Harry nodded. “Right.” He fished a slice of bread from the basket, slathered it with whipped garlic butter. “You might love your son but we both know you aren’t interested in playing Mom to him for the next nine years until he graduates.” She had the nerve to look offended, but before she could respond, he held up a hand and stopped her. “Save it. I know all about your dying aunt and the real reason you came to see Cash. I don’t care what your issues are or why you can’t settle down and be a mother to Mason. That’s your deal and it’s not for me to judge. You can fly to Bangladesh for all I care or cruise the world five times. I’m going to give you a way to do that if you want to, but there’s a price.” He toyed with his butter knife, met her gaze. “The question is, are you willing to do what you need to in order to get what you want?”

She eyed him like he’d asked a trick question. “And that is?”

“Freedom.”

She didn’t even pause when she asked, “What would I have to do?”

Now he had her. “Move in with your aunt and take care of her until she dies. When the time is right, which will be determined by a legal team, forfeit all rights to Mason so the Casherdons can adopt him.”

“Mason isn’t even his son! Why would I let them adopt him?”

Harry shrugged. “Why not? They’ll love the kid, raise him like their own, let him know what it’s like to be part of a family. What are you going to give him? More lies? More BS about why you can’t be there for him? Maybe you’ll toss a few more men at him and let the kid think one of them is his real father.”

Those dark eyes singed him. “So much for not being judgmental.”

“I lied.” If she didn’t want the kid, then he’d make damn sure the boy went to someone who did—like the Casherdons. Harry toyed with his salad fork, waited. When she didn’t respond, he said, “Think carefully; this is a one-time deal.”

She grabbed her glass, drained the scotch from it. “Fine. Tell me exactly what I need to do.”

Chapter 6

The Real Stephanie Richmond

A Family Affair: The Gift

Bonus scene

Cash visits Stephanie at the Heart Sent. It’s the first time he’s seen her in ten years.

Cash stepped out of the truck and made his way toward the front porch of the Heart Sent and Stephanie Richmond, one of the many mistakes from his past. He never should have slept with her; he knew it then as clearly as he knew it now. But she’d made it so damn easy. Too easy. Guilt pricked him, called him a fool for taking what she’d offered and a bastard for rejecting her after he’d taken it.

“Daniel Casherdon.” She stood, pink lips pulling into a slow smile. “You’re more handsome than you were ten years ago.” Laughter spilled from those lips, smothered him. “If that’s possible.”