Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(61)

Nerves made her slightly sick to her stomach. She ignored the sensation. She and Jaxsen were going to have a simple discussion about something important to her. He was her husband and he loved her—of course he would be supportive. They would discuss his concerns and be calm and loving toward each other. She was sure of it.

Almost.

He glanced at the folders she’d placed on the coffee table then at her. A slow, sexy smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“I get it,” he said, nodding. “You’re determined to have that girl you always wanted. We agreed on three kids but you want to try for a fourth. I’m game if you think we can handle it financially. But I have to warn you—I’m not sure I have any girl sperm in me, so you’d be taking a chance.”

“What? Another baby? Are you insane? I’ve been begging you to get a vasectomy ever since Grant was born. At some point I’m going to have to go off birth control. My God—another kid? No, thank you.”

Jaxsen sat up a little straighter. “You don’t have to be so mean about it. I thought you liked kids.”

“I do. We have three. That’s plenty.” She held up her hand and consciously lowered her tone to something she hoped was more warm and friendly and less horrified. “Jaxsen, I want to talk about leasing the bakery space in town.”

She handed him one of the folders. “I’ve been working on my business plan for a while now. When the space became available, I went to see it and as I’d hoped, it’s perfect.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The bakery in town. The Blackberry Island Bakery. It’s available and I want to lease it so I can move my business there.”

He frowned. “You don’t have a business. You bake a few cookies and sell them on weekends. That’s not a business, that’s a hobby.” He tossed the unopened folder onto the coffee table. “This is crazy, Kristine. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

His immediate dismissal shocked her. “Jaxsen, I do know what I’m talking about. I took classes at the community college. I’ve been working on my business plan for over two years. I ran the numbers past Sophie and she agrees with me.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, well, if Sophie says it’s okay, then who am I to disagree?”

She pushed the folder toward him. “Jaxsen, please. I want to do this. It’s my dream and it has been for a long time. Right now I’m constrained by space and time and everything going on in the house. If I had a designated space, I could have a set schedule. I could ship to customers and really make something happen. I’ve run the numbers and even after all my expenses, I would be able to pay myself a real salary.”

“What about the kids? Would you ever be home?”

“More than you are now,” she snapped.

His expression tightened. “I’m working, Kristine. I’m supporting this family. Your job is to stay home and take care of the kids.”

“They don’t need me home every second of every day. JJ is fourteen. In two years he’s going to be driving. I need more than cleaning house and ironing. I need something that is fulfilling.”

“Most women are fulfilled by their families.”

“Actually, Jaxsen, they’re not, and you know it. What’s going on here? Why won’t you listen?” Frustration grew until she was afraid she was going to cry. “I put hours and hours of work into my proposal and you won’t even look at it.”

He glanced at the folder, then back at her. “What happens when you fail? What happens when we have to pay for a lease for the next three years because you couldn’t make it? Debt like that could drown us.”

She didn’t appreciate that he’d gone directly to her failing, but knew it was a legitimate question.

“I’ll get a job working in retail,” she told him. “That way it’s a net neutral for us. The only thing lost is my time.”

His gaze turned suspicious. “You’ve already done it, haven’t you? You’ve already leased the space and you’re coming to me after the fact.”

“What? No! How could you even ask me that? You’re being unfair. I don’t get it. I’ve been successfully selling cookies and brownies for years. I sell out by noon every single weekend. I’m responsible, I’m hardworking and I’ve done my research. Why won’t you even consider supporting me on this? Why can’t you see I deserve a chance to have something I can be proud of, something I’ve created on my own?”

“Something that’s more important than your husband and your kids?” His tone was sharp. “When did we stop being enough for you?”

“Why are you constantly twisting my words? Why do you keep going there? I love my family. I’m only asking to have a chance to fulfill my dream. Why can’t you see that?”

He grabbed the folder and opened it. He scanned the pages so quickly, she wasn’t sure he was actually reading them. Then he pulled one out and waved it in front of her.

“Where are you getting the money to do all this? It’s going to take thousands of dollars.”

She ignored the anger in his voice and pulled out another piece of paper. “It’s all here. The remodeling costs, the cost of equipment and supplies.” She hesitated. “It’s about twenty-five thousand dollars.”