Page 55 of Prospecting

“No,” Calli said. “Ferrl and I have figured out how to wait.”

“Shocking,” Cade said. “I thought you were going to have more than Carina.”

“We haven’t decided yet,” Calli said. “Ferrl likes me full of his child but I’m tired of being pregnant.”

“Taking a break,” Sheridan said.

“For a few months at least,” Calli said. “Carina’s found a mate.”

“I talked to her,” Cade said.

“You don’t like him,” Calli said.

“She doesn’t have the best track record,” Cade said.

“He’s firm,” Calli said. “She wants another baby but he’s firm. He wants to get to know all her children first.”

“He better be careful,” Cade said. “Sinivite women like to be pregnant.”

“We like sex,” Calli said. “As much as the men do but we have the consequence of child bearing. Birth control doesn’t always work.”

“I know,” Cade said.

“He’s Sinivite,” Calli said. “Full on and damn possessive. She’s loving it. She doesn’t have to share her man with anyone.”

“Which she did with the other bastard,” Cade said.

“Gross,” Sheridan said.

“By the way,” Calli said. “I need to know if you are joining forces with the rest of the family on the vote.”

“It’s up to Sheridan,” Cade said. “She’s the one who picked the stock.”

“And bought enough to give us a majority vote,” Calli said. Sheridan bought shares in the corporation which ran the mining operations Cade normally worked for.

“I think I could,” Sheridan said. “Provided Cade gets to take a year off and gets his choice of contracts when he comes back.”

“You mean the two of you,” Calli said.

“Yes,” Sheridan said.

“She’s my partner,” Cade said. “It’s legal. You handled the paperwork.”

“I think we could agree to that,” Calli said. “We’re thinking Tappn for the head of it.”

“A good choice,” Cade said. “Will they take up residence on a planet?”

“Not likely,” Calli said.

“It will give Mia more distance from mother,” Sheridan said.

“With a third baby in her belly, she isn’t likely to keep working,” Calli said.

“Does Tappn want her to quit,” Cade asked.

“No but she does,” Calli said. “She’s getting better at making good decisions for herself. She’s gotten really good at taking care of the kids.”

“Good,” Sheridan said with a sigh of relief.

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