Page 79 of The Wedding Toast
Reaves didn’t want to admit how much he was looking forward to seeing how Zia would react when she saw the place.The house had been an embarrassment to him when he was a kid, but these days he almost appreciated his dad’s quirky taste.He’d bought the estate before Napa had earned its place on the map in the wine world.The original owners had built their home to resemble an English castle.His dad had even used a likeness of the place on the label of House of St.James wines.
“Yeah, I think she’ll love it, and I think my dad will get a kick out of talking to her.Although what she’ll name him is anyone’s guess.”
John laughed.“You have to promise to tell me what she comes up with for him.And be sure to stop and say hi when you bring her back.”
“Will do.”
He parked behind the kitchen at the big house and hurried around to the lawn where everything was set up for the ceremony.There were people milling around everywhere, carrying boxes, barking orders.A team was covering all the chairs with white fabric and tying ribbon bows around them.
He spotted Alara and Zia over by the low stone wall.Alara was going through the contents of a large box while Zia skipped along the wall.His heart leaped into his mouth when she stumbled, but Alara’s hand shot out, caught hold of Zia’s, and helped her steady herself.He was impressed.He’d been concerned at first that she was so focused on her work while Zia ran around untended.From what he’d seen, though, she was very much the watchful mom.
“Prince Daddy!”Zia’s delighted squeal when she spotted him sent a rush of warmth through his veins.He wasn’t sure anyone had ever been that pleased to see him before.
By the time he reached them, Zia was clutching a backpack that looked like a fox and tugging on Alara’s hand.“Can we go now?I have all my things, and I promise I’ll be good and…”
“Zia.”
A shiver ran down Reaves’s spine at the sound of Alara’s voice.It was warm, almost musical.He could see why it had a calming effect on Zia.
She smiled at him.“First we need to make sure that Reaves is still happy to take you.”
“You are, aren’t you?Please say you are.I want to see the castle and your dad who gave you your name.”
He chuckled.“I’m still good with it – that’s what I’m here for.”
Alara met his gaze.“Thank you.And you have my number?”
“I do, and you have mine.I promise I’ll call you if we need anything.Or Zia can call you if…”
“I won’t,” said Zia.She hopped back up onto the wall and threw her arms out.
Reaves’s chest tightened as he watched the two of them hug.He couldn’t say that he’d ever even considered having children.But now he couldn’t help wondering how it would feel to be the person that a child loved like that.He cleared his throat — he wasn’t thinking about just any child.He wondered how it would feel if Zia loved him.
When Zia let go of her, Alara ran her hand over her daughter’s hair as she said, “Thank you.I appreciate it so much.I know she’ll be fine with you.”She let out a little laugh.“But you must promise that you’ll call me if you need rescuing.”
That made him chuckle.“I promise I’ll do my best.We’ll figure it out between us, won’t we, Zia?”
She jumped down from the wall, making him inhale sharply.
“We will,” she said confidently.“I can rescue you.”She took hold of his hand.“Can we go now, Mom?”
“I need to come with you to get your car seat.”
She frowned when the chief decorator came hurrying toward them.“Are you going to have your boxes there for long?I need this path clear.”
Reaves bristled at the tone the woman used, but Alara smiled calmly and said, “I’ll be done soon.As we agreed, I’ll move everything I need over to the arch and then I won’t get in your way – nor you in mine.”
Reaves relaxed when the older woman smiled.“Thank you.Sorry, things can get tense when I don’t know who I’m working with.”
“I understand,” said Alara.“I won’t add to the stress.I’ll have these moved soon.”
Reaves was already picking up a box.“You want these over by the arch?”
“Oh, there’s no need, I can—”
He smiled.“I know you can, and I can help.”
“Me too,” said Zia, picking up a bag full of ribbon reels.
