the household single-handedly."
"No, but you also need some time to pursue your own interests, as well as your work with the Mom Squad—or am I wrong in thinking you wanted to continue working?"
"Of course I do."
"Then the nanny stays." He dropped the mail
on the counter and began working at the knot of his tie. "I've also set up a checking account—"
"No. I won't take money from you."
He sighed. "You didn't let me finish."
Cara opened her mouth to reiterate her refusal. She wouldn't take money from him. It would be too much like being a... a kept woman.
A nervous laugh nearly burst from her lips. A "kept" woman? Did anyone even use such a term anymore?
But before she could form a scathing reply, Ross continued.
"I've arranged a checking account with enough money in it each month to take care of the bills and household expenses. I'd appreciate it if you would take over the responsibilities of seeing they get paid. After all, you're a qualified CPA with more than enough experience handling the Mom Squad's finances."
Some of her anger drained away when she realized that he meant to include her in family matters. Inexplicably his suggestion touched her more that he would ever know. Her first husband hadn't trusted her with such a responsibility. She hadn't even known her husband's true income until divorce proceedings had begun.
"You'll need to give me an itemized budget," Cara said.
He shook his head. "This isn't a business, it's a family. If you need more money, you can go to our bank and arrange for the automatic deposit to be increased. If you have money left over, then you can keep it, spend it, or save it—whatever you think best."
Cara wanted to object, but he was being so reasonable, she knew that any arguments she might offer would simply sound childish.
"Is that system agreeable to you?"
"Yes, of course." But her voice was tight.
"I'll also give you the numbers of our other accounts and investments." He dropped the mail on the counter. "I've got life insurance, but we'll need to arrange coverage for you, as well. In any event, I want it clear from the beginning that what I have is yours."
Ross ripped his tie loose and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a large vee of healthy, tanned flesh. Cara's gaze fixed there. The knot of need inside her tightened.
When she looked up, it was to find Ross watching her closely.
"Come with me," he said, his voice low and silky. "I'll show you where you'll be staying."
Ross led Cara up the ornately carved staircase. Once again she was reminded of that first night she had come to Ross's house. That night she had been
awed by her surroundings and completely unaware of the rush of events that would take her by storm the minute Ross opened the nursery door.
This time Cara gazed around her with new eyes, knowing that Ross's castle was to be her home, as well.
Home? She shivered. She didn't know if she could ever feel comfortable in a house that was so large, so steeped in luxury, so...stark and cold.
Cara had always been a person who liked to "nest." She liked soft colors, overstuffed furniture, fluffy rugs, fresh flowers. In the past she had always strived for a sense of coziness in her surroundings. She'd felt it was important that a person feel as if she could take off her shoes and relax the moment she'd crossed the threshold.
Something would have to be done to Ross's home, that much was clear to her. If she was going to live here, she had to make at least one room an oasis of beauty so she could feel at ease. But she didn't know if she dared do anything so mundane as add color, pattern and texture to a room in Ross's house. Ross had probably spent a fortune in decorating fees to obtain its current look. After all, the castle was a showplace—the kind of home where one entertained.
Or courted royalty. In truth, she would have been less surprised to see Robin Hood and Maid
Marian suddenly appear, than someone padding down the hall in stocking feet.
"I
"No, but you also need some time to pursue your own interests, as well as your work with the Mom Squad—or am I wrong in thinking you wanted to continue working?"
"Of course I do."
"Then the nanny stays." He dropped the mail
on the counter and began working at the knot of his tie. "I've also set up a checking account—"
"No. I won't take money from you."
He sighed. "You didn't let me finish."
Cara opened her mouth to reiterate her refusal. She wouldn't take money from him. It would be too much like being a... a kept woman.
A nervous laugh nearly burst from her lips. A "kept" woman? Did anyone even use such a term anymore?
But before she could form a scathing reply, Ross continued.
"I've arranged a checking account with enough money in it each month to take care of the bills and household expenses. I'd appreciate it if you would take over the responsibilities of seeing they get paid. After all, you're a qualified CPA with more than enough experience handling the Mom Squad's finances."
Some of her anger drained away when she realized that he meant to include her in family matters. Inexplicably his suggestion touched her more that he would ever know. Her first husband hadn't trusted her with such a responsibility. She hadn't even known her husband's true income until divorce proceedings had begun.
"You'll need to give me an itemized budget," Cara said.
He shook his head. "This isn't a business, it's a family. If you need more money, you can go to our bank and arrange for the automatic deposit to be increased. If you have money left over, then you can keep it, spend it, or save it—whatever you think best."
Cara wanted to object, but he was being so reasonable, she knew that any arguments she might offer would simply sound childish.
"Is that system agreeable to you?"
"Yes, of course." But her voice was tight.
"I'll also give you the numbers of our other accounts and investments." He dropped the mail on the counter. "I've got life insurance, but we'll need to arrange coverage for you, as well. In any event, I want it clear from the beginning that what I have is yours."
Ross ripped his tie loose and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a large vee of healthy, tanned flesh. Cara's gaze fixed there. The knot of need inside her tightened.
When she looked up, it was to find Ross watching her closely.
"Come with me," he said, his voice low and silky. "I'll show you where you'll be staying."
Ross led Cara up the ornately carved staircase. Once again she was reminded of that first night she had come to Ross's house. That night she had been
awed by her surroundings and completely unaware of the rush of events that would take her by storm the minute Ross opened the nursery door.
This time Cara gazed around her with new eyes, knowing that Ross's castle was to be her home, as well.
Home? She shivered. She didn't know if she could ever feel comfortable in a house that was so large, so steeped in luxury, so...stark and cold.
Cara had always been a person who liked to "nest." She liked soft colors, overstuffed furniture, fluffy rugs, fresh flowers. In the past she had always strived for a sense of coziness in her surroundings. She'd felt it was important that a person feel as if she could take off her shoes and relax the moment she'd crossed the threshold.
Something would have to be done to Ross's home, that much was clear to her. If she was going to live here, she had to make at least one room an oasis of beauty so she could feel at ease. But she didn't know if she dared do anything so mundane as add color, pattern and texture to a room in Ross's house. Ross had probably spent a fortune in decorating fees to obtain its current look. After all, the castle was a showplace—the kind of home where one entertained.
Or courted royalty. In truth, she would have been less surprised to see Robin Hood and Maid
Marian suddenly appear, than someone padding down the hall in stocking feet.
"I
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