Page 24 of The Texan's Baby Proposal

“Shucks, I thought maybe you liked my company.”

“I wasn’t going to tell you,” she said and they both laughed.

“Bedroom, great room, kitchen—you’re good to go, but I’ll show you the other wing of the house. It has a big office for me and I do have it set up so I can work from here and keep in touch with the office while we’re living here.”

“So, you’re not completely letting go during this time.”

He shook his head. “No, I’m not. I don’t want to turn everything over to someone else and let them run my business. I’ll manage it from here. If it works out, I’ll go to Dallas for a couple of days every other week. That way I won’t lose touch. If you want to go with me, you’re welcome to join me or you can go in the limo.”

“Thanks. I probably will go to Dallas,” she said, jumping at the chance to be back in the city. “I need to fix up a room for a nursery and this will give me a chance to shop.”

“Are you going to live in the same house when this is over?”

“Sure. I just rent, but it’s convenient and I know my neighbors and have friends.”

“Lara, I’ll bet you’re married in no time,” he said.

She gave him a puzzled look. “Why would you make that statement?”

“You’re a beautiful and smart, very capable woman.”

“Thank you. That’s nice to hear. But remember, I’ll have a new baby in seven more months.”

“You’re the most unpregnant-looking woman I’ve known. And it’s great you feel so well.”

“I think it’s my height that keeps my stomach flat,” she said, placing her hand on it.

“Whatever it is, you don’t look or act pregnant.”

“I promise you, I am. You can call my doctor.”

“Oh, I believe you. You wouldn’t make that up.”

“No. Marc, I’m so thrilled to be having a baby. This wasn’t what I planned, but I just feel like I’ll finally have a family again.”

He smiled at her. “I’m glad. As long as we’re married, you’ve got a big family because you’re part of mine.”

“Which I love. Your mother is so nice to me.”

“That’s because she wants me to marry and settle and give her grandkids. She had me when she was sixteen, so she thinks I’m getting really old to be without a family.”

Lara had to laugh and he smiled. “Sometimes I wonder if she was in cahoots with Grandpa on this stipulation to get me married, but then I remember that she stood to lose too much for her to be part of it.” They came to another room and he opened the door. “Well, here’s my gym.”

She looked in on the large gym, then another big office and a sitting room.

“Now you’ve had the grand tour unless you want to see another office, a ballroom and an indoor tennis court.”

“I think I’ll unpack and put away my things.”

“Sure,” he said and once more draped his arm across her shoulders as they walked back to the bedrooms and she turned to enter hers.

“Change to jeans and, later, I’ll drive you around the ranch.”

“I really should study.”

“Maybe you really should, but you can put it off until tomorrow when I’m gone. Besides, you’ll be happier if you know your way around here.”

“Jeans it is,” she said, looking at her suitcases and boxes that had already been put in the suite. When he left, she closed the door behind him and turned to change, but she couldn’t stop her errant thoughts. Instead of the upcoming tour, all she could think about was kissing him, no matter how hard she tried to avoid it. She picked up her laptop, as if to remind herself that she had chemistry courses to focus on. She hoped they kept her busy because she didn’t want time on her hands and she certainly didn’t want time to be with Marc. This marriage was for him to get his inheritance and that was all. She had to keep distance between them and concentrate on her own goals.

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