“What a wonderful legacy,” Jade said, similarly as she had to Chloe.
“I never take it for granted,” he agreed. Since Jade already knew some of the history of his parents and grandparents, he said of his uncles, “Clarence was a confirmed bachelor and built the dude ranch properties. He overworked himself and keeled over from a heart attack. Chester was killed by a drunk driver not far from Triple C Ranch-West.”
“I’m so sorry.” Jade looked up at him with empathy. “I know how badly that hurts.”
“Yes,” he said, remembering that’s how her mother had died. “You do.”
“Come on.” He held out his hand again, and when she took it, he said, “You don’t want to get lost.” He liked the way her dainty hand fit in his much larger one.
Looking straight ahead, she gave his hand a squeeze. “I can see how that might happen.”
“We call this the great room.”
Leaving the foyer and taking a step down took them into the wide-open, rectangular main floor. In the middle of the two-story area, a towering stone fireplace met with the roof. On one side, he pointed out the mounted longhorns, saying they were from the largest ox ever to prowl the ranch. The opposite side was decorated with a wheel from a covered wagon, which had belonged to his great-great-great-grandfather Cooper, who originally acquired the land.
Overstuffed sofas, chairs, and tables were appropriately scattered around all four sides of the room. To the right, he toured her through a billiards room where he’d honed his pool game skills. Next to it was a sunny sitting room and a library with built-in bookshelves where he’d sometimes studied as a boy. To the left of the great room, he pointed toward French doors, telling her that was where his master bedroom was. Next to it was a nursery still full of rocking horses, toys, games, and books. Chloe, thank God, had taken all of her dolls.
“This is the largest room and house I’ve ever been in,” Jade said, looking up at a second-floor balcony that trimmed all four sides of the home.
“The three floors of this house total 7,500 square feet. On the second floor are six bedrooms with private baths and an in-home theater with recliners and a sectional sofa that has duel ends big enough to sleep on.”
“I guess you don’t go to Tinsel Town Cinemas in the Springs.”
He chuckled. “I haven’t for years.”
“They showedGone with the Windthere recently. I didn’t get a chance to go, but your staircase straight ahead looks like the one from the movie.”
“You have a good eye.Gone with the Windwas my grandmother’s favorite book. Coop had the staircase recreated for her.”
“It’s one of my favorite books too,” Jade said softly.
“Maybe we can watch the movie upstairs sometime.”
“An in-home theater would be a first for me.” There was that soft and sexy blush again. “Is there a basement as well?”
“With a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and gym.” He grinned as Jade’s mouth dropped open, which she closed just as quickly. The feeling he got from her was happiness for him and not for what she could get out of him. “Since Coop didn’t have to buy the land, he poured years of rodeo success into this house. My folks added the hot tub, and I added the sauna and gym.”
Leading her toward the rear of the house, on the left, was the kitchen with a breakfast nook nestled into a bay window. To the right, the dining room could seat twenty.
“What? No dumbwaiter?” she teased.
“Elevator,” he said, walking her around to the backside of the staircase.
CHAPTERSIX
Chase’s cell phone rang as Jade stood gaping. Built into the wall between the kitchen and dining room was an ornate, wrought iron door that opened to the elevator.
“Wow,” Jade murmured. This house totally suited Chase. They were both gorgeous, unique, and overwhelming. That thought crossed her mind just before he clicked off his phone.
“Cash says we left your sandals at his place and wants to know if your new boots start to rub blisters.”
“I forgot all about my sandals, and the boots fit perfectly.”
“Good. Come on.” Chase led the way into a nearly basketball-court-sized kitchen. From a huge refrigerator, he took two bottles of water and handed her one. He set his cell phone on a rectangular granite island in the center of the kitchen and said, “I haven’t seen you with a cell phone since you got here.”
“I turned it off for the weekend and left it under my pillow at Chloe’s house,” she replied, sliding onto one of the barstools at the island.
Chase cocked his head to one side. “Mind if I ask why?”
