Page 39 of Tangled Trust

"It’s okay. I’d rather be a doctor than an Au Pair. Don't get me wrong. I love being with Jagger, but I miss practicing medicine."

"I know what you mean. You’re too good a doctor to be playing Nursemaid all day. No disrespect intended."

"I daren’t get into the medical field right now. That’s the first place Sebastian will look for me."

"He’s made such a mess of your life. I wish I could cut off his balls. I pray he comes in for a simple procedure."

I laugh at Anna’s expression. Sebastian better stay out of the OR if he knows what’s good for him.

"Come on. We’d better get going."

The drive to the airport is a somber one. I hate that my best friend has to leave, but life goes on. I shed a good few tears when she boards. It’s awful. I stop off at a pizzeria on my way home and order a meat lover's special. Drawing my sorrows in pepperoni seems the logical path. It’s a good thing I have the metabolism of a jackrabbit.

I use the next few days to my advantage. Hannah and I explore the local markets and hike as often as we can. Before I know it, it’s the night before Carter and Jagger return home. It’s been very quiet here without them. I’m glad they’re coming home.

Little Jagger has crept his way into my heart. I’ve always wondered how I would enjoy being a mother, and the practice with Jagger has been a positive one. So far, anyway. Who knows? It could turn out to be much more challenging down the line.

* * *

"Ella!" Jagger yells as he leaps out of the car and runs to me.

"Hey, you!" I laugh as he nearly knocks me off my feet.

He’s talking at a hundred miles an hour, and I’m struggling to keep up. I can tell that he’s had a good time from the expression on his face and the gesticulation he does as he shares tales of his adventure with me.

Dash saves me by rushing up to his master and licking him into hysterical giggles.

"Phew! That was a mouthful," I sigh when Carter eventually gets a word in.

"Yeah, unfortunately, he slept on the plane, so now he’s all systems go."

"I’m sure Dash is happy about that. The rose bushes are looking far too quaffed, by the way," I grin.

"Poor Mateo," Carter laughs.

"You look rested."

"I feel it. Did you have fun?"

"Yes, I got to see quite a bit of LA while you were away. I even went hiking in Santa Monica."

"Isn’t the fall foliage fantastic?"

"Spectacular."

"I didn’t know you enjoyed hiking."

"I love it."

"Very brave of you to go alone."

"I went with Hannah, the Au Pair next door."

"Oh, the Taylor family’s girl. Are they enjoying LA?"

"It sounds like it. Hannah says it’s a much easier pace than New York."

"We have new families moving from New York all the time."

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