Chapter 32
“No…never again.” Lucas shook his head.
Ulima eyed him judging his reaction carefully before nodding. She returned to the kitchen. Apparently he was convincing enough for the housekeeper. Now he just had to persuade Sarah.
Lucas nervously stepped out of the car looking at the brownstone. He had never been here before so he was surprised by its rather ordinary façade. There was nothing about it that stood out from the others despite the
family that called it home.
Sarah and Zoe climbed out after him along with the excited corgi. After being left behind earlier, the puppy was eager to join them this time. Alah gave him a wave of encouragement before driving away. Lucas sighed.
He needed all the support he could get. This visit was not going to be easy.
He trailed after Sarah as she led Zoe up the steps to the front door. When they had climbed into the car Sarah
rattled off the address to Alan with ease. There was no hesitation in her now as she neared the front door. He wondered how many times she visited in the past. Her knock was answered almost immediately as Duncan smiled and ushered them in.
“Hello!” Zoe greeted with her usual enthusiasm. “What’s your name?”
He chuckled, “I am Duncan. I am the butler.”
“What’s a butler?”
“I take care of the house and manage the staff,” he explained taking their jackets.
“Oh. So you’re like a housekeeper?” Zoe asked.
“…Yes. Something like that,” Duncan agreed.
“We have a housekeeper too. Her name’s Ulima.”
Duncan nodded with a pleasant smile. After taking care of Isaac and Ben he was quite used to small children
and their questions but even the boys weren’t quite this chatty. It was rather refreshing.
“Ma’am,” Duncan nodded to Sarah. “It is good to see you again.”
Sarah smiled, “You haven’t changed a bit Duncan. Thank you.”
“Mister Stanton.” Duncan took his coat.
Lucas nodded. It was clear this wasn’t Sarah’s first visit. He wondered if Ava was the friend Sarah used to
visit regularly. At first he was sure it was Ruth but maybe not. What if…
Screeching and laughter echoed as Ben suddenly emerged running from Isaac who wielded a foam sword. Stumbling into Duncan they fell silent as they saw their guests. Daisy barked immediately drawing their
attention.
“Puppy!” Ben exclaimed.<
“Isaac! Ben!” Alexis appeared. “You know you’re not supposed to run in the house. Oh. Hi, Auntie Sarah.”
“Hello Lexi.”
“Hi!” Zoe said. “This is Daisy.”
The corgi spun an excited circle straining on her leash to greet the equally excited boys. Ben scooted closer giggling as the pup climbed into his lap and licked his face.
“Eww, Ben don’t let the dog lick your face,” Lexi sighed even as she knelt to pet the happy puppy.
They had bugged their parents for a pet since Isaac was born but both seemed hesitant to agree. She was certain their father wanted to say yes but their mother wasn’t as comfortable with the idea and Lexi had a suspicion it had to do with her mother’s childhood, perhaps another-traumatic experience induced by her sadistic aunt.
“Oh Sarah!” Ava emerged and hurried up to hug her.
“Hi Auntie Ava!” Zoe smiled eager for her own hug. “That’s Daisy!”
Ava looked at the corgi happily squirming among the kids. Growing up her father didn’t allow pets. The only dogs she ever saw were the guard dogs that patrolled the family estate. Her sister once tossed her into the kennels and locked the door leaving her to face angry, snarling Dobermans. Luckily the dogs were in their pens so they couldn’t reach her but it had still been a traumatizing experience.
Even thinking about it made her tremble but the puppy sitting with her children was pint-sized and…adorable. Hesitantly she knelt immediately drawing the corgi’s attention. As if sensing the need for caution Daisy approached slowly and gently licked Ava’s hand when she offered it. Ava managed a strained smile as she pet its soft fur.
“So how big will she get?” Ava asked.
“She’s almost full grown now,” Sarah informed knowing the trauma of Ava’s past. “Corgi’s don’t get very big.”
“Oh,” Ava relaxed. A little dog wasn’t so scary.
“Corgis are actually herding dogs,” Sarah informed. “Originally they were bred to herd cattle, believe it or
not.”
“Cows? But they are so huge! And Daisy’s so small,” Lexi said.
“True but they are quick and can run circles around them,” Sarah chuckled. “They are fearless and have that herding instinct to round up even a bunch of rowdy boys.”
“Daisy likes to herd our chickens,” Zoe agreed, “but she’s not supposed to.”
“Where’d you get her?” Ava asked.
“One of our neighbors breeds them,” Sarah said. “They also have sheep so the dogs learn to herd like they were originally bred to do.”
Ava bit her lip. She wondered if a dog raised on a farm would do all right in the city. The idea that a dog
would want to look after the kids and herd them away from places they shouldn’t be was an attractive idea. And Daisy certainly was sweet-natured. She needed to think about it some more,
“Mom, can we take her outside to play?” Lexi asked.
“Um, sure. Just don’t get too dirty. Dinner will be in an hour.”
“Yeah!” Ben and Isaac were immediately bouncing on their feet.
“Mommy! Did you bring it?” Zoe asked.
Sarah chuckled taking a tennis ball out of a canvas bag she brought along as well as a plastic arm that helped one throw it further. She stowed the leash in the bag alongside the bag of dog food they brought along for the pup’s dinner. Hopefully feeding her would keep her from begging for scraps. Daisy immediately started wiggling with excitement. It was her favorite toy. Zoe clapped taking the toys from her mother.
401
Comments
Vote
Readers Also Enjoyed
[The Dark Moon Series 4] Enslaved By The Tyrant Vampire
FNSLAVED 11.3K
TYRANT VAMPIRE
T
TAGS sex kidnap fated kickass heroine confident royalty/noble Tuna werewolves
Check More (Ad) >
(110)
