Debbie put a gentle hand on his arm as if sensing he was about to do something they might regret. “I don’t have any servants.”
When both Cheyenne and Tucker’s brows rose, Debbie continued, “Iemploypeople to help with specific jobs from time to time. Other than a handful of lawyers, accountants, and investment brokers I pay to help manage my late husband’s fortune, I only employ one teenage boy who cleans the pool and cares for the yard.”
Cheyenne’s eyes widened. “You have a pool?”
Austin ignored his ex-wife’s surprise and turned to Debbie. “Let me guess, Eli is your pool boy?”
Debbie winked. “I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
Austin laughed out loud. Debbie’s wealth overwhelmed him to the point of making him feel horribly inadequate, but he loved the way she helped others with her money. He looked at Cheyenne unable to keep himself from making comparisons between the two women in which his ex-wife came up lacking. He was fed up with her pretenses and arrogant attitude.
“Even though Debbie can afford to pay someone to cook like this every night, she doesn’t need to, because she’s an amazing cook. You should taste her lasagna.”
It was Debbie’s turn to laugh. She leaned over and bumped his shoulder with hers. “Shh… You weren’t supposed to tell anyone about that.”
He grinned. “I didn’t tell them the lengths you go to to get such a unique flavor.”
“Aren’t you two so cute?” Cheyenne’s voice had turned nasally. A sign Austin recognized as jealousy.
Not what he was aiming for by flirting with Debbie, but he’d take it. He’d had enough of the couple across from him. It was time to wrap this evening up.
He narrowed his gaze on Cheyenne. “Why are you here?”
“W-what do you mean?” Cheyenne sputtered as Tucker tugged at his collar.
“You said you wanted to discuss the kids, but you haven’t even asked about them tonight, or for the last five years, for that matter.” He motioned to the wall behind them. “You can’t even be bothered to express appreciation for your daughter’s talents. The only thing that seems to interest you is Debbie’s money.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what you hoped to accomplish by showing up so unexpectedly, but there’s no way Debbie and I…” he took the hand of the woman who’d played an exemplary role tonight, “will let you take the kids away.”
“I’m their mother—“
“Then why haven’t you acted like it over the last five years?” His voice rose.
Tucker put a hand on Cheyenne’s arm. “Let’s just tell them.” His voice was firm and deep.
“Tell us what?” Austin asked with an edge of steel in his voice.
Cheyenne and Tucker stared at each other for a lengthy moment before she whispered, “Fine.”
Tucker looked directly at Austin. “We don’t want to take full custody. We don’t even want temporary custody—“
“Then what the he—“ Austin bit back a swear word. ”What are you doing here?” His patience was wearing thin.
“We just want to take the kids for a couple days.”
“Take them where?” Debbie said at the same time Austin said, “Why?”
Cheyenne leaned forward. “Tucker’s company is having a two-day family event at a resort in Florida.”
“So?” Austin said.
“Well, Tucker’s company is very family oriented, and he’s up for a promotion–“
Debbie looked at Tucker. “You want to use the kids to make your bosses think you’re the perfect man for the job just because you have a family?” Revulsion filled her voice.
Tucker tugged at his collar again and winced as he lowered his eyes to the table.
“Astepfamily,” Austin corrected. There was no way he would let these two take his children thousands of miles away.
“I know it’s asking a lot, but if Tucker gets this job, he’ll be making twice as much as he does now and—“
