Dixie Rebel (The Carolina Magnolia Series, Book 1) by Rice Patricia

Author:Rice, Patricia [Rice, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2013-02-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

We are Microsoft. Resistance is Futile. You Will Be Assimilated.

"If you'll sign these papers, my lawyer will start work on your adoption of Constance." Axell shoved another sheet of paper across the broad expanse of his desk. "If you think you can get your sister's agreement, this one will begin proceedings for you to assume legal guardianship of Matty. Once that's done, he'll no longer be a ward of the state, and Social Services will have no more control over him."

Maya stared in dismay at the stack of papers collecting on Axell's desk as he pushed still another legal document in front of her.

"Here's the partnership agreement for The Curiosity Shoppe. I've had it drawn up between us and your sister, since the inventory is hers, and as a married couple, we're assuming joint responsibility. I think the threat of a lawsuit will have the building released by next week."

They'd been married for almost three weeks but they still lived together as they had before—Axell as the man in charge and she as his hapless female boarder—with a few exceptions. She now had a checkbook and credit card in her new name and drove a BMW that terrified her. While Cleo's shop was closed, Maya had her teenage clerk polishing the car after school every day as part of her store duties. She didn't dare do so much as chew a piece of gum in its spotless leather interior.

Maya tried scanning the sheets of legalese crossing the desk. Axell had discussed these things with her in their hurried conversations over breakfast or dinner, and they'd all made sense at the time. She'd rather trust him than argue. Taking a deep breath, she started signing where he indicated.

"You really ought to read those things before you sign them," he admonished.

"I could read them until I'm blue in the face and still not know what they say," she admitted. "Since I don't possess anything anyone could possibly want, I figure I'm pretty safe unless one of these is titled 'Articles of Indenture.'"

He smiled wryly as he arranged the sheets in their proper order and inserted them in their respective envelopes as she returned them to him. "I think that was part of the marriage contract. Didn't you read it?"

Axell so seldom smiled, Maya sat back in his fancy office chair and basked in the moment

"Was that the part that came after 'love, honor, and accept kitten litters'? I didn't get beyond that." Constance and Matty had just adopted a mama cat and her litter, insisting on bringing them home where they'd be more "comfortable."

"You wouldn't," he agreed dryly, pushing back his chair. "I'm thinking of holding a contest at the bar and the winners get free cats. I almost walked on one when I got home the other night."

He walked around the desk and offered a hand to help her from the chair. Axell's thumb brushed her palm as she accepted his offer, and just that caress of sensitive nerve endings reminded her that this business arrangement between them had other aspects.

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