Marrying a Delacourt by Sherryl Woods Page B

interfering in a court-ordered process. Even with the best motives in the world, keeping them here is wrong.”
    “I’m willing to chance it,” she said defiantly. “If you’re worried about your reputation, I’ll take the boys and we’ll leave here.”
    He scowled at her. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not worried about myself. I’m concerned about you and I’m concerned about Josh and Jamie. They’re already attached to you. What will happen after a few more days?”
    She felt his gaze searching hers.
    “And how will you feel when you have to stand by and watch them go?” he asked quietly.
    Grace swallowed hard. “It will tear me apart,” she said honestly. “But it would tear me apart now. A few more days won’t make that much difference. Besides, in the meantime maybe we’ll come up with a better solution.”
    Michael’s brow was still knit with concern. “I don’t know.”
    “I’m not asking, Michael,” she said finally. “I’m telling you that this is how it’s going to be. The only question is whether we stay here with you or I take them back to Houston.”
    He seemed taken aback by her defiant tone, butthen a grin spread slowly across his face. “Stay here, by all means. When the trouble hits the fan, you’re going to need somebody to stand up and fight for you.”
    “And you’ll do that?” she asked skeptically.
    “Of course.”
    “Why, Michael? You could be rid of all of us, wash your hands of this little inconvenience. That’s what you intended when you first called me.”
    “Maybe so,” he agreed. “But those kids have grown on me, too. Besides, you’re here now, back to being a thorn in my side again. I guess a part of me missed that more than I’d realized.”
    The admission, even phrased as it was, sent a shiver through her. She’d missed it, too. No one had ever challenged her mentally the way Michael did. No one made her feel as much like a woman as he did. She drew in a deep breath and reminded herself that feeling that way was a luxury she couldn’t afford right now, not with the fate of Jamie and Josh at stake.
    “It isn’t personal,” she reminded him, wanting to make that very clear.
    “Of course not.”
    “I mean it, Michael.”
    “If you’d come over here, I’ll bet I could prove otherwise,” he taunted.
    Because she knew he was right, she stayed right where she was. “Not in a million years,” she declared.
    “Chicken.”
    “Prudent,” she countered.
    He laughed. “That’s okay. I’ve just bought myselfa little more time to see if I can persuade you to change your mind. I’ve always loved a challenge, Grace. Surely you remember that.”
    She did. That, and so much more that it scared the living daylights out of her. For reasons she didn’t care to explore too closely, she still couldn’t help being glad that he wasn’t sending them on their way.
     
    By morning Grace still felt as if she and the boys had been granted a reprieve, even if it had come from Michael and not the proper authorities. As she listened to Josh and Jamie’s excited chatter about their next riding lesson and their plans to explore the rest of the ranch—and to Michael chiming in with an offer to accompany them—she felt an amazing sense of peace steal over her. There was something so right about this, something that felt good deep inside.
    “Well, while you all are out having your male adventure, I have a few plans of my own,” she announced.
    Three pairs of eyes turned to her. Michael’s and Josh’s were alight with curiosity. Jamie’s were wary.
    “Like what?” he asked.
    She winked at him, hoping to wipe that worried look off of his face. “It’s a surprise.”
    “No way,” he protested, sounding almost panicky. “You gotta tell.”
    “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise,” she said. “It’s a good surprise, Jamie. I promise. Now, go on. Get ready to go exploring. I’ll even pack you all a picnic lunch.”
    Jamie cast one last worried look in her