Another Woman's Son (Harlequin Romance) by Anna Adams Page B

became? I wasn’t happy in my marriage, either.”
    “How can you be so calm?”
    “I’m not. Inside, I’m working hard at not screaming my head off, but that wouldn’t help anyone.”
    He went back to the sofa. “You don’t have to prostrate yourself on their graves.”
    “I’ve prostrated myself for the last time for Will Barker.” She regretted every decision she’d ever made with her husband’s comfort in mind. “This is for Tony.”
    “I can’t believe Ben will accept anything from the man who cuckolded him.”
    Rage filled her for a second. She didn’t want anyone saying that about Ben. It made him seem weak, and he was proving his strength with each passing moment. She pushed Ray’s salad back to him, but he only made a face at her.
    “He doesn’t want the money, but it belongs toTony. He might need it someday. If Will had been thinking like himself, he would have changed his will in his…son’s favor.” She couldn’t love Tony more, but she hated his parents a little when images of them together taunted her.
    Ray refused to give in. “Think about what you’re doing. This money may sit in an account untouched forever if Ben doesn’t want Tony to have it.”
    “I’m not quite sure how to put this, but if it’s mine, and Tony’s my nephew, it’ll go to him someday, no matter what Ben wants.”
    Ray leaned forward and stabbed a piece of romaine so hard his fork skewered the container. “If that idiot Will had been himself, he’d have remembered who he had waiting at home.”
    She didn’t want anyone saying nasty things about Faith, but how nice to have a champion. “You’re turning into my hero.” Tears welled again. She was sick of wanting to cry—bound to rust into immobility if she kept this up. “I need to remake my will and leave everything of Will’s to Tony. Do that right away because, apparently, you never know when you might die.”
    He didn’t flinch at her black humor. “I won’t mention again that you’re under no legal obligation. You’re obviously determined.”
    “I’m thinking on the fly, but I don’t want anyone questioning Tony’s parentage. Make sure you refer to Tony as Will’s and my nephew. Ben’s afraid myparents or Leah will try to take Tony away from him. We cannot let them find out.”
    “My God,” he said again. “But your parents have more legal right to Tony.”
    “This isn’t about legal standing. I don’t think it’s good for Tony to be ripped out of his father’s home at eighteen months.” She watched the implications unfold in his mind as his frown deepened. “You’re keeping my secrets now.”
    Ray reached for the notepad and pen on the table beside his salad. “I’ll think of a way to do it.”
    “Be careful.”
    “I didn’t plan to get in touch with the media.” He gave her a wry look. “The world couldn’t care less how Ben raises his son.”
    “Thanks, Ray. I know I’m paranoid, but I’m hoping you’ll catch enough of my irrational fear to make sure Ben and Tony don’t get hurt.”
    “Don’t worry about me.” He looked around his office. Success shone from every gleaming surface.
    Standing, she leaned across the table, and he got up to hug her. “Will you call me when you’re ready to talk?” she asked.
    “As soon as I finish the paperwork for your will, I’ll put together a plan for a trust fund. We’ll talk about what comes next. You’ll need to ask Ben to join us.”
    “He told me not to do this. I don’t think we can count on him going along with what I want.”
    “Just ask him to come in and listen. He doesn’t have to agree.”
    “I’ll ask, but he’s a proud man.” She didn’t mind exposing her doubts. “He doesn’t want anything from Will and I guess he figures Will already took plenty from him.”
    “We have to make him see Tony’s entitled to everything you’re trying to give him.”
    Ray ushered her from his office. She was just as happy to escape before Pam showed up.
    By the