Fortune's Christmas Baby (Fortunes of Texas)

Until she remembered that, technically, biologically, Stella was a Fortune, too.

And they were all about family.

With enough money to get whatever and whoever they wanted. He’d already been throwing it around. Should she take it so she’d have the resources to fight him with?

Could she use his money to hire a lawyer?

But she was pretty sure one payment wouldn’t be enough. They’d just keep coming at her until she was destitute.

Feeling like she had the entire world of moneyed people pressing at her back, she started to panic, and knew she had to find a way to stave them off. To find a safe place for her and Stella.

At least until she could figure out the sane thing to do. What was best for Stella.

“I want to give you everything you want and need,” Nolan said after several minutes of silence. “I just can’t give you this, Lizzie. I can’t walk away.”

He was going to leave her apartment, though. Sooner or later. And when he did, would he be on the phone to his people before he even left her block? Would he be calling out the guards?

Did he have a bodyguard outside even now?

Wealthy people traveled with them, didn’t they? Not that she’d seen any the previous year. Of course, they could have been disguised as—

No!

She had to stop these crazy thoughts. She had to take control. To buy herself some time to figure this out. If only she could hold him hostage in the apartment long enough for her to get some divine intervention.

No, she didn’t want that—him hostage there with her. She couldn’t afford to keep Nolan close.

He kept giving her glimpses of Forte and they were messing with her. Making her weak. Making her want him as badly as she wanted him gone.

But...

“You really mean that about giving me whatever I want?” she asked, looking him straight in the eye.

“Except for walking out on the two of you again? Absolutely.”

“Then this is the deal I’ve got for you.” She rushed on ahead before she could second-guess herself. “You’re here for ten more days, right?”

“Give or take.”

Did the man ever have a straight answer?

“I’m expected home for Christmas Day, but in light of...this... I’m not sure I’m going...”

He’d been expected home the year before, too, but she couldn’t dwell on the past.

“Okay, so here’s what I want and what I’m prepared to give to get it.” Rich people were into deals, right? “I want you to refrain from telling anyone, and I mean anyone, about Stella being yours for the next ten days. I’ll agree to spend as much or as little time with you as you please—with Stella, of course. I’m not offering up myself. Let’s make that very clear. We’ll spend time together to see if we can work out some kind of amicable plan where the future is concerned. You’ll be able to get to know her if you want, to spend time with her. I’m on break from teaching until after the first of the year, so I’ll put no time limits on your exposure to us, and we can try to talk this all through. Slowly. With time on both sides for thinking.” Holy moly, divine intervention really existed? She’d sounded...mature. Best of all, she’d sounded in charge. In control. Like she was the one with the power to call the shots.

Keeping her head high, her gaze on him, she felt a little bit like sticking her chin out. But she was shaking inside too much to give it a try. She didn’t want her facade to crumble in front of him. She was going to have to surrender Stella to a life of partial wealth, which made her feel as though her whole world was crumbling.

And yet...having Nolan there, in their home, God, it felt good.

“Deal.”

He’d taken about three seconds to think about it.

“You’re sure? No calls to anyone.”

“No calls.” He smiled. “I think it’s a great plan, Lizzie. I’d welcome the time, to tell you the truth.”