Page 28 of How to: Hide a Baby

She gave him a suspicious look. “Used up what?”

“Your quota of fibs.”

With that, he headed toward the center of the store where racks of strollers were displayed. He tried several models, pushing them about, cornering sharply to see if they tipped. He even pulled down a double stroller for inspection.

“We only have one baby,” Grace pointed out.

“With all the junk she needs, we could use the other side for storage.”

Actually, he had a point. “What about the one over here? It’s dual purpose. You can hook the two strollers together to form a double or separate them into individual units.”

“Sold.” He removed a large box from the shelves and fitted it into the cart. “Now for the serious stuff.” He grinned down at her. “Toys.”

Two hours—and three carts—later, Grace called a halt to his shopping binge. “This is ridiculous, Luc. The baby can’t use a tenth of what you’re buying. It’ll go to waste.”

“Don’t fuss,” Luc replied, swooping up a dozen rattles. “Anything Carina and the baby can’t use, I’ll donate to charity. Relax and enjoy yourself. Spend some of my money. Better yet, spend a lot of my money. I’m having fun. Aren’t you having fun?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then, not another word of argument.” He turned on her, his gaze intent. “I’m tired of Office Grace. Send her home and let the other Grace come out and play. The one who wears pale green dresses that match her eyes and tight, short skirts with soft wool sweaters. I want to get to know that Grace.”

She shook her head, suddenly afraid. She was out of her depth and knew it. All her lies were steadily unraveling and soon she’d be exposed and vulnerable. She didn’t dare consider what might happen then.

To her relief, Toni chose that moment to put an end to both their conversation and the shopping spree. Finished with her nap, she complained bitterly and at great volume at being trapped for so long in the baby sling.

“Time for a bottle, young lady,” Grace decreed, lifting her off Luc’s chest. “If you’ll let me have the diaper bag, Luc, I’ll go feed and change Toni while you give your credit card a workout.”

He shoved through one of the carts and unearthed a bottle warmer. He ripped through the packaging with as little regard as he had with the baby sling. “Here you go. Give this a try. I’m sure they won’t mind you heating up Toni’s bottle in the employee lounge. I’ll come and get you once I’ve loaded the car.”

Grace glanced at the overflowing carts and grimaced. “Now I know why families buy minivans and SUVs when they start having kids.”

Luc snapped his fingers. “Vans. That’s what I forgot to buy. Let’s see, I think they’re over on aisle eight next to the Lear jets.”

“Very funny.” Grace rocked the tearful Toni, gently patting her back. “We girls will be in the lounge with our feet up enjoying a warm mug of formula. See you in a while.”

To her surprise, Luc joined them a few minutes later. Though why it should surprise her, she didn’t know. She suspected the powers-that-be at Toys-a-Trillion tended to jump through hoops when Luc Salvatore walked into their store, especially if he habitually spent as much as he had today. By the time she’d finished with Toni, the most important of their selections were paid for. Luc arranged for items he wanted for immediate use to be loaded in the car, the rest were promised for delivery the next day. It amazed her what a lot of charm and even more money could accomplish.

After fastening Toni into her car carrier, Grace buckled her seat belt and sighed. “I need to get back to work so I can rest,” she joked.

“You can rest tonight. I’ve invited my brothers over for dinner, and you can relax while they entertain Toni.”

She glanced at him. “Do they know about her?”

He started the engine and pulled out of the parking space. “I thought I’d surprise them. That way I can impress on them the importance of keeping this information quiet until Brand and Carina return.”

“And do your brothers always obey you?”

He inclined his head. “They tend to find it in their best interest to do things my way.”

“Because you’re the oldest?”

He grinned. “That, and the fact that Salvatore Enterprises has provided startup funds for their individual business enterprises. He who controls the purse strings ...”

“Calls the tune?”

“The metaphor may be mixed, but the meaning’s accurate enough.”

Accurate, indeed. She nibbled her lip. If she were smart, she’d do well to remember who called the tune she danced to. And who controlled the future purse strings for Baby Dream Toys.

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