She had nerve, he thought, sitting there refusing to sign. Who did she think she was, looking at him as if he’d crawled from the gutter, when she was the one who’d gotten tipsy on champagne? What right did she have to glower at him? He was the one who’d kept his wits about him. If he hadn’t dropped her off at the hotel, he’d have made love to her in the carriage—without a contract. How would she feel about that?
Reese reached for the coffee pot. She beat him to it, her hand already on the silver handle. He seized the pot and pulled it in his direction. Faith stubbornly refused to let go.
“Children, children,” Tempy chided, taking the pot from their hands and pouring both of them a cup. “You’re behaving like spoiled, pig-headed, little brats.” She looked to David for confirmation.
David agreed. “We aren’t getting anywhere. Why don’t we call the whole thing off?”
“No!” Reese and Faith shouted, simultaneously.
“Then stop this nonsense and let’s get down to business.” David’s voice was firm. His patience was stretched to the limits by their stubbornness. It was time to compromise or quit. “First of all…”
He explained the contract thoroughly, then went over the sticking points. “The fee is twenty thousand dollars.” He looked to Reese.
Reese nodded in agreement.
Tempy gasped at the enormous amount of money.
Faith shook her head.
“Oh, hell!” Reese muttered in disgust. “What’s wrong with that? Not enough?”
“Too much,” Faith said firmly.
“Too much?” Reese sputtered, surprised. “What the devil…?” For a minute, he had forgotten who he was dealing with. “How much do you want?”
“Half that amount,” she told him. “I’ll accept ten thousand.”
Reese looked at David. “All right. I agree to pay you ten thousand. Half now and half at delivery. Agreed?” He stared at Faith, willing her to agree.
“Minus the advance of three thousand, eighty-six dollars and thirty four cents, of course.”
“Minus the advance,” Reese agreed. She didn’t know about the extra six thousand in her bank. And by the time she found out, the contract would be signed, witnessed, and recorded. He wanted to be sure she couldn’t come back after the divorce, begging for more money, or claiming he’d cheated her. She’d get twenty thousand whether she wanted it or not.
“Mr. Jordan agrees to provide food, clothing, and shelter for both Mrs. Collins and her daughter, Joy. He will also pay any additional living expenses for the duration of the pregnancy.” David continued, “Mrs. Collins agrees to reside at Mr. Jordan’s ranch in Wyoming for up to one year. She agrees to leave as soon as she is able to travel following the birth of the child.” He looked at Faith.
She started to agree when Temperance whispered in her ear. “I agree to leave as soon as my health permits, provided a suitable wet nurse is in residence. My aunt pointed out that finding a wet nurse might take some time. I won’t deprive my child of nourishment.” Faith blushed, profusely, as she met Reese’s gaze. “Is that acceptable to you, Mr. Jordan?”
“Acceptable and reasonable,” he told her, “I appreciate your concern for my child as long as you understand that you are forfeiting your rights to him. You must leave Wyoming and never attempt to contact him.”
Faith shifted in her chair. Her eyes brimmed with tears and her stomach lurched, convulsively, but she didn’t speak.
“Do you understand?” Reese asked, bluntly, running his fingers through his hair.
Faith nodded.
“Do you agree to forfeit all rights of motherhood?” Reese met her gaze. “Permanently?”
“Even if you die?” Faith asked. “Or get killed?” She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and began twisting it. She pinned him with those solemn, gray eyes.
“Even then.” He flinched when he met her gaze, but he refused to look away.
Faith hesitated. “What would happen to him if you died?”
“Mr. Jordan will be the legal father of the infant and the baby will be his legal and rightful heir. A guardian is to be named in Mr. Jordan’s will, and appointed to take care of the child until its majority,” David explained.
Faith looked at the attorney. “David, I want you to be the baby’s guardian. If something should happen to Mr. Jordan, I want you to agree to raise my child.”
“I’ll decide what’s best for my child,” Reese told her. He had already signed a new will naming David guardian of any offspring, but that was beside the point. He couldn’t allow Faith Collins to dictate terms.