Eva didn’t put the bottle down. Instead, she tilted it toward Ruby’s glass and poured out every last remaining dreg. “Maury is in charge of the playroom for the next thirty-three minutes. Then and only then will I cross the threshold to assess damages.” She took a long drink from her glass, her gaze never leaving Ruby’s. “If you’ve ever wondered what the secret to a successful marriage is, it’s this right here.”

“An ungodly amount of wine?”

Eva’s laugh rang out loud and clear. “I meant a clear and equitable division of labor, but sure. Ungodly wine works, too.”

Sounds of life were starting to pick up in the next room, so Ruby allowed herself to relax against her chair. She also realized what she’d have to do to get her way—and without spending a cent of either her or Mrs. Orson’s money in the bargain.

She should have been ashamed of herself for coming over here with the intention of making a devil’s bargain, but desperate times called for desperate measures. If Wheezy refused to give in to the allure of her pageant stage—which he showed every sign of doing—and if Caleb remained unable to match the exact pitch and timber of Spencer’s voice—which he also showed every sign of doing—then she wasn’t left with much choice. Mrs. Orson’s long-lost romance with Norbert demanded it.

“I’ll babysit,” Ruby said.

Eva paused in the middle of bringing the glass to her lips once again. “I’m listening.”

“One free night of babysitting.” As yet another piercing scream sounded from the next room, Ruby pushed her qualms aside and amended, “Two free nights. Of your choosing. Including holidays and special occasions.”

Eva still hadn’t moved—not even to blink. “Do you mean two separate nights, or are we talking two of them in succession? As in a weekend? A whole weekend?”

An entire weekend of trying to keep three boys alive wasn’t what Ruby had meant, but if there was one thing she knew how to do, it was how to say what was expected of her. She stretched her brightest, pageantiest smile.

“Absolutely,” she said. “It’d be my pleasure.”

Eva thrust her hand across the table so fast that Ruby almost spilled her wine. “No takesie-backsies. Once you shake on it, it’s a done deal and there’s nothing you can do or say to reverse it.”

Ruby was startled enough by this to hesitate, but she caught sight of Eva’s expression and relented. Dealing babysitting favors might not have been her intention in coming over here, but it would have been the height of cruelty to deny the excitement on Eva’s face. She looked like a woman who hadn’t had a weekend away in, well, ever.