He knew when to rest his case. He became silent, wait- ing, his gaze on her, while she seemed to stare through him into some distant place. Idly, he wondered again how she would look with her hair falling free. He resisted the im- pulse to reach out and tug loose the golden locks. Her skin was as smooth as silk and her lips full, looking tantaliz- ingly soft. What would it be like to kiss her?
He shoved the question from his mind instantly. Keep re- lations distant and professional. Yet, when he gazed into her blue eyes, his good intentions evaporated and a little warn- ing of danger popped into his mind. The last thing he wanted was to be drawn into a relationship with her. Three boys, a mother and a grandmother—Juliana Aldrich came with large responsibilities. Now she was staring outside, her wide forehead slightly furrowed. He wondered what she was thinking.
Thoughts tumbled in Juliana’s mind, and like an annoy- ing insect buzzing around her head, his words seemed to jam her rational processes. As beautiful as your body is…. How many men had ever told her she was beautiful? Barry hadn’t even told her that. Did Caleb Duncan really find her beau- tiful? More than likely, he was trying to spin a web of charm to get his greedy hands on Elnora’s estate. Yet, when Ju- liana weighed the possibilities of inheriting enough money to take care of the boys, she almost wanted to weep with re- lief. All her scrimping and saving was never enough. Her preschool business might have to close in the next few months because they were barely making enough to cover costs. And every month now, she was sliding a little more deeply into debt with all the expense of raising the boys.
“In name only,” she repeated softly and looked at him. “You’ve thought this over.”
He nodded solemnly. “We would get Green Oaks and could move there.”
“And in a year, we divorce and split the money?”
“Yes, if it’s necessary to divorce. Perhaps we can have the marriage dissolved because it was never consummated.”
She studied him, wondering what such an arrangement would be like. His whole aim in life must be to acquire money. He was accustomed to living alone and doing as he pleased, to working for himself. He seemed strong-willed, stubborn, determined. Would he make a shambles of their lives if she agreed to his proposal? “I still don’t think—”
“Don’t reject the idea too swiftly. Think what that money can do for your boys,” he repeated.
She did, swiftly and with a sinking feeling, because Cal Duncan was right. She would have her preschool funded; she could write the books she’d been planning about her methods for teaching small children to read; she could help Mimi and her mother, both of whom needed help. And the boys—the possibilities for them were endless. Clothes, camp…She was still struggling to make the payments for Chris’s braces. Quin’s counseling was incredibly expensive, too. And, best of all, the boys would have a father.
Juliana looked up at him with wide eyes, and Cal felt his stomach clench. “What?” he asked.
“You’d be like a father to them,” she answered with a note of amazement.
He shook his head. “Now, I don’t know anything about being a father—”
“You did fine with Chris earlier this evening. You’d be a role model for them.” She stopped and bit her lip. “You know me—and now I know why you’ve checked into my life so thoroughly—but I don’t know you. Do you have a terri- ble temper?”
“Terrible is relative,” he answered cautiously.
“That sounds like your legal mind trying to hedge. Would I have to fear your hitting the boys or striking me?”
Amusement flared in his eyes, and he shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t ever strike you.” He wondered if he should amend that with the truth that there might come a time when she would receive a playful swat on her cute butt, but he decided now was not the time to mention the possibility. That wasn’t what she was asking about anyway. “As for your boys, no, I wouldn’t hit them, either. I’m even- tempered enough that we can all get along.” His dark eyes narrowed. “But I do like my peace and quiet.”
“Well, then, Counselor, you better settle for the life you have and forget marriage. There is no way you can have three boys under the same roof and have peace and quiet.”
Cal clamped his lips closed, knowing she was telling him what he already knew and didn’t care to think about. “It’s only one year.”
“It’s ridiculous,” she said suddenly, knowing the plan would never work. “We would be in your way and you’d boss us around.” She stood. “I should go home.”
“Sit back down,” he said. His voice was quiet, yet she did as he wanted, perching on the edge of the chair.
“See what I mean about bossing us around,” she stated darkly, wondering how he could be so quietly compelling.
“It’s for your own good,” he rejoined in an offhand manner.
She stared into dark brown eyes that seemed to envelop her and stop her thought processes, mesmerizing her. “What about your lady friend?”
“Leah?” he asked and Juliana was startled, the spell broken.
“Who’s Leah?”
“You just asked me about her.”
“I just guessed there might be someone even though you said earlier that there wasn’t.”
“There’s no one I’m serious about. Leah Caldwell and I date occasionally, but there are no ties. I’d give up other women while we’re married.”
Juliana tilted her head and studied him. “Why do I find that difficult to believe?”
“I will not cause embarrassment to you or your neph- ews. I can keep my word about other women.”
“Your body might not agree.”
“I’ll worry about my body,” he drawled quietly, the words playing over her and making her skin tingle as much as if his fingers had trailed over her. Suddenly, she was once again too conscious
