The In Death Collection Books 21-25 - J. D. Robb [301]
Tandy moved through the aisles, leading the way through forests and meadows of baby merchandise with her long tail of sunny hair swinging. “I talked my boss into ordering one in, in Mavis’s colors. I knew if she didn’t get it as a gift, she’d snag it after the shower. I’ll show you our display model, then you can look at the one we ordered on screen. It’s in the warehouse.”
“It’ll be fine. Great. I’ll just pay for it. Hey!” Eve snapped when Peabody elbowed her.
“At least look at it.”
“Oh, you’ve got to see it,” Tandy agreed, her baby blue eyes wide and guileless. “It’s absolutely mag.”
What Eve saw when Tandy gestured was a minty green cushy deal sort of shaped like a long S, that for some reason made Peabody coo.
“It reclines, rocks, sways, vibrates, and plays music. There are twenty tunes in the default, and you can record and playback or download others. Or just the sound of the mother’s voice, the father’s voice, whatever you like.” Tandy ran a gentle hand over the top curve. “The material is stain and water resistant, and so soft. Just feel.”
Because it was obviously a requirement, Eve patted the chair. “Nice. Soft. Cushy. I’ll take it.”
“You have to sit in it,” Tandy insisted.
“I don’t—”
“Go on, Dallas.” Peabody gave Eve a nudge. “Try it out. You have to.”
“Jesus, all right, all right.” Feeling idiotic, Eve lowered to the chair, and felt it shift, just a bit, like a live thing. “It moved.”
“The gel cushions mold to your shape.” Tandy beamed. “It’ll adjust to you, or you can program a preferred setting—manually, or by voice recognition. Positions, movements, all can be adjusted manually or by voice—controls are under both arm pads—for right- or left-hand use. Just flip it open with a finger.”
Tandy demonstrated, revealing the board. “And there’s a new feature on the Delux model Mavis is loopy for. Baby sleeping, Mum’s tired?” Tandy tapped three buttons, and the chair hummed gently as its side opened and a small padded box lifted out and up.
“You just shift, lay the baby in the chair-side cradle, and both of you can take a little nap.”
“That is so completely uptown.” Peabody cooed again, like a mourning dove.
“It’s safe for up to twenty pounds, will also rock independent of the chair. There’s also a small storage compartment on the other side, to hold burp cloths, nursing pads, extra receiving blankets. I swear, it’ll do everything but feed and change the baby for you.”
“Okay.” With some relief, Eve pulled herself out of the chair.
“It got top ratings from Baby Style, Parenting, and Today’s Family magazines. The Mommy Channel had it as their top pick last year.”
“Sold.”
“Really?” A happy flush pinked Tandy’s cheeks. “Oh, that’s brilliant. That’s mag.”
“You can get it to the house, right, for the shower?”
“Absolutely. And since I have some pull around here, I’ll arrange for the second delivery to Mavis’s apartment to be included. No extra charge.”
“Appreciate it.” As an afterthought, Eve studied the chair again. “How much is this thing?”
When Tandy named the price, Peabody gulped audibly. Eve just stared and said, “Holy crap.”
“I know, it’s awfully dear, but it’s really worth the price. And I can offer you a ten percent discount on anything purchased today if you open a White Stork account.”
“No, no thanks.” That, Eve thought as she rubbed her hands over her face, might just be tempting fate. “I’ll pay the full shot. The one in the colors Mavis likes.”
“It’s a fully awesome gift, Dallas,” Peabody told her.
“It is. It really is.” Tandy’s eyes actually went damp. “She’s so lucky to have a friend like you.”
“Damn right.”
It’s only money, Eve reminded herself as she completed the transaction. Only a whole shitload of money. While she reeled from sticker shock, Peabody and Tandy bubbled on about babies, the shower, baby gadgets. When they segued into breast-feeding, Eve drew her line.
“We gotta go. Crime and stuff.”
“I’m so glad you stopped in, and not just because of the sale. I just can’t wait until the shower on Saturday. My social life’s a little thin these days,