The Texas Billionaire's Baby by Karen Rose Smith Read Free Book Online

she wiggled it into a scoop of ketchup.
    “My father wanted what?” Logan asked.
    “I think he wanted you to live the same life he did.”
    Logan hadn’t realized that Gina and his father had had many conversations. His father had hired her towork in the stables and that was about it. But she was right. His father had wanted him to travel, to be invited to the governor’s mansion, to have friends in even higher places. But his perspective on raising a son was much different from his father’s, and that wasn’t a subject he wanted to discuss.
    “I read the articles you published online,” he said, changing the subject as he poured water into Daniel’s sippy cup.
    That seemed to surprise her. “I see.”
    He doubted that she did. “I wanted to know what you had done with your life and the type of work you accomplished.”
    She took a sip of her water, then set down the glass. “Why?”
    “I was curious whether the reasons you told me you left were honest.”
    Her cheeks took on some color. “They were honest, Logan. That full scholarship put me on the first rung of the ladder. I had a job when I was earning my master’s and sent money home to help put Angie through school. I became the first college graduate in my family. When I earned my doctorate, even my dad had tears in his eyes.”
    She seemed to brace herself as if he might ask her something else. Like what? Was it all worth it? He couldn’t go there. Not now. Not here.
    “One of your articles concerned day-care centers. I’ll be starting construction for one in June for my employees’ kids, and I wondered if you’d give me some input, maybe give the architect I’ve chosen some input. You know what kids need. I would need it to be appropriate for ages two to five. What do you think? Would you be interested? I’ll pay you a consultation fee.”
    She looked totally taken aback. “You’ve surprised me, Logan. Do you mind if I think about it?”
    “No, I don’t mind. I have a meeting with James Wolfe—he’s the architect who designed the new elementary school in Sagebrush—on Wednesday. If you’re interested, I’d like you to be there, too.”
    Their gazes locked. When she didn’t look away and neither did he, he felt his chest tighten and other parts of his body come awake.
    Had he just made a huge mistake?
     
    On Wednesday evening, Gina sat in Logan’s den at a long library table next to his architect, James Wolfe. She was studying the plans—and felt Logan studying her . He was sitting across the narrow table from them in a leather desk chair.
    “So what do you think?” the architect asked her. His brown eyes sparkled with interest she didn’t return. He was good-looking enough…but he wasn’t Logan.
    She concentrated on the plans. “The square footage looks about right for the number of children you’re anticipating providing for. But—”
    “But?”
    Directly across from her, Logan’s leg brushed hers as he leaned forward to take a closer look at the architect’s drawing.
    She swallowed and smiled. “I think you need to utilize the space better, maybe two rooms instead of one. That way the younger children can be taking a nap while the older ones are playing or working. You also need a common area where they can share snacks. But that’s just my opinion.”
    James shrugged. “She makes sense.”
    In professional mode now, Gina tapped another line of the blueprint. “You might also want to consider a wall with an observation window. That way if a parent doesn’t want to come in and get involved, they can just make sure their child is okay.”
    James grinned and patted her shoulder. “That’s an excellent idea.”
    Reflexively, Gina leaned back and his hand fell away. Even after all these years, she didn’t appreciate a man touching her without her giving the signal it was okay. But James didn’t seem to notice that she was uncomfortable with his gesture.
    Logan stood, signaling the meeting was over. “Work on those