Chapter 11

Jasmine

We pull into a gated estate. The driveway is so long I look around the well-manicured gardens. This is not a farm. My heart sinks. I had enough abuse from Mavis and Wilfred with their veiled derogatory comments. Reese always tried to protect me, but when I fell pregnant with Bella, he cut all ties with them. He never told me why and I never asked.

By the time Christian parks in front of the mansion, I feel like throwing up.

“Mum, we here? Where are the chickens?”Bella asks in a sleepy voice.

“We just got here. We need to say hello to Mr Hayes’ family first.” I tell her but feel another wave of nausea making me cover my mouth.

“Hey. Are you okay?”

I look away from Bella and pull back, not realising how close he was to me.

“Umm. Yeah, I’m fine.”

His eyes scrutinise me.

“My parents aren’t like Mavis and her pet.”

“I will take your word for it.” I said with a smile because that’s the perfect description of Wilfred.

His blue eyes twinkle with amusement.

“Miss Bella, are you ready to meet my crazy family?” He asks her as he turns towards her.

“Yes! And the chickens.”

I climb out of the car to get Bella while Christian takes her bag.

“Remember your manners, baby.” I said. I hold her up on my hip. She still looks a little sleepy. I am glad she got a good sleep in the car. It’s going to be a long day for her.

She smiles widely at me and nods her head.

I didn’t bother to make much of an effort thinking I was coming to a small farm. They can take me as I am. We walk on the stony gravel towards the front doors.

The door bursts open and an older lady and an older man who looks almost identical to Christian only with grey hair and more of a tan. I look back at Christian. Okay, so he is a little taller, but his dad seems to have some pretty strong genes. He looks like a GILF. A really hot one.

His mum is dainty and seems to have a genuine smile on her face.

“Jasmine, Bella. We have heard so much about you. Come in. Come in. We were waiting for you all to come before we had breakfast.”

I glance at Christian in surprise. He smirks at me as if to say I told you so.

“I’m Emily and this is my husband, Clyde.” She said before giving me a side hug and kissing Bella on her cheeks. “Hello, son. Nice of you to show us your face in person.” She snipes at him, but goes over to hug and kiss him.

“Nice to meet you, Jasmine.” Clyde said with a smile on his face, drawing my eyes to his as I see the crinkles at the side. His eyes are full of mischief.

“Thank you for having us.”

“Nonsense. The more the merrier. Bella, are you here to see all the animals?” Clyde asks her.

She nods her head shyly before putting her head on my shoulder. She doesn’t know anyone other than Mrs Geller or her nursery friends.

Emily ushers us in. I glance back and see Christian hold his dad back in the doorway. I can’t hear what he is saying, but he has a serious look on his face and his dad is frowning.

The house really is a mansion. It looks like an elegant celebrity house you see in magazines.

“It’s so rare to have everyone home at the same time. My daughter Carina doesn’t live far from us, but Carter and Christian are a nightmare to get home together.” Emily chatters away.

She has her blonde hair cut short at the back and it hangs perfectly around her face. She is wearing denims and a layered blouse, but I think she could pull off wearing a sack. This lady has class. Mavis only has one setting on her face. One that says she has sucked a sour lemon.

Bella is looking around the hallway with wide eyes.

“Is this a museum?” She whispers in my ear.

“No, baby. This is where Mr Hayes’ parents live.”

“We can sit in the drawing room until the men decide to join us,” Emily said as she opens the door to a large room.

“This is Carina and Lucas with my grandson, Connor. This is our other son, Carter. Christian is the eldest and Carina is the youngest.”

“No wonder I have middle child syndrome, mother.” The blonde-haired giant drawls out, but he is smiling at me.

Carina rushes over to me and hugs us both. I mean a bone-crushing hug.

“I am so excited to have another woman in the house. My son is four, so the kids can have company with one another. Connor, come meet Bella.”

Bella peers over at the dark-haired boy and squirms to be let down. She is still holding onto Sully as she walks over to Connor. Carina must take after her dad because she has dark hair like Christian. Her husband sits quietly on the sofa and nods at me before his eyes go back to Carina. The way he is looking at her has me flushing. No wonder Carina is happy to see another woman. There is too much testosterone here.

Considering Connor is only four, he has the same vibe as his dad. Dark and brooding. What’s in the water here?

Carina pulls my hand and sits me down beside her on the sofa. I keep my eye on Bella for a moment, relaxing when she shows Connor her teddy bear before chattering away to him. He gives her a smile.

“They will be fine. Connor is mature for his age. He doesn’t get it from me, that’s for sure.” She said before laughing.

I feel a small pang of sadness when I think of all the things Reese would have done with Bella and the impact he would have made in her life.

“I’m going to see what’s keeping them.” Emily said before leaving the room.