Page 13 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell

“No, but I—”

“Then I don’thaveto tell you anything.”

She slowly rolled up the window, and just before she put the car in reverse, she stuck her tongue out at him.

Eric stood there dumbfounded.

What in the ever-loving shit was that about?

Chapter Five

“Most women seem to think that a man who keeps coming back after being rejected is crazy, but I like to think of it as determined.” - Miss Know-It-All’s Gossip Column.

After a long soak in the bathtub and being scrubbed from head to toe with baby shampoo, Pip, as Gracie was referring to the little girl, smelled and looked so much better. When Gracie had first undressed her, she got a really good look at the ribs poking up under the skin, and as she washed away the dirt, she saw bruises in different shades of yellow, purple and blue on her arms and legs. She’d taken pictures of the injuries to show Pip’s social worker when they met and tried not to cry.

The poor thing had screamed at first due to a pretty horrible diaper rash, but after she’d been dried off, Gracie had put AD ointment on it before securing a clean diaper. While she’d put lotion on the sniffling child, she’d sung “Soft Kitty” fromThe Big Bang Theory. Pip had liked the melody and calmed down.

After that, Gracie had put her in a pair of the warm footed pajamas from the box of clothes Hope had brought her. It seemed like Gracie had used half a bottle of detangler, but she was able to brush through and braid Pip’s hair without tugging on the strands too much.

“Well, don’t you look shiny as a new penny?” Gracie tapped Pip’s nose with her finger. “Should I make us dinner?”

Pip reached her arms out to her, and Gracie picked her up, propping her on her hip. Hope had also loaned her a Pack ‘n Play and booster seat with a tray that she’d already strapped down on one of her dining room chairs. Gracie was pretty grateful for the small-town life and that all her friends had kids right now.

Gracie buckled Pip into the chair, and when the toddler started to whimper, she held up a box of crackers. “Want a couple of these?”

Pip nodded, and Gracie set several crackers and a sippy cup filled with half water and half apple juice on the tray. She slipped an apron on and flipped Pandora to Kids Disney Radio. It reminded her of when Charlie was little and she’d watch him for Gemma. She got a lot of Disney viewing in, that was for sure.

As she reheated the Thanksgiving dinner she’d bought, she danced around the kitchen, singing along to “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” and “Under the Sea.” Pip smiled and even giggled softly around her crackers when Gracie danced close to her chair.

The phone rang just as Gracie finished cutting up a slice of turkey for Pip, and she turned down the radio before answering. “Hello?”

“Hey, Gracie, it’s Sam.”

“Howdy, Sam.”

“How’s it going?” he asked.

“We’re all good. Just about to eat dinner.”

“Good. I just wanted to let you know that we put out a warrant on Rita, but she still hasn’t come home. Social services called me back and asked if you could meet them tomorrow afternoon at St. Luke’s so they could have the child blood tested and examined.”

Gracie smiled at Pip, who was starting to whine in impatience. “Yeah, sure. What time?”

“Two.”

“I’ll be there, but I gotta go. I got T-minus five before she melts down.”

Sam laughed. “I’ve been there. Good luck!”

Gracie ended the call and carried the plate over to Pip, setting it on her tray. She waved the pink princess spoon she’d picked up for her at Hall’s. “Can you use one of these, or do you need help?”

Pip picked up a piece of turkey with her fingers and popped it into her mouth. When she started to grab another piece, Gracie stalled her. “Chew that one and then take another.”

It was a battle getting Pip to eat slowly, and by the time she finished, Gracie had to change her pajamas again.

Gracie finally got to eat once she’d moved any breakable or tiny object out of reach. She didn’t bother with the dishes, just picked Pip up and carried her into the living room.

“Wanna watch a movie?”

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