“Ready?” Josh said, shattering the daydream.
“Sure. We need to find something for the bear.”
Daydreams had no place in their business arrangement.
Luck was with them, Michelle felt, when they found a cute vest and top hat with a little elastic chin strap for the bear in the toy department. Penny was ecstatic and carefully carried her bear proudly.
“Now if we can get her hair trimmed, we’ll be all set,” Michelle said. It was getting late. It would be dark before long.
“What time does Penny go to bed?”
“Usually around eight. But since there’s no child care for her to go tomorrow, she can sleep in.”
“First thing in the morning, I’ll see if I can find a hair salon that specializes in kids. Can you take her if I do?”
“Depends on the time. Try to make an afternoon appointment. She comes with me to the office each day, but we’re not there all day. She gets bored or into mischief.”
“Did you find another secretary?”
“Not yet. But I have a temp in who at least answers the phones and does some rudimentary typing. Is your offer to help still open?”
Michelle nodded.
“Maybe next week I might take you up on it. Though I’m hoping my being in the office without Penny will give me enough time to get caught up.”
“I’ve told Personnel about my marriage and already preregistered Penny for the day care starting on Monday.”
“I’ve already assigned one of my operatives to canvass the fifty states looking for any records they can find for your father. We have his name and age—we’ll find him.”
Michelle nodded, pleased that Josh had already started the ball rolling in locating her father even before their mock wedding.
What if he found him almost immediately? She was committed to this marriage at least until Caroline had her baby.
Josh dropped Michelle at home, but refused her invitation to come up for coffee. He had to get Penny home and into bed.
When Michelle let herself into her apartment, she was surprised to find the lights on.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Michelle. Where have you been?” Abby was lounging on the sofa, watching TV. She sprang up when her sister entered the living room. “I let myself in when you didn’t answer the bell.”
“I didn’t know you were coming over,” Michelle said, giving her sister a brief hug.
“Out with Josh?” Abby guessed, her eyes twinkling.
“Yes, we went to dinner.”
“I guess that answers one question,” Abby said, turning to cut off the TV.
“What question?” Michelle asked, tossing her purse on a chair and sinking down in another. She was tired.
How long was Abby planning to stay?
“Whether you and Josh are sleeping together already.”
Heat stole into her cheeks. Michelle tried to look indignant, but the image that danced before her eyes made that difficult.
“No, we are not!” she said.
The feelings that swamped her couldn’t be disappointment. She hardly knew the man. Certainly not enough to sleep with him! Though, of course, her sisters didn’t know that. They thought she and Josh were wildly in love and impatient to be married.
“You needn’t sound so indignant. Engaged people do sometimes anticipate the marriage vows these days. Anyway, I’m glad I don’t have to dash out in order to avoid being a fifth wheel. But I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet him. Caroline said he’s very tall and has a great sense of humor. But we’re both surprised at the suddenness of it all.”
“I am, too, if you want the truth.” But not the entire truth, of course, Michelle thought.
She had to keep the pretense for Abby as well as Caroline. Her sister rarely thought before she spoke and Michelle didn’t want to take the chance Abby would spill the beans to Caroline.
“But you’re sure about this?” Abby pressed, looking serious.
“I’m sure.” Michelle said with conviction.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. Josh would keep Penny instead of sending her to live with grandparents. Michelle knew how important it was that the little girl didn’t have to grow up without a father.
And sooner or later Josh would locate Sam Williams, of that Michelle was certain. If he attacked his cases as he did his personal life, she knew Josh must be wildly successful.
“Then the next thing is what can I do to help? I’ve taken the next three days off from work to help with anything you need.”
“Oh, Abby, you didn’t have to do that. But thanks. I think I’ve got everything lined up, but you know how things can go wrong at the last minute.”
Michelle explained what she’d arranged for the ceremony, showed her sister the suit she’d bought for the event and discussed the luncheon reservations she’d made.
Remembering Josh’s adage about playing a role, she tried to include his name in the conversation as often as she could. And each time, she felt her heart skip a beat. The man was positively dangerous—even in absentia. Abby seemed completely convinced of the reality of her sister’s devotion for the man. Michelle couldn’t wait to tell him. She wanted some of that praise he so freely gave his daughter.
“You haven’t said a word about your honeymoon. Where are you going?” Abby asked some time later.
Michelle froze for a moment. She should have anticipated that question. Especially after her sister and Brandon had taken a second honeymoon for a few days after they renewed their vows.
“Actually, I have taken so much time off dealing with helping wind up Grandmother’s estate, that I don’t have a lot of time left. And Josh is really busy with a new case, so we’ve decided to postpone a honeymoon for a while. It’ll be enough to be together.”
Abby looked at her suspiciously, but her expression cleared in another moment and she grinned. “I guess anywhere the two of you are is good enough for a honeymoon, right?”
Michelle nodded.
“And you’ll be moving into his place, did you say?”
“Yes. We’ll be moving most of my things this weekend. I’ve already started packing.”
“That’s no fun. You two go off
