LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter Fourteen

      Monday morning, Alex was sitting in Noah’s office, in the same chair he’d used the day he’d come looking for Nina.

      “This is twice in less than a month that you’ve come to me in search of a woman,” Noah said with dry amusement.

      Alex wasn’t in a joking mood. He’d spent a restless night debating his approach to producing heirs. It would be nice for his children to have a mother like Nina, but how would he find a woman like her who would agree to the arrangement he wanted? The answer was always that he couldn’t. In the end, he’d decided to return to his original plan. “I trust your judgment. I’ve seen news reports about women who are willing to have children for childless couples. I’m looking for someone like that. I figured you could ask around among your colleagues and find out if they know anyone they would recommend. I want someone who is intelligent, kind, pleasant-looking, with an agreeable personality, no history of hereditary problems and, preferably, someone who already has produced healthy children.”

      Noah’s amusement turned to a thoughtful frown. “It’s a shame things didn’t work out between you and Nina Lindstrom. From what I’ve seen and heard, she’s excellent mother material.”

      “She’s a romantic. We’d have made each other miserable.”

      “You didn’t look all that miserable at the barbecue.”

      “Physically, we found each other appealing. But she insists on an emotional commitment.”

      “And you’re still determined not to fall in love.” Noah’s expression became brotherly. “From what you’ve told me about your family history, I’d say that Nina Lindstrom is a whole different breed of woman from your grandmother and your mother. She could be worth taking the risk for.”

      “I’ll let you and the rest of the male population wallow in the murky mire of romance,” Alex replied. “All I want is an heir.”

      “Raising a child on your own isn’t easy,” Noah cautioned.

      “My grandfather raised me and did just fine. Besides, I thought single parenthood was the current trend.”

      Noah’s gaze hardened. “Children aren’t fads. Parenthood is a big responsibility.”

      “I’ve never thought of children as fads, and I’ve always lived up to my responsibilities,” Alex reminded him curtly. “Are you going to help me or not?”

      “If you’re determined to go through with this, then I’ll see what I can find out,” Noah conceded. “But if I were you, I’d reconsider courting Nina Lindstrom.”

      “Nina Lindstrom is out of the picture,” Alex said firmly.

      Noah regarded him in silence for a long moment, then shrugged as if to say he realized that arguing would do no good. “I think there are a couple of agencies that specialize in finding surrogate mothers. I’ll start asking around about them today. And will give you their contact number once I find it.”

      Alex nodded with satisfaction. Rising, he held out his hand to his friend. “Thanks.”

      “Don’t thank me yet,” Noah cautioned. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

      “I know what I’m doing,” Alex assured him.

      Leaving Noah’s office, Alex felt confident about the course of action he’d chosen. There would be no games of the heart for him. As he headed for the exit, he suddenly changed direction. As long as he was here, he would stop by and see Tommy. Nina had asked him not to hover over her and her children, but that didn’t mean he had to avoid them completely. Besides, he wanted to make certain the boy’s recovery was still coming along on schedule.

      He entered the room to find the private nurse helping Tommy with his physical therapy.

      “Alex.” Tommy greeted him with a grin.

      Alex grinned back. The boy’s smile always brought a rush of pleasure. He would miss that. I’ll have a child of my own soon, he reminded himself. “Looks like you’re getting back into great shape fast,” he said, approaching the bed.

      “Very fast,” the nurse replied. “The doctors are extremely pleased. He may be able to go home sooner than they first predicted.”

      “I don’t want them sending him home before he’s entirely ready,” Alex ordered protectively.

      “They won’t,” she assured him.

      Tommy gave Alex a disgruntled look. “I want to go home.”

      “You will,” Alex replied, hating to have caused the boy to be angry with him. “You just keep up those exercises and do what the nurses and doctors tell you.”

      “Do I have a choice?” the boy grumbled under his breath.

      Alex raised an eyebrow in surprise. Tommy had sounded so adult. Children were a constant source of amazement, he mused.

      The nurse’s mouth formed an exaggerated pout. “I thought we were having fun.”

      “I guess so,” Tommy admitted.

      Relieved to see the boy’s good humor restored, Alex glanced at his watch. He was running late now. “I’ll leave you two to continue,” he said.

      Walking to his car, he found himself regretting that he would not be a part of Tommy’s homecoming celebration. He should never have allowed his relationship with Nina and her children to become more than business, he admonished himself. However, today he would take steps to assure their futures, then he could get back to living his own life.

      * * *

      It was late afternoon, and Nina was with Tommy when a knock sounded on the door of the hospital room, followed by the entrance of a tall, white-haired man, dressed in a three-piece suit. “I’m Bill Ophemhier, Alex Bennett’s lawyer,” he introduced himself as he entered. “And from the description he gave me, you must be Nina Lindstrom.”

      Nina rose to accept the man’s handshake.

      The lawyer smiled at Tommy. “I’m glad to hear you’re doing so well, young man.” His voice became apologetic. “I hope you won’t mind if I take your mother away from you for a short time.”

      Wondering why Alex had sent a lawyer, Nina accompanied the man to the cafeteria. Once there, he guided her to a table in an unoccupied corner of the room. Setting his briefcase on the table, he opened it and took out a set of keys. “It will take a week or so for all the paperwork and inspections needed before the actual sale of the diner can be completed,” he said, putting the keys on the table in front of her. “However, the Olsens have agreed to allow you free access to the place beforehand so that you can begin your plans for the renovations.”

      Nina picked up the familiar-looking key ring. “Alex Bennett is definitely a man of action.”

      “Definitely,” the lawyer agreed. Extracting a manila envelope, he placed it in front of her, as well. “An account has been set up at the bank. If the funds are insufficient, you’re to let Alex know. One of his accountants will be coming from Denver to explain how to keep the necessary records for tax purposes and how to set up employee records and payroll. I’ve made reservations for him at the Squaw Creek Lodge. He’s expecting you to meet him there at noon tomorrow. If that’s inconvenient, his name and number are on the front of the envelope. You can call and change the appointment. Also,

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