Page 20 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
Nick turned his attention to the woman standing beside Grace. Her green eyes were glacial and her mouth was closed tightly as she nodded, making it obvious that she didn’t approve of him or want Grace taking Michael to meet his dad.
“I’ve heard about you and your care for Michael,” Nick said, smiling at her, certain the smile would not be returned.
“Michael is Grace’s precious child now. He loves his mother very much.”
Nick could feel the waves of dislike and anger from the woman. “I appreciate her sharing Michael today and letting my dad meet his grandson. That is going to mean the world to him.”
“Michael can’t possibly be that important since your family shunned him totally at birth and when his life was hanging by a thread.”
“Something my dad is sorry about now,” Nick said quietly, knowing she was immersed in anger with the Raffords. “Mrs. Wayland, my father has no intention of taking Michael from Grace. Today, he wants to meet his grandson. Just see him.”
“It isn’t today that worries me,” Clara snapped, and Grace placed her hand on her aunt’s arm.
“It’s all right. I’ll go with Nick now. I’ll call you when we get back. Thanks for your help today.”
She buckled Michael into his carrier and Nick picked it up as Grace gathered Michael’s bag. She brushed a kiss on her aunt’s cheek. “Don’t worry,” she whispered.
“I’m glad to have met you,” Nick said politely and left, waiting outside for Grace to join him.
“Sorry, but she’s worried and upset.”
“If I could be boiled in oil, she would have seen to it. Or a few other dreadful ways to get rid of me. Sorry to worry her so much. She could have joined us.”
“Heaven forbid. She wouldn’t want that and neither would you or your dad. Or any of us. She’ll calm down if your intentions are really what you say.”
“They are. Now I know why you looked so shocked when you first met me. I thought it was the hot chemistry between us, but, sadly that wasn’t it at all. You were stunned by my resemblance to Michael,” he said.
“Yes, I was surprised when I first saw you.”
“Michael himself nails the Rafford paternity—except Michael looks as if he’s my child instead of Bart’s. There’s no earthly reason to ask for a DNA test if we could. This baby is a Rafford through and through as far as appearance goes. He couldn’t look more like my baby pictures. And I have a picture where I’m dressed in a sailor suit like the one you have on him today. That’s going to jolt Dad.”
“I didn’t think of that. Should we go back and change?”
“No. I’m not going another round with your aunt.”
Grace chuckled. “You? Scared of Aunt Clara?”
“I’ve faced opponents in board rooms who didn’t look that hostile. I’m thankful she wasn’t armed.”
“Aunt Clara wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’m shocked. You’re intimidated by Aunt Clara.”
“Don’t rub it in. I’m amazed she hasn’t spent every second trying to convince you not to go with me today—or the last time, for that matter.” Nick glanced in the rearview mirror at Michael in the backseat. “I don’t know anything about babies, but I’m guessing this is a very happy baby.”
“He’s a darling. He is a happy baby.”
“I would be, too, if you were taking care of me,” Nick said, and she smiled.
“Sorry, you don’t qualify,” she answered lightly.
“I think I’ll let the nurse and my dad know about the family resemblance before we spring Michael on my dad. This is going to be a shock.”
“And make him want Michael all the more.”
Nick glanced at her. “Don’t start worrying. Dad will be pleased I’m sure and I don’t know if he can want to know Michael any more than he does right now. You can’t imagine how pleased and grateful he is that you’ve agreed to this. You’ll see,” Nick said, keeping to himself what would occur. His father would take one look at Michael and get an account set up, get presents for Christmas and want all sorts of things that involved the baby. “Just remember my dad is elderly and doesn’t work anymore, which used to take a lot of his time and attention. He has no women in his life and I’m not around that much. Michael will be his main focus. That doesn’t mean he wants to take the baby from you. I promise you that. Dad never was into children or babies.”
“He is now,” she said, and her tone sounded sharp.
They rode quietly until passing through the gates to his father’s estate.
