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“Why?”

“Because I'm tired of listening to you two fight.” She held the coin between her fingers and looked at them both. “Heads, I go to Japan. Tails, I go to Switzerland. Whoever wins gets me for the week. Happy?”

Silas considered the arrangement for a moment. Then a slow, satisfied smile spread across his face, making Allison immediately suspicious of his sudden enthusiasm.

Ryder pointed an accusing finger at him. “No! Daddy's going to cheat!”

“Why would I need to cheat?” Silas asked, looking thoroughly offended.

“Because you're a cheater!”

Silas turned to his wife. “Are you hearing this?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Your son has no faith in me.”

“My son has excellent judgment.”

Ryder grinned, clearly delighted to have Allison on his side, while Silas gave her a wounded look.

“You're supposed to be on my side.”

“Silas!”

“All right, all right.” He raised both hands in surrender, although the amusement lingering in his eyes made it clear that he wasn't remotely sorry.

Allison held the coin up between her fingers. “Heads or tails?”

“Heads,” Silas answered without hesitation.

“Tails!” Ryder shouted, practically bouncing on his feet.

“All right. Let's see who gets their way.” Allison flipped the coin into the air. It spun above their heads before landing on the back of her hand. She covered it with her other palm and paused, enjoying the brief silence that had finally settled over the room.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Show us!” Ryder demanded.

Allison lifted her hand.

Heads.

For one glorious second, Silas stared at the coin as though he needed to confirm that it had actually landed in his favor. Then his entire face brightened. He slipped an arm around Allison's waist and pulled her against his side, looking so smug that she immediately regretted giving him a reason to celebrate.

“Looks like you're coming to Japan with me,” he announced, looking down at his son with unconcealed satisfaction.

Ryder stared at the coin, then at his father. His face fell as though he'd just suffered the greatest betrayal of his young life.

“No!”

Silas kissed Allison's temple, making a point of holding her a little closer. “Better luck next time.”

Allison drove her elbow into his ribs. “Don't make it worse.”

Ryder huffed and turned away, his little shoulders stiff with indignation. “Fine! I'll go to Switzerland with the babysitter.”

Silas nodded approvingly. “Good decision.”