Page 42 of Prospecting

“Mia is not the youngest, you are,” he said. “She hasn’t given you a thought unless they needed money or she wanted to complain about something. Is she not concerned for your well-being?”

“This is how she is,” Sheridan said. “There’s nothing you can do to change it.”

“They are both working, why do you send them money,” he asked.

“They say they need it for Frannie,” Sheridan said.

“For what,” Cade asked pushing her hair behind her shoulders.

“Diapers, food, and such,” Sheridan said.

“Food is provided on the ships,” Cade said. “There are enough kids, diapers are plentiful. They’re using you.”

“I know,” Sheridan said leaning on him. “They’re my parents. What am I supposed to do?”

“Next time she asks for money, tell her you’ll order it for them,” he said.

“I don’t think she’ll like it,” Sheridan said.

“No, she won’t,” Cade said. “You aren’t responsible for them.”

“Is your sister unhappy with their work,” Sheridan asked worried her parents would cause more problems.

“Not so far,” Cade said. He made a point of checking with Calli on it regularly. “They are at least doing their jobs.”

“Good,” Sheridan said. “I’ll do it. You’re right. I shouldn’t have to supplement their income.”

“What else came in,” he asked.

“There’s a message from Corporate,” Sheridan said.

“What do they want,” Cade asked.

“I didn’t read it,” she said, teased him. “It’s on your account.”

“Which I gave you complete access to,” he said. He reached over, opened the message. “We got another bonus.”

“How much,” Sheridan asked.

“Do you remember the Floridite we found,” Cade asked.

“Yeah, why,” Sheridan said.

“It’s apparently a rich deposit,” Cade said. “Rich and pure. We got a ten percent bonus.”

“How much,” Sheridan asked.

“Enough to buy out your contract, allow you to get three degrees, and modify the ship,” Cade said grinning.

“Modify the ship,” she said. “I’m not ready to have kids.”

“I’m not either,” he said. “I’m thinking we should look at floor plans we like and fix up the ship.”

“Do you really want to buy out my contract,” Sheridan asked.

“Yes,” he said. “I want you here because you want to be here.”

“Always,” she said. “Cade, if we buy out my contract, where does that leave us?”

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