A Clandestine Corporate Affair(47)

“Did she think it was someone else’s?”

He gritted his teeth and glared at Jordan.

Jordan shrugged. “Just a thought.”

“She planned to raise the baby alone.”

“What if she’s responsible for the sabotage?”

“Ana?” That was the most ridiculous thing Nathan had ever heard. “Not a chance.”

“Why not? What if she was bitter and wanted to get back at you for dumping her? Or maybe she did it for her father.”

“She wasn’t exactly lusting for revenge. If anyone had the right to be pissed, it was me. And as for her father, they aren’t exactly on the best of terms.”

“He’s her meal ticket.”

“She lives off a trust left by her mother. She doesn’t get a penny from Birch Energy. And even if she did, she doesn’t have a malicious bone in her body.” Nathan had to wonder, if Jordan really was responsible for the sabotage, would he so vehemently try to blame someone else? Or was that just his way of deflecting suspicion off himself? Had he caught on that he was being investigated?

Nathan had been quick to defend Jordan, but he honestly didn’t know anymore.

“How did you find out that it was Ana I was seeing?” Nathan asked.

“I followed you, genius. You’re not exactly 007, you know.”

Apparently he wasn’t, not that he’d expected someone to be tailing him. “How did you know Max is my son?”

“I didn’t. Not until I saw him up close. He looks just like you, and the birthmark was a dead giveaway.” He blew hot air into his hands, then stuck them into his coat pockets. “Are you going to marry her?”

That was the second time he’d been asked that question today. “I’d say there’s a good possibility.”

“You know that’s going to mean a job offer from old man Birch.”

That’s the second time that had come up, too. “Why would I want to work for him when I’m CEO of Western?”

Jordan grinned. “You’ve got to get through me first.”

“I plan on it.”

Jordan shivered and stamped his feet. “It’s cold as hell out here. Can we maybe go back inside now?”

Nathan folded his arms. “Who said you’re invited?”

“You would make your baby brother spend Christmas alone?”

“My baby brother who just accused me of sabotage.”

Jordan shrugged. “Okay, so maybe I overreacted.”

“And how do I know you’re not going to run to Adam and the board with this?”

“I’m ambitious, but that would just be too easy. I prefer a fair fight. Besides, I guess I owe you one.”

It was the first time Jordan had ever acknowledged what Nathan had done for him. Who knows, Nathan thought, maybe there is hope for us yet.

The front door opened and Ana stuck her head out. “Sorry to bother you, but everything is ready. I just need someone to carve the turkey.”

Jordan shot him a questioning look.

“Do you mind if my brother stays for dinner?” Nathan asked her.

“We’ve got plenty of food,” she said, then added sternly, “But I do not want my son’s first Christmas to turn into World War Three. As long as everyone plays nice, it’s fine with me.”

Jordan flashed her a charming, borderline flirtatious smile. “I always play nice.”

He did, Nathan thought wryly, right up until the second I turned my back and the knife came out. But it was Christmas, the season for forgiveness, and for his son’s sake, Nathan would put aside the bitterness and be a family.





Thirteen





As they sat down to dinner, Ana warned everyone that she wasn’t much of a cook, and to eat at their own risk. And maybe it was beginner’s luck, or she had hidden talents, because the meal was hands down the best Christmas dinner Nathan had ever had. Even her father, who Nathan had the feeling was not typically liberal with the compliments, raved about the food. Nathan hoped that now he would see how talented and resourceful Ana really was. In many ways she was still the woman he’d met a year and a half ago, only so much more, and he was proud of the person she had become.

Jordan, who in contrast was very liberal with the compliments, whether he meant them or not, seemed genuinely impressed. Nathan was surprised that despite the mixed company, the evening wasn’t nearly as awkward as he would have expected. It probably helped that everyone deliberately avoided the subject of the oil business. Even her father seemed to realize that he was on shaky ground. He seemed humbled. Maybe his making that comment, hurtful as it was, was a blessing in disguise.