Upper Class: Higher Learning, #3

By Bianca Sommerland

Abruptly being thrust into power of his family's billion dollar corporation is overwhelming for socially awkward university student, Miguel Berger, but it's nothing compared to keeping three toddlers and their equally rambunctious puppies alive. He made a huge mistake when he gave the entire staff two weeks off.

The house is a disaster. His nephews are out of control…

And one of the puppies is missing.

His savior comes in the form of an incredibly handsome former Marine, Ward Neuman, who brings the puppy home and offers to help train the triplet's furry companions. The only problem is Miguel struggles with accepting help and Ward won't put up with his rich-boy attitude. There's no way the two could get along, even if the arrangement would be perfect.

Ward is great with kids, and he can't turn his back on the little puppy he saved, but he's had enough of "high society" and the way they treat people. But when Miguel desperately reaches out and offers him a temporary position caring for the pups and the little boys, he can't say no.

He won't be tempted by his new boss. He will respect the rules Miguel sets for all his employees.

Unless Miguel breaks them. Then all bets are off.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bianca Sommerland
• Release date: Jun 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781988323152

Book preview

Chapter One

Keeping these kids alive was going to a challenge. Miguel Berger grabbed one of his nephews off the top of the winding, sleek mahogany railing, trying not to cringe as the toddler smeared melted chocolate—where the hell had he gotten that?—on his cheek. He could deal with a bit of a mess.

What he couldn’t deal with was the triplets constantly disappearing on him. Or climbing everything. Or deciding bedtime was the perfect time to play hide-and-seek.

Alvin! His cheeks heated as he heard his own voice echo around the huge house, still not used to calling out that name and sounding like the dude from the chipmunk show he’d watched as a kid.

What had his sister been thinking, naming her boys after cartoon rodents?

His throat tightened as he recalled the mischief in her eyes when she’d proudly told him and their mother her sons’ names. Two days before she died. He’d teased her about it, but looking back he wished he’d made better use of the little time they’d had left. Told her how proud he was that she’d managed the family business while preparing to be a single mother. Told her that she was his fucking hero.

Sitting Theo on his hip, he started down the steps, following the faint giggles coming from the direction of the kitchen. He winced as he took in the mess. Alvin and Simon peeked out from behind the cabinet doors under the island, each holding a squirming puppy, faces covered in flour and chocolate. Ms. Velour, the cook, was going to kill him if he didn’t get this cleaned up.

But first, he had to get the boys cleaned up. And in bed. Mom had them on a good schedule, but he couldn’t seem to get them to stick to it. Ms. Velour and their nanny, Mx. Robinson never had a problem, so he’d figured he’d be fine taking over while they were on their honeymoon.

What a fucking joke. You’d make a horrible parent, Miguel. You’re about as commanding as a wet chihuahua.

Probably less. The tiny, yappy things were confident, despite their size. He’d seen a few when they’d gone to the shelter to get the triplets their puppies. Thankfully, Mom had steered them away from the little dogs, choosing instead to adopt three English Shepherd puppies who’d been seized in a raid on an unethical breeder.

The lady at the shelter had told them the three puppies had been kept in a small cage together, taken from their mother too early by the breeder in an attempt to sell them. The mother had died and the shelter spent months nursing the puppies to health. One of the puppies, which Theo had named Pancake, had been adopted at one point, but the owner brought him back when he’d gotten sick again.

Seemed like the puppies didn’t do well when separated, so the shelter attempted to find someone who’d adopt them together.

Mom had been all too willing. They’d planned on one dog for all three boys, but they had a big enough place. Enough staff to help care for them.

This was before Mom had gotten sick. Before she’d asked him to move back home to take care of his nephews. Now…

I’ll figure it out. I have to.

Come on, boys. Bath time. He set Theo down when the four-year-old started wiggling, smiling a little when he ran over to his brothers and the three whispered to one another. They did that a lot, which was the only reason he didn’t worry too much about them not talking to him or anyone else.

Their therapist had said big changes in their life might be the reason for it and to give them time. Get them to stick to their routine and let them know they could count on him to be there for them.

The latter he could do.

A quick bath, pajamas on with only a little jumping on the bed and laughing while he chased them, and Miguel finally had all three boys settled down. He grabbed the baby monitor and brought it downstairs, two of the puppies on his heels.

Pancake and Cricket.

He frowned, closing the kitchen door after a quick check so they wouldn’t get into the mess. Boots, the biggest puppy, usually barrelled ahead of him, bolder than the other two, much like his master, Simon. After the triplets were in bed the puppies usually stayed close to him in the office, while he worked on assignments for the business courses he arranged to finish online since he’d come to take care of the boys.

The impromptu game of hide-and-seek had started about an hour ago. He’d been stressed about how late it was getting. The boys had been acting up all day. But, now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen Boots in awhile.

He looked down at the other two puppies who started wrestling at his feet. Got any clue where your brother is?

As expected, neither replied. Or even acknowledged him. They made little growling noises, then ran off into the open area near the sitting room where he kept all their toys.

Rubbing a hand over his closely trimmed beard, he stood in the hallway and considered where he should start his search. The house had four floors. His mother was on the third one, with her nurse and that area was closed off, as was the fourth floor where his sister had set up her art studio and a rooftop greenhouse.

Which left the second floor where he and the boys had their rooms. And this floor.

He didn’t want to disturb the boys’ sleep if he didn’t have to, so he’d start here. The kitchen was empty. As was the sitting room. The living room. The office.

Whining drew his attention to where the puppies were playing. Cricket was trying to climb up onto the big round, dark blue plush half-sofa. Above it was a window.

The light curtains stirred in the breeze and Miguel’s stomach sank. He rushed out the front door, closing it behind him with a slam and running around the side of the house. A few dog toys lay in the grass which needed to be trimmed, but thankfully hadn’t been over the past two weeks since he’d been here. It must have cushioned Boots’ fall.

He crouched down and saw more grass had been crushed in a wider circle, as though Boots had been running around. But he couldn’t tell which way he’d gone.

And he couldn’t leave the boys alone to search.

He’d have to wake his mother’s nurse and see if she could keep an eye on them. Then he’d head out.

He had to find that puppy.

The boys had already lost too much.

Chapter Two

At a flash of white fur in the middle of the dark, rain-slicked road, Ward Neuman slammed on his breaks and flicked on his hazard lights. There, curled up, was a puppy. It wasn’t moving.

Heart in his throat, he jumped out of the car and cut across the short distance, taking note of the tire tracks that veered around the puppy, as though someone had turned just in time.

And kept going.

Taking a knee, he carefully approached the wet little black and white bundle of fur, letting out a sigh of relief when the puppy trembled and slowly lifted its head. The poor thing was terrified, but the second he held out his hand it scrambled to its feet and came to him.

Shrugging off his black hoodie, ignoring the rain splattering down, he wrapped the puppy up and lifted…him in his arms.

Shh, you’re all right. Ward did a quick check as he brought the puppy to his car, but there was no blood or visible injuries. The puppy was letting out pitiful little whimpers, but he seemed more scared than anything. He carefully set the puppy on the front passenger seat, pulling off the road to the shoulder so he wouldn’t block any oncoming cars.

This road wasn’t a busy one, which led to a lot of drivers going way too fast. The pup was lucky he hadn’t been hit, even though whoever had come close clearly hadn’t cared enough to stop and check on him. Asshole.

Flicking on the heat and turning in his seat, Ward folded his wet hoodie off the shivering puppy’s head and smiled at him. Hey buddy, did you get lost? He noticed the collar on the dog’s neck and his brow shot up. Louis Vuitton? Damn. Who spent that kind of money on a dog collar for a puppy who’d grow out of it within months?

Probably someone who’d be missing him now.

And has their servants out looking.

His lips thinned as he shoved away the bitter thoughts. He didn’t have the best impression of rich people lately, but that didn’t matter. The puppy had a license with his name and address. No need to have anyone wondering around in the rain. Rich or not, his owner would be relieved to have him home safe.

Doesn’t look like you got too far on your little adventure, Boots. Ward smoothed the puppy’s damp black and white fur away from his eyes as Boots gave him a sleepy look. He needed to be dried up, but he was trembling less and looked about ready for a nap. Not a lot of houses around here. Let’s see which one’s yours.

After setting his GPS he drove for about five minutes, turning down a long road, stopping at a large, ornate iron gate. There was a keypad with a speaker built in on a short metal pole by the side of the road. He pressed the call button.

Hello? A woman’s voice came through the speaker, sounding nervous.

He noticed a red light at the top of the keypad—likely a security camera—and focused on it, pulling off his ballcap and trying to look as unthreatening as possible. I’m sorry to disturb you so late, ma’am. He reached back, lifting up the puppy so she could see him. But I believe he belongs to you?

Yes! Oh, it’s Boots! Boys, someone found Boots!

Little sobs and cheers came through the speaker and Ward grinned. He’s a little wet, but otherwise he’s fine. Would you like to come here to get him or—

No, no. Please, come through. I’ll open the gate.

The gate clicked, then began to swing open. He nodded at the camera, then set Boots back in the passenger seat before continuing down the road.

As soon as he started up the steps to the huge front doors of the big mansion, three little boys burst out and came to meet him. There were two more puppies with them, stumbling around their feet and barking as they jumped around Ward, eyes on Boots.

In the doorway a middle-aged woman with light pink skin and brown hair pulled back in a neat bun stood waiting. Her curvy body was covered in what looked like nurse’s scrubs, the fun kind he’d seen some wear, with little cartoon characters all over the crisp, light purple fabric. Not at all what he’d been expecting to find here.

Boys, please come in. She held the door open for Ward, looking hopelessly at the boys who