Stryker's Wife (Man of the Month) by Browning Dixie

Author:Browning, Dixie [Browning, Dixie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

Seven

“Deke, I’ve got a proposition for you,” Kurt muttered at the face in the mirror.

No, dammit, not a proposition, a proposal! the image retorted.

“Business proposition? Marriage proposal? Both?”

Whatever.

“Okay, here goes. Now it seems to me, Deke, that what you need—or rather, what I want is—”

What she needs—what you want—sort out your priorities, man!

Kurt scowled, one side of his face covered with lather as he tried to compose a brief, carefully worded proposal of marriage that could not possibly be construed as a declaration of love. He had examined his feelings and decided that genuine liking mixed with a hefty dose of lust was not too bad a basis for marriage. Especially considering the fact that so many marriages based on undying love ended up on the rocks.

Right. So he would start by pointing out that fact, and then he would say, “So you see, we’re not talking romance here. You don’t have to worry about that. All I’m looking for is a simple, straightforward, mutually beneficial arrangement.”

Sure he was. His roof over her head, her body in his bed, and both their names on a marriage certificate. No big-deal romance. Just a piece of paper to keep the wolves away from the door.

He cleared his throat for a final rehearsal. “See, the thing is, I’ve got this little problem you might be able to help me with. There’s this—”

“Did you say something?” Deke called through the bathroom door.

“Just clearing my throat!” Impatiently, Kurt reached over and turned on the shower again. “Where was I?” he muttered to the mirror. “Oh, yeah. The little problem. Y’see, the thing is, there’s this nosy social worker who has a hang-up about placing kids with what she calls unsuitable parties, and lately, she’s been giving me some grief. It just occurred to me that if I had a wife, I might stand a better chance of keeping Frog with me. I haven’t had a lot of practice being a father, but I do know the kid would never make it in a regular foster home. He’d stick around about as long as it took him to stuff his pockets with food and any loose change lying around—although I think he’s cured of that. Loose change, I mean.”

Kurt shook his head. This wasn’t going to work. All this talk about social workers was no way to court a lady.

On the other hand, he wasn’t trying to court a lady. It wasn’t her heart he was after, it was her signature on a marriage licence.

The sympathy card, man. Play the sympathy card!

He tried to look sober and responsible and less like a man who was having trouble keeping his mind focused on the main issue. “A boy like Frog…” A boy like Francis Junior Smith?

Nah…the kid had enough on him without spilling all his secrets. “You see, it’s important for a boy like Frog to know you’re going to be there for him even when he pulls some crazy stunt that makes you want to throw in the towel.

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