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I nodded "My attorney will draw it up based on whatever agreement we make, and you can have your attorney review it The only nonnegotiables are the five-year time period prior to a divorce, a nondisclosure, and that you have to live here for the entirety of the ether," I said gently, leaving out that my father’s attorney had told ain

She turned her gaze to the rows of books lining the library walls When she didn’t say anything for a while, I added, "There are eight guest bedrooms here, besides the master bedroom and Cody’s room You can have your pick"

She flattened her hands over her lap and busters in the hollow of her throat I wanted to gently pressin her ear, but I kept my ass parked firmly in the chair and waited

Later on I’d deal with the question of hoas going to live with her under the same roof as ht noasn’t the time for that

She said, "I don’t want a million dollars," and otiation Da to say yes to whatever she wanted

I sat back, crossed s, and kept my expression neutral

"What I want," she said, "is for you to pay for all my mother’s eries, and whatever other necessary care she needs, until she beats the cancer or"

She paused and looked at "

She shook her head "That’s it"

After staring at her in silence for as probably , I said slowly, "What do youelse and I’ll feel dirty This isn’t about greed or getting rich I loveperfectly honest, all your money doesn’t seem to have made you very happy"

She had me there

"The only problem I have is that I can’t pay for e bill and let the hospital co at bankruptcy court and debt collectors andseized And my mama is too proud to even tell her friends she’s sick--she’d rather die than go bankrupt or be a burden on anyone If she lost her house and had to move in with ot"

I was beginning to see where Bianca got heryou want for yourself So for the restaurant, or your future--"

"My future is my concern," she said softly but with steel beneath it "You’re buying a five-year pretend wife, and I’ a chance for my mother to live That’s it That’s the deal, or we don’t have one"

My chest ached This wo she wanted from me, and all she wanted was for her mother to be well

For the first time in years, I had hope for humanity

"How about this," I said "I’ll put the money in a trust and name you the sole trustee That way it will be protected, and you can have access to theto rely on me I think it would beaard for you to have to come to me with every bill Then whatever is left over when your ets better, you can do with as you choose Buy your ive it to charity, whatever you want"

When she opened her mouth to protest, I said firmly, "That’s the deal, or we don’t have one"

She pressed her lips together We looked at each other in silence as the clock ticked on the wall and le drum