Chapter 5

To end our journey, we traveled down a long driveway lined with perfectly manicured lawns, beautifully trimmed hedges, and towering pines surrounding the edge of the expansive property. Up ahead, the manor awaited our arrival, along with an old lady that was reminiscent of something out of a movie.

Colten inched forward on his seat, scooting all the way to the edge as he ducked his head, gaping as he stared at the place through the windshield. He was clearly in awe and I had to admit, he wasn’t the only one.

It was difficult to imagine a place like this existing just outside of the tiny town we’d passed through to get here. Almost just as difficult as it was to imagine a woman like that one I’d seen earlier just appearing like a siren from the water below.

We hadn’t even climbed out of the SUV yet, and already, June Lake was surprising me. I grinned as Colten unbuckled his seatbelt without moving his stare away from the house. His mouth dropped open as he got out and studied the exterior.

Proud that I’d managed to shock him into silence, I followed him out of the vehicle and chuckled. “Cat got your tongue?”

He finally managed to tear his gaze away from the house to gape at me instead. “We’re staying here all summer?”

“Yep.”

“No. Way.” Suddenly, he let out an enthusiastic yell before taking off, running around the loop in the driveway and up the front steps to the door.

Barely stopping to open it, he burst inside and I heard another shriek of excitement before he disappeared from view. The driver chuckled as he unloaded our bags.

“The Manor has that effect on people,” he said. “It’s got a rich history too. I know some of it, if you’re interested.”

I dipped my chin in a curt nod, taking a look around while he emptied the trunk. The property was sprawling. Massive, really. The listing for the rental had said that the house was set on seven acres, but I hadn’t really believed it until now.

Right on the lake, it was a brick mansion and one of the most magnificent buildings I’d ever seen. I was in awe of the architecture, almost castle-like with modern updates.

“A wealthy couple from England started building it in 1915,” the driver said as he shouldered all the bags he could carry at once. I picked up the others, following him as he told the story. “The husband, Mr. Styles, survived World War I and the manor became their family estate until they grew old and gray together.”

“That’s impressive,” I said, finding it hard to comprehend the events that must have happened here. “Does it still belong to the family?”

“Yes, sir,” he said immediately. “Their oldest grandson inherited it and he’s the one you’d have rented it from. He’s had it listed for a few years now as a vacation rental, though I’m not sure I’d have wanted to share a home like this with anyone else.”

I chuckled, nodding my agreement as he walked inside. Dropping the bags with dull thuds, I pulled off my sunglasses and let out a low whistle. “Yeah, there’s no way I’d have rented it either.”

Finding myself in an expansive entry hall, I took a minute to take it all in, my gaze wandering from the large, polished tiles beneath my feet, to the high ceilings, the elaborate chandeliers, and the curving staircase that led to the upper level.

The driver carried our bags to the base of the staircase. “Would you like me to take these up for you? I’m sure you know this from the ad, but there are five bedrooms. All upstairs, I’m afraid.”

“That is no problem,” I said, my voice hushed with the awe that was rolling over me until I cleared my throat. “We’ll take care of it. Thanks for everything.”

“You’re very welcome, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you before I leave?”

“No, thank you,” I replied, my gaze leaving his again as I took a few steps forward. “I doubt we’ll be going anywhere else today.”

“Very well, sir.” He tipped his hat at me and left, and I blinked hard, wondering where Colten had gone off to.

Deciding to take our bags upstairs later, I set off in search of my son, walking through a formal living room featuring windows on three sides and a marble fireplace, but Colt wasn’t there. Nor did it appear that the doors leading outside had been opened, which meant that he hadn’t run to the swimming pool, the lake, or the patio.

As I left the living room, I entered a large, double-island, gourmet kitchen that opened to a breakfast area as well as a space for larger gatherings. In the corner was a pantry the size of my childhood bedroom and I peeked inside, relieved at the foresight I’d had to ask for the basics to be stocked.

Still not having found any trace of my son, I kept going, striding into a large dining room next. I found a paneled den with an ornate fireplace and a built-in bar. Jeez, this place just keeps getting better and better.

Eventually, I found Colten in a lavish room at the end of the house. Billiard tables and dart boards dominated the space, making me think that it was definitely a game room, and lo and behold, it even had a chess table with hand-carved pieces right in front of a picture window facing the lake.

Naturally, that was where I found Colten. He’d already taken a seat and was marveling at the board when I walked in. It took him a moment to realize I was there, but when he looked at me, he immediately pressed his palms together in a praying motion.

“Can we play, Dad? Please?”

I glanced at the grounds beyond the window and the sparkling lake, then shook my head when I looked back at him. “How about we hold off on the chess for now and go exploring?”

He frowned but was quickly distracted when I arched an eyebrow at him. “How about this? Whoever finds the best room first gets to claim it for themselves for the summer. No arguments. You just get the one you want as long as you were in it before me.”

Colten’s green eyes lit up, and before I could say another word, he was on his feet and racing to the door. I laughed, taking off after him but he’d already disappeared up the stairs when I reached them. Grabbing some of the bags, I carried them up with me, smiling at the squeals of laughter emanating from the room he was in.

Later that night, I sat on the edge of his bed, knowing it wasn’t strictly necessary to tuck him in anymore but also relishing the opportunity. I grinned as I took another look at the room he’d won.

“You definitely got the best one in the house, you little brat.”

He smirked at me, shrugging his shoulders as he leaned back against his pillows. “You said whoever found it first got to claim it. I found it first.”

“Does it matter that I stopped to bring up your things?” I asked, but I wasn’t about to welch on our deal.

He shook his head, grinning like a cat who had gotten the cream. “Nope. That wasn’t part of the terms of our agreement.”

“The terms of our agreement?” I chuckled, surprised, but it was the most adorable thing he’d ever said to me. “Is that right?”

“Yep.” His grin widened. “I’ve heard you on the phone enough to know that anything that isn’t on paper isn’t part of the agreement. You didn’t say we had to stop to bring up bags, so the room is mine.”

“Fair enough, little man.” I reached out to ruffle his hair, pride surging through me as I looked into those eyes he’d inherited from me. “You really are too clever for your own good.”

“Nah, but I am going to be a lawyer one day.”

“Nope,” I said firmly, my head shaking as I chuckled. “Over my dead body. You certainly have the brains for it, though, kiddo.”

His eyebrows tugged together as he frowned at me. “Why not? You love your job.”

“Sometimes, yeah, but I’m tied to my office and courthouses. I’m sure there’s something better out there for you.”

Something that doesn’t involve threats and danger to your family.

Colten sighed. “Something better like what?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Thankfully, we still have a lot of time to figure it out. Plus, the world is changing so fast these days that what you’re going to end up doing for a living may not even be a career yet.”

“I think I like the sound of that,” he said, smiling as he took another look around. “I love this house. Did you see my tub?”

I laughed, following his gaze as it moved to the bathroom. “Oh, you mean your private pool? I saw it.”

The soaker tub could fit at least eight people, but then again, he hadn’t only won the best room in the house. He also had the best adjoining bathroom.

“Maybe not being tied to an office or a courthouse would be good,” he mused a few seconds later. “Do you think I could find a job I could do from here?”

“I’m sure you could, buddy, but you’re getting way ahead of yourself.” I studied his serious expression, the furrow on his brow making him look older than his years.

It wasn’t like I never saw the kid when we were home. We visited Walter together every Sunday. Saturday nights, we watched movies together. Yet somehow, looking at him now, I felt like I’d missed a huge chunk of his life.

Since when was he thinking of becoming a lawyer? Why was he thinking about it when he was only ten? At that age, I wanted to be an astronaut. Or an elephant trainer. Or maybe that had been my F1 driver year.

I couldn’t remember which, but lawyer definitely hadn’t been on my radar. How long has he been taking himself this seriously?

I sighed, smiling at him as he picked up a book on strategy in chess. “Don’t stay up too late, okay?”

“We didn’t play today,” he said, his features falling as he let out a disappointed breath. “Is it too late now?”

“We’re going to play a ton of chess while we’re here,” I promised, leaning over to press a kiss to his forehead. “I could use the lessons.”

He finally returned my smile. “I’m going to whoop you.”

I laughed, ruffling his hair before I stood up. “Tomorrow is the first day of the best summer ever. Get some sleep, okay?

Nodding, he lowered his gaze to his book as he opened it to a page that had been earmarked. I strode to the door, looking back at him for just a moment. The four-poster bed was so big that he looked ridiculously small in it, yet I knew he wasn’t so small anymore.

At the rate he was growing, he would be a teenager before I knew it. Then he’d be going off to college, and if I was lucky, I’d see him for the holidays. I ran my fingers through my hair as I left his bedroom, leaving the door ajar just in case.

Grappling with the realization that I had maybe eight years left of being with him full-time, I headed downstairs to that built-in bar I’d seen earlier and poured myself a stiff drink. It was downright scary to think how time had flown, and I had a feeling it would only speed up from here.

Yep. It’s a good thing I’ve taken this time off. I have a lot to think about.