Roses in June Read Online Free PDF Page A

want me to answer that question, Mr. Social Worker and House Father of twenty-four rug rats?”
    Blake shook his head. “Nope. Oh and lunch is ready. That’s the real reason I came up.”
    “Then we’d better get down downstairs quickly.” Gabe walked with Blake down to the dining room.
    His mother glowered from her end of the table.
    No doubt lunch would be as uncomfortable as breakfast. He resolved to eat quickly as possible and then leave. He’d have to catch up with his brother by video chat that evening once all the kids were in bed.
    He said grace and began eating. “I need to finish packing after this.”
    “Why?” his mother demanded.
    Gabe tried not to snap. He had told her, but with her memory she’d most likely forgotten. “Work. It’s a two, possibly three week shoot, but I will be home at some point as I have a movie premier in London to attend. And I don’t see wasting time in a hotel when London is a half hour drive from here.”
    Anger surged across Countess Florence’s face. “What about the estate?”
    “That is what I pay the estate manager for. Any problems he can’t deal with, he knows to come to you.”
    “And I can always help out if needed,” Blake added.
    The old lady snorted in derision. “Like that would be any help. You can’t go, Gabriel. I invited Janaya for dinner tomorrow.”
    Gabe groaned. “You know I don’t like her.”
    “She’s a lovely girl—excellent countess material.”
    “Comes with her own abacus no doubt,” Gabe muttered.
    “What on earth for?” His mother shot him a withering look.
    “Countess—counting—abacus…” Gabe explained.
    Blake snorted with laughter turning it into a cough as Countess Florence glared at him.
    “That makes no sense,” his mother said sharply.
    “Never mind.” Gabe looked at Blake. “Have fun tomorrow night.”
    “I won’t be here,” Blake said the relief evident in his voice. “It’s full on at the kids’ home right now. You’re fortunate I managed to get away for lunch today. Plus, I’m away on a four-day course starting Monday.”
    “Who’s looking after the kids?”
    “Reg and Sasha. I was going to ask you after your experience on Warwick High , never mind the way you handled yourself last night.” He tilted his head to the front page of the paper on the table by his mother.
    Gabe laughed. “I’m not ready for kids yet. One unmarried father of twenty-four is enough in the family.”
    Blake flicked the leftover peas across the table at him. “Well, when you do, my babysitting rates are fifteen fifty an hour.”
    “In your dreams.” Gabe laughed as he rose. “And on that note, I actually must finish packing. I have a really early call in the morning, so I’m driving myself up tonight. That way you’ll have the car and Peters here, Mother.”
    “Are you living in that dreadful trailer again?” his mother asked.
    Gabe grinned, taking delight in her displeasure. “We all are. It’s an actor’s life.” He took two steps towards the door, only to halt in despair.
    “What’s wrong with a hotel or hiring somewhere?” his mother demanded. “You could at least take your valet with you. It’s not seemly for someone of your social standing to be alone.”
    “I’m hardly alone, mother, the crew alone number around fifty. And it’s only two weeks, three at the most. But I’ll look into it. Perhaps there’s a local caravan site or bed and breakfast.”
    “Such a hard life,” Blake teased. “Getting paid to go and stay in Derbyshire, in the middle of nowhere, in a caravan must be so difficult. Most people pay for that privilege. I don’t remember the last time I even had a holiday. Can I come and be your valet? Or even your coat hanger?”
    Gabe laughed. He stood, walked around the table, and hugged Blake. “You take care.”
    “You, too. I’ll walk out with you, as there was something I wanted to ask you.”
    “Sure.” Gabe kissed his mother on the cheek. “I’ll see you in a couple