The Look of Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

worrying—not about the thugs and criminals he dealt with on the streets of New York City but about the safety of his children.
    Vin went beyond taking merely the standard precautions in the Donovan household, like making sure electrical outlets were covered and chemical-filled household products were stashed well out of reach. He constantly read and researched, determined that his children would be buckled into the best car seats, smeared with the best sunscreen, fed the most nutritious baby food. He was always on the watch for alerts about recalled products. He routinely checked all their toys to make sure none was broken or had pieces that could be choking hazards. He also made sure that the thermostat on the heater was set so that water could never get hot enough to scald. He insisted that Terri start the kids in swimming lessons before they were even walking.
    Besides the standard ipecac, calamine lotion, Bactine, and Pedialyte, the medicine cabinet was stocked with first-aid manuals, burn pads, antiseptic wipes, every manner of adhesive bandage, microshields, cold packs, hot packs, latex gloves, and, even though neither child had any allergies, EpiPens, which he also insisted be available in the glove compartment of both family cars. Piper could still remember that every year, along with getting new shoes and school supplies, she would also get a new emergency kit that her father would make up for her to carry in her book bag. He would go over the contents of the kit with her, explaining the use of each item. Sometimes Piper had been frightened at the things her father told her, but he always reassured her.
    “Almost everything can be made all right, lovey. The main thing is to be prepared.”
    Relatives and friends shook their heads and laughed at Vin’s obsession with emergency preparedness. Vin Donovan couldn’t have cared less about what they thought. The most important thing to him was the safety of his family.
    Piper knew that her father was going to be less than thrilled when she told him she was definitely going out to Los Angeles to make a wedding cake for a bride whom somebody had tried to kill.
    A fter the proud parents-to-be left, Piper and her father cleaned up while Terri began making telephone calls to share the exciting news that she was going to be a grandmother. When the last dish was put away, Piper went up to her room. She looked at the clock, calculated that it was noon on the West Coast, and decided it wasn’t too early to call Jillian Abernathy.
    The phone was answered after the second ring.
    “Hello?”
    “Hi. Is this Jillian?”
    “Yes?” The voice sounded wary.
    “This is Piper Donovan. You sent me a message about making your wedding cake.”
    “Oh, Piper.” The voice sounded relieved. “It’s great to hear from you. Happy New Year!”
    “Thanks. Same to you,” said Piper. “It looks like you’re really starting it off in a big way.”
    Jillian laughed. “Ah, yes, the wedding. I hope you’re calling to tell me you’ll make our cake.”
    “Actually, I have a few questions,” said Piper.
    “Sure. What are they?”
    “How many people are you having?” Piper asked.
    “I’m not exactly sure yet, but definitely less than a hundred. Ben and I don’t want a huge wedding. We want it to be a relatively quiet affair. “
    “Oh, that’s good,” said Piper, “because I know I can make a cake that will be big enough to serve a hundred. I want to be up front with you. This would be only the second wedding cake I’ve ever made.”
    “Well, you wouldn’t know it from the looks of the one you did for Glenna Brooks,” said Jillian. “Hers was amazing. My stepmother wants us to use one of the well-known bakeries out here, but I’d so much rather have you.”
    “Oh. Well, thank you,” said Piper. “Did you have anything particular in mind for yours?”
    “I’m pretty open-minded about how it would be decorated,” said Jillian. “But there is a flavor we’d like. We want