and Duke held each other’s gaze for a tense moment. “I won’t forget your offer. It was interesting to meet you, Mr. Ransome.”
“You watch your step, missy. I’ll do everything I can to talk my son out of marrying you.”
“I think your son probably makes his own decisions.”
Duke nodded. Striding from the room, he slammed the door behind him.
She let out her breath and turned to face Matt. “I hate that you and your dad had such a fight.”
Shaking his head, Matt raised his eyebrows. “Dad didn’t tell me what he was going to do, although I should have guessed. I’m sure he thought he’d made you an offer that you couldn’t possibly refuse.”
“Half a million to give you my baby and get out of your life.”
“I’m a little amazed you could so quickly and easily turn down that amount.”
“None of you get it—you can’t hang a dollar sign on a child. I’m not giving up my baby.”
“I didn’t ask you to with my offer. I wanted you to let us share Jeff’s child’s life.”
“I won’t give up my baby for any amount. I didn’t have to think about my answer.”
Matt studied her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Dad doesn’t know you at all and he thinks everyone can be bought.”
She ran her hand across her brow and Matt placed his finger beneath her jaw and tilted her face up. “Upset?” he asked.
“This past hour hasn’t been the easiest time in my life,” she said, trying to lighten the moment, but she felt weak in the knees and anger still smoldered inside. As much as she wanted to ignore Duke Ransome and forget his hurtful words, his “tramp” accusation rang in her ears and it hurt.
“I doubt if your father will attend our wedding.”
“Oh, yes, he will. I know my dad. Did it ever occur to you that you could be getting into a union that you’ll hate?” Matt asked in a quiet voice while reaching out to trace his fingers along her cheek. “Soon I’ll be the legal father and have as much say as you in our child’s life.”
Our child. The words slipped across her raw nerves, reminding her of all the changes that were soon coming because of her decisions. “I’m willing to take the chance. I think we’ll work out an arrangement we can both accept,” she said, hoping she sounded cool and Matt didn’t have an inkling of the butterflies she had over the thought of her future shared with him and his family.
“If I ever worry about you holding your own with my family or anyone else, remind me to forget my concern,” Matt said. “I’ve seen some tough men that couldn’t cope with my dad. You won that round with the old man,” Matt added. “There are a lot of people who’ve had tough times, and they would’ve taken the money and never looked back. I think Dad lumped you in with that group.” Matt studied her, his gaze going slowly over her features and making her pulse drum.
“Thanks for standing up for me.”
Matt shrugged. “You gave him your answer. He should’ve accepted it and his remarks were way out of line, but he’s accustomed to getting his way and doing whatever he has to do to succeed. I misjudged you a hell of a lot more than a country mile,” Matt admitted. He leaned forward to brush a light kiss on her forehead before glancing at his watch. “We need to go to town to the attorney’s office. If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late.”
“I’ll get my purse,” she said, gratified by Matt’s remarks and his support.
“Meet you at the back door,” he said and left the room with her, going the opposite direction when they reached the hall. Halfway down the hall, she glanced over her shoulder to find him still standing where she had left him. His hand was on his hip as he watched her. When she looked at him, he turned and disappeared into his office.
Matt went to his desk to get a briefcase that held papers and notes he had made for the prenuptial agreement. Half his thoughts were on the coming appointment. The other half were on Olivia and his father. He was astounded his dad offered her so much money, but by now, he wasn’t surprised that Olivia had turned him down. She wanted marriage and all the commitment that went with it, even if it was going to be a business arrangement. A lot of people would have wilted with his dad and given in to him, but also, by now, Matt knew Olivia better. She was a strong woman who would not be intimidated by his dad or outsmarted by him. If the situation hadn’t involved such high stakes, it would have been amusing because few people refused his dad.
Matt knew he would hear from his father soon to try to persuade him to back out of the approaching marriage.
Matt had no intention of backing out. Each day it looked like a better proposition. They would have an acceptable arrangement for living together; the baby would be his to share—he would become the adoptive father; and he would have sex on a regular basis with Olivia. If the marriage arrangement worked, he could imagine they might drift into loving each other, but in the meantime, he never wanted to go through heartbreak again.
Later, in the car as he drove into town, Olivia shifted on the seat to face Matt. “I guess your father is never going to accept me,” she remarked.
“Once you present Dad with his first grandchild, he’ll accept you so quickly that you’ll be astounded. Believe me, I know my dad. He’s wanted a grandchild, dreamed about one, harassed my sister to get married, harassed me when I was married to give him an heir. No, he’s going to love your baby and you won’t be able to believe that he offered you a fortune to get out of our lives. You’ll see a transformation that will astound you and Dad will act as if nothing disagreeable ever happened.”
“I’ll believe it when it happens,” she said unable to imagine Duke Ransome changing so drastically.
“My dad probably expected you to jump at the chance for a fortune because you didn’t grow up in comfort.”
“Comfort!” She laughed. “There were nights I slept on buses because it was safer and more peaceful than going home. My parents drank and—” she stopped abruptly. “You know all about my background. When I was in high school, I’d just ride the bus at night so I could study. I always felt education was my passport out of that life and it has been.”
“That’s what I mean. Dad and I misjudged you badly.”
“Now I only have to face your brother and your sister.”
“I still haven’t been able to get in touch with Nick or with Katherine, but I’ll keep leaving messages for them.”
“They’ll probably try to talk you out of this wedding, too. They know we’re not in love.” She looked at her ring and wriggled her hand. “I think the rest of the world will be fooled about it.”
“Don’t be surprised if you get some other kind of offer from my dad. He doesn’t give up easily.”
“I’m not worried.”
“No, I suppose you’re not,” Matt said. “You continually surprise me.”
“For one reason or another,
