Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“What do you think? Too bland? I like white because it’s clean and simple. I don’t know anything about decorating.” A frown formed on my lips as I tried to look at the space through an outsider’s eyes. “Could have hired a decorator, but it would have meant strangers in my house. Your father is a fan of colors. I never got to see his artwork, but I glimpsed it through the doorway when I visited his apartment.” An answering ache rose in my chest at that missed opportunity. All those paintings were gone now.
I shoved aside the swell of sadness. Parker would make more art, and if I was lucky, I would have the chance to see it at last.
“Your dad probably doesn’t care much for my house because of the lack of color. I would add color, but I don’t know art like he does. Like how certain colors look best together?”
I watched Joy’s reflection in the mirror. She was gazing about the room, but she seemed bored. Not that I blamed her. I was boring. Parker wouldn’t have any interest in me if it weren’t for our sexual chemistry.
With a sigh, I walked into the bedroom and crossed to the window, where I pushed open the heavy curtains and glanced out at the overcast, late-summer day. It was ridiculously hot. Clouds hung low in the sky, holding in the moisture to make it uncomfortably muggy.
As if feeling the same frustration, Joy dropped her head on my shoulder and released an equally heavy sigh while curling her little fist in my shirt.
“You’re right. This is boring.” I turned away from the window and stared at the bedroom with its bed, dresser, lamp, nightstands, and a pair of comfortable chairs. It was a nice enough room, but there was nothing in here to keep her entertained. “We need to get you some proper stimulation. This is a critical time in your development. Your brain is growing, and you’re taking in as much information as you can to understand your new world. It’s our job as your caretakers to make sure that you’re given the proper information and stimulation so you can grow to be your very best self.”
“Ba!” Joy blurted out, and I took that to mean she was in complete agreement.
“I know how we can fix this while your father is busy dealing with the insurance company.” I dug my right hand into my back pocket and pulled out my smartphone. With a couple of swipes, I called my personal shopper.
“Declan! I wasn’t expecting to hear from you today,” a cheery voice filled the room through the speaker. “Is Sebastian making you attend another one of his parties?”
“Not this time.” That was usually the reason I called Patricia Lark out of the blue. She’d been my personal shopper for five years now, always making sure that my wardrobe was up-to-date and appropriate for all my needs. She’d also handle some of the decorating of the house when I didn’t have the time to bother with it. “I have an emergency, and I need to you handle things as quickly as possible.”
“Well, I am working on something for another client right now.”
“Put them on hold. I need your full attention today. You know I’ll pay your emergency markup.”
She giggled, and I couldn’t stop from rolling my eyes. “You always know the right words to say. What can I do for you?”
“A friend and his daughter suffered a fire at their apartment complex. They have lost everything.”
“Oh, no! How old is his daughter?”
“Six months.”
“No!” she cried and even Joy looked at me with wide eyes, as if she couldn’t believe how high-pitched Patricia’s voice could become. “Are they okay?”
“They weren’t home at the time of the fire. They are staying with me, and I have nothing for babies. I need Joy to be outfitted—bed, clothes, toys, one of those indoor swings, and a chair she can bounce. It has a bar of toys that goes across the front that makes noise and flashes lights.”
“Got it. Do you know what size she wears?”
Joy and I stared at each other for a second, my mind going blank. Was she not a standard-sized baby at six months?
“Is she there with you? Check the back of her shirt or pants. There should be a tag or a label with a size on it,” Patricia directed.
I moved to the dresser and set my phone down so I could check her shirt. “Six months,” I replied when I picked up the phone.
“Got it. How quickly were you looking to get these things?”
“Now.”
A low chuckle rippled through the room. “Of course. I’ll get some couriers lined up to deliver things as I get them purchased. For the bigger items, I’ll schedule to have someone on hand to put them together. We’ll have that little princess outfitted before sunset.”