Page 96 of The Guest Cottage
Cort moved to the side, saying to Marlow, “It’s your show.”
Actually, it should have been Pixie’s, but to get things started, she called out, “Aston?”
His head jerked up, and he glared at her.
“Would you like to come in for a few minutes?” When he agreed, she would stipulate that his aggressive friend should wait outside.
Aston surprised her by locking his gaze on Pixie. “Fifty thousand.”
Pixie sucked in a breath.
Cort’s enigmatic expression never changed.
“She doesn’t want your money, Aston.” Marlow put her hand on Pixie’s back. “Now, do you want to meet your grandson?”
He breathed harder. “One hundred thousand.”
Stumbling back, her eyes wide as saucers, Pixie looked at Cort, then at Marlow.
Say no, Marlow silently urged her.Say no. Pixie was so stunned, it was a wonder she didn’t faint.
Then Pixie took a step outside the door, her head held high, her chin elevated. Only shaking a little, she said, “I appreciate the offer, Mr. Heddings. I really do. It’s incredibly generous. More money than I’ve ever even dreamed of.”
Aston said, “You and your child can have a whole new life—somewhere far from here.”
“No, I can’t. This is the only life I want.” She reached for Cort’s hand, and he willingly gave it. Then she put her other hand on Marlow’s shoulder.
Oh, it felt good to be united like this. Cort’s expression didn’t change, but Marlow knew the gesture pleased him. She’d gotten to the point that she could sense what he wouldn’t say, and standing there with her and Pixie felt right to him.
But then, he was a man of strong convictions and honor. She couldn’t say the same for Aston. Honestly, she wasn’t sure what Aston was thinking, or what he was doing.
Voice strong, Pixie said, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I can’t take your money.”
“I’ll—”
She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter what you offer. I’m staying. Oh, and Marlow wanted me to contact you and Mrs. Heddings. I asked her for a little time. It’s not right for you to blame her.”
Unappeased, Aston said, “She should have contacted me herself. Then we could have already proved what a fraud you are.”
Pixie didn’t waver. She didn’t shout or cry. She said simply, “Since you’re not interested in meeting Andy, and you’re only being rude, you should go.”
“Andy,” he sputtered in rising tones. “That was my father’s name!”
“Really?” To Pixie’s credit, she didn’t flinch from his anger. “I didn’t know that. Before he died, Dylan suggested the name if I had a boy. From that day on, I thought of the baby as Andy.”
“It’s outrageous!”
“I sincerely wish you could discuss it with Dylan. I wasn’t aware of the significance.”
“I demand a paternity test. Immediately.”
Pixie nodded.
“Until then, you won’t get a dime from us.”
“I wouldn’t accept money from you anyway. Have a good day, Mr. Heddings.”
Marlow was in awe of the graceful and kind way Pixie had just handled herself. When she glanced over at Cort, his inscrutable expression had been replaced by a small smile of satisfaction.
