Marrying a Delacourt (13 page)

“Mr. Adams, good to see you again,” he said, crossing the yard to meet him.

“Thought I told you to call me Grandpa Harlan, like the rest of them. Said the same thing to that little gal inside, but she didn’t pay a bit of attention to me either.”

“Maybe we think it seems a bit disrespectful,” Michael suggested.

“It’s not if I say it isn’t,” Harlan said, then gazed around, his expression alight with curiosity. “Okay, then, where are they?”

“Jamie and Josh have gone off on their first real ride with Slade. They should be back any second. Would you care to have a seat over here by the corral? I can bring a chair from the barn.”

“If you wouldn’t mind, that would suit me fine. Bring two and sit a spell with me. It’ll give us a chance to talk.”

Uh-oh, Michael thought. “About?” he asked aloud.

The old man grinned. “This and that. It’s not an inquisition, boy, so don’t go getting your dander up already.”

Michael let the comment pass, retrieved two chairs from the barn and took a seat next to Harlan.

“So, tell me,” he said, casting a sly look at Michael. “What do you think of Grace’s plan to take in those boys? Think she’s taking on too much?”

“
She
doesn’t think she is,” Michael said.

“Now, that’s not exactly what I asked you, is it?”

“No, I suppose not.”

“Well, then?”

“I think Grace will give them a good home and the love they deserve.”

“You gonna be around to be a role model for them?” he inquired pointedly. “Boys need the influence of a strong man.”

“I suppose I’ll see them from time to time,” Michael replied cautiously, not especially crazy about the direction of the conversation. He knew all about Harlan Adams’s penchant for matchmaking and his very large role in getting Trish and Hardy together. This was not the kind of pressure Michael needed, not right now when he and Grace were still finding their way.

“Seems to me like you need to do a little more than that, son,” Harlan declared.

“It’s not up to me,” Michael insisted, not liking the glint in the old man’s eyes one bit.

“Who’s it up to, then? The court?” Harlan scoffed. “You think the court gives a hoot about the boys the way a father could? The judge isn’t going to be there day in and day out. The judge isn’t going to hug them or discipline them when they need it or see that they stay in school and get an education.”

“Now wait just a damned minute,” Michael pro
tested. “How did we shift from maybe giving those two a male role model to me becoming their father?”

“You got other family obligations?” Harlan inquired tartly, as if that were the only issue to be considered.

“No, but—”

“No buts about it,” the old man said, waving off Michael’s attempted protest. “A man steps up to the plate in a situation like this. Does what’s right. Looks to me as if that woman inside would be happy to take on the lot of you. Oh, she says she’s got it all under control, that she doesn’t need a lick of help, and maybe she doesn’t, but people are meant to go through life sharing good times and bad with someone who’ll understand.”

Michael swallowed hard. This whole situation was spinning wildly out of control. “Grace and me?” he said as incredulously as if he hadn’t known all along that this was where Harlan was heading, as if he hadn’t considered the idea himself a time or two.

“Why on earth not? You blind, boy? The woman’s beautiful. Smart, too. Had a little talk with her before I came looking for you. She’s a keeper, the kind who’ll stick by you. You’re the one who called her over here at the first sign of trouble, am I right? And she came running.”

“Oh, no, you don’t,” Michael protested, annoyed more by the pressure than by the concept of marriage to Grace. “I know about you and your matchmaking schemes. I am not in the market for a wife or a readymade family. And when the time comes that I am, I will work out my own arrangements.”

Harlan Adams just chuckled at that. “We’ll see, son. We’ll see.”

Michael was still thinking about that long after the boys had returned, spent time with Harlan Adams, then gone inside to wash up for dinner. He had been thinking about spending more time with Grace, seeing where that led, but the rest? Marriage? A family? Was he ready to take that plunge?

And even if he suggested it, would Grace agree? He doubted it. She would probably howl with laughter all the way back to Houston. It would ruin the nice, steady courtship he’d had in mind.

Of course, a courtship implied a certain amount of intent, didn’t it? Or was he just playing a game of semantics here? What the hell did he really want?

“Something on your mind, bro?” Tyler asked as he joined him, settling into the chair Harlan Adams had occupied earlier.

“Just thinking about something Harlan Adams said.”

“Can I wager a guess about what it was?” He studied Michael intently. “He thinks you should marry Grace, adopt Josh and Jamie, and live happily ever after.”

Michael stared at him. “How did you know that? I thought you were off riding with the boys. Were you eavesdropping instead?”

“No, but I’ve spent even more time around him than you have. The man dearly loves to meddle and he thinks everybody ought to be paired off and settled down. He’s tried it on me a couple of times, but I always sneak out of town before his schemes can work.”

He slanted a look toward Michael. “It’s not such a bad idea, you know.”

“What isn’t?”

“You marrying Grace. You’ve been in love with her for who knows how long. Stupidity and pride got in the way last time, but there’s no reason to let that happen again. I say go for it.”

Michael grinned. “You always were her biggest fan.”

“No, you were that. I was just an interested bystander who thought you were a damn fool for letting her get away.”

“She’ll turn me down,” Michael said.

“How do you know?”

“I just do. She’s not buying that I’ve changed.”

Tyler chuckled. “You haven’t.”

“You’re a help. Be sure to share that with Grace.”

“Well, you haven’t.” He regarded Michael evenly. “You could, though, if it was for something you wanted badly enough. Do you want her that badly, Michael?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out for the past couple of days.”

“And?”

He felt a smile tugging at his lips. “I think I do.”

“Now there’s a declaration of passion guaranteed to make any woman’s heart go pitter-patter.”

“You know what I mean.”

“No,” he said evenly. “I don’t. And if I’m not sure, Grace won’t be either. Stop hedging your bets. It’s time to go for broke or get out of the game.”

Tyler was right. He had to make a clear choice, in or out. And he had to do it fast, before Grace created a loving, tight-knit little family that left him out in the cold.

M
ichael had expected to feel calmer once Harlan Adams left for White Pines, but it wasn’t turning out that way. In part that was his own fault. He was the one who’d invited Tyler over here. Now his brother refused to let the matter rest and was almost as interested in Michael’s intentions toward Grace as the old man had been.

“Okay, bro,” Tyler said as they sat on the deck while dusk settled in around them. “You dragged me over here because you anticipated some sort of problem. I assumed your concern was with Josh and Jamie. That problem hasn’t materialized. After our conversation this afternoon and watching the two of you at dinner tonight, I have to wonder if you weren’t just hoping I’d provide a buffer between you and your old feelings for Grace.”

Irritated by the observation, Michael stared at his brother, cursing the fact that Tyler could read him like a book. “What the hell are you talking about?” he asked, feigning cranky innocence.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. You’ve all but admitted it. You’re still in love with her. You’re scared to death to confess it to her, because then you’d have to risk being rejected for a second time.”

“You’re here because of Jamie and Josh, nothing else,” Michael insisted.

“You did not need me just to get them out from underfoot for an afternoon. I’m sure Kelsey would have been happy to run over and pick them up, but you didn’t even consider calling her, did you?”

“This could have gotten complicated,” Michael said. “If Justin had gotten a notion to take those boys away today, I wanted backup to help me keep them here.”

Tyler uttered a heavy sigh. “Okay, whatever you say, but I’ve got to tell you, if you let Grace get away again, I’m disowning you. Even a stubborn Delacourt should have enough sense to put pride aside and go for the gold.”

“This isn’t the blasted Romance Olympics,” Michael muttered in disgust.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I suppose I do.”

Tyler stood up. “Good, then I can go back to Baton Rouge and face the music.”

Michael’s gaze shot to Tyler’s face, but in the shadows he couldn’t read his expression. “Ty, is ev
erything okay? That’s the second time you’ve alluded to a problem.”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” Tyler assured him blithely. “You just worry about Grace.”

“And Jamie and Josh,” Michael reminded him.

Tyler chuckled. “Whatever. Let me know how things turn out.”

“You’re sure you don’t want to stay the night?”

“Nope. You’re on your own. I’ve got places to go and people to see.”

Michael heard a worrisome note of dread under his brother’s light tone. “If there’s anything I can do to help,” he said again.

“There isn’t,” Tyler assured him.

“Then I’ll walk you out.”

Out front he gave Tyler a hug. “Take care of yourself. Thanks for riding to the rescue.”

“Not a problem. It gave me some breathing space.”

Again, there was that hint of trouble, but Michael knew Tyler had already said all he intended to on the subject, even though it was precious little. In fact, it was rare that he even let this much leak out about his personal life, which meant whatever it was had to be weighing heavily on him.

For some time Michael had suspected Tyler was involved with a woman he’d met in Louisiana while working on a Delacourt Oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, but his questions drew only the most cryptic, uninformative responses. It was ironic really. Tyler gave the impression of being the most open of the brothers, yet he could keep his own counsel better than any of them. One topic was absolutely off-limits
and that was his relationships. He withstood the teasing the rest of them dished out about his flirting in stoic silence.

After Tyler had gone, Michael returned to the deck. In no time the pressure that had begun building up in his chest earlier felt like it was about to explode. Options chased through his mind at a dizzying speed. He couldn’t sort through them quickly enough, so he just counted his lucky stars that he had a few more days here with Grace, Jamie and Josh before they all went their separate ways. Grace and the boys together. Him alone.

The prospect of peace and quiet, of a return to routine, should have been heartening. Instead, the thought depressed him. He’d been going his own way for far too long. What had it really gotten him? His father relied on him, yes, but that would have happened anyway. Tyler had been right when he’d said that Michael was the only one in the family who really wanted an executive position. He would have won by default even if he’d devoted only half of his time and attention to the company.

Of course, that wasn’t how he wanted to stay on top. He needed to prove himself, to be the best. For his own peace of mind, he needed to know he’d earned the right to head Delacourt Oil someday.

But hadn’t he done that? Did he need to go on doing it forever, sacrificing everything else that really mattered?

Because he had no real answer to that question, he let his thoughts drift back to Grace and the boys. Those three would move on to Grace’s apartment. He’d never been there, but he envisioned it as being
cozy. The one they’d shared years ago had been, even though she’d furnished it on a shoestring with junk shop finds. She’d had a talent for mixing colors, for creating an atmosphere of warmth every bit as welcoming as what Trish had done with her home here.

He forced himself to face facts. If he didn’t want to lose all three of them, he had to take action, do something. Anything. A grand gesture. Whatever.

For the next two days, though, Michael seemed plagued by indecision and inertia. Oddly enough, he had discovered that when the four of them were left alone, there was a certain comfort to be found in having two rambunctious, wise-ass boys underfoot and Grace’s company on the front porch at the end of the day. He was even beginning to find a certain soothing delight in those blasted wildflowers.

He realized with a sense of astonishment that he hadn’t called his office in several days. He didn’t have to fill every empty minute of every quiet hour. He could just sit still, savor a morning cup of coffee on the deck, enjoy the view of Grace as she padded barefoot out to sit beside him, exposing shapely legs as she curled up on the lounge chair.

So, this was what it meant to relax, he concluded one lazy afternoon as he put aside a book and closed his eyes. It wasn’t half-bad, especially with the sounds of boyish laughter echoing through the house and the occasional kiss from a woman who could send heat rocketing through him.

Despite the fact that everyone—himself included—seemed to expect something from him
where Grace and those boys were concerned, he was surprisingly at ease. Maybe that was because Grace didn’t seem to have any expectations at all. She just seemed glad to have company while she awaited further word on her petition to become a foster parent to Jamie and Josh.

He came to enjoy the mind-numbing monotony of the ranch routine, the laughter the four of them shared over cutthroat card games every night after dinner, the nonstop electricity that sparked between him and Grace.

In fact, he couldn’t recall the last time he’d been as happy as he was right here, right now, sitting on the deck in the afternoon sun. Maybe this was what people meant when they talked about living in the moment, about not looking ahead or borrowing trouble.

“Michael?”

He opened his eyes and glanced up at Grace’s worried expression. “What’s wrong?” he asked, sitting up at once, heart thumping with sudden trepidation. He had the oddest sense that his contentment was about to be shattered. “Are Jamie and Josh okay?”

“They’re fine, but I’ve been thinking.”

“About?” he asked, when she didn’t elaborate.

“Going back to Houston. I think it’s time I took them there and got them settled in. I just spoke to the judge’s office and got an okay. They’ll notify me there when I need to be in court.”

“I thought you took the whole week off. It’s only Thursday,” he protested, aware of a knot of tension forming in his stomach.

“I know, but they need time to adjust. I have to make some arrangements for them for next week, maybe a summer day camp. And I need to look for a bigger place. We can’t all crowd into my apartment. There’s a pull-out bed in my home office, but they won’t be comfortable on that for long.” She held up a sheet of paper. “I’ve been making a list. It’s getting longer and longer. I have to get started or I’ll panic.”

Why had he foolishly thought that they would go on as they had been forever? Why had he counted on having more time? Obviously this living in the moment concept had a serious drawback. It left a person totally unprepared for the intrusion of reality.

“We can take the rental car and drive back,” she went on, seemingly oblivious to his dismayed reaction.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said more tartly than he’d intended. At her surprised look, he forced himself to temper his tone. “When the time comes, you can take the corporate jet. I can have the pilot back over here in no time. Jamie and Josh will love it.”

She grinned. “To tell you the truth, I was hoping you’d say that. They’ll be thrilled. I imagine they’ve never flown before.”

“You’re sure you need to go now?” he asked, trying to buy himself more time to wrestle with the decisions he’d been avoiding.

“Yes. I know they’re having a good time here, but I’m just beginning to realize how much needs to be done. I think we should go first thing tomorrow.”

He studied her intently. “Second thoughts?”

“About taking them in? Never,” she said fiercely.

“Then all the rest will fall into place,” he said, offering a solace to her that he wished he could find for himself.

“What makes you so sure of that?”

“Because I know you. When there’s a task at hand, you plunge in wholeheartedly. I’ve seen you accomplish miracles. You’re an amazing woman, Grace, professionally and personally.”

She regarded him with surprise. “Do you really mean that?”

“Of course. Why would you doubt it?”

“Professionally, at least, you and I almost never see eye-to-eye.”

“I called you when I needed help, didn’t I? Doesn’t that prove how much I respect what you do, even if I’m often on the opposite side of a case from your client?”

“I suppose so,” she said. “What about personally, though? I dumped you, remember?”

“I’m not likely to forget.” He met her gaze. “I thought we were making progress on getting past that, too. A lot of progress, in fact.”

Patches of color stained her cheeks. “Yes, I suppose we have.”

“You aren’t thinking that will end when we get back to Houston, are you?” He didn’t like the heaviness in his chest as he awaited her reply.

“I guess that’s up to you,” she said. “You’re the one with the nonstop schedule.”

“If you can make time for Josh and Jamie in your schedule, then I can find time in mine for all of you,” he declared emphatically.

“We’ll see,” she said, sounding blatantly skeptical.

Her tone was as good as a challenge. Michael resolved then and there that he would never give her a moment’s doubt. He intended to see to it that he found a way to fit into her life…whether she wanted him there or not.

This wasn’t just his second chance, as Tyler had reminded him. It was his last one.

The flight back to Houston the next morning was such an adventure for Josh and Jamie that Grace almost forgot that the moment they landed she and Michael would move back into their old familiar routines. Even though he’d promised to be there for her and the boys, she couldn’t help wondering how long that would last once he set foot in the office. She knew what Bryce Delacourt was like. He was a demanding father and an even more demanding boss. He was the reason Michael had spent a lifetime trying to prove himself. He was chintzy with praise and generous with criticism, even though she knew he loved all of his sons. He couldn’t seem to stop himself from doing the very things that drove most of them away.

At the airport as they left the plane, she spotted a limo waiting for them. Josh saw it, too.

“Wow, look at that car.” Wide-eyed, he glanced up at Michael. “Do you think it belongs to somebody famous?”

“Not unless you think I’m famous,” Michael said, grinning at him. “It’s here for us.”

“We don’t want to take you out of your way,”
Grace said, not sure why she was resisting the offer. “We can take a taxi.”

“The car’s here,” Michael countered. “And it’s not out of my way.”

“You don’t even know where I live.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m in no rush. Besides, I’d like to see where you live.”

“Please, Grace,” Josh begged. “We’ve never been in a fancy car like that.”

His plea zeroed in on her real fear. With Michael offering them all of these luxuries—riding lessons, a company jet, a limo—would they be content with what she could give them? She made a comfortable living, but it didn’t include this kind of perk.

Of course they would be content, she chided herself. They were the least materialistic kids she knew. While they had been grateful for the things they’d received, the opportunities they’d had the last few days, they weren’t taking them for granted. What they really wanted was a loving home where they could be together, and she was giving them that. Nothing else mattered.

She lifted her gaze to meet Michael’s speculative expression. “Thank you. We’d appreciate the lift.”

When she had directed the driver to a high-rise condominium in the heart of downtown Houston, she saw Michael’s eyebrows lift. It was definitely a far cry from the tiny apartment that they had once shared in Austin. That had been a temporary aberration, a blip in his life, a stepping-stone in hers.

This building was more in his league. She knew for a fact that he had once dated a socialite who lived on the penthouse floor. It had driven her crazy when
she’d read about it in the paper, knowing that he was in the same building, making love with another woman. And that was during a time when she’d sworn to herself that she hated him. Obviously she’d been deluding herself for years. The past few days had proven that.

The boys were awestruck by the towering skyscraper, by the lobby and by the swift, silent elevator that whisked them upstairs.