Read Alpha Billionaire’s Bride, Part One (BWWM Romance Serial) for Free Online Page B

over there, but that mansion is no cabin.”
    Mr. Forest smiled kindly. “Ah, well, you had no way of
knowing. You’re right, that’s not a cabin. But we do call this place the lake
cabin. It’s part of the history. I’m sorry you were worried. Someone should
have explained. Can I take your bag?”
    “Uh, okay. Thanks.” She handed over the small bag but kept
her purse. “So, I’m actually staying here?”
    “That’s right, Miss. I’m Jack Forest, the head caretaker.
I’m in charge when Mr. Ian’s away and I manage the property. Come to the house
so I can introduce you to everyone, then we’ll get you settled in.”
    Jada goggled at the scene as Mr. Forest led her up a stone
path toward the “house.” He rattled on about how they kept the grounds as
natural as possible, encouraging the native grasses and wildflowers to flourish
at will. Paths with open borders were kept clear for easy walking and led
wherever anyone might want to go.
    It was a picture-perfect day, brilliant with a bright spring
sun and cloudless blue skies. The lake shimmered nearby, a number of docks
speckling its shoreline, nestling among the waving reeds and cattails. It was a
good-sized lake yet she could easily see the far side of it. Not far from the
water line, it was ringed on three sides with dense, leafy old-growth forest.
    Mr. Forest told her the property was purchased originally by
Ian’s grandfather and that Ian had inherited it upon his death. Jada wondered
what it would be like to come from money like that, to be given something as
vast as this place. Had Ian spent summers here as a child? What must that have
been like? She couldn’t imagine, though she thought it had to have been
wonderful.
    Her new phone buzzed in her purse. Another text from Marina:
“RU there yet?”
    She sent a response saying she was, and that she’d call her
when she was settled in. She marveled as they crossed over the most adorable
white, wooden bridge that arched over a clear-watered babbling brook. It wound
its way down to the lake and, like a storybook creek, came complete with
moss-covered stones and ... was that a school of tiny, silver-finned fish
swimming by?
    Her attention soon fell entirely on the huge building they
approached. It was magnificent and she wondered how many rooms it had. Loads
and loads. It had to, because it stretched for what seemed like forever and was
three stories tall and probably had attic space, too. Yet for all its
considerable size, it was welcoming and warm-looking, not stately and cold like
some estates she’d seen in movies and pictures. It truly was like someone had
taken the plans for a charming, clapboard lake house and super-sized them.
    A veranda fronted the lovely manor, complete with wooden
swings and white loungers with floral cushions and tables topped with glass.
Brilliant potted flowers hung from the eaves and a wide set of steps led down
to the circular stone drive. In front of the steps stood a line of ten or so
people. They all faced Jada.
    She faltered. They were smiling gaily, but it was
embarrassing nonetheless. Mr. Forest gave her a reassuring look and Jada fought
back her nerves.
    They stopped in front of the line and Mr. Forest gestured at
everyone. “The staff of the estate would like to welcome you, Miss Jada. Let me
introduce you.”
    First up was Mrs. Best, a middle-aged woman with a tight
brown bun at the back of her head. She was dressed all in white, wore an apron,
and unsurprisingly turned out to be the head cook.
    “Are you hungry, Miss?” she asked.
    “Well—”
    “Of course you are,” the beaming woman said. “As soon as
you’re settled I’ll have something ready for you, don’t you worry. Do you have
any allergies I should know about?”
    “Uh, no. Thanks.”
    “Good, good.”
    Next up was a pretty woman in her early thirties, Nina, the
head housekeeper, followed by her young assistant, Elly, who also helped out
Mrs. Best as needed.
    Nina explained they kept a small