Page 15 of Wed to You

Chapter Three

Kaden swungin the tire swing Jagger had one of the farm hands put up in the large oak behind the house. Jagger should be at the stables checking on the horses, but he wasn’t going to take his eyes off Kaden until the situation with Tanya was settled. He didn’t know where she was or what her plans were, and until he did, Kaden would be kept close. She said she’d get a lawyer. He scoffed at that idea. First, unless something had changed, she was broke. She’d received nothing from Jagger’s grandfather because she’d cheated, thereby forfeiting the substantial income she’d have received per the prenuptial agreement. Second, she was an ex-exotic dancer, who’d gotten involved in drugs and eventually abandoned Kaden to run off with her violent drug dealer. What judge would grant her custody?

He could remember vividly the day she left. She’d planned to take Kaden with her, but Jagger had caught her as she tried to sneak out of the house with a three-year-old Kaden. The fear that harm would come to Kaden had gripped him hard then too. Jagger had tried to help her navigate the toxicity of his family. He’d even tried to get her into rehab, but she’d refused. Even after nearly dying twice. She could refuse all she wanted, but she wasn’t going to take Kaden. So Jagger told her that she could go, but he’d call the cops if she took Kaden. There was a glazed, clouded look in her eyes; she swayed and slurred her words. She was stoned. He’d told her she’d be arrested and her rights terminated if she left. He reminded her that Talbot money would make sure she never saw Kaden again.

She didn’t protest when he’d taken Kaden from her arms and told her to go. She left, with barely a look back, which Jagger assumed meant that she had tried to take Kaden to hurt his grandfather, not out of motherly love. When he learned his father had paid her to leave, he was convinced he’d done the right thing by keeping Kaden.

Now she was back, looking pretty good. She looked younger now than she had the day she left; she’d gained some weight and her coloring was normal. She hadn’t slurred or swayed. Nevertheless, that didn’t mean she was completely off the drugs. Plus, what if she was still with her drug-selling boyfriend? Did she really want to be a mom or had the money she’d taken from Jagger’s father run out? Regardless, she said was calling a lawyer, which meant, he should too.

“If she really does have her life together, she might have a chance,” Alexis Fairchild, Jagger’s long-time friend and attorney in New York, explained.

“She did drugs through most of his childhood and abandoned him. How is that possible?” Jagger pinched the bridge of his nose.

“The courts have a soft spot for moms. Even in today’s enlightened society, the idea that children are better off with their biological moms is deeply ingrained.”

“Even drug-addicted ones?”

“If they quit and get their acts together, yes. It’s not like you don’t have a few skeletons yourself.”

“I never did drugs.” He’d been drunk before, but not in years and, as far as he knew, he’d never been photographed inebriated, which meant there was no proof. “I’ve always been available to care for Kaden when he needed me.” Although, Miss Beemer might not agree. At least when it came to Kaden’s education.

“My suggestion is, if she shows up again, see if you can work out a visitation. That would ensure you retain custody and control.”

“No. She gave up any right to be in his life when she chose her drug dealer and heroin over Kaden. I don’t think he even remembers her.”

“Maybe we don’t have to worry about it. Maybe she’s given up and left town.”

“What if she hasn’t?” Jagger looked up as Kaden called to him to watch how high he could swing. Jagger gave a thumbs-up.

“Like I said, you might have a tough time keeping custody if she’s got her life in order. You’re a single man who isn’t related—”

“I am related to him.”

“But you’re not his father. You have your own past to contend with and, while living in Podunk, Virginia suggests you left that life behind, you’re still unsettled.”

“So if I were married, I’d have a better chance?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. Family law isn’t my forte. Listen, let me hit up my network and see who’s recommended in your area. It’ll probably be someone in Richmond or Washington. I can’t imagine I know someone who knows anyone in the middle of nowhere Virginia.”

“You know me.”

“Yes, but you’re not a lawyer. Let me find someone who can help you with this.”

Jagger nodded. “I’d appreciate it.”

Exceptfor the part of the day Jagger spent in Kaden’s class, the day progressed as normal. Late in the afternoon, Jagger took Kaden with him to the stables. Kaden filled his pockets with carrots and was the most popular person among the horses.

After dinner, they went for a walk in the woods. Jagger considered asking Kaden what he remembered about his mother but changed his mind. Or more accurately, chickened out. Kaden was Jagger’s child as if he had fathered him. Like a son. He’d do whatever it took to protect him.

They were just getting back from their walk when Grayson met them along the trail, just outside the large grassy area.

Grayson’s stiff body and tense voice let Jagger know something was up. “You have company, again, sir.”

The “again” set Jagger on edge. “Where is she?”

“I wouldn’t let her in the house.”

Rude, but good. Jagger nodded. “Will you watch Kaden? Keep him back here.”

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