stooped to her level and made her look at me. "What's wrong, Nikky?" I asked once more.
"Nightmare," was her reply.
Even though she was bigger than before, I picked her up and sat her on my lap in front of the kitchen counter. She was not crying, but there was a slight tremble running through her body.
The kitchen door opened, and Duncan walked in. He was carrying a basket of baked goods and some groceries on the other. One looked at us, he quietly deposited the things on the counter.
"What happened?" He mouthed.
"Nightmare."
He was wearing his trademark black coat. underneath was also a black turtleneck that was knitted. Paired with black trousers and sneakers. He took off his coat and placed it on the counter together with the things he bought.
He was gesturing if I would like to give Nicole to him. I shook my head and rocked my baby girl.
Duncan kissed my head and rubbed Nicole's back, he then put away the food he bought over.
There were some fruits that the kids loved and veggies. Meat and a couple of condiments we were running low on. In the basket, I could smell garlic bread and something sweet. He checked the fridge and took out a couple of containers that we used to store bread.
All the while he was doing this, he was talking on the phone with someone. His voice had this commanding tone that booked no argument. It wasn't loud, but the tone he used was enough for his message to be delivered.
I saw him take his phone from his back pocket before he looked at me and the makings of the pancakes I was supposed to cook. He tilted his head indicating them, I nodded and he started to mix them.
He paused to look at his phone again, there was another incoming call, he accepted it, then he began to speak in Russian. I had to shake my head. I keep forgetting that other than being a god, he was also a well-known person. To be honest, the past few days, he had been on the phone more often. There must have been some pressing matters that he needed to attend to, yet he was here with us.
Nicole lifted her head against me and gave Duncan a small wave of acknowledgment. He walked towards us and kissed her forehead. He was also nodding about something the other person on the line was saying. I was about to put Nicole on the chair, but he stopped me by saying, "Stay, Nikky needs you. Once I am done, I can look after them," he said in English.
I just raised my eyebrows, which caused him to smile. He also dropped another kiss on my forehead. He made sure that the waffle maker was heated before he poured the batter. Yes, I wanted pancakes, but the man decided to make some waffles.
Fall walked into the kitchen with Claude behind him. Fall looked like he needed to go out while Claude looked like he had wrestling on his bed. His face lit up when he saw Duncan. he was about to shout when the man made a quiet gesture. He nodded and let Fall out of the kitchen.
For the past two months of my writing, I have never seen the routine Duncan and the kids have. Now that I have some downtime, I was amazed at what he has taught them.
Claude checked Fall's bowl and made sure to refill his water and food. Next, he started setting the table. Nicole, who was slowly moving in my arms, kissed my cheeks and slid down. She washed her hands and got the milk carton and the fresh juice in the fridge.
And Duncan? He had somehow set up his laptop on the side of the counter where he usually occupies it as he continues to talk while making waffles.
I looked at his clothes, there was no spec of white on them. While me on the other hand when I cook anything white, I tend to wear some of them. I glanced at the Entertainment headline once more.
"Aunt Jane knew the owner of the newsprint," Duncan began. It looked like his business calls were done, because he was putting his wireless on its case. I held out my hand, and Duncan placed it on my palm. I was not surprised it also has the same color as his clothes, black. "They were going to print more than that, but Aunt stopped them."
"More?" I inquired.
He gave me that leveled look and indicated the two people in the room who were setting our breakfast. Realization dawned; he must have seen the panicked look in my eyes because he was by my side. in a once swift movement, he was the one on the chair, while I was on his lap.
The kids giggled and stopped everything that they were doing to hug both of us.
"It is fine, lass, everything is fine. Aunt stopped them. They will not be writing anything about you and me. I promise," he said.
There was a finality in his words, something that made me relax and enjoy the moment. In the coach house where I have built my life, my world started to right itself.
So, why does it feel like this was a calm before the storm? That somehow, something big was about to happen.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone