Baby for the Billionaire - By Maxine Sullivan Page 0,72
seized on the excuse. He pointed toward Madam. “That animal is too big. She could accidently injure Isabella.”
“So far she’s been very gentle. Not to mention protective. And if she was raised at a dorm, she’s accustomed to being around young people.”
“We don’t know if the mutt is housebroken. Look at the size of her. In case you’re unaware of it, there’s a distinct correlation between the size of an animal and the size of its steaming piles of sh—” He broke off at Annalise’s warning look. “Chunks of chocolate, not to mention the lakes of pi— Son of a bi—” It was all he could do not to rip his hair out by the roots. “Geysers of ginger ale. Who’s going to clean that up?”
Honey-gold eyes brimmed with laughter. “We’ll make sure Madam gets frequent walks until we’re certain she won’t accidently leave any chocolate treats or ginger-ale geysers around the house.”
“And that’s another thing,” he was quick to point out. “Who’s going to walk her? We’ll need a private trucking service to pick up all she dumps along the way.”
“That’s the purpose of pooper scoopers. We’ll manage.”
“Not only that, but she’s a lot of dog to control. We live in the city. If she gets away from you she might break a car or knock over a power pole or mistake a policeman for a chew toy. Or … or eat some tourists—not that that would be so bad.”
Isabella began to giggle, the sound the most delicious thing he’d ever heard in his entire life. “She won’t fit in the Jag,” he added weakly, struggling to steel himself against that sweet, sweet laugh. “She’ll knock over the furniture. The house is full of priceless antiques, you know. She’ll probably dig holes straight through to China in my backyard, holes Isabella could fall into. Isabella doesn’t speak Chinese.”
“She doesn’t speak at all,” Annalise reminded him. “Maybe Madam can help change that.”
He couldn’t allow the forlorn hope to sway him. “And the barking. Do you know how much it’ll cost to replace the windows the creature’s barking will break?”
“I have it on excellent authority that you can afford it.” She gazed up at him with eyes capable of melting even his heart of stone. “Please, Jack. Please, can we keep her?”
His niece deserted the dog and flung herself against him, wrapping her arms around his legs and squeezing for all she was worth. “Aw, hell,” he muttered.
“I take it we have a dog?” Annalise asked.
“That isn’t a dog.”
“Elephant … dog … chocolate-and-ginger-ale factory …” She shrugged. “Is she ours?”
He blew out a sigh. “I don’t see that I have a choice. Looks like we’ve just adopted a Madam.”
Six
Looking back, Jack realized that Madam’s arrival in their lives changed everything. Much to his relief, he discovered that she was definitely housebroken. But she was also a total klutz.
“I’m going to owe Taye a fortune in repairs,” he complained to Annalise as he swept up the latest Madam mayhem. “That tail of hers should be registered as a deadly weapon.”
“You can’t fool me, Mason,” Annalise replied. She held the dustpan for him, then emptied the remains of the lamp into the trash can. “Admit it. You adore Madam.”
He glanced toward the living room where Isabella and the dog were curled up on the couch together. “What I adore is the change in Isabella since Madam arrived.”
To his concern, tears welled up in Annalise’s eyes. “She’s blossomed, hasn’t she?”
“Oh, yeah.” He wished he’d been able to bring about such a notable change in his niece, but he’d take it however it happened. The important thing was Isabella’s recovery. “I’ve also sicced my PI on the boys who dumped her. When I track them down, I intend to explain the error of their ways in terms they won’t ever forget.”
“Good.” She glared with unexpected ruthlessness. “I don’t suppose you have the power to arrange for them to volunteer at their local animal shelter? Maybe that will underscore the lesson.”
“Trust me. I’ll find a way to make it happen.” He grimaced, turning his attention to more immediate matters. “Now all I have to do is figure out how to keep that four-legged disaster from laying waste to my home.”
She caught her lip between her teeth, a frown forming between her eyebrows. “What are you going to do?”
“I’ve already done it.” He’d given the matter a lot of thought before reaching a decision and calling his housekeeper with instructions. “I asked Sara to arrange to have