“He showed up one night in the middle of a storm. He’s basically been here ever since. He certainly seems to like you.”

“Yeah, it’s a thing I have. Animals love me. Kids too.” He shot her a lopsided grin. “It’s the grown-ups I have trouble with, as you’ve no doubt witnessed.”

“I take it that’s a reference to the alumni dinner?”

Wade rolled his eyes. “Talk about first impressions. Simone knew I was edgy about seeing Stephen again. She thought a little Jameson might loosen me up.” He raked a hand through his hair then shook his head. “Boy, did it ever.”

“Will you tell me what happened between you and Stephen?”

“No point, really. It was a long time ago. Besides, you said you wanted to talk to me.”

Christy-Lynn stood abruptly, carried her plate to the sink, and then busied herself with preparing a pot of coffee. When she finally pressed the brew button, she turned to face him. “I’ve been thinking of setting up a trust for Iris.”

Wade stared at her, letting the revelation land. She’d said it so plainly, without any kind of preamble, as if giving away fists full of money to your husband’s love child was the most normal thing in the world.

“What kind of trust?”

“I want to set it up so Stephen’s royalties automatically go into it. There would be monthly disbursements to pay for living expenses, school, whatever she needs. And then later college if she wants it.”

He said nothing for a time, running through the possible pitfalls in his head. It wasn’t a short list. Finally, he stood and carried his plate to the counter. Christy-Lynn was avoiding his gaze, fussing with mugs and cream and sugar.

“Have you thought this through, Christy-Lynn? I mean really thought it through?”

“I had just hung up with Stephen’s attorney when you came into the store today.”

“So . . . that’s a yes.”

“It’s the right thing to do, Wade. I don’t want Stephen’s money. Or anything that reminds me of him.”

“His daughter isn’t a reminder?”

“Yes,” she said, not looking at him as she filled two mugs. “She is. Every time I look at her, I see Stephen. And Honey. And it hurts. But someone has to take responsibility for the man’s child.”

“And you think that someone is you?”

“You didn’t see where she’s living, Wade—how she’s living. She’s three years old. She’s going to need things. Who’s going to give them to her? Rhetta? That bastard uncle of hers? If I can make sure she grows up with a decent roof over her head, with an education and some sense of opportunity, why wouldn’t I do it?”

“Sounds like you’ve made up your mind. Why bring me into it?”

“I don’t know really. Because I’ve told you everything else, I suppose. And because I knew what you’d say but wanted to hear it anyway. You may not believe it, but I value your advice, even if I don’t always take it. I don’t want to do something stupid, but I do want to do what’s right.”

She spooned a bit of sugar into one of the mugs and handed it to him, then doctored her own and wandered into the living room, leaving him to follow. There was another growl of thunder—a long, low rumble that vibrated through the floor and walls, followed by the splat of raindrops against the front windows. Christy-Lynn pulled back the curtains, peering out briefly, then settled herself on the love seat.

“So let’s have it,” she said flatly. “Give me your opinion.”

Wade dropped down beside her, sipping thoughtfully while he tried to corral his thoughts. “What you’re talking about is incredibly gracious,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “I’d just make sure you’re looking at the whole board. Right now this little girl is all you can think about, and that’s laudable, but what about down the road? There’s a chance you could end up regretting this—or maybe resenting is a better word.”

Christy-Lynn stared into her mug, thoughts clearly churning. “It’s just money,” she said at last. “Money I don’t even want.”

Wade looked at her hard, wondering if she’d thought about the long-term implications of what she was proposing. “Christy-Lynn, if you do this thing, if you set up this trust, you’re tying yourself to that girl—to Stephen’s daughter by another woman—for the next fifteen years. Are you really prepared to do that?”

Her chin came up sharply. “Don’t you think I’ve asked myself that? The truth is I don’t know. I just know I’m not prepared to stand by and do nothing.”

“What did the attorney say when you told him what you wanted to do?”

“Exactly what you’d expect a lawyer to say. That I’m jumping the gun. That I’m letting my emotions get in the way. He thinks I should hire an investigator to check out Honey’s family, to make sure I’m not being scammed.”

Wade tugged thoughtfully at his lower lip. “It’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard. You’re talking about a lot of money. It never hurts to be careful.”

Christy-Lynn let out a sigh. “Exactly what am I supposed to investigate? Rhetta Rawlings is an octogenarian who lives in a shack and chain-smokes generic cigarettes. What do you think she’s going to do with the money? Buy a Cadillac? Put in a pool? So what if she does?”