Gilt by Association

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Book: Gilt by Association Read Online Free PDF
Author: Karen Rose Smith
arrangement seemed to suit him. She realized the qualities she admired in him when dealing with Patches were qualities he’d probably gained as a dad. Only, he never talked about that because being a father had ended in tragedy. Losing a child had led to his divorce. However, that divorce and a change in lifestyle had also encouraged him to set up practice with Vince in Kismet.
    Yes, she could entrust Lady’s care to Grant. She was sure of it.
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    Forty-five minutes later, Caprice held Benny while Bella set up the cool mist humidifier in the master bedroom. That’s where they’d placed his crib for now.
    Caprice lowered her lips to the baby’s head and smelled baby shampoo. His warm little body in her arms, she felt protective as she walked him around the room, crooning to him, rocking him a little. A twinge of something that didn’t often nudge her felt almost painful now. What was that? A desire to be a mother? Was that why she took in strays? Because she had the need to nurture? Nevertheless, being a mother meant more than nurturing. She was aware of that .
    Unbidden, she thought of Seth Randolph—the doctor she’d dated last summer and now e-mailed with more infrequency than she’d like—in the role of husband and father. Next, her focus switched to thoughts of Grant. Neither man was ready for married life or babies, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t. If she reached a certain age and still wasn’t married, she could consider adopting a baby. Marriage was complicated. Two people had to compromise. They should be real partners, had to have the same values, even think alike most of the time. Maybe raising a child would be better if she did it on her own.
    After Bella set up the humidifier and it was running, she took little Benedict from Caprice’s arms. Caprice felt that wistful longing still remained.
    â€œI’m going to change him and see if I can get him to fall asleep. He likes the swing you and Nikki gave him. Maybe he’ll fall asleep in that.”
    â€œSo he likes motion.”
    â€œHe always falls asleep in the car, but with it so cold and icy out, I don’t want to take him for a drive.”
    â€œI can understand that.”
    Bella glanced at her. “You’re good with him.”
    â€œYou sound surprised.”
    â€œYou weren’t that interested when Megan and Timmy were little.”
    â€œMaybe I’m older and wiser.”
    Bella laughed. “Aren’t we all.”
    Bella was two years younger than Caprice, Nikki two years older. But since Bella had married when she was young, sometimes she seemed like the big sister. She was certainly always ready to give advice, not so ready to take it. But that was Isabella Santini.
    Expertly fastening the diaper, she said, “Joe went online and registered a domain name for me.”
    â€œReally? What did you get?”
    â€œCostumesByBella.com. What else?”
    Bella sewed Halloween costumes for kids and had sold a few to friends, as well as to parents at Megan and Timmy’s school. Now she was going to go at it in a more businesslike way.
    She went on. “Joe found this place we could set up a free Web site, but it will serve our purposes for now.”
    â€œOur?”
    Bella shrugged. “I don’t know if Joe’s going to want to have much to do with my business or not. He sees how tired I am at the end of the day and he’s being helpful. Dana at the Cupcake House wants me to make a bunny costume for one of the employees for Easter. I said I would.”
    â€œYou could have a real specialty business.”
    â€œI don’t know about that, but the extra income would be nice, at least until I go back to work at Roz’s boutique. Joe’s not too thrilled with that idea.”
    Caprice hoped they could figure it out and Bella’s working wouldn’t cause dissention in their marriage.
    â€œSo you have an open house this coming
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