Page 100 of Wed to You

Grayson huffed out a breath. “You can tell us the truth. About this marriage.”

“What are you talking about?” Except, Jagger knew what he was talking about. Chelsea had already suggested his staff suspected something fishy about their marriage.

“We know you didn’t marry her for love. Since it was right after Miss Gilson showed up, we think you wanted a mother for Kaden to help your case.”

“Even if that were true, wouldn’t that give you more reason to be nice to her?”

Miss Z scoffed.

“You have something to say, Miss Z?”

Her lips drew into a fine line.

“I’m waiting.” Jagger realized that he’d never even talked to Kaden this tersely. He certainly never thought he’d have to speak to his staff like they were children.

“She took your money and does nothing.”

Jagger put his hands on his hips. “Really? She puts up with you.”

Miss Z had the good sense to jerk back.

“She spends time with Kaden, and she’s been an invaluable support in dealing with Tanya. She keeps me grounded, so it’s too bad she’s not here now because I’m about to go off.”

He stepped away and paced the foyer. That was when he noticed Kaden still standing there. “Get in the car. I’ll be right there.”

Kaden bit his lip and looked to everyone with uncertainty in his eyes. “I didn’t mean to get anyone in trouble.”

“You didn’t. They got themselves in trouble. It’s okay. Go get in the car.”

Jagger waited until Kaden was out the door before turning back to his staff. “He heard you. You’re supposed to be role models.”

Finally, all three dropped their heads in shame. In some ways, it angered Jagger more. They didn’t feel bad about hurting Chelsea. Only that Kaden had overheard them. “I know it was a lot to ask you to move down here. It’s been an adjustment for us all. If you want, you can go. But if you stay and continue to treat Chelsea poorly, I will fire you.”

All three heads shot up, shock widening their eyes.

“I can always hire new help. Chelsea is irreplaceable.” His words weren’t just to prolong the marriage ruse. In that moment, Jagger believed them and would follow through. He let his statement sink in for a moment. “I’m taking Kaden to his visit with Tanya and then I’m going to look for Chelsea. You better hope I can convince her to come back.”

The only thingthat prevented Jagger from getting too heated about dropping Kaden off at social services for his visit with Tanya was his worry that Chelsea wouldn’t continue to help him. As usual, Meg Carter met him at the door for the handoff. He told Kaden to have fun and that he’d be back in two hours. Then Jagger was in the SUV, driving to where, he didn’t know. He considered going to Lexie’s. If Chelsea needed a friend to talk to, Lexie would be the one. But as he entered the historic section of town, he wondered if a woman who’d left her life and was in pain would return to the safest place she knew. She loved her home.

As he made her way to her house, a new worry popped into his mind. If she’d gone home, she’d see the renovations he’d arranged. She’d be seeking refuge and instead would find a mess. He cursed that his good intentions would cause her more pain. When he pulled behind her car in the driveway, he steeled himself for her anger at his staff and the condition of her house.

He was relieved that most of the debris was gone. The landscaping and exterior painting hadn’t been done. He could only guess at the condition inside. Then he wondered where the workers were. Had she sent them home?

He stepped up onto the covered porch and rapped on the door. “Chelsea?” The house was quiet. Testing the handle, the door opened. He stepped into the entryway, the scent of paint and varnish heavy in the air. “Chelsea?”

He wanted to tour the home to see how it looked, but that could wait. Hearing movement upstairs, he made his way to the second floor. He headed straight to the master bedroom. She sat in the window seat, her eyes scanning the room until they stopped on him.

“Are you mad?”

“At you?” She shook her head.

He nearly did a face palm. Of course, she’d be mad at his staff. But he’d been asking about the house. “I mean about the house. The renovations.”

She scanned the room again, her features unreadable. Then she stood and walked toward him. He prepared for her anger or disappointment, which was why she nearly knocked him over when she launched herself in his arms, wrapping him so tight he thought she might not let go. He hoped she wouldn’t.

“Thank you.” Her words were hoarse in his ear and he wondered if she was crying.

He’d been able to go most of his adult life without having to deal with a woman crying, and he wasn’t sure what he should do. Because he didn’t know what to say, and because he was just so glad she was in his arms, he dipped his head to her neck, inhaling her sweet floral scent.

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