Page 35 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

‘Perhaps.’ I don’t want to say that I don’t want children here in front of Joe, yet it was what I always believed. But with every day that passes, I doubt my former belief a little bit more. How could I not want children when they can be as amazing as Joe?

I sip my cider and it’s good, tart yet sweet, laced with cinnamon and cloves. It warms me right through and I drink it hungrily.

Joe finishes his drink, so I take his cup and set it on the ground then Edward moves him onto his lap and cradles him with one strong arm while he drinks his cider. Soon, Joe’s eyelids close and he snores softly, safe in his dad’s arms. It’s a sight that would make even the hardest of hearts soften, and for me, it’s further confirmation of my feelings for them both.

‘Have you had any more thoughts about my offer?’ Edward asks without looking at me. This must be difficult for him. It’s important because of what it means for Joe and a part of me wants to make it all right for them. I saw how Flo behaved around Edward this evening and so I know that there are other women who’d snap him up, but are there other women who would care about Joe in the way I do? This is getting more complicated by the day because I care for them and want the best for them. In fact, I believe I could be that for them. I could secure their futures and prevent Edward having to marry someone else who might not even want Joe around. Polly mentioned this recently when we were chopping vegetables for dinner, about how someone she knows married for a second time and the new wife sent the children from the first marriage off to boarding school. The idea of little Joe being packed off alone breaks my heart and I know I can’t risk that happening to him. The poor little boy has been through enough already.

‘I have.’

Now Edward meets my gaze and I see his internal struggle written all over his face. This isn’t easy for him and if it wasn’t for the inheritance clause he probably wouldn’t even consider marrying again. At least not for a while anyway.

‘And?’ he asks, a tiny muscle in his jaw twitching.

‘I’ll do it.’

‘You will?’

‘Yes. For you and for Joe and for my family.’

Edward looks so relieved that my eyes sting with hot tears. I’m getting too attached, but I can’t seem to help myself. This man could well be my undoing.

‘Thank you.’ He puts his cup down and takes my hand in his. It’s warm and strong and I squeeze it, trying to say a million things through my touch while not being certain about what it is I’m trying to convey. Why is it so hard to know what I want, to know what I’m feeling? I should know now, surely? And yet, this situation isn’t straightforward at all. It’s the most complicated situation I think a person could end up in. This man wants to marry me, but he doesn’t love me. He wants to secure his son’s inheritance and by marrying him I’ll secure my brother’s future and my mother’s care going forwards should her conditions worsen. Edward is kind and caring and he makes me feel good and yet, he sees me as an employee. If only this was real, and he loved me. If only we were going into this for love and nothing else, how happy I would be. But that would be some kind of fairy tale and life isn’t like that. Life is about being pragmatic and making decisions to benefit the people you love.

Edward lets go of my hand, stands up still holding Joe then pulls his phone from his pocket. He holds it up as he types with one hand and next thing I know; Jeff pulls up at the side of the village hall. Edward settles Joe in the back of the car then turns to me.

‘Jeff will take him home and Polly will put him to bed. I doubt he’ll even wake up.’

‘It’s not a problem, I can go with him.’

‘Please stay,’ he says. ‘It’s important to me that you do.’

I nod and he gently closes the door of the car and Jeff waves then gets in and drives away. It’s like having paid grandparents on call because I know that Jeff and Polly adore Joe and treat him like he’s family.

‘Come with me?’ Edward holds out his hand.

I take it, aware that I am accepting what he has to offer me, even if it’s not everything I wish it could be.

Chapter36

Edward

Inside the hall, the warmth hits me, so I remove my coat immediately then help Ava out of hers. When we walk into the main room, she gasps, and it makes me smile.

‘You knew there would be a dance, didn’t you?’

‘I didn’t realise it would be like this,’ she says, looking around.

The tables have been put away and some of the hay bales brought in and set up as seating around the edges of the room. On the stage at the far end, a local band has set up and they’re tuning their instruments.

‘Ever do line dancing?’ I ask and she shakes her head.

‘Well, get ready because you’re about to.’

‘What?’

‘Come on, let’s put our things down then we can dance.’

‘Edward! I don’t know how.’ The panic on her face makes my protective instincts stand to attention.

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