Page 2 of Wed to You

“My dad died.”

“I’m sorry. It’s sad to lose people you love.”

“He was old.”

Jagger shifted in his chair. “Kaden didn’t have a lot of time with him.”

Chelsea understood Jagger was trying to explain Kaden’s apparent lack of emotion about his father’s death, but she didn’t need it.

“He was Jagger’s grandpa.”

Jagger laughed and ruffled Kaden’s hair. “That’s right. My grandfather married Kaden’s mom.”

“I’m his uncle. But he’s the boss of me until I’m bigger.”

“Ah.” Chelsea did the mental gymnastics. Jagger’s grandfather had married a younger woman and had Kaden, which indeed made Kaden Jagger’s uncle. It made her think of the children’s song, “I’m My Own Grandpa.”

“That’s right, champ. As long as you passed kindergarten.”

Kaden turned his large blue eyes, which looked so much like Jagger’s, on her. “Did I?”

“With flying colors.” Chelsea passed the certificate of promotion to Kaden.

He picked it up. “This is me.” He pointed at the calligraphy spelling out his name. “What does the rest say?” He showed the certificate to Jagger.

“It says you have smarticles and you’re going to first grade. Congratulations.”

“Yeah!” Both of Kaden’s arms shot into the air in victory.

Chelsea studied the two Talbots. Her impression of Jagger up to this point had been that he was the shallow playboy depicted in the tabloids. Not that it swayed her reaction to him. That was involuntary; her hormones acting totally detached from her brain. But she’d never have guessed he’d be so fatherly, especially since he hadn’t managed to make a single school function over the course of the year.

“First grade is different than kindergarten. He’ll have a little homework, and there’s less of a play-element to learning.”

Jagger nodded. “I’m sure Big K here can handle it.”

“Parental—uh—guardian involvement becomes more important as he goes on in school.”

Jagger’s gaze jerked from Kaden’s certificate to her. His laid-back expression tightened and his eyes narrowed. “You don’t think I’m involved?”

“I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve seen you in regards to his education.” Chelsea sat straight, her chin slightly lifted, proud she’d found her bearings around this compelling man and was finally being the teacher she was.

“When I can’t be here, he has very good care.”

“Mrs. Stanton, yes. But she’s not his guardian. You are.”

Jagger’s sat back and studied her. After a moment, he leaned forward. “So none of the other kids in your class have families who need daycare?”

She shifted in her seat as his glare bore into her. “Yes. But the daycare providers don’t come to the parent-teacher conferences.”

“I see.” His eyes narrowed, making him really look like the devil now. “So what do the parents do when they can’t come? Who do they send instead?”

Chelsea swallowed as she realized what he was saying. Not all parents came to parent-teacher meetings. Some didn’t care, but many couldn’t make it. Apparently, Jagger couldn’t either, but he’d felt the meetings were important enough to send Kaden’s nanny.

“You don’t know me or my family. Kaden gets more love and attention than most kids. From me and from Mrs. Stanton. She raised me and thank God for it because my parents are as—” Jagger stopped.

Kaden looked up at him. “Are you mad?”

Jagger took a deep breath and set a hand on Kaden’s back. “No.”

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