Page 21 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
“Do you have a home besides your condo?” she asked.
“Yes. I have a condo in Houston. I have a home in Colorado and a ranch in West Texas. I lead a relatively unpretentious life.”
“It sounds as if you do,” she remarked drily. “Yachts, businesses, women, houses, condos. So simple.”
“Modest compared to what I could do if I wanted to.”
They wound up the driveway that gave a full view of the front of the mansion and he heard Grace’s intake of breath. “This is a castle. Who lives here besides your father?”
“His staff, which now includes his nurses. There are currently two who live here and they take different shifts. I detect worry in your voice.”
“How can I fight this?” she said.
“Perhaps you won’t have to,” he declared, but the words carried a hollow ring. His dad would fight with his whole being to get this child declared a Rafford.
He hoped that when Grace saw the house and met his father, she would come to her senses and realize what Eli could do for Michael. And now, Nick thought his father would do more. The two wills plagued Nick constantly. More than ever, he felt he had to get Grace to cooperate as quickly as possible before his father got really attached to Michael.
At the moment, Nick wanted to gnash his teeth in frustration. Grace had to capitulate. He reminded himself that she had so far.
He pulled to a stop in front, wanting to take Grace through the most impressive entrance. The more awed she was, the more cooperative she might become. He pulled out his cell phone. “Just a minute, Grace. Let me talk to the nurse and maybe Dad.”
He made the call, giving her time to take in her surroundings, the vast wings of the house, the massive statuary and fountains in front, the immaculate flower beds with an array of colorful winter plants.
When he finished, he put away the phone. “Well, let’s go introduce Michael to his grandfather. Michael will never know the storm swirling around him.”
“I hope not. And I hope I survive it.”
“You will,” Nick said, wondering if she could be rethinking her stand on keeping Michael out of the Rafford family.
Nick stepped out to open her door and pick up Michael. He took Grace’s arm. “My dad’s no ogre in spite of the wild tales about his business deals.”
“I think you’re talking about yourself there.”
He chuckled as they crossed to the massive door. He heard the chimes and then the door swung open.
Five
As the door swung open and a butler faced them, intimidation enveloped Grace. She was certain that was the intention of Nick and his father. She couldn’t imagine anyone ever reaching a point where they took this magnificence and wealth for granted. She reminded herself that Nick had been born into it.
“Good evening, Mr. Rafford. Your father is waiting.” The butler glanced down at the baby in the carrier, and Grace heard his swift intake of breath, but his expression didn’t change.
They stepped into a mammoth marble hallway where Nick set the baby carrier on a side table. The hall ceiling soared three floors, and an enormous crystal chandelier hung above her head. Ahead, two staircases wound up to the next level.
“I’ll get Michael from his carrier now and take his jacket off,” she said, busying herself. Her fingers were cold and stiff and she dreaded the meeting with Eli Rafford. She wished now she had never succumbed to Nick’s charm or agreed to anything involving him, although she suspected it wouldn’t have stopped Nick or his father and it might have made matters worse.
She picked up Michael, holding him close, wanting to keep him in her arms and never hand him over to Nick or his dad.
“Ready?” Nick asked, and she nodded, raising her chin and hoping she looked far more calm and self-assured than she felt.
Along the hall they passed open doors on rooms with magnificent furnishings. How could one frail man live in this mansion? She suspected the staff was huge.
He stopped in front of a closed door. “Dad’s in here. Grace, I’m going to tell him we’re here. I think Michael will really surprise my father and I don’t want to give his heart too big a jolt.”
“Of course,” she said, and waited. Nick reappeared and motioned to her, taking her arm and walking her into the room.
“Grace, I want you to meet my father, Eli Rafford. And this is his nurse Megan Sayer. Dad, Megan, meet Grace Wayland and Michael.”
The tall brown-eyed man standing beside a wing chair smiled at her. “Thank you for coming and bringing Michael, Miss Wayland,” he said in a strong voice. He didn’t look as infirm as she had envisioned from Nick’s description. “I appreciate it very much.”
