Grace shook her head. “I’m going back to my office. I’ve had as much enthusiasm as I can stand,” she said, wondering what Jada would be like when she fell in love.
By two the office was closed and Grace drove to her aunt’s to see Michael for a while before going home. She was thankful she wouldn’t have to hear another person bubbling over her dinner date—her aunt would do no such thing.
She gave Clara a hug and then turned to pick up Michael as he stretched out his arms and cooed, babbling “Ma-ma.”
He smelled of baby powder and formula as she hugged him and he clung to her. He was warm and soft, cooing and babbling. She was sure she loved him more each day that passed. She looked beyond him at her aunt. “You’re sure about tonight?”
“Absolutely. Are you certain about going out with Nick? If they try to take Michael from you, I wouldn’t be able to stand it. He’s a grandson to me.”
“Don’t worry. Do what I do. Remind yourself that I have the papers Bart Rafford signed giving up Michael. I have the letter he gave Alicia, and the attorney has Bart’s recorded testimony giving up his rights to his son. I have Alicia’s will where her wishes for Michael are clear.”
“Thank goodness she lived several weeks, long enough for the arrangements to take place.”
“I think she was hanging on partially because of settling who cared for Michael,” Grace said. She sat on the floor and put Michael down to play with him. “I’ll be here for about an hour if you want to do anything.”
“I might run to the neighborhood grocery. I won’t be gone long,” Clara said.
“Take your time. Michael and I will have fun,” Grace replied, clapping her hands and then putting Michael’s tiny hands together.
She continued to play with the baby after Clara’s return until Clara finally pointed to the clock. “Grace, I hate to interrupt, but soon Michael will be getting hungry and you’re going to have to go home to change now if you want to be on time.”
“I have plenty of time,” Grace said, getting to her feet and picking up Michael. She talked to him as she carried him with her to the door and then turned to hand him to Clara.
“Aunt Clara, are you sure you want him tonight?”
“Yes, I am. He’s a sweet baby and easy to have. You don’t have many nights out for anything that’s just fun for you. You go enjoy yourself, but be careful. The Raffords are powerful, ruthless men with money and resources.”
“I’ll be careful. He promised just an outing with no talk about Michael or families.”
“Talk is easy and Nick Rafford is accustomed to manipulating people far more experienced than you are.”
“I’ll be careful, I promise,” Grace said as she left.
At her apartment she showered and dressed in a wine-colored dress with a plunging vee neck and long sleeves. She brushed her hair up, looping and pinning it with a few free strands. Finally she stepped into high-heeled pumps and did a brief inspection in the chipped mirror. “You’re out of your league,” she said to herself, thinking of Nick. Her gaze fell to Michael’s framed picture on a table and she picked it up. “I love you,” she whispered. “I don’t want to lose you.” She kissed the picture lightly, the glass cold against her lips and then she retrieved a tissue to wipe off the slight smudge.
When the doorbell rang, she picked up her coat and purse, glancing around the empty room that seemed a haven. With her pulse quickening, she went to meet Nick.
Three
Nick’s smile melted her fears and reluctance. On her doorstep beneath the porch light stood over six feet of handsome male, impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that had likely cost more than her last month’s profits. Even white teeth, creases bracketing his sensual lips, a seductive approval in his gaze—all enticed. Packaged for seduction, he radiated confidence that increased his physical appeal. Behind him a sleek black limo waited.
Small wonder she was weak-kneed and shaken, hot and definitely bothered. As well as speechless.
“You look gorgeous,” he said with warmth in his dark brown eyes.
“Thank you. You appear quite handsome yourself, but I’m sure you’re accustomed to hearing that.”
“This is the first time I’ve heard you say it. I’ll admit, I’m pleased,” he said. “Do you want to tell your aunt and Michael goodbye?”
“Michael is at Aunt Clara’s house,” Grace said, wondering if he had planned on getting to see Michael tonight, but it was his father who wanted to meet Michael. She couldn’t imagine that Nick cared in the least about a baby nephew.
“In that case, are you ready for a night out?”
“Yes, I am,” she answered truthfully, smiling at him. He touched her cheek lightly with his forefinger.
“That’s better. I haven’t seen many smiles—something I intend to change tonight.”
“The issues between us are not conducive to merriment.”
