“Lots. Why?”

“More than a million?”

He laughed. “Yup. A lot more than several millions. Why?”

She had allowed him to patronize her, she knew. That, too, must change. “There’s this orphanage here I want closed, moved and re-established. Come see it with me—”

“The foundation is doing plenty in the orphan department. You can’t start taking over all the orphanages in China.”

“Just one at a time. You should see how horrible this one is. Eighty percent die—”

“I’ve told you before: we must pick more visible causes. It does you no good to spend so much money on a cause and then keep the kids’ privacy. It has no PR value.”

Inserting more courage into her voice than she felt, she said, “I want this done. I’m not asking for your approval—only your help.”

He rose to his feet. “In that case, I’d better scoot off to my next meeting where my contribution will be appreciated—”

She could kick herself for handling this matter so awkwardly. “Please sit down,” she said, more softly. “We must talk this over.”

He looked at his watch. “I asked you to wait a couple of days.”

“You have time to chat about the World Series, but not to talk to me about a baby? I know we’ve never dreamed of raising one—” She wet her lips. “Female singers have babies. Madonna is blossoming as a mother. Diana Ross had five pregnancies with two sets of kids years apart. Faith Hill travels with three young ones—”

“Sure. And when was the last time either one cut a platinum eight times over? And have you seen them going on the road for months at a stretch? Celine is nesting in her pad in Las Vegas!”

“I’m finally ready to give it a try.” Nola's voice was quiet, filled with the gravity of this revelation, but tears pinpricked her eyes.

“And how do I fit into this family planning? Am I supposed to be the father?”

“Why not? You were terrific with Jenna—”

His hand gesture was dismissive. “What a waste of time that was. And did you think I enjoyed it? I had to relieve you so you could sing!” He shook his head. “It would never work.”

“Why not?”

“Why not?” He addressed an imaginary audience. “‘Why not?’ she’s asking.” He looked back at her. The teasing smile did not leave his eyes. It irked her almost as much as his anger did. “For all the very obvious reasons.”

“Whatever these reasons are, they aren’t obvious to me.”

He ticked off his fingers. “You’re just breaking into the number-one spot. You’ve been pissing off Jean-Claude and the musicians. And if you think Leslie will just let you compromise your artistic commitment, think again.”

“Why is the whole world against my keeping Lulu?” she cried out.