Page 29 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
She slipped into her long black coat. “Yes, a bag for each of us and a small box of toys and things for Michael.”
Nick took the bags from her hands, shouldered them, picked up Michael and opened the door. Carrying the box of toys, she turned off the lights, locked up and left with him.
“Christmas Eve,” she said.
“We’ll always remember spending it together,” Nick reminded her. “Have you been busy constantly?”
“Yes. The past hour has been my quietest for the entire week.”
“I can imagine. I could have rescued you from that, whisked you away until tonight. Next time, let me know.”
“Thanks, but I had work to do. We’ve had parties booked day and night, so I couldn’t have escaped had I wanted to.”
“Get ready for a party yourself. Small party, that is. Dad is as excited as a kid about tonight.”
“It’s a grand holiday,” she said.
“This is definitely the best part,” Nick said.
She remained in the grip of excitement as they drove through the estate grounds once again. A cold front and a dense fog were settling in and it was cozy in Nick’s car. Michael cooed in the back as they wound up the driveway. The minute they stepped inside, she drew a deep breath, reminded again of the Raffords’ wealth and power.
The mansion had been turned into a winter wonderland. Trees with myriad lights sparkled at spaced intervals along the great hallway.
“Nick,” she said, halting to stare at the enormous tree standing between the two curving staircases. It had to be at least twenty feet tall and decorated with hundreds of twinkling ornaments. “This is fit for royalty.”
“My father probably thinks he is royalty,” Nick remarked drily. “It’s just a big tree.”
“Maybe to you, because you’ve grown up with trees like it. To me, it’s magical, amazing. How I wish Michael knew what he was seeing. It’s magnificent.”
“That’s not the family tree. It’s in the great room and that’s where we’ll spend the evening.”
Garlands of greenery and red ribbons draped the banisters of the winding staircases. “Michael, look,” she said to the baby in his carrier, “Isn’t it beautiful? Nick, this is enchanting. I’m sorry he’s too little to know what’s here.”
“He will next year,” Nick said, and she gave him a startled glance. She hadn’t thought in the long term about Eli and Nick remaining in her life. The thought of them becoming permanent in her life had just become more real.
“I brought presents in that bag you’re carrying,” she said.
“You didn’t need to. Michael would have been enough of a gift.”
She walked beside Nick, overwhelmed again by her surroundings, wondering why she had ever thought for a second that she wouldn’t be diminished, made to feel insignificant the minute she entered the mansion again.
They passed through the wide double doors to the great room, where Nick told her most receptions and formal parties were held. Another huge tree, this one white, was festooned with ribbons and more sparkling ornaments and bows. She stopped in front of it in awe. “What fantastic Christmases you must have had,” she said, momentarily forgetting what he had told her about his childhood holidays.
“Some years I wasn’t here,” he reminded her, and she turned to stare at him.
“I’m sorry, Nick,” she said. “Now I think it was best that Bart didn’t marry Alicia, not that he ever had any intention of doing so. Michael would have grown up in the same manner.”
“Good evening,” came a voice behind them and she turned to see Eli Rafford enter the room. He crossed over to shake her hand and then looked down at Michael as Nick removed the baby from his carrier.
“Ah, he’s a fine-looking boy. Thank you so much for coming. I’ve looked forward to this since you accepted my invitation. I think he’s grown in the past few days.”
She smiled as Nick took her coat to hand it to a staff member who had materialized quietly. Grace took Michael from Nick, watching while Nick put her presents around the foot of the huge tree along with a mound of gifts already under the tree. She looked at the luxurious Christmas trimmings and thought about her own meager decorations and single, small tree and wondered how Michael would feel about his two families. She was certain the Raffords were in her and Michael’s life to stay. Unless Eli tried to get rid of her.
She glanced up at Nick, who turned to look into her eyes with a questioning expression.
“I’ll take Michael’s things to the nursery where Vanessa, the nanny, is,” Nick said, picking up a bag and leaving.
“Oh, my word!” For the first time she noticed stockings hung on the mammoth fireplace, one for each of them, including one with her name and one with Michael’s.
