Next, Alex led Jorden into a grand hallway. A large crystal chandelier hung above the impressive entrance.

Jorden gasped. “This is lovely.” Her eyes roamed to the high ceiling where the sunlight reflected off the hanging crystals.

Across the hall Jorden could see the living room and, off to the right, an elegant staircase leading up to the second floor. Hardwood floors prevailed throughout the house, especially on the first level, with an assortment of elegant area rugs. Stepping further into the hallway, her reflection from a large heirloom pier mirror startled her. The mirror seemed to expand the formal entrance, adding to its grandeur.

“We need to move on.” Alex looked at his watch as he guided Jorden into the living room.

“This is beautiful!” The fireplace captured her attention, surrounded by white marble.

“We’re going to be late for lunch,” Alex reiterated, “if we don’t speed up.”

Jorden tried not to frown. She wanted to take it all in. He led her back to the entrance and down to a cozy den. Adjacent to the den she saw an enclosed sunroom, which appeared to face the back of the house and look out on a garden.

“Let’s go out.”

Alex checked his watch again. “Not enough time. Later, maybe tonight or tomorrow.”

“I won’t forget your words.”

He guided her back to the main hall, turned right and returned to the kitchen.

“Aren’t I an excellent tour guide? Alex applauded himself.”

“Yes, but what about the third floor?” Jorden asked, knowing she was irritating him.

“It’s just three bedrooms and a bath, nothing special. Those were Eric, Scott, and my rooms.”

“I’d love to see yours.”

“It’s not much, but . . . if you insist . . . let’s take the back stairs. It’s quicker.” Alex led her up to the second floor, passing the master suite.

Jorden paused, then asked, “Is this your parent’s room?”

“Yes. Mother recently had it redecorated.”

Jorden glanced in and could imagine how grand the suite must be. She wondered how it compared to her guest room, but she figured the space was off limits as it should be.

“Hurry up!” Alex skipped up to the third floor. “Come on. My room’s at the end. Eric had the first and Scott the second.” Jorden stepped into a boy’s simple room. Model cars, baseball cards, and sports equipment lined most of the shelves. She noticed the bed hadn’t been made.

“So this is where you grew up.” As she stood there, she thought about what little time they had left. She looked up at Alex, trying to decide how to put her thoughts into words.

“What is it?”

Jorden watched the muscles in his neck tighten. Why did he make this so difficult? But she wouldn’t back down. She stammered, “Can’t you come to Columbus . . . at least for a couple days before you leave? You will still have two weeks at home.”