Chapter 21
Gordon took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Did he trust Em? Was he willing to put himself on the line for her?
"All right." He said evenly. "Do you want me on one knee?"
"If I wanted you on one knee, Flash, I'd kick the other one out from under you. I don't mean a real proposal, just one that looks like we are...hmmm...attatched."
Gordon raised an eyebrow. "Kinky?"
"No!" She went to punch his arm like she did when they were in school and then pulled back with a funny look on her face. "I'm serious Gordon." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Daddy was pretty old-fashioned about the role of women. Almost prehistoric in fact, and the provisions in his will in order for me to inherit are difficult. I need to be married or engaged. Engaged will do. After the legalities have cleared then we 'unengage' ourselves. The will says we have to have Thanksgiving dinner together in the tradition of the Jones' household. Then the will will be read and witnessed by the lawyers. That only gives me three weeks to be engaged or married."
"Okay. But what were you going to do before I showed up?" Gordon's quick mind was leaping to many permutations and possibilities for the setup that could prove interesting.
"I would have managed, it would be financially a disaster, but I would manage. I do all right for myself, I have work." She was defensive again.
"Does this involve some payback to Charlotte?"
"Yes." Em admitted. "It will get her where she is most vulnerable, money and her reputation."
"Will it be legal? Not that that ever stopped us before..." Gordon turned off the faucet and inspected his knuckles which were more blue from the cold water than pink from the hot tea.
"I think so. I'm not so sure." She seemed hesitant. "Maybe it's not a good idea after all."
"Since when have Flash and Indiana weaseled out of a tight situation? It's a deal!" He stuck his hand out for a hand shake and was rewarded with her hand in his. It was a beginning.
Gordon took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Did he trust Em? Was he willing to put himself on the line for her?
"All right." He said evenly. "Do you want me on one knee?"
"If I wanted you on one knee, Flash, I'd kick the other one out from under you. I don't mean a real proposal, just one that looks like we are...hmmm...attatched."
Gordon raised an eyebrow. "Kinky?"
"No!" She went to punch his arm like she did when they were in school and then pulled back with a funny look on her face. "I'm serious Gordon." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Daddy was pretty old-fashioned about the role of women. Almost prehistoric in fact, and the provisions in his will in order for me to inherit are difficult. I need to be married or engaged. Engaged will do. After the legalities have cleared then we 'unengage' ourselves. The will says we have to have Thanksgiving dinner together in the tradition of the Jones' household. Then the will will be read and witnessed by the lawyers. That only gives me three weeks to be engaged or married."
"Okay. But what were you going to do before I showed up?" Gordon's quick mind was leaping to many permutations and possibilities for the setup that could prove interesting.
"I would have managed, it would be financially a disaster, but I would manage. I do all right for myself, I have work." She was defensive again.
"Does this involve some payback to Charlotte?"
"Yes." Em admitted. "It will get her where she is most vulnerable, money and her reputation."
"Will it be legal? Not that that ever stopped us before..." Gordon turned off the faucet and inspected his knuckles which were more blue from the cold water than pink from the hot tea.
"I think so. I'm not so sure." She seemed hesitant. "Maybe it's not a good idea after all."
"Since when have Flash and Indiana weaseled out of a tight situation? It's a deal!" He stuck his hand out for a hand shake and was rewarded with her hand in his. It was a beginning.