Read Online Gilt by Association by Karen Rose Smith - Free Book Online Page A

in the cold. Whenever she was with Grant, she couldn’t help remembering that he was divorced, too. Not only that, but there was a painful story in his background.
    When Nikki saw Caprice’s look, she decided, “I’ll call Vince.”
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    Icy slush crunched under Vince’s sedan’s tires as he pulled into Caprice’s driveway. Just like visiting her childhood home where Mom and Dad and Nana lived, Caprice found the same welcoming sense of homecoming when she landed here at her own house after a busy day. The 1950s-style Cape Cod had unique features that set it apart—such as the stone around the arched door and the copper roof above the porch. Winter was the only season when bright color didn’t dot the gardens. In spring, azaleas under the bay window bloomed. In summer, zinnias and geraniums danced in the wind in the sunny gardens while clumps of impatiens spotted the shaded ones.
    They all climbed out of Vince’s car without a word and went up the curved walk to the small front porch. Lady began barking from inside.
    â€œI have to break her of that habit,” Caprice mused.
    â€œShe’s a dog,” Vince muttered. “Dogs bark.”
    â€œShe’s a pup who still has some manners to learn. When I undo the gate and let her out of the kitchen, do not let her jump up. Turn away if she does. I’ve almost broken her of that.” Caprice inserted the key in the lock in the door.
    â€œYou and Grant with these pups. You treat them like kids. I don’t know how it’s going to go when he starts bringing Patches to the office. But clients don’t seem to mind having a dog around when Grant meets them in his town house. I’ve asked them.”
    â€œI’m glad it’s working out for him. My neighbor was going to check on Lady at three and take her out for a walk. The Kong toy filled with doggie goodies and her kibble release ball would have kept her busy until then. I’ll have to call Dulcina and tell her she won’t have to come over.”
    â€œI suppose you taught your neighbor how to give her commands and treats?” Vince said with wry disdain.
    â€œNow you’re sounding like Bella,” Nikki warned him.
    Once inside, Caprice had Lady sit and then lie down before giving her a treat and releasing her. Lady wove in and out of their legs, wagged her tail against them, yipped with delight that she had company again, but didn’t jump up on any of them.
    â€œGood dog,” Caprice said, over and over, because praise and rewards definitely worked with this pup.
    Caprice’s first floor had a circular walk pattern. The powder room and Caprice’s home office were down the hall to the left. The hall stretched past the stairway into the living room and small foyer. To the right, she could see through the dining room into the living room. Lady took advantage of the circular floor plan when she needed exercise. Sometimes, Sophia joined in. But right now, her long-haired, strikingly colored calico cat was sprawled on the seat of the oversized dark fuchsia chair. She was eyeing her floor-to-ceiling, turquoise-carpeted cat tree as if that might be a good place to perch with the invasion of humans that had disrupted her afternoon.
    Caprice went over and scratched the ruff around her neck that was pristinely white and fluffy. “I can see you’ve been good. I’ll put some crunchies in your dish in case I’m late getting back for supper.”
    Sophia’s large golden eyes seemed to accuse her of abandonment again, so Caprice answered, “I’ll give you an extralarge dollop of cream tonight. I promise. You won’t have Lady to contend with because we’re taking her with us.”
    At that, Sophia stood up on all fours, arched her back, jumped down, and headed for her cat tree, which she climbed in two seconds flat.
    Vince said, “I’ll take Lady out back while you change.”
    Nikki