Free Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée by Sara Orwig Page B

worry,” she whispered.
    â€œI’m glad to have met you,” Nick said politely and left, waiting outside for Grace to join him.
    â€œSorry, but she’s worried and upset.”
    â€œIf I could be boiled in oil, she would have seen to it. Or a few other dreadful ways to get rid of me. Sorry to worry her so much. She could have joined us.”
    â€œHeaven forbid. She wouldn’t want that and neither would you or your dad. Or any of us. She’ll calm down if your intentions are really what you say.”
    â€œThey are. Now I know why you looked so shocked when you first met me. I thought it was the hot chemistry between us, but, sadly that wasn’t it at all. You were stunned by my resemblance to Michael,” he said.
    â€œYes, I was surprised when I first saw you.”
    â€œMichael himself nails the Rafford paternity—except Michael looks as if he’s my child instead of Bart’s. There’s no earthly reason to ask for a DNA test if we could. This baby is a Rafford through and through as far as appearance goes. He couldn’t look more like my baby pictures. And I have a picture where I’m dressed in a sailor suit like the one you have on him today. That’s going to jolt Dad.”
    â€œI didn’t think of that. Should we go back and change?”
    â€œNo. I’m not going another round with your aunt.”
    Grace chuckled. “You? Scared of Aunt Clara?”
    â€œI’ve faced opponents in board rooms who didn’t look that hostile. I’m thankful she wasn’t armed.”
    â€œAunt Clara wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’m shocked. You’re intimidated by Aunt Clara.”
    â€œDon’t rub it in. I’m amazed she hasn’t spent every second trying to convince you not to go with me today—or the last time, for that matter.” Nick glanced in the rearview mirror at Michael in the backseat. “I don’t know anything about babies, but I’m guessing this is a very happy baby.”
    â€œHe’s a darling. He is a happy baby.”
    â€œI would be, too, if you were taking care of me,” Nick said, and she smiled.
    â€œSorry, you don’t qualify,” she answered lightly.
    â€œI think I’ll let the nurse and my dad know about the family resemblance before we spring Michael on my dad. This is going to be a shock.”
    â€œAnd make him want Michael all the more.”
    Nick glanced at her. “Don’t start worrying. Dad will be pleased I’m sure and I don’t know if he can want to know Michael any more than he does right now. You can’t imagine how pleased and grateful he is that you’ve agreed to this. You’ll see,” Nick said, keeping to himself what would occur. His father would take one look at Michael and get an account set up, get presents for Christmas and want all sorts of things that involved the baby. “Just remember my dad is elderly and doesn’t work anymore, which used to take a lot of his time and attention. He has no women in his life and I’m not around that much. Michael will be his main focus. That doesn’t mean he wants to take the baby from you. I promise you that. Dad never was into children or babies.”
    â€œHe is now,” she said, and her tone sounded sharp.
    They rode quietly until passing through the gates to his father’s estate.
    â€œDo you have a home besides your condo?” she asked.
    â€œYes. I have a condo in Houston. I have a home in Colorado and a ranch in West Texas. I lead a relatively unpretentious life.”
    â€œIt sounds as if you do,” she remarked drily. “Yachts, businesses, women, houses, condos. So simple.”
    â€œModest compared to what I could do if I wanted to.”
    They wound up the driveway that gave a full view of the front of the mansion and he heard Grace’s intake of breath. “This is a castle. Who lives here besides your father?”
    â€œHis