“I meant for her to stay as well; I’ve plenty of room, and my house is closer to the hospital.”
When Suzy and Louise arrived, Claire talked to Louise about the overnight arrangements. “Oh no honey, my sister Janet is going to stay with me at the house. I hope you don’t mind, but I would just feel better being there to keep an eye on the place, and well; it’s my home. Suzy said she would drop me off on her way home.”
“That’s fine Louise, you know I don’t mind, and I understand.” Claire thanked Suzy and gave her a hug.
Chapter Twenty Two
Jason guided her out the door and settled her back into his car. A very short ride later, he turned into a long driveway surrounded by trees. Curious as to where he lived, Claire was surprised to see a beautiful two-story craftsman style home. Jason pulled into the garage and walked around to help her out. He pointed towards a door on the far wall and said, “I normally go in that door which leads into the kitchen. We will use the front entrance though so that your first view of the house isn’t my messy kitchen.” With a smile, Claire followed as Jason led her down a flagstone walkway that curved from the garage to the front of the house.
Lights illuminated the landscape and the stunning timber peaks that framed a huge glass door. Green plants in pots gleamed against the beautiful backdrop. Jason took her arm as he led her up the steps and inserted his key into the lock.
Jason opened the door and ushered her in before him. Claire blinked as light suddenly flooded the entryway and the living area beyond. She was immediately drawn to the tall soaring ceilings with exposed beams and recessed lighting. A large modern chandelier was suspended in the middle of the ceiling giving off a soft glow. The entire front of the room was a wall of windows with a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean taking center stage.
A fireplace surrounded by built-in cabinets flanked one wall, giving the room two distinct focal points. A comfortable looking brown leather sofa and matching wingback chairs were placed on an area rug. Beautiful oak flooring gleamed brightly under the light. Jason looked strangely nervous as he waited for her reaction.
“Jason, it’s beautiful; I’ve never seen a house like this before, and I love it.”
A smile lit up his face as if she’d just praised his child. “I designed this house and had it built. I spent so long trying to decide exactly what I wanted in a home, somewhere I would want to live forever. I put every room together piece by piece."
With a sheepish look, he said, “This house has been home since the moment I stepped inside when it was finished. I’m so glad you like it. I used to live in the penthouse above our floor at the office but now that’s usually only for visitors unless I’m just too tired to drive here. Let me show you the rest and then I’ll fix a quick dinner.”
Jason led her towards an opening to the left, and Claire entered a large, airy kitchen in a pale taupe color. A huge island dominated the center of the room with the kitchen cabinets and granite countertops running the length of the back wall. A breakfast nook was situated at another wall of glass, the beautiful view from the ocean clearly visible here as well. The kitchen island held a loaf of bread, a plate and some fresh fruit. Claire found it endearing to imagine Jason actually fixing his own meals without a housekeeper to help.
A staircase leading to the second floor was just off the kitchen, and Jason gave her a quick tour of two bedrooms. One of the rooms was being used as an office and the other a guest bedroom. Each had a bath attached. The oak floors continued upstairs as well as the taupe color on the walls.
They returned downstairs where Jason showed her a formal dining room with seating for ten and a beautiful buffet piece on the wall behind it. A round window showed a view of the front yard of the house. Going back through the living area, Jason went down a hallway and opened a door to a guest bath before continuing to the master bedroom.
If she thought the living area was breathtaking, the bedroom made it pale in comparison. After entering through a large sitting area with pale blue walls Claire thought to herself, now this is the rich guy’s man cave. A huge flat-panel television was hung above a fireplace, and a wall of windows continued here as well. A comfortable sofa and armchairs created a seating area that just begged to be enjoyed. Bookcases covered the opposite wall and were filled completely.