Chapter 72

Comfortable in the backseat of the black SUV that had arrived to collect her, Billie looked through the privacy-tinted windows at the countryside around them. Somehow she’d not expected this kind of rural, tree-lined landscape in New Jersey. Which was kind of silly, really, considering it was ‘the Garden State’, but still it was a surprise.

The road they were on now twisted and turned, up and down small valleys, then the driver slowed, making a right turn into a driveway. He slid his window down, speaking into the intercom by the wide gates, then there was a muted buzz as whoever was at the other end clearly approved their entry, the gates swinging slowly inward to let them pass.

Billie couldn’t really say she was nervous - just excited to be out of the confines of the city, back into a little bit of countryside. Back to the kind of landscape she loved. All that was missing was a couple of horses and it could be paradise.

And then she saw the house.

Massively oversized even for a family of six, the pale creamy colored stone picked up the sunlight and seemed to glow, the banks of windows winking at her.

“Wow.” She muttered. Sure, she’d seen photographs of the place - both ‘official’ and also the shots of enterprising fans who stopped on the roadside - but damn it still took her breath away.

“Quite a place.” The driver replied, flicking a glance at the rearview mirror. Clearly he’d not been there before either.

“Y’think?” Billie joked. “Kinda small if you ask me.”

The driver laughed. They’d chatted for a fair bit of the drive, only really breaking off conversation when he’d had to give more attention to the GPS that was directing him to Navesink River Road. Well, that interruption and also when Richie had called Billie’s cellphone, sounding just a little surprised when she’d explained where she was and where she was going. Unless Billie’s feminine instincts were way off-base, there had been at least a hint of jealousy in his voice when she said she’d be spending the night at Jon’s house, and she wasn’t sure why she bothered to clarify that she’d be in one of the guest bedrooms. That obviously mollified Richie, and he chuckled as he told her to ask for the Sambora Suite.

As the car halted at the doors, Billie grabbed her bag from the seat and had the door opened before the driver could get there to do it for her. She slid carefully out of the high car - she was ninety-nine-point-nine per cent fine after her injuries, but still she was erring on the side of caution. The last thing she wanted was to land back in hospital now she’d finally escaped.

She thanked the driver and walked hesitantly toward the imposing front door of the house, curious to find out whether Jon would open it himself or some anonymous member of staff would appear. As it turned out, neither was the case, as there was a deep woof of welcome as an elderly black and tan dog appeared around the side of the building, trotting stiffly toward her.

“Well, hello you.” She smiled, holding out a hand to the dog. He sniffed her fingers before moving closer, his thick tail slamming into her as he wagged a welcome, and Billie laughed at his total lack of guard dog qualities. “What’s your name then?”

As Billie slid her hand through the thick fur on his neck, looking for a collar and nametag, she heard that familiar voice over the crunch of feet on gravel.

“Great guard dog, isn’t he?” Jon grinned at her as she looked up, then his gaze dropped to the dog. “Arenchya, Copper? Dumb dog.”

Copper wagged again, then folded his hind legs, dropping his butt onto Billie’s foot to keep her there as she petted him. Clearly, in his ears, ‘dumb dog’ was a term of endearment.

“Hi.” Billie smiled at Jon as she scratched behind Copper’s floppy ears.

“Hi. How was the trip down?”

“Was okay. Me and Craig talked most of the way down here. Well, except when Richie called.” She smirked. “He told me to ask for the Sambora Suite.”

“Sambora Suite.” Jon muttered with a grin. “I should start charging him rent, amount of time he spends here sometimes.”

“Oh, yeah, ‘cause you clearly need the money.” Billie rolled her eyes, then gave Copper’s head a final pat. “Okay, baby, off my foot please.”

Before Jon could say how Copper just didn’t listen to instructions, he was stunned to watch the old dog obediently lift his butt off Billie’s foot, standing in front of her, his tail wagging slowly.

“You still have a way with animals.” He said softly, shaking his head, then he reached out to take the bag from her hand, Billie surprised enough that she didn’t resist. “C’mon, let’s take this inside and I’ll show you to your room - and just to keep Mookie quiet I can put you in his room if you want.”

“I don’t mind - not like I’d know the difference!”

“Oh, yeah you would.” Jon said a little cryptically, leading the way to the front door.

Inside the house, Billie tried to not look like a total hick - or, worse, a fan - as she looked around the marble and gilt that decorated the foyer, following Jon inside. He looked at her, suddenly seeing the house as she did, seeing the almost overdone effect, yet still loving his home.

“I was going for a kind of Versailles thing.” He grinned.

“So I see.” Billie turned slowly around, the effect settling on her now, moving from overdone and dripping with money to something more beautiful. Somehow, it took a few minutes to ‘get’ the place, but now she did………yes, it was a beautiful home. “It’s gorgeous, Jon. Truly.”

“Thank you.” He smiled at her. The simple compliment was more meaningful because it was obviously honest - no false gushing over décor for Billie - she saw, she liked, she said so. “Let’s take your stuff upstairs then I’ll give you the full tour.”

Billie followed him up the wide staircase, her fingers resting lightly on the ornate banister rail, then Jon led her down a hallway that belonged in a plush hotel, pausing at a door.

“The Sambora Suite, ma’am.” He joked, opening the door and stepping inside like a well-trained bellhop.

Following him in, Billie immediately understood his comment about knowing the difference if he’d not put her in here. The room had been decorated in rich shades of purple, gold accents here and there erring just on the side of taste, never falling over into garish excess. It was skillfully done, and Billie stopped in the centre of the room, turning slowly in place as Jon watched her.

“It’s very……..purple.” She said, then smiled. “It’s beautiful, actually.”

“Dot had it redone a couple years ago.” He explained. “And since Rich was spending so much fucking time here, working on the record, she had it done to suit him. Told you you’d know it was his. Even without the pictures.”

“Pictures?” Billie turned as Jon gestured toward the dresser, and she crossed to look at the photographs arranged on the dark surface, dull gilt frames matching the look of the room.

There were photographs of Richie’s parents, both with him and alone, photographs of Ava that looked to have been professionally done, and one beautiful candid shot, a black and white photo of Richie and Ava, huddled together doing homework or something like it. They were both smiling - Ava in the excitement of sudden understanding of whatever they were working on, and Richie just from the joy of being with his little girl. It was a truly beautiful photograph, and Billie touched the frame gently, the soft rumble of Jon’s voice behind her.

“Adam took that, just before he got sick. It’s one of Richie’s favorite photos of him and Ava - he has a copy here, one in Philly and one in Cali, too.”

“Can’t blame him - it’s a great photograph. They both look so happy.”

“Yeah. Rich was just getting his life back together after Heather fucked him over. Then Adam got sick and we lost him, then all the other shit………..” He shook off the despondency with an obvious effort. “But he’s better now, back to the old, pain-in-the-ass Richie we all know and love.”

They both laughed at that, then Jon took Billie’s hand, the contact just friendly, nothing more.

“C’mon. I’ll show you around…….unless you want to eat first?”

“Depends how long the tour takes.” She giggled.

Jon frowned as he thought, then he made his decision.

“Let’s eat first.”