Page 4 of Big Santa
“I’m working on that.”
His expression says he doesn’t believe me. His gaze drops, pointedly, to the phone lying face-down on my knee. It has buzzed four times since I sat down.
Fair enough.
“I can hire people to take care of Shiloh.”
“You already do.”
I nod. “Mrs. Mercer is with him when I can’t be there. He goes to the best pre-school in the state. I have a housekeeper who cooks all of our meals. But none of them are family.”
“Neither is a stranger you marry.”
“She will be though. She’ll be legally obligated to love my son.”
Braynt rubs a hand over his jaw.
I keep going.
“I want someone who wants children. Someone patient and kind. Someone stable. She needs to be willing ot live here in Big Woods full-time. She needs to understand that Shiloh comes first. And most importantly, she needs to be committed to Shiloh until his eighteenth birthday.”
“Anything else? Height requirements? Dental records? Preferred blood type?”
I lift a shoulder. “I don’t care what she looks like.”
He goes quiet.
That might be the most depressing thing you’ve said so far.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re talking about the woman you intend to spend the next fourteen years married to.”
“Thirteen years and eight months.”
“Christ.”
“Shiloh turns eighteen in thirteen years and eight months.”
“Thank you for clarifying. That makes this all significantly less insane.”
“The marriage will end when he turns eighteen.”
“You’re putting an expiration date on it?”
“Of course.”
He stares at me like I’ve just announced my intention to purchase the moon.
“What did you think I meant by contract?”
“I don’t know. The normal stuff. Pre-nup. Division of assets. Expectations. Something approaching normal.”
“This is cleaner.”
“For whom, exactly?”
“Everyone.” Especially Shiloh.
