Chapter 10

The next day the tent rentals arrived at the estate for the wedding. The place was full of workers putting the tents together and doing landscaping work on the back yard and gardens.  When I arrived I was shocked at how big the estate actually was.  The house was by far one of the biggest mansions I've ever seen.  The mansion stood third stories high covered in a pale brick.  It had beautiful high arched windows everywhere and the main entrance housed a huge cedar door.  It was gorgeous.  The driveway was a long winding cobblestone path that leads to a circle around a marble fountain that had water cascading out of the top.  The grounds were perfectly kept and beautiful with gardens full of flowers and small fountains.  There was a courtyard off to one side and a huge patio in the backyard leading to the pool.  The pool was huge with waterfalls on one end and a hot tub on the other.  The pool was surrounded by palm trees,  it looked like a tropical paradise.   The whole place was breathtaking,  it must have been awesome growing up here.

I got to work right away making sure the tents were placed correctly so we could begin decorating.  The rental company had started bringing in tables and chairs.  I was engrossed in my work being the perfectionist that I am when my phone vibrated in my back pocket.

Hey babe

How about you take a break and join me for lunch?

I'm swamped Kade I can't.

You don't look that busy to me baby.

I looked around wondering where he was.  When suddenly a door opened on the back of the house and Kade appeared.  He grinned at me making his way off the patio to me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him smiling.

"I had to drop off some papers for my dad and thought I'd check on you.  Have you eat lunch babe?"  I shake my head no and he takes my hand leading me back to the house.

He opens one of the patio doors and escorts me in.  The room was huge with paintings and expensive furniture, what I guessed was a living room of some sort. It housed a beautiful brick fireplace with large bookshelves on each side.  He tugged on my hand as I stood in awe looking around.

"Come on babe let's get you some lunch."  I nodded and he leads me to the kitchen where a short gray-haired lady stood at the aisle chopping vegetables.

"Mary, what's for lunch today?"  Kade asks the woman.

She smiles up at him. "Anything you like you handsome devil you."  Kade laughs shaking his head.

"You heard her babe what do you want?"  Kade states turning to me.

"Uh, I don't know whatever is easiest for you.  I can just make a sandwich there's no need to cook just for me." I ramble on.

"It's no problem miss really." Mary smiles at me.  "Kade is this your new lady Emma was telling me about?"  Kade nods and her face lights up.  She looks me up and down.  "You did good sir." She winks at Kade.  "Your beautiful miss."

"Awww thank you please call me Addi." I smile at her.

The kitchen door flew open and an older man with salt and pepper hair walked in.  He was tall and shared the same sky blue eyes as Kade.  "Mr. Jacobs your lunch will be ready soon sir!" Mary said to him as she started grabbing the items she needed frantically.

"Kade my boy what are you doing here?"  His dad asks.

"Dropping off those papers you asked for dad.  Addison was here working on the wedding so I invited her in for lunch.  Addison this is my dad Tyler Jacobs,  dad this is Addison." Kade introduced us and stepped back so his dad could greet me.

"Nice to meet you, Addison." Mr. Jacobs stated slowly eyeing me up and down like he was sizing me up.

"You too sir.  I've heard so much about you from both of your children."  I smile politely at him but he just gives me a curt look.

"I'm sure you have.  If you'll excuse me I'll be having my lunch in my office, Mary."  He spoke quietly and eyed me again before turning and leaving.

Mary hurried after him with a tray.  Kade just shook his head.  "I take it he doesn't like me very much," I asked Kade.

"He doesn't even know you Addi.  He is pissed at me because he says I've been distracted lately."

"Oh and I'm the distraction right?" Kade wraps his arms around me nodding.

"Don't worry about him, baby.  He'll come around he is stubborn and stuck in his ways.  He thinks I'm supposed to a work-alcoholic like him.  Besides I like you distracting me."  He grins.

"But I want your family to like me, Kade,"  I whine laying my head on his chest.

"Give him some time once he gets to know you he'll love you.  Emma already thinks the world of you so that's half the battle babe.  I'll talk to him ok?"

I nod and Kade kisses my forehead.  Mary comes back in and decides to make chicken salad sandwiches for lunch.  After we eat Kade has to go to the bar to work and I head back outside to arrange tables and chairs.  I spent the whole afternoon getting everything rearranged after the rental company had just placed stuff where ever they pleased.  As I was walking to my car to leave I see Mr. Jacobs in the doorway.

"Excuse me young lady can I have a word with you?"  Mr. Jacobs asks me.

"Um yeah sure sir is everything ok?" I ask nervously as I walk toward him.

"I don't know you tell me." He huffs.  "Just what do you have planned for you and my son?"

"Um, I don't know what you are talking about sir."

"Don't play dumb with me are you after his money?  Or the family name?  Will I be paying for one of these expensive weddings for you next?  Do you even like Kade?"  He scuffs.

"I don't need nor do I want his money, Mr. Jacobs! I didn't even know who he was! Your son is a wonderful man and I care for him very much how dare you to be so rude you don't even know me!" I screamed at him.

His face twisted into a smile.  "Feisty aren't you?  No wonder Kade likes you so much he always did like a challenge.  Forgive my bluntness dear but Kade never brings his women around us so I had to make sure you weren't up to something."

"I understand your concern sir but I would never intentionally hurt Kade.  You didn't have to be so rude to me."

"I'm sorry for boldness.  I'm sure your parents would have concerns about Kade hurting you, he doesn't have the best track record with women."

"You don't have very much faith in your son do you?" I huffed.

"No, and he is yet to prove me wrong dear,  you'd be wise to watch out for your own best interest."  He stated and with that, he went back inside.

What the hell was that about? First, he wants to make sure I'm not a gold-digger and then he warns me to watch my back? What have I gotten myself into with this family? I gave myself a headache on the way home replaying his words and wondering what he meant by watch out for my own interest? Like Kade was just using me? For what sex? He didn't need money or power why else would he be using me? I'm sure he could get sex anywhere he wanted so why would his father say something like that? Maybe he meant that Kade couldn't commit and I would get hurt? Ugh!!! This was ridiculous he was just messing with me, right? Maybe I should call Kade and tell him what happened. I walked into the apartment and threw my stuff down. It was quiet and I assumed Darby wasn't home. I poured myself a glass of wine and plopped down on the couch. My phone began buzzing and I answered it.

Hello?

Hey, babe are you home yet?

Yeah just got here.

I have a meeting in a few minutes but I was hoping I could stop by after.

Ok, then we can talk about a conversation I had with your dad a little bit ago.

Kade huffed. What did he say Addi?

Oh, not much just suggested that I was after your money or the family name. And that I should watch my back because of your track record.

Don't worry about it baby I'll take care of him. He just wants to scare you off. I have to go but we'll finish this conversation when I get there ok?

Ok

Bye baby

Bye

Why would his dad want to scare me off? Doesn't he want his son to be happy? I finished my glass of wine and took a long shower. When I got out of the shower I heard someone banging on the door.  I quickly wrapped a towel around me and went to answer the door.