Page 28 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
Nick shook his head. “Nothing will interfere with my attendance at that sale. I can work a wedding around it.”
“Does the little lady ride?”
“I have no idea, nor do I care. I have other plans for my time spent with her,” Nick said and Jake laughed.
“Good luck with your crazy scheme. I hope you know what you’re doing. I’m one step closer to winning our bet.”
“I know what I'm doing. Now if I can just convince Grace,” Nick said, deciding Christmas Eve would be the time to propose.
Six
Monday before Christmas, Grace kissed her aunt goodbye. Clara would not be back to Dallas until after the first of the year.
“Have a wonderful time with your son,” Grace said, hugging Clara. “Glenda will be here part of the time to help with Michael, so you enjoy yourself.”
“I will, but I’ll miss Michael. You take care,” Clara said solemnly. “I’ll worry about you Christmas Eve. I know Eli Rafford wants Michael and will keep after you until he gets what he wants.”
“Stop worrying. I won’t let that happen. An immediate worry is what do I give them for gifts. Both men have everything they want,” she said, having spent the past week wondering about what to give Nick.
“You’ll think of something. You’ve already given Eli Rafford the best gift possible in taking Michael for Christmas. Take care of yourself and Michael,” Clara said again. “And I want one of those copies of the Christmas photographs.”
Grace gave her aunt another hug and watched her hurry to her car. She turned away, thinking about what to give the Rafford men—impossible task.
That night and the days and nights to follow, Grace was busy catering Christmas parties until Christmas Eve arrived. The booked parties were over until the day after Christmas when they started up again.
It took the afternoon to get ready to go to Eli Rafford’s for the night. As she packed, the butterflies in her stomach grew worse. She dreaded dealing with Michael’s grandfather while excitement mounted over being with Nick again.
She picked up Michael, smoothing his thick black hair. He was dressed in a navy jumper and a white sweater. She kissed his cheek. “You look adorable,” she told him, smiling at him as he cooed and babbled. “Now please don’t spit up on my sweater,” she said to him, turning to look at both of them in an oval mirror. Her hair was clipped behind her head and she wore a red sweater and red wool skirt—maybe a poor choice with a baby. She glanced down at him. “Remember, no formula on this sweater, please. This is your first Christmas, sweetie.”
She looked around her tiny living room, at the Christmas tree placed on a table to keep it away from Michael, who crawled well now. She had a few presents under the tree for him, but he was too little to open his gifts. She could imagine the toys that awaited him from his grandfather.
The doorbell rang and she hurried to face Nick, whose intent gaze knotted her insides as always.
“Merry Christmas,” he said, smiling at her while she motioned for him to come inside. He stepped in, filling the narrow hallway and moving into the living area. “Ah, you’re all ready for Christmas,” he said, walking to her tree. In a black topcoat over his suit, he dominated her small living room, which seemed to shrink in size when he entered.
“Our tree isn’t fancy, but he’s too little to know what’s happening. He’s beginning to crawl, so I had to keep it out of his reach,” she said, while putting on Michael’s coat and then buckling him into his carrier.
“Good idea. Dad had a child’s fence put around ours. We have a nanny for the evening to help you with Michael, so you can eat in peace and quiet. If it’s all right with you, we’ll let her give him a bottle if he wants one while we eat.”
“Thank you. That’s fine,” she said. She would be present to make certain Michael was taken care of, yet it would give her a chance to enjoy eating without interruptions. If Michael was awake, she rarely got through a meal without being disturbed.
“I didn’t think you’d object, since we’ll all be right there. She came with high recommendations,” he said, smiling. He turned to her and her heart missed a beat.
“I’m sure she did,” she said. “It will be a nice change.”
Nick walked up to place his hands on her shoulders. “I’ve missed seeing you.”
“Nick, there’s not much point in us seeing each other.”
“I don’t know about that. We have Michael between us. I have a feeling we’re in each other’s lives for a long time to come.” Her heart drummed as she looked into his warm dark eyes. “You look beautiful, Grace,” he said in a husky voice.
“Thank you.” She gazed up at him, thinking he looked energetic, sexy, appealing.
In turn, he looked amused as he studied her. “I’d rather stay right here with you,” Nick said in a deep voice. “My dad is waiting, though. He’s been counting the minutes until it was time to get you. Otherwise, we wouldn’t rush back.”
“But since he is waiting, we should go. Besides, Michael will eventually stop sitting quietly and amusing himself in his carrier.”
“Do you have an overnight bag packed?” Nick asked, picking up the carrier with Michael and glancing around.
