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He used the remote to turn off the TV. He held his hand out for the envelope and quickly withdrew the small packet of papers.
“Want something to drink?” he asked, already beginning to read the document.
“No.”
Trace sat at the end of the sofa and quickly skimmed the top sheet. The document was not in complete legalese; he could understand the terms clearly.
When he finished, he looked up.
“Satisfied?” she asked.
“For the most part.”
It was a fair document. Whether Cath’s ideas or those of her attorney’s he didn’t know, or care. He could live with the terms as proposed. At least initially. Maybe they’d wish to alter things as the child grew, but that was a decision to make when the time came.
“So we see how it goes,” he said.
“Why are you doing this, Trace?”
He could be no less than honest.
“I’ll admit to being selfish, Cath. I see this chance to watch my second child grow and be able to share all the milestones I missed with Zach. I don’t want to wake up one morning and find you and the baby gone and not know where you are, not have time I know I can count on to spend with my child.”
“And what about my plans? Do you know how long I’ve been planning to move to Europe?”
“Europe will be there. A baby moves through different stages so fast if you blink you’ll miss them,” he said.
“If you agree to the points I proposed, I guess the attorneys can handle things from now on,” she said.
“You make it sound like we won’t see each other again.”
She shrugged.
“You’re the one who called a halt to our dating. Now that I work for you, I can see your point. Office romances can get sticky.”
He tossed the papers into the space between them.
“On the other hand, we’d know where we stand. And we have a common goal—deliver a healthy baby. Maybe I should revisit that decision.”
Cath was surprised at Trace’s statement. It was the last thing she’d expected. He would change his long-held stance—just because of the baby?
“You look surprised,” he said.
“I am.”
“Why? You’ll need someone to help you—doctor visits, buying furniture, getting things for an infant. Who better than the father? Won’t you want me to accompany you to the doctor? At least for the ultrasound? And what about a birthing partner?”
She stared at him. He sounded as if he wanted to be with her every step of the way. This did not fit her picture of Trace as ruthless businessman at all.
“There’s no one else, right?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“I always wondered why not last summer,” he said.
“Why not what?” Cath asked, still trying to wrap her mind around the idea of his accompanying her to the doctor. Of his presence at the ultrasound or other exams. She could feel the flush of embarrassment steal into her cheeks.
“Why haven’t you married? I remember once you said you had been engaged. What happened?”
