Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée by Sara Orwig Page A

now?” Without waiting for her answer, he continued, “Is everything all right at home?”
    â€œYes. Michael is sleeping and my aunt is getting ready to watch her favorite show.”
    They stood, chatting about nothing in particular and watching lights along the shore slip past until she realized they were moving slightly away from land, angling toward the turn he’d indicated.
    During dinner, while each course was lavish, culminating in succulent lobster, her appetite was diminished by the charisma generated by Nick. “I haven’t relaxed and enjoyed myself like this in months,” she remarked, looking at him and smiling. “Actually, in this manner, never. I know you know how to relax. You have a reputation in the media.”
    â€œIn the tabloids. I hope you aren’t relying on those for your info about me.”
    â€œDefinitely not! I’m relying on my own observations. My friend Alicia never mentioned you. I don’t think she ever met you.”
    â€œNo. In hindsight, I might have been better off if I had met her.”
    â€œYou probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you she hadn’t had many relationships with men. She was in love with a guy right after high school. That lasted a year. Then there were a couple more. She ran around with friends who were male, but nothing serious, nor did she sleep with them.”
    â€œYou sound as certain as if you were talking about yourself.”
    â€œI am. We grew up together in bad circumstances. Both our families were poor. Worse, her father died when she was seven. Mine died when I was eleven. Alicia and I were as close as sisters, in fact, closer than I am to my own sisters. And sheonly had one brother who was killed three years ago. Alicia and I shared our hopes and disappointments. When she met your brother, he swept her off her feet. His money impressed her. She also liked him.”
    â€œMoney impresses a lot of women. Women liked my older brother and vice versa. No problem there.”
    â€œI’m sure you receive the same reactions.”
    â€œI didn’t from you,” he reminded her. “That’s where you threw me a curve. Principle before money? I never expected that response when I talked to you Monday morning.”
    â€œMichael is more important than money to me. I’ve spent nearly my whole life without money.”
    â€œThat’s why you should have been so awed and willing,” Nick remarked.
    â€œNo. Michael is my son now,” Grace replied, hoping to reinforce her position. “I took Michael home from the hospital after he was released from neonatal intensive care. His premature birth was terrifying. Now it would scare me more because I love him so much and feel as if he’s my baby.”
    â€œHe’s actually my brother’s baby—at least according to what I’ve been told.”
    â€œHe is definitely your brother’s child,” she stated, realizing Nick’s food was as forgotten as her own. “I knew my friend almost as well as I know myself. I’ve told you there were no other men in her life when she met your brother. Actually, Michael looks as if he’s your son. When you see Michael, you’ll know your brother was his father.”
    Nick’s eyes narrowed. “We bear a resemblance? I’d never thought of that. I look like my father, so that means Michael might. That isn’t something you can fabricate.”
    â€œOr exaggerate. I’m sure you’ll eventually see for yourself. He looks like your son. No one could possibly disagree.”
    Nick gazed into space and she wondered why the discovery had silenced him. Had he figured this was another man’s babyand dismissed his father’s wishes? She didn’t know what ran through Nick’s mind, but the news that he and Michael bore a strong family resemblance troubled Nick.
    He frowned slightly as he turned back to her. “Michael doesn’t