“And yet I feel like there’s a ‘but’ in there,” I grunt.
Brad nods. “Unfortunately. In this particular case and scenario, given the monetary value of what’s at stake and it riding on you being engaged or not…” He frowns. “Like I said, it’s theatrics. But in this case, Deirdre might have a leg to stand on.”
“How strong a case would she have?”
He shrugs. “A year ago, I’d say a small one. But there’s precedent now. There was a case about six months ago in Idaho that was very similar to this one. Went all the way to the State Supreme Court. They ruled in favor of the ex-husband who was accusing his ex-wife and her new ‘fiancé’ of faking it to keep disputed land after the divorce.”
I frown. “Fuck, that’s not good.”
He nods. “That one was a little different, since the ex-wife’s supposed ‘fiancé’ was her best friend, a woman.”
“And Idaho doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages.”
“Exactly,” Brad frowns. “It’s an odd case, but that’s the only precedent a judge here would have to draw from. Which takes your chances to more like a fifty-fifty. Maybe not even that good.”
“Shit,” I swear. “And if Tansy and I do get married?”
Who am I kidding? This isn’t even about trying to “fake out” Deirdre anymore. We’re not playing pretend. We’re not pulling one over on anyone. When I look at Tansy, or even fucking think of her, I know damn well what I feel.
I know I’ve never felt even close to feeling this alive and this complete before. It’s not like we’ve talked about it. But I know in my heart that taking this “fake engagement” to “actual marriage” level wouldn’t be a leap. Not for me at least.
In fact, it’s hardly the first time I’ve honestly thought about it. There’s even a certain store in town that deals with metal in certain circular shapes that can attest to that. I let my mind run wild. The idea of making her my actual wedded wife has my heart surging and a grin creeping over my face. So much so, that Brad even spots it.
He smirks at me. “This is me asking as both your friend and legal counsel, Colt.” He grins. “This thing with Tansy… you’re not actually faking it, are you?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m not.”
“Is she?”
I frown. Life’s taught me this harsh lesson before. But I know damn well Tansy isn’t Deirdre. I know in my heart that I see the same spark I her eyes when I look into them that I’ve got in mine.
“No.”
“You sure about that?”
“Very.”
Brad nods. “Well, okay then. If you get married, then yes, that’s a huge step towards stomping this bullshit of Deirdre’s out. And also ending the whole contractual dispute. But…”
“But what?”
He smiles curiously at me. “Engagement is helpful. Marriage is even more helpful. But if you want to nuke this entire thing and be done with it?”
“Yeah?”
Brad sits back in his chair. “Ever thought about being a father?”
My brows shoot up. “You’re telling me to have a kid with Tansy?”
“No, no, Colt,” he laughs. “I’m not psychotic or unethical enough to tell you to have a kid with this girl in order to beat a legal challenge. But I will say that should you two find yourself having a baby together, Deirdre and Lorne’s entire claim gets deleted,” he snaps. “Gone, just like that.”
I suck on my teeth as the wheels in my head turn. Yeah, damn right I’ve thought about having a kid before. Of course I have. And when I think about making that happen with Tansy, I can’t stop the grin from spreading across my face.
But that’s me. When I look into her eyes, I want to say that of course I can tell what she’s thinking. Because we just click like that. I can’t actually read her mind. Forget if she’s ever thought about having kids or not. The bigger question is, does she want kids with me?
Does she even want to keep this—what “this” is—going? Being my fake fiancée is one thing. Jumping into my bed is another thing. Hell, even legally getting married—even if it’s something we’re both feeling in our hearts and not just to beat a legal thing, is another level entirely.
But having a kid? Again, even if it’s something we both want, you can’t ignore the over-hanging background noise: that having a kid cements my claim to this land. I frown. Not exactly the most romantic or auspicious situation to have a child together.
“Listen, buddy,” Brad levels his gaze at me. “You pay me not to mince words, so here’s the unabridged version. You can say whatever it is you and Tansy are doing right now—”
“I’m not sure I like what you’re implying, Brad.”
He shrugs. “Hey man, this is me talking as your lawyer. This is privileged attorney-client talk. Can I finish?”
I nod.
“You can keep on with what you’re doing now. But when—not if—Deirdre and Lorne bring it to court, your odds aren’t fantastic. If Deidre’s legal team plays up the age difference between you and Tansy, and that you’re technically her boss and landlord?”
I swear under my breath.
“Yeah, those odds get worse. Now, you get legally married, and those odds improve. A lot, actually. But best-case scenario, and this goes with the engagement thing too, it gets you two more years. And I’ll eat my own tie if Deirdre doesn’t come after the land at the end of that extension.”
Brad sighs. “Now, you two have a kid? Well, those odds get real good.”
I frown. “Odds? If I have a kid, I win.”
“Well, yeah, if you meet some woman through friends, start to date her, move in, Instagram your lives together, get married, and then she gets pregnant? Yeah, that’s a slam dunk.”
I glare at him. “So, what, because we moved fast—”
“Okay as your friend, I’m dropping the bullshit for a second. Colt, you might very well like this girl a whole lot. You might
