Page 26 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
“You never had to stay at the boarding school?”
“No. When I was young, I think Dad arranged with a friend’s family to get me invited, probably showering them with presents for taking me in. When I was older, I had friends who would invite me because they knew I wasn’t going home.”
“That’s dreadful, Nick,” she said, staring at him as if he had sprouted two heads. “I’m amazed you spend your Christmases with him now if he abandoned you that much on holidays in your childhood.”
Nick shrugged. “I didn’t until these last two years when his health failed. And now he’s lost Bart. I guess I love the old man and I feel sorry for him. He’s having a tough time. I don’t have anything to gain by going off and leaving him alone for Christmas. That would be selfish on my part. What he did is his own worry. What I do is mine.”
“That’s good of you,” she said in a strange voice, studying him intently. He wondered whether he had won her over slightly with his reply and hoped that was the reason behind the sharp stare.
“Christmas Eve with us will be better than staying alone with a baby who’ll sleep a good deal of the time. Also, Dad would like to have a professional photographer out to get some Christmas photos with Michael.”
She had to laugh. “Nick, a professional photographer? As I told your dad, it’s fine with me—as long as I get a picture, too. That will be wonderful and something I could never afford.”
“See?” he said. “Dad’s money can do things you like,” he reminded her lightly and she wrinkled her nose at him. “How about I pick you up around five o’clock on Christmas Eve?”
“Make it half past five, please. I have a lot of party-planning to do, and I won’t have Clara to help with Michael.”
“Half past five it is. Excellent,” he said, wishing the weekend started tonight and he could be with Grace. “I’m looking forward to this holiday, something I definitely was not doing until a minute ago.”
The pink deepened in her cheeks. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she replied lightly.
“Before I go, there’s one more thing. It’s important and before you give me an answer, take a few days to think about it. I expect you to refuse my request, but give it consideration.” The minute the words were spoken, she stiffened and he could feel an invisible barrier rising between them. Her frostiness returned, along with a wary look in her eyes.
“What’s that, Nick? What else do you want of me?”
“My dad would like Michael to legally have the Rafford name,” Nick stated.
She locked her fingers together in her lap. “He doesn’t waste time. No. That would basically give Michael to your family.”
“No, it won’t. Just a legal last-name change. The name does not put him in my family and Dad knows that. Think about this request before you decide. I can see the refusal in your expression. Consider what I’m telling you. Dad will set up a trust for Michael. Right now, he will open an account that you can use for him. This would help you out with the baby and pay for his college. No giant fortune, just a reasonable sum to see that he’s educated.”
“Stop, Nick,” she ordered, looking into his dark eyes. “I don’t want Rafford money. I don’t really need it. I’m not changing the baby’s name from Vaughan, Alicia’s name. You’re on a futile mission and wasting your breath. Neither threats nor bribes will win me over.”
“I’m not going to threaten you with anything,” he said, smiling at her and causing her slight frown to vanish. “Look, why deny Michael the benefit of this? Michael is a Rafford—why not let him have the name?”
“The Vaughan name is a tie to his mother.”
“Do you really want to take this away from Michael?”
“I don’t think I’m taking anything from him,” she argued. “I’ll take care of Michael, send him to college, and I don’t need your father’s money.”
“My father is a generous man,” Nick said quietly, wondering if she had any concept of the fortune she was refusing. It was an effort to hold on to his patience. Who turned down money and a deal like the one his dad was offering? “We’re not talking small change here,” he couldn’t resist tossing out.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “I won’t do this. He wants Michael to be a Rafford. Next thing, he would want Michael to stay with him. He can hire nannies easily. Then he’d want to keep Michael and move me into his mansion, unless he tries to just get rid of me.”
“You’re jumping to conclusions.”
“No, I’m not,” she stated. “Your dad is after my baby. End of discussion, Nick. We won’t argue through Christmas Eve over this issue, will we?”
“No,” he said, wondering if he could keep his word on that one. “I’ll tell Dad your answer. He’ll have to abandon the idea for now.”
“For now and forever.” She stood and he came to his feet. He had achieved an important part of his quest. He would get to spend Christmas Eve and morning with her. The prospect pleased him and he intended to use the time to win her friendship. In the meantime, he’d have to deal with his father’s disappointment. Not that his father would relent in his pursuit of the name change.
Nick postponed telling his dad until the next day. His father’s anger worried Nick because it couldn’t be good for his heart. He had to think of some way to convince Grace to agree.
Michael Rafford. How simple it would be, yet Grace had been adamant. Nick raked his fingers through his hair, mulling over ideas, finally beginning to settle on one that he had originally rejected instantly.
Three nights later in the club dining room with one of his close friends, Nick mentioned his plan. Jake Benton’s jaw dropped and he stared at Nick.
