Page 22 of Wed to You

“Cleaned mostly.” He stopped near the stairs, which technically were in a separate area from the foyer.

Chelsea stood with him, looking at the hunter green walls. She glanced up and realized the stairs continued beyond the second floor and were capped by a dome. Moonlight shone through the windows circumnavigating the dome.

“A few floors were refinished and walls painted. My grandmother had the home furnished back when they first bought it.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“We don’t use the rooms up front too much. Back here is where Kaden and I spend most of our time.”

She followed him through another arched doorway into a living area. While the decor still said 19th century, there were clues that it was lived in. A large-screen TV hung on one wall, with a series of gaming devices at the foot of it.

“Miss Z always yells at us for leaving the games out, but we’re just going to use them again.” Jagger grinned. “The kitchen is this way.”

Chelsea was surprised that the kitchen felt more cramped than she expected, but it was still a lovely area. It was painted in a sunny yellow, with light-colored wood cabinets and white countertops, giving it a country feel. Jagger opened the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of sparkling water.

“I guess I’m supposed to offer to put it in a glass.”

“The bottle is fine.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to make a bad impression. Kaden would kill me.”

She laughed. “Where is Kaden?”

“He’s in bed. He’ll be disappointed to know you stopped by. Maybe you can come over again sometime.” He watched her for a moment and then nodded toward the set of French doors near the eat-in section of the kitchen.

She followed him out onto a terrace overlooking a grassy yard. Green trees and colorful plants trimmed the terrace. He motioned for her to sit in one of the bright white wicker chairs.

“How much land do you have?” It was rude to blurt out questions like that, but she found herself enchanted by the home. Or maybe it was jealousy. Her home wasn’t quite as old but it was close. It could have the same beauty and charm, if only she had the money to fix it up.

“Over five hundred acres. Over that rise there are the stables and pastures.” Jagger pointed with his water bottle toward the left side of the property. “And over there is the pool, and just beyond that are the tennis courts.” He pointed to the right.

“This is a lot for just you and Kaden.”

“We make do.”

“I understand you’ve brought horses back. You’ve got a full plate.”

“I’ve got help. And I’ve got time when Kaden’s in school.”

She nodded and sipped her water. They sat in the quiet for a moment. It was just long enough that Chelsea began to rethink her visit.

“Why’d you stop by?”

Now she really did wonder what had gotten into her to show up unannounced. “I saw Mitch earlier and he said he’d been out here this afternoon because Kaden’s mom showed up again.”

Jagger turned away from her, probably to hide his reaction. There was tension in his jaw and worry in his eyes when he turned back to her. “She says she’s talking to a lawyer.”

Concern grew in Chelsea too. She didn’t know Jagger’s family, but she knew what he’d done to make a life for Kaden. The idea of Jagger losing the little boy he clearly loved made her heart ache. “Does your lawyer think she has a chance?”

“I’m told judges favor mothers if they’ve got their lives together. Especially over a single, former-playboy nephew.” He shook his head. Disgust and frustration were etched on his face. He was silent for a few moments, his gaze watching his fingers as they absently traced the outline of the tile on the table. “I was there when he was born.”

“In the room with his mother?”

He nodded. “It was about three in the morning and my grandfather couldn’t be bothered with it, so Tanya had the hospital call me.”

Chelsea wondered about the relationship between Tanya and Jagger that she’d call him. She didn’t necessarily expect that it was a romantic relationship, but Tanya had called him during one of the most important events of her life. But she kept her questions to herself, wanting Jagger to tell his story in his own way.

“When I got the call I was...” He laughed sheepishly. “Well, I think you can guess what I was doing. That was the height of my partying ways.”

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