Page 4 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
“I love to see Michael. You’re the daughter I never had. My boys are scattered and still single—Chet in Germany. Miles in Japan. I’ve given up on my own grandkids, but thank goodness I can be with Michael.”
“Chet sent you plane tickets and you’ll be in Germany with him for Christmas.”
“That’s not like having them here,” Clara said. “I worry about leaving you and Michael alone for Christmas.”
“Don’t be silly. You’ll have a wonderful time and Glenda is already lined up to babysit Michael for me. I don’t worry when he’s with either one of you.”
“She’s reliable and she loves him, too. Glenda and I have been friends since we were five years old. She’s like a sister to me,” Clara said, repeating what Grace had heard many times before.
“Her family is coming Christmas day, so that’s worked out,” Clara added. She smiled at Grace. “Thank heavens I have you and Michael. I count my blessings every day.” Clara hugged Grace and headed for her room. At the door she paused. “Bart Rafford killed in a ski accident. You wonder what would have happened had he lived.”
“I suspect it would have been just the same as it is now.”
“He never saw his son.” Shaking her head, Clara left.
In minutes Grace was stretched beneath covers on the sofa. She lay in the dark, thinking about Nick’s party, going back to the first moments, now etched in her memory. She couldn’t forget Nick or anything about him. Nor could she keep from worrying about his purpose in seeing her. She wasn’t giving up Michael no matter what, but the Rafford money and Nick’s reputation as a ruthless, shrewd businessman worried her.
At nine Monday morning Nick was ushered into Grace’s narrow, plain office. Looking dynamic, he dominated the space. Was it his take-charge attitude or his mere physical presence that sped up her heart rate? When she looked into his eyes, a current zinged to her toes. He was sinfully handsome and it was easy to see why women were drawn to him. She had watched him Friday night, occasionally hearing conversations as she passed him, and knew he could turn on the charm. With an effort she tore her gaze from his dark eyes.
As he glanced around, she became acutely conscious of her office with its cramped space and old furniture in the aging building. She operated on a shoestring, yet her business was growing, a plus, she reminded herself constantly.
“Good morning,” she said, greeting Nick without offering her hand.
“Good morning,” he replied, giving her a faint smile. “Red becomes you.”
“Thank you,” she replied. She was certain the compliment rolled off his tongue without thought, yet she couldn’t keep from being pleased. He extended the envelope that had contained her bill and she guessed it was her payment.
“Here’s for the party. You did a bang-up job and there were a lot of compliments on the food. You should get more bookings from my friends.” His hand was well shaped, his fingers long, his white shirt cuffs hiding his wrists.
“Thank you. Some guests asked for my card. I appreciate the opportunity of your business,” she replied. Approval would have been satisfying from any other customer, but his solemn expression and the intensity of his dark eyes took away pleasure. His presence screamed a mission. “Please have a seat.”
He sat in one of the small chairs and she pulled one around to face him, too aware of his proximity. Unsettling, he threatened her well-being. Adding to his overpowering presence, his thickly lashed dark brown eyes were piercing.
“I’ve come to talk about Michael.”
She drew a quick breath. “From the first I figured that was why you wanted to meet.”
“That’s right. My father is in poor health. In the past year he’s had two heart attacks. Illness has changed his outlook on life. He’d like to meet you and Michael.”
Her heart lurched and she locked her fingers together as she fought a sense of panic. The Raffords’ power loomed. She imagined that the father was even more formidable than the son because of his years developing influential friends. Taking a quick breath, she attempted to maintain a calm demeanor.
“Are you aware that your brother signed away his rights to Michael?”
“That’s what I’ve been told.”
“He did that in the last weeks of Alicia’s life. She tried to get everything lined up so Michael would be financially provided for and have a guardian until he’s grown. I can’t imagine your father simply wants to see the baby. I’d guess there’s more to it than that,” she added, hoping for a denial. When Nick didn’t give one immediately, her dread increased.
“He doesn’t intend to take Michael from you, but he wants to get acquainted with his grandson,” Nick said. “I’ll repeat—illness has changed my father’s values. His grandson has become important to him. I’d like to arrange a meeting and it would be easier on my dad if you could get together at his house,” Nick continued. Her gaze dropped to his mouth and slightly sensual lower lip. What would it be like to feel those lips against hers?
Startled by her train of thoughts, she returned to the moment. She could not keep from having a faint glimmer of hope from Nick’s remarks. “If your father is that frail, he surely can’t want Michael in his life much of the time. It doesn’t sound as if he is in any shape to care for a baby.”
“He’s not, but he can afford to hire care. Frankly, while you have a growing, successful business,” Nick said, glancing around her office, which she could imagine he was contrasting with his own and his father’s, “my father can do much more financially for Michael than you can.”
“Money really isn’t everything,” she replied. Her chill intensified. Nick sat relaxed, looking as if he was the one in charge. His tone of voice carried a note of steel, indicating she could be in for a bitter, ugly fight with a powerful man. “I love Michael and when I’m not with him, my aunt, or her closest friend, keeps him. My flexible schedule allows me to spend a lot of hours with Michael. Did your parents spend hours with you?”
“Touché,” Nick said with a trace of amusement. “No, they did not.”
“I’ve read about you and your father in the society pages of the paper and local magazines. Your father has had several marriages and many women in his life. It was the same for your brother when he was alive. Who did you spend the most time with—nannies?”
