Page 18 of Wed to You

“First, she was about fifty years younger than G.W. and second, she was a Vegas showgirl.”

Lexie snorted. “Great day! That is cliché.”

“It’s got Jagger freaked.” Mitch turned back to his burgers, flipping them.

“Why?” Chelsea turned her glass in her hands, hoping her eagerness to know about Jagger was viewed as curiosity and nothing more.

“She showed up again this afternoon. He called me to turn her in as a trespasser. She’d left by the time I arrived, but he’s concerned.”

“I think he was afraid she’d abduct Kaden,” Chelsea said.

“He’s even more afraid she’ll take him to court and win.” Mitch flipped one of the burgers.

“Could she win?” Lexie’s tone was horrified. “I mean, I know she’s the mother, but a drug addict? Certainly, a judge wouldn’t give back a child to a mother like that. Isn’t Jagger doing a good job taking care of the boy?”

“She says she’s clean and ready to be a mom.” Mitch started putting cooked hamburgers on a plate.

Lexie pulled her baby closer. “I can’t imagine something like that. The possibility of losing a child.”

Drake reached over and rubbed her neck. Lexie leaned her head into his hand. It was a sweet gesture that caused a mixture of happiness and envy in Chelsea.

“I wonder if we should have invited him and Kaden.” Sydney took the plate from Mitch and set it on the table.

“It sounded like he’s having a hard time assimilating.” Chelsea started to feel guilty. It was hard to imagine a man with Jagger’s looks, money, and charm having difficulty making friends, but small, old, traditional Southern towns could be a tough place to fit in.

“Really?” Lexie moved to the table to put Oliver in a high chair.

“He’s a rich Yankee. That alone makes him suspect.” Mitch closed the grill lid.

Lexie laughed. “Well, yeah. But Drake and Sydney have fared okay.”

“But they had you and Mitch.” The guilt in Chelsea grew. “He made a comment about people staying away because of his reputation or getting close because of his money.”

Mitch stopped midway to the table. “When did you get so chummy with Jagger?”

Chelsea shifted in her seat, although she didn’t know why. She had nothing to hide. Still, the protective glare in Mitch’s eyes made her hesitate. “Kaden was in my class this year.”

“I heard that Dana Dalton came onto Jagger and he turned her down.” Lexie took baby David from Drake and set him in another high chair.

“It’s good to know he’s discriminating,” Chelsea murmured.

“I’ve got one better. Jagger went out a couple of time with my former friend Julia.” Sydney took the plate from Mitch and set it on the table.

“The one that tried to kill you and Mitch?” Lexie said.

“Wish he’d mentioned how screwy she was earlier.” Mitch ran a hand down Sydney’s back. Chelsea sighed at the love she saw between them. Then Mitch turned his attention back to his guests. “Normally, I’d have no problem inviting Jagger to one of our gatherings, but this is for family only.”

Biologically, Chelsea wasn’t family. But she’d known Lexie and Mitch since they were in diapers and, after the death of Brian, Mitch had taken on the role of big brother. So she was considered family.

“Where are your parents?” Chelsea stood to go sit at the table.

“They’re off on one of their retreats.” Lexie waggled her brows.

It was common knowledge that the McKenna parents had a very active love life.

“Before y’all sit, I want to make a toast.” Mitch picked up his beer. Everyone else held up their drinks. Sydney moved to stand with Mitch.

There was a gleam, a happiness in his eyes that made Chelsea hold her breath. He nodded to Sydney and after grinning up at him, she turned to her guests. “Mitch and I have some news.”

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