“Like hell!” he exploded, too furious to even think about the fact that she was apparently agreeing to marry him. He didn’t like the terms she had in mind. He didn’t like ’em one damned bit! “I’m not going into a marriage thinking about how it’s going to end. The day you and I get married it will be forever, Janet Runningbear, not one of those blasted things where one of us skedaddles at the first hint of trouble.”

To his astonishment, she chuckled. “I had a feeling you were going to say something like that, so I made a few alterations from the traditional prenup agreement. Perhaps you should read the details.”

He was about to rip it to shreds when a phrase caught his eye. Something about guaranteeing that White Pines would remain with his sons.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“Just putting what’s right in writing,” she said. “I want to be sure there’s never a doubt in your mind about why I’m marrying you. Read the rest. See how it suits you.”

The next paragraph legalized his adoption of Jenny as his daughter. He couldn’t have been more flabbergasted if they’d let him win at poker. He searched Janet’s face for proof that this wasn’t some sort of diabolical hoax.

“She’s sure about this?” he asked, not able to control the hint of wonder in his voice.

“She and I talked it over this morning. It’s what she wants. She wants to be your daughter.” Her gaze caught his. “If you’ll have her.”

Tears stung his eyes. “It would make me proud to have her call me daddy. Your ex-husband, though, he won’t mind?”

“He’ll have to be consulted, of course, but I don’t see why he would, especially if it would let him off the hook with the child support he sends so grudgingly.”

He couldn’t believe that everything was finally coming together just the way he’d imagined. He cupped Janet’s face in his hands. “You’re dead serious about this? You’re not going to back out of this on me, are you?”

She shook her head. “Not a chance.”

“You know we’re going to be butting heads every now and then. That’s just the way of marriage.”

“So I’ve heard. Your daughters-in-law have informed me what it’s like to be married to a stubborn Adams.”

“Traitors,” he muttered, but he was smiling. He knew he owed the three of them for making Janet take a second look at his proposal and forcing her to shed her conscience of that secret she’d been keeping. He had a feeling he might owe Jenny, too. She’d promised to intercede in his behalf and it looked as if she had.