Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée by Sara Orwig Page B

she said to avoid an argument. She had no intention of using Rafford money to care for Michael.
    â€œExcellent! And you must call me Eli. I can’t physically do much with a baby. I never did as much as I should have with my own sons, but there are other ways to play a part in his life. Also, I had my secretary get Michael some toys.” Eli reached behind his chair to pull out a sack and hand to her. “You can give him what is appropriate now and let him have the others when the time is right.”
    â€œThank you,” she said politely, taking the sack from him to glance at each toy, finding both elaborate, expensive toys aswell as simple ones. “Your secretary either knows babies or asked an expert because these are all suitable. Since Michael chews on everything, I’ll wash them before I give them to him. Thank you. I’m certain he’ll have fun.” For a moment she thought of Alicia with a forlorn sense of loss for what her friend would miss, causing her to think again of Bart Rafford and the grief his selfishness had caused.
    A staff member brought drinks and a plate of cookies that no one touched while Eli Rafford asked nonintrusive questions about Michael and her business and told her a little about his boys when they were young. Michael stretched out on the blanket with his toys and in a short time was asleep.
    â€œOur conversation doesn’t prevent his napping,” Eli observed.
    â€œHe can sleep through most anything,” Grace said, aware of Nick’s gaze on her as they talked. Megan had left and Grace assumed she had been present to make certain her patient didn’t receive too big a shock over Michael.
    Grace could see the tall clock standing across the room behind Nick. It was almost two hours later when Michael began to stir. “I think it’s time to take Michael home now,” she said, knowing the baby would be hungry and need to be changed.
    â€œGrace, I can’t tell you what this meeting has meant to me,” Eli said. “I’m so grateful. I know you have a busy schedule, but I hope you will come again and bring Michael with you.”
    â€œI’ll be happy to,” she said, thinking the visit had been easy and in some ways, it seemed right for Michael to be with his grandfather and for Eli Rafford to know his grandson.
    â€œI’m delighted to meet his mother—which you are now and always will be.” He extended his hand and she shook it, feeling a firm grip and looking into dark brown eyes that hid everything as much as Nick’s.
    Nick buckled Michael into the carrier and gathered thesack of toys while Eli handed an envelope to Grace. “Inside you’ll find the papers for the account I’ve opened. Everything is there, but if you have questions, feel free to call me. I have too much free time in my life now,” he said. He walked to the door with them and leaned forward to brush a kiss on the top of Michael’s head. He turned to Grace. “Thank you,” he said.
    â€œI’ll see you again, Eli,” she said, certain she couldn’t possibly avoid it. Nick took her arm and they left.
    In the car he glanced at her. “Thank you. That meant a lot to my father.”
    â€œDid you know he had opened an account?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t, but I wasn’t in the least surprised. I know my dad. He’s manipulative and hell-bent on getting what he’s after. He wants to know Michael. It’s important to him and he thinks in terms of what he can do with money. This is his only grandson. He’ll shower Michael with gifts.”
    â€œI feel as if I’m sinking in quicksand. The quicksand of the Raffords. I catered your party. I’ve spent an evening out with you, have gone to lunch with you, have met your father and let him meet Michael. It keeps growing, Nick, when I didn’t want any part of your family, frankly.”
    â€œWe’re not monsters.”
    She