Page 8 of The Knotty Clause

She was in no position to make demands of him, but he found himself curious.

“Which are?”

Instead of responding she smiled over at Liam.

‘Would you like some more soup, baby? That is, if that’s all right with you, Yede?”

“Of course.” He frowned at her. “I will feed both of you.”

“Thank you.”

She rose and his eyes followed the graceful sway of her small body as she refilled Liam’s bowl. Too small, he told himself. Even if he were interested—which he was not—she was too small and delicate to ever withstand his attentions.

“Shall we go and sign that contract while Liam eats?” she asked.

“Fine. Come with me.”

He led her past the living space to the office next to it. It was a pleasant room with shelves along one wall and the desk from his ship but without anyone to report to and no communication with others, he rarely used it. He spent most of his time in his workshop.

Pulling out an old-fashioned sheet of paper, he quickly listed his terms but when he tried to hand it to her, she shook her head.

“You’ve forgotten my terms.”

“Which are?”

“You will not touch my son. You will treat him with respect and as much kindness as possible.”

He reared back as if she had struck him.

“You think I would hurt the child?” he asked, horrified. He had no intention of being around the boy, but he was still offended that she would think such a thing.

“No, but I have been wrong before.” The pain in her voice eased his irritation. “And he’s smart and curious. He may unintentionally violate your rules, especially since he is intrigued by you.”

That also should not have pleased him as much as it did.

“I will never hurt him,” he promised. “But if it makes you feel better, I will add it to the contract.”

He added the additional conditions, then handed the paper to her. This time she took it and signed her name at the bottom in a pretty, looping script. The sight of their names together on the page was unexpectedly pleasing and he quickly folded the paper and put it away.

When he rose she looked up at him and grinned, catching him off guard..

“Of course you realize I couldn’t read any of that.” She shook her head, still smiling. “But I believe you wrote what you said.”

“Why didn’t you object to signing it if you couldn’t read it?”

The smile faded.

“I learned a long time ago that promises are worthless—written or not. Actions are what matter. I choose to trust that you will do the right thing.”

Her faith in him made his chest ache in ways he’d forgotten were possible and he found himself reaching out a hand towards her,but then the sound of approaching footsteps made him think better of it. Her son wandered into the room, his gaze bright and curious.

“What’s this room?”

“One of the places you’re not allowed,” she said firmly.

“Okay.” Liam smiled up at him, undeterred. “Can I see your workshop? Please.”

She shot him a helpless look, and he realized the point she’d been trying to make earlier about the boy’s curiosity. His first instinct was to refuse, to maintain the barriers he’d built. But Liam’s hopeful expression mirrored memories he’d locked away—of another boy who’d once looked at him with such eagerness.

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