Fran leaned back and let out a sigh. “Look, I need to be upfront with you. I don’t want you to walk into this believing it will be all cocktail parties and evening gowns, because it won’t. Addison lives a solitary life, and there’s no room in it for anyone else. You’ll be a lodger in her home until the marriage is over, and you shouldn’t expect anything more.”

“And when would that be? I mean, we haven’t talked about when this will all happen and when it would end.”

“Well, you’ll have to visit the registry office within the next five days.”

“Five days!” Joanna said, almost coming out of her seat.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. That’s why after Millie had told me about you yesterday, I called and set up this meeting. Addison’s birthday is in less than five weeks away, and since we have to wait at least twenty-eight days after you register before the marriage can take place, that doesn’t leave us a lot of time. As far as how long it’s going to last, I can’t give you an answer until I talk to Addison. Last Friday, I gave her a list of my suggestions, including the financial details and the length of…well…let’s just call it service, but she had meetings this morning. I won’t be able to talk to her until I get back to the office. Once I do, I can arrange a time when we can all meet, and if possible, finalize the details.”

“Are you saying I have the… I have the job?”

“Do you still want it?”

Taking her time, Joanna thought about everything Fran had told her. The fact Addison Kane was apparently a coldhearted bitch didn’t sit well with Joanna, but neither did the pile of bills stacked on her kitchen counter. Locking eyes with Fran, Joanna said, “Yes, I do.”

A pearl diver couldn’t have held their breath as long as Fran felt she had held hers since posing the question, so when she heard Joanna’s answer, her exhalation of relief was audible and long. “Well, then after we finish our chat, I’ll head back to the office and let Addison know I’ve found her a wife. She’s in no position to argue, so as far as I’m concerned, you’d best start packing.”

“Really?”

“It’s either this or she loses her company. She doesn’t have a choice.”

***