Salvatore 01 - Who's Holding the Baby

by Day Leclaire

  He shot her a look of disapproval. “Shoplifting implies leaving without paying for something. I would never do such a thing. The box is in my cart, plain as day. And I have an eager little plastic gold card revving in my pocket.”

  “But-“

  “Relax, Gracie. They know me here.” He frowned at the sling, examining it from various angles. “How the hell does this thing work?”

  “Maybe if we read the directions?” she suggested. “Directions are for amateurs.”

  “We are amateurs,” she reminded gently. She picked up the box. “It looks like you fasten the two top straps around your neck and the bottom two around your waist.”

  “I know that! But it doesn’t show which is the top and which is the bottom. Wait a sec … Got it.” He fastened the belts and snaps and grinned, spreading his arms wide. “What do you think? Is Toni ready for her first ride?” Grace bit her lip to keep from smiling. “No.”

  He frowned. “No?”

  “You put her in there the way it is now and you’ll dump your precious niece right on her cute little head.” He peered down at the pouch. Sure enough, the opening for the head pointed south, the leg holes pointed north. “Well, shoot,” he muttered, nonplussed.

  A salesgirl appeared at his elbow, white teeth flashing, lashes fluttering. She flipped her long bleached hair over one shoulder and planted a hand on her trim hip. Her name tag read, “Hi! Debbi can’t wait to assist you!”

  “Why, Mr. Salvatore,” Debbi-who-couldn’t-wait-toassist squealed. At least it sounded like a squeal to Grace … a squeal reminiscent of those emitted by the porcine family. “You haven’t visited for ages. Is there something I can help you with?”

  He gestured at the baby sling strapped to his chest. “What am I doing wrong?” he asked with a helpless, men-are-aU-thumbs-when-it-comes-to-baby-contraptions grin.

  “You put it on upside down,” Grace pointed out acerbically.

  Debbi pursed her lips. “I think you put it on upside down,” she proclaimed, as if she’d just invented the thought.

  Removing the sling, she flipped it around and then refastened it. In the process her hands managed to investigate every square inch of Luc’s torso. Clearly satisfied with the results of her investigation and with the position of the sling, she gave the pouch a final pat.

  Unable … or unwilling … to explain her reaction to dear Debbi, Grace stepped forward the second the salesgirl stepped back. But helping Luc slip Toni into the sling while at the same time doing her level best to flash her engagement ring under Debbi’s nose proved to be a challenge she couldn’t resist. “That’s perfect,” she announced and even managed a friendly smile in the salesgirl’s direction. “Antonia’s the first Salvatore girl in … how many generations, Luc?”

  “A lot.”

  “The family’s thrilled. Absolutely thrilled. Aren’t they, Luc?”

  He lifted a quizzical eyebrow. “Oh, they’re thrilled, all right.”

  The salesgirl looked from Luc to Antonia to Grace to Grace’s ring and sighed. ‘

  ‘How … how thrilling. Well, if I can help you with anything else, don’t hesitate to call.”

  “Oh, we will,” Grace assured her. Yes, they’d definitely hesitate before calling. “Bye.”

  With a final, wistful glance in Luc’s direction, Debbi trotted down the aisle.

  “Grace … Grace … Grace,” Luc murmured, shaking his head, his golden eyes glittering with laughter. “What has happened to my cool, aloof assistant?”

  She lifted her chin. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.” A long moment of silence stretched between them, and she could feel the hot color mount her cheeks. Desperate to escape his probing gaze, she made a pretence of checking to be sure Toni rested comfortably in the sling. Not that she fooled anyone. The baby, tucked close to Luc’s heart, slept peacefully in her little pouch.

  “What’s next on the list?” Grace asked, unable to stand the strained silence for another instant.

  “You.”

  Her eyes widened and she took a hasty step back. “Wh-what?”

  He cupped her elbow in one hand and pushed the cart with his other. “All good temporary mothers need a stroller. So next we get you a stroller.” He eyed her, a wicked grin curving his mouth. “What did you think I meant?”

  She cleared her throat. “Why, precisely that, of course.”

  He released a gusty sigh. “I see you haven’t used them all up.”

  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 decided to call 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 leaned closer, his eyes dark and intent. “I’m tired of the ‘office Grace,’” he murmured. “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 stretch pants 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 began to complain 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.”

  “I checked and there’s a microwave in the employee lounge. They won’t mind you heating up Toni’s bottle there. 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 those huge vans 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 was in the habit of spending as much as he had today. By the time she’d finished with Toni, the most important of their selections were paid for and loaded in the car, the rest to be delivered the next day. It amazed her what charm and money could accomplish.

  Having fastened Toni into her car seat, Grace buckled her own 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 e
ntertain Toni.” She glanced over 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 Pietro and Carina return.”

  “And do your brothers always fall in with your demands?”

  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 I’m their boss. 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 Up. 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.

  “Grace! That’s the doorbell. Could you get it? I’m up to my elbows in … in … in real nasty stuff.”

  Crossing to the front hall, she opened the door. All four of Luc and Pietro’s brothers stood grouped in the haUway arguing volubly. “Ten bucks, it’s good news.”

  “Fifteen, it’s bad.”

  “Twenty to one, he’s gone and got himself engaged.”

  “Not Luc. Not a chance. I’U bet twenty-five dollars you’re all wrong.”

  The door across the hall opened and Mrs. Bumgartle peered out. “What’s going on there? Who’s gambling?”

  “Hello, Mrs. Bumgartle,” the four chorused a greeting.

  “Don’t give me any of your lip,” she retorted. “Gambling’s illegal in this state, you know.”

  “It’s just a friendly wager,” Alessandro assured her. “Just trying to figure out what Luc’s up to.”

  “He’s up to no good. No good a’tall,” she snapped. “Now, stop cluttering the hall, or I’ll call the building manager.” With that, the door banged closed.

  Grace cleared her throat. “Would you gentlemen care to come in?”

  “Oh, hello, Grace,” Alessandro said, leading the way into the apartment. “Something special going on?”

  “No cheating!” the twins, Marc and Stef, exclaimed in unison.

  “And no fair pumping Grace,” Rocco added with a wink, giving her a brotherly peck on the cheek. “Anyone else here?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Just Antonia,” she whispered back.

  He lifted a speculative eyebrow. “Antonia, huh? Pretty?”

  “Gorgeous. Short dark hair, huge brown eyes, a smile that could melt a snowman’s heart and . . . “

  “And?” Alessandro prompted, coming up behind them.

  “And little bitty dimples on all four cheeks.” They stared at her in shock, and barely able to suppress a smile, she led the way to the living room. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

  “Come on, Grace,” Stef pleaded. “Give. What’s going on?”

  She shook her head. “I can’t tell. Besides, it’s Luc’s story.”

  “Pietro’s story, to be exact,” Luc corrected from the doorway.

  The expressions on the four younger Salvatore brothers were all she could have hoped for. Ranging from bemusement to shock, they stared in absolute silence at the baby in Luc’s arms. Alessandro was the first to recover.

  “This is Antonia of the four dimples, I assume.”

  “Is she.. .yours?” Rocco asked in disbelief.

  “Pietro’s,” Luc repeated.

  Marc snapped his fingers. “Pietro and — what was her name … ? The little foreign-exchange student he was so crazy about. Carina! Is it hers?” He shook his head, not bothering to wait for confirmation. “I’ll bet her parents had a thing or two to say when they heard about this little incident.”

  “You’ve met Carina?” Grace questioned in surprise.

  “Once,” he confirmed. “Briefly. Pietro was very protective. He didn’t encourage me to stick around for long.”

  Stef nudged his twin in the ribs. “Afraid big brother would steal his love away?”

  Marc grinned. “I would have, given half the chance. She’s quite something.”

  “Why don’t we get dinner started and I’ll bring you up-to-date,” Luc ordered.

  Within minutes all five Salvatores were gathered in the kitchen, working as a well-orchestrated team to prepare dinner. Grace watched in amusement. They’d obviously done this before. Each took a different duty, occasionally asking Grace to pass a pot or a measuring cup or utensil. Toni, delighted to be the center of so much masculine attention, was passed from one set of arms to the next.

  “Dinner will be in twenty minutes,” Luc announced. “Marc, set the table.” He turned to Grace. “And you, my fine beauty, may go change out of your office clothes and into something more festive. Tonight, I feel in the mood to celebrate.”

  Four pairs of eyes, wide with astonishment, turned in Grace’s direction. She could feel an intense blush blossom across her cheeks. Apparently, her masquerade was still a success with four of the five Salvatores present. She didn’t know whether to be pleased or insulted.

  Noticing his brothers’ reactions, Luc explained, “WillWilliam, her fiance, has her in disguise. For some reason, he wants her to look like a bag lady. I haven’t quite figured out why. I will, though. I will.”

  “A disguise?”Stef asked, intrigued. “Like in the movies?”

  Rocco approached. “You mean all I have to do is . . . “ Before she could protest, he whipped off her glasses. From behind, Alessandro slipped the pins from her hair, fluffing the wayward curls around her face and shoulders. “This isn’t fair,” she protested. “Stop it!” Marc advanced next, and she knew from his mischievous grin that he intended to investigate what lay beneath her bulky wool suit.

  Apparently, so did Luc. Sweeping her clear of his brothers’ clutches, he gave her a gentle push toward the door. “Put on the green dress,” he said.

  And by the remorseless gleam in his golden eyes, she knew it wasn’t a request.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The Great Lie

  Still Day 338 and Grace’s deception is fast unraveling…

  Grace spent fifteen of the next twenty minutes debating whether or not to wear the green dress. Uppermost in her mind was Dom and his reaction should he find out about her stay at Luc’s. Did Luc’s brothers know she’d spent the previous night in this apartment — or that she’d also be spending tonight here? If so, Dom would learn the truth eventually from them. She couldn’t very well ask them not to mention it. What excuse could she give?

  She sank onto the edge of the bed. This was getting too complicated. Perhaps she should give up her disguise. Or what was left of her disguise. If Dom found out, she’d be frank. She’d explain the situation to him and pray he’d understand. After all, she’d only been trying to help his family.

  Despite that one rather tumultuous kiss, her relationship with Luc hadn’t gotten too far out of hand — until Toni’s advent into their lives, they’d had no real personal involvement at all. Nor could she be blamed because Carina and Pietro had chosen to dump Toni in Luc’s lap and take off for parts unknown. What was she supposed to have done? Refuse her aid? Leave Luc and Toni to fend for themselves? It wasn’t in her nature to be so cold and uncaring. Surely Dom wouldn’t hold that against her.

  Would he?

  Giving up on such a fruitless debate, Grace reluctantly pulled the green dress from the closet. She’d bought it a month ago to wear home for Christmas. The trip was a gift to herself for having completed her year’s sojourn at Salvatore’s, and she’d wanted to treat herself to something special … something spectacular. And the silk dress was certainly that. Even shopping for it had been fun.

  Without giving herself time to reconsider, she stripped off her suit and slipped on the dress. It was sheer perfection. Long-sleeved, with a fitted bodice and V neckline, the belled skirt floated to her knees. A string of pearls and earrings her parents had given her for her twenty-first birthday le
nt a final glamorous touch.

  Crossing to the adjoining bathroom, she opened her cosmetic bag and applied a touch of makeup. It was always a pleasure slipping back into clothes that fit and wearing colors that flattered rather than detracted from her appearance. Stepping back from the mirror, she eyed the results with approval. Suddenly, she felt like herself again.

  Next, she brushed out her hair. She assumed Alessandro still had her pins, so she’d have to leave it down. She tilted her head to one side. Swept back from a deep widow’s peak, her hair framed her face and fell in soft curls to her shoulders. A good portion of the rinse had washed out, leaving interesting streaks of gold mixed in with the brown, as though her hair had been partially bleached by the sun. It actually looked quite attractive.

  Slipping on a pair of heels, she left the bedroom and followed the sound of masculine voices to the dining room. Dinner had just been put on the table, the assorted bowls and platters steaming, a variety of delicious odors wafting in her direction.

  Luc noticed her first. To her dismay, he didn’t seem the least surprised by her altered appearance. With an annoying calm, he settled Toni more comfortably on his lap. But then a slow smile of satisfaction slid across his face and his eyes took on a gleam of hot intensity that shook her to the core. Had he known she’d look like this? she wondered uneasily. But how? Was it possible … ? Had he seen through her disguise from the beginning? It was a frightening thought.

  Rocco noticed her next, stumbling to a halt in midsentence. His mouth opened and closed, but he couldn’t seem to get any words out. At that, all conversation stopped. If the varied reactions to Toni had been amusing, the reactions to Grace’s transformation were even more so. Luc’s brothers scrambled to their feet, tripping over themselves as they fought their way to her side. An instant later four large, gorgeous men had her completely surrounded.

  It felt wonderful.

  “Grace!”

  “What the hell have you done to yourself?”

  “Never mind that! What the hell were you doing running around looking like you did when you could have looked like… Damn! “