Page 43 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
Grace looked into eyes as green as her own. “I could tell you it was a whirlwind courtship and we both fell in love, but I think you’d know that’s not the truth. It’s a marriage of convenience. I’ll get a lot out of agreeing.”
“No!” Clara said, looking down at Michael.
“Wait until you hear Nick’s proposition,” Grace urged, and related Nick’s offer to her aunt.
Clara stared at Grace with her mouth open for a moment. She seemed to realize what she was doing and her mouth snapped closed. “A million dollars,” she whispered. “Grace, if he adopts Michael and then divorces you, he can sue for full custody and as the father, he will stand a chance. With his resources, he can hire more and better lawyers than you can. You may lose Michael.”
“Nick isn’t after Michael. He wants his father’s inheritance. He has no desire to take Michael from me. He is a confirmed bachelor and not into kids or marriage. He’s looking at this as a temporary arrangement.”
“His father may live for years.”
“We’ll face that as time passes.”
“You’ve had a complete turnaround since I left town.” Clara’s eyes narrowed. “Grace, have you fallen in love with Nick?”
Grace looked down at her hands in her lap. “I might be on the verge of it,” she answered quietly.
“You have. Has he declared love for you?”
“No, or it wouldn’t be a marriage of convenience.”
“No, it wouldn’t. You’ll get hurt in this. He’ll break your heart when he walks out of your life. And he may break Michael’s, too.”
“Frankly, from the way he talks about his father’s health, I don’t expect Nick to be around long enough for Michael to form that strong an attachment. He’s a baby and he won’t remember Nick clearly.”
“A million dollars and Michael taken care of financially. Plus you’ll have an allowance, a new car, clothes, all sorts of things.” Clara sighed. “I suppose I can’t blame you, but I’d hate to see you get hurt.”
“Maybe I can make him fall in love with me,” Grace replied quietly.
“Don’t count on any such dream happening,” Clara said. “The world is filled with brokenhearted women who’ve had that dream.”
“I know you’re right.”
“I suppose I would do the same thing if I were you,” Clara admitted. “I doubt if either of my boys can get here for your wedding.”
“That’s all right. It’s not like it’s the real thing. I keep thinking of this as a business arrangement,” she said, knowing she didn’t altogether. Grace smiled. “I’ll have enough money to buy you a house close to us.”
“Have you considered what you’ll do about your business?”
“I’m keeping my catering business for the time being, but I’ll turn the running of it over to Jada most of the time. I’ll begin working at home, making plans for a restaurant because now that can actually happen. I promise, you’ll get to keep Michael plenty.”
“I suppose, but I’m going to worry about you going into a loveless marriage no matter how much he bribes you to do it. I can’t blame you for what you’ve done, though. That’s too much money to turn down. I just hope it protects Michael for you. Have you told your sisters?”
“I did and they’re coming for the wedding. They’ll be bridesmaids.”
“Are they excited over the man you’re marrying?”
“Doreen and Tanya don’t know Texans. They don’t have any idea who Nick Rafford is. I just told them he’s a Dallas oilman and let it go at that.”
“They will be beside themselves when they find out. Your sisters both like men with money.”
Grace smiled. “I want you there for the wedding.”
“Of course.”
“I can fly Chet and Miles here should they want to come. Nick is paying for everything. If you can, I’d like you to go with me tomorrow when I shop for my wedding dress.”
Clara shook her head again. “You’re moving way too fast. I’ll have to get a dress, too. And we’ll have to get Michael a tux—a baby in a tux,” she said, and Grace laughed. “I suppose we can dress him in a suit,” Clara added.
