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long?”
    â€œI think that’s something we can settle here and now,” Nicole said. “I was thinking I could come and pick up the boys and take them for a visit either morning or afternoon. Whichever is convenient.”
    Kip made a show of looking at his watch, as if he was the only one in this room with a schedule to keep. Then he sat down and leaned back in his chair. “Okay, I’m thinking something else. I’m thinking you can see the boys every day, but the visits have to happen on the ranch and under my supervision.”
    Nicole frowned at that. “Why?”
    Kip held her gaze, his frown and piercing gaze giving him a slightly menacing air. “I only have your word that you are who you are, and until Ron is satisfied, I’m not letting Justin and Tristan out of my sight.”
    His antagonism was like a wave and for the briefest moment, fear flashed through Nicole. He reminded her of a wolf, defending its pups.
    Then she pushed her fear down.
    â€œAnd how would these visits be apportioned?”
    â€œI’m guessing you mean how much time and when?”
    â€œPrecisely.”
    Kip raised an eyebrow and Nicole knew she was putting on her “office” voice. She couldn’t help it. She felt as if she needed the defense.
    â€œYou come from 2:30 until 5:00 every afternoon. That’s what works best for me.”
    She bit back her anger. Two and a half hours? Was that what he considered a visit?
    â€œTake it or leave it,” he added.
    She didn’t have much choice. Right now she may hold a legal will, but until it was proven legitimate, he had the right of possession—if that was the correct way to term guardianship of the boys.
    â€œThose terms are…fine with me,” she said, trying to sound reasonable. She wasn’t fighting him over this. Not yet. In the end, she knew she would be proven right, but in the meantime the boys were in his care and on his ranch and she could do nothing about that.
    â€œSo we should draw something up,” Ron said, pulling out a pen. “Just in case there are any repercussions.”
    Fifteen minutes later, papers were printed up and signed and everyone given a copy.
    Kip folded his over and shoved them in the back pocket of his jeans. She put hers in her briefcase.
    â€œThere is one more thing,” Nicole said quietly. “My father insists that we do a DNA test.”
    â€œWhat?” The word fairly exploded out of Kip’s mouth. “What do you think this is? CSI Alberta? ”
    â€œIt’s not that complex. There is a test that can be ordered, and I’ve checked into the locations of the clinics where they can be brought. We would require your mother to take a test and my father, given that the parents of the boys are dead.”
    â€œIs this legal?” Kip asked his lawyer.
    Ron leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen against his chin. “Might not be a bad idea. It could bolster your case, Kip.”
    More likely ours, Nicole thought.
    Kip narrowed his eyes as he looked at Nicole, as if he didn’t trust her. “Okay. If you think it will help, Ron, I’ll get Mom to do it.”
    â€œI’ll find out more about it and let you know what has to happen,” Ron said.
    â€œSo that’s settled.” Kip shrugged his jacket on and gave Nicole the briefest of nods. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Nicole gave him a crisp smile. “Actually, I’d like to come now.”
    Kip faltered, his frown deepening. “As in today?”
    â€œAs in, I have just been granted visitation from 2:30 to 5:00 every afternoon.” Nicole gave him a cool look as she too got to her feet. She didn’t like him towering over her, but even in her heels, she only reached his shoulder.
    â€œI thought we’d start tomorrow.”
    â€œI have every right to start today.” She had signed a paper giving her those rights. He had no reason to deny