Chapter Fifty-Nine

"Lila, can you sign the new trust papers for baby James when you go downstairs for the day? I left the one to sign on the top. I have to be at my office for a meeting soon."

"Of course JD."

He kissed her on the forehead and headed to his bedroom to dress for the day. He rarely stayed in her room all night but he had fallen asleep afterwards. He had been having sinking spells during the day as he called them.

She checked on James with his Nanny and dressed; she finished off the tea and biscuits brought up to her each morning.

"I will go down and sign before I forget. And not give JD an opportunity to call me daft—-again."

As she walked down the stairs, she remembered a conversation that she overheard about Maris.

"She signs whatever I put in front of her like a good daughter. Her signature now is quite easily replicated, better for us."

She couldn't help but frown. She had heard about the prenuptial and Peterson finding a document to verify it after Jarrod Barkley challenged it.

These thoughts were disturbing her and she missed the bottom stair. She tripped for a moment but caught herself.

She walked into the study, looked around, and then closed the door. She walked back and turned the lock on a whim.

There was a note on top, "Lila, sign at the X in three pages. JD"

She sat down behind his desk and took all of the papers out of the leather folio. She put aside the three to sign and read the full document. A small strangled cry escaped before she knew it.

In case of death, incapacitation, or divorce, I hereby give all rights of my son to his father. Maris Autonberry would be legal guardian in his stead if JD Autonberry proceeds Lila Autonberry in death. If he has reached the age of majority, James David Autonberry will assume guardianship of James David Autonberry II in lieu of his mother. The child in either case would not be given to Lila Marie Bennett Autonberry.

Tears poured down her face, "And to think I was going to sign that. Probably just like Maris did."

She carefully read over all the documents and recognized her husband's handwriting—-Autonberry and Bennett were used interchangeably in the notes. She noticed three different marriage dates—then a Canadian marriage license dated thirteen months before.

"I signed it but I have never been to Canada. Where is the one from our ceremony in the parlor? " as she searched again. Nothing,

She was terrified of what she should do—-"Confront JD and likely be kicked to the curb or sign it and know she might lose her son to him. Or Maris? I thought she was touched in the head."

She put the three papers back on top and left it as she found it.

"I would rather him call me daft."

She went upstairs and dismissed the Nanny downstairs, "James, Mother needs to think, for both of us."

—-&—-

Maris put her robe on and tiptoed across Nick's room. She went to his water closet and stopped in his sitting area on the way back. It was nearly 10 a.m. according to the clock over the fireplace and Nick's soft snore reassured her. She sat in his chair by the fireplace and curled her feet up under her. She nibbled on the greenhouse strawberries and even allowed herself some mid-morning leftover champagne. The bread and crackers still were under the glass dome—-she opened those and began to eat.

"Ya gonna save me some or are you and my kid eating up all the food?" he surprised her from behind.

"You were snoozing if I remember correctly?"

"It's your fault, you wore me out."

She blushed and he kissed the top of her head. She refilled her champagne and handed it to him. He downed it.

"Little flat but that dog will hunt."

She smiled as he pulled her up to stand. He sat down and pulled her into his lap.

"This is my chair, wife. And don't you forget it."

"Yes sir." she giggled as he began kissing on her neck.

"As the master of my house, I demand we, from here on out, sit this way in my chair,"

"Duly noted,"

He rubbed her belly, "Baby good?"

"Yes. I have felt much better this week just being at the ranch."

"Cause our baby knows it's home,"

"I like that."

"We have the whole house for two days. The boys are at Jarrod's and Mother is at Audra's. We just have to let Rosa know what we want for meals."

"It was so kind of them to do this."

"They are just thankful they don't have to take care of me in my old age, I have been a crochetedy widower for ten years, remember."

"I can cook a few things, mainly bake,"

"You can try it out on me anytime."

"Really?"

He frowned and pulled her face to him, "Yes, you can do anything you damn well please as my wife. Wear a corset or not—-cook or ride bareback, well after the baby—-bake bread, play poker, curse. Maris, you are free as a bird here. The cage door is wide open. and—"

He winked, "That bed is ours. We share it. Didn't talk much about that beforehand but one bed. I can fix ya up your own dressing room but I ain't negotiating on the sleeping quarters.,"

"Yes sir" and she leaned in as his hands roamed again.

"Seems you like that. You're purring."

She started nibbling on his ear.

"Woman, you vex me," and he abruptly picked her up and headed back to his bed.