Page 509 of Conveniently Wed
Lorinda couldn’t help watching him as he looked at her son with a gleam of love in his eyes. The warmth that brought to her heart crept up to her cheeks. She hoped neither he nor Ingrid would notice. Maybe they’d just think her face was flushed from the heat of cooking.
Ingrid laughed. “Yes, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and hot biscuits. And I think I saw a dried peach pie around here somewhere.”
Lorinda smiled. She loved the way laughter was such an integral part of the lives of those living in this house.
“How’s the little guy doing today?” Franklin leaned closer to the basket and stared intently at her son. “I believe he’s waking up.”
Lorinda’s gaze followed his, and sure enough, Michael stirred. Maybe he’d heard the masculine tone. Those words brought a pleasant rumble to the room.
Franklin glanced at her. “I’ll pick him up, since you and Mrs. Oleson are busy with dinner.”
She nodded, and his large hands grasped her son with care. Tears threatened in her eyes. She’d never seen a man so gentle with a baby. She wondered if Mike would’ve been like that. Mike had shown no interest in any child they encountered, infant or older.
“Hey, there.” Franklin held Michael level with his face while supporting his neck and holding his head up. “Did you have a good day, little guy?”
Once again, Michael emitted the soft coo.
The smile that spread across Franklin’s often-solemn face lit the room like sunshine coming over the mountain pass. He pulled the infant close and settled him in the crook of his arm before glancing at each of the women. “Did you hear that?”
Mrs. Oleson wiped her hands on her apron. “That’s the second time today. It’s so sweet.”
“Yes, it is.” Once again, Franklin turned his attention toward her son.
All Lorinda could do was stare at the two of them. Her heart was so full of emotions she really didn’t understand. She knew she loved her son, but something else resided there as well. She shook her head and turned back toward the beans, while her thoughts wandered far afield.
Tonight’s the night.
After the wonderful meal, Franklin had retired to his office to go over the accounts, but he hadn’t been able to concentrate. He needed to talk to Lorinda. If he didn’t, he’d never get anything done.
Having an heir was important, but now he didn’t want just any child. He wanted this particular baby. He had fallen in love with little Michael, and he couldn’t imagine losing him. He couldn’t love him more if he’d been his own flesh and blood.
When Michael was born, he loved him from the first moment he saw that little face. He didn’t realize it at the time, but he did now. And he was going to do whatever it took to keep the child here.
What about Lorinda?The nagging question wouldn’t let him go. She came in the package deal, and he almost wished she didn’t. But that was unrealistic. He had to find a way to convince her to marry him. Since she’d loved her husband, she probably wouldn’t be ready to love another man, and that was just fine with Franklin. Love could not be a part of the equation, now or ever.
He knew marriages of convenience often worked out well. He’d heard stories from several of the ranchers that lived close-by. He wanted no emotional ties to any woman who had the ability to rip his heart out and stomp on it. But he could pour all his love on their son. Surely that would keep her happy.
“Did you want to talk to me, Franklin?” As if she stepped right out of his thoughts, Lorinda came through his open office doorway.
“Where’s Michael?” When he voiced his question, a strange expression flitted across her face. Maybe he’d been too abrupt.
“Mrs. Oleson wanted to play with him, so I thought this would be a good time to come see what you wanted. She said it wasn’t anything urgent.” Lorinda continued to stand close to the door, as if ready to take flight.
Franklin got up from behind his desk and escorted her to the leather-covered couch near the fireplace. “Let’s sit down.”
She sat at one end of the sofa, and he took the far end, leaving plenty of space between them. He didn’t want to crowd her. She might think he was trying to force his will on her.
He glanced at her face. She kept her eyes trained on her lap where her hands moved about, picking at possible lint on her dark skirt. Not that he could see anything wrong with it. Maybe she was nervous. He should set her mind at ease.
“Do you enjoy working here, Lorinda?” He kept his tone gentle, but restrained himself from allowing any emotional undertones to his question. He didn’t want her to jump to the wrong conclusion.
Finally, she raised her head and looked at him. “I really like the ranch and being with Mrs. Oleson. She’s helped me learn a lot.”
Good.She must not want to go away. That gave him hope. “I enjoy having Michael around.”
Now hope lit her eyes. “I was afraid adding a baby to your household might have been a bother.”
“Quite the contrary. He brightens my day, and I think the little guy likes me as well.” He couldn’t keep his lips from forming a smile at that thought.
