The Paternity Pact (Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches 3)

What would happen if she were forced to split custody with his dad? Yet, how could she be so selfish as to deny Grant the joy Daniel brought into his life?

“Mommy, are you okay?”

Harley met Daniel’s gaze in the mirror and saw that a tear had escaped and was running down her cheek. She dashed away the moisture and summoned a brave smile.

“I’m fine. It’s just that I’m so proud of you.” She wrapped her arms around his slim form and crushed him to her. “You’re my little man.”

He wiggled in her snug embrace, protesting half-heartedly until she released him.

“Go get breakfast,” she told him. “Franny made your favorite pancakes.”

“Yay!”

He raced from the room and Harley took a few seconds to collect herself before heading back to the master bedroom. Grant was sliding into a navy sports coat as she entered. Her heart turned over at the sizzling look he sent her way. She took a sip of her coffee, before sauntering over to tweak his pale blue tie and smooth her hand down the front of his coat.

“You look very handsome,” she said, peering up at him from beneath her lashes.

“And you look gorgeous as always.” He cupped her cheek and dipped his head for a lingering kiss that left her weak-kneed and breathless. “Good luck with your meeting today. I’ll see you for dinner.”

The glow from Grant’s kiss lingered as she showered, dressed and drove to the Texas Cattleman’s Club. It wasn’t until Daniel scampered away to join the other kids that her earlier worries came back to haunt her. Seeing the way Daniel was settling into life here in Royal with his father and all his new friends, Harley wasn’t sure if she should move them back to Thailand, after all. But staying would make it harder to ignore family obligations. She couldn’t avoid dealing with her mother or pretend that a couple dinner parties would ease the tension between her and her siblings. Plus, she was used to doing as she liked without a dozen people shoving their opinions down her throat.

And then she had to consider that Grant had met with an attorney. That was a threat she couldn’t ignore. Suddenly, taking what funding she’d secured and running seemed like a smart option. The longer she lingered in Royal, the more attached Daniel would get to living here. And the more time Grant would have to stake his legal claim to his son.

As she made her way back to the front door, she spied her sister, Beth, striding in her direction with purposeful steps and altered her course to intercept her. At Harley’s greeting, Beth looked up from the tablet in her hands, but her dour mood didn’t change.

“Is everything okay?” Harley’s stomach twisted in concern. Did Beth’s peevish expression mean there was more trouble brewing for their family? “Please tell me nothing else happened with the company.”

Beth noted her sister’s worry and set a hand on Harley’s arm in reassurance. “It’s nothing like that.”

The whole family was jumpy these days with disaster looming at every turn for Wingate Enterprises. Harley had known challenges with her nonprofit, but the size and scope of Zest was nothing compared to the vast holdings of Wingate Enterprises. She certainly didn’t envy all her brothers had to manage on an average day, much less with the series of woes recently befalling the corporation.

“I’m working on the annual TCC ball,” Beth continued. “Even though it’s a few months away, there’s a million things to do and every day I swear something else gets added to my plate.”

Goose bumps rushed over Harley’s skin as her sister mentioned the annual TCC event. At that same ball five years ago, her life had been forever changed. She hadn’t yet decided if she’d still be in Royal, much less whether she’d attend this year’s ball. As much as she needed to return to Thailand and start putting her funding to good use, the idea of leaving town and taking Daniel away from Grant dragged at her. Torn in two different directions, weighing the pros and cons of each left her completely stuck.

“I’m sure you have everything completely under control,” Harley said.

Beth had organizational strengths in abundance. Harley wished she possessed more than a sliver of her sister’s capabilities, but she was more of an idea person rather than an implementer. Except where Zest was concerned. Although, she hadn’t done it alone. Jaymes had been a huge help.

“You’re sweet to say so,” Beth said. “And actually, the event is coming together better than I expected. In fact, I just found out that one of the local radio stations is offering a complimentary makeover and a ticket to the event for one lucky listener.”

“At a thousand dollars a plate, that’s an awesome prize.” Harley pondered whether that listener would have his or her life changed at the ball the way she had and hoped that was the case.

“There’ve been a lot of big donations this year,” Beth said. “People are feeling unusually generous. I’m not exactly sure why.”

Harley wondered if any of her family was amongst those who were making big donations. With all the trouble that Wingate Enterprises was having, it would be a public relations boon to show their support of the local community. Especially now when so many of Royal’s most influential residents had turned a cold shoulder to the Wingate family.

“What’s this year’s theme?”

“We’re doing a masked ball.”

Harley oohed in appreciation. She could see the potential in donning a sexy dress and mask for a little anonymous flirting with Grant. A thrill spread through her as she imagined the pleasure she would get from stalking and seducing Grant Everett at a second TCC function. Unless, of course, someone else caught his eye this year. And that’s when it hit her. She didn’t believe that Grant wouldn’t change his mind about falling in love and getting married again. What truly worried her was that he wouldn’t choose her. She was running back to Thailand to avoid watching the man she wanted fall for someone else.

“That sounds like a lot of fun,” Harley said, more subdued that she’d been a second earlier. “Maybe I’ll have to stick around long enough to attend.”

Beth looked surprised. “You’re leaving?”

“My life is in Thailand,” she reminded her sister, bracing against Beth’s frown. “I can’t just abandon Zest and stay here.”