Page 61 of Baby for My Billionaire Rival

It stings slightly to think the joy of a grandchild is “something I’ve done”, like I’ve harmed her in some way.

“Caroline is a brilliant woman,” Gram says. For the first time, I can hear love in her voice. “She is my granddaughter, yes, but she is more brilliant than I am.”

I frown, “Ma’am –”

“By the time I was her age, I had already had all of my children. I was a stay-at-home mother. My husband was the Gladstone, you see. His family’s business.” She clears her throat, hardened gaze straight ahead. “When he passed away, I had to take over.Had to, you understand. Or else the business would have fallen into disreputable hands.”

A tale as old as time when it comes to family businesses like ours.

“And I was a failure. For far too long. We almost lost everything more than once.”

“You did what you could, ma’am.”

For once, she doesn’t correct me or hush me. She looks at me, the corners of her eyes softening. “Yes. And now I do what I can for my granddaughter.”

We stare at each other.

“Shewillbe CEO of Gladstone one day. I won’t let you get in the way of that.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. You have my word.”

“Yes, you say that now. But with a child… you know the world isn’t made for women with children, don’t you?”

I swallow. My own mother, with her five boys, tethered to the kitchen her entire life, would probably say the same thing. The difference is, though, that was what she always dreamed of doing. She met my father and kept his house and gave him children. As far as I could tell, that is exactly what she wanted to be doing with her life.

“You can claim that you will be a good husband and a father, but unless you are truly willing to understand the labors she will go through as a mother for the rest of her life, you will be trapping my granddaughter. And I do not like that.”

“Ma’am…” I say carefully. “I love your granddaughter very much.”

Her face softens even more, the corners of her lips falling not with a frown, but because she really heard what I said.

“I fell in love with her for what she is. Not what she gave me. I know it’s hard to take me at my word without having seen it put into practice, but…” I clear my throat to remain on an even keel. “Caroline is much more talented at business than I am. She has a knack for it and a passion. I know she would never want to disappoint you or the Gladstone legacy. And because that’s what she wants, that’s what I want too.”

“Smooth talker, hm?” Gram says with a waggle of her eyebrows.

For once, I feel I have permission to laugh at something she’s said. “Country boy charm, like you said.”

Gram bites her lower lip. “I’m not sorry for what I said about you, just so we’re clear.”

“You don’t have to be.”

“You have a lot to prove to me, Jacob Simmons.”

I nod. “I am more than willing to.”

Gram smiles. “You’re willing to put up with an old broad like me for Caroline?”

“Absolutely.”

“Huh… interesting.” Whatever she files away in her brain for later I think is a credit to my name.

I’m not done yet, though. “I was blessed with a father I loved very much. A good man. A good father. If I can be half of that, I will have lived a good life. But I promise you, I will try and be twice the father he was.”

Gram nods slowly, taking in what I’ve said.

“I will be stepping away from the program. To give Caroline the opportunity to finish her degree.”

“Now, that’s a thought,” the older woman says.

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