Page 14 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell (Rock Canyon, Idaho 7)

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” from The 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?”

Gracie sat on the couch with Pip in her lap and turned on the TV. Once she’d settled on another kid’s show, she pulled the throw on the back of the couch over them. They didn’t even make it through one episode before Pip’s body relaxed into hers and her breathing became deep and even.

And then it occurred to Gracie that she’d forgotten to set up the Pack ‘n Play.

Crap.

* * *

Eric stood on Gracie’s doorstep just after eight. He’d called Hope’s husband, Sam, to ask him who the little girl was, and when he’d heard the story, it had been a little hard to believe. He knew Gracie had a big heart, but taking in a strange kid?

He’d told his family during dinner, and his mom had gotten up from her mashed potatoes and gone to her “hoarder’s closet,” as his dad called it. His mom had a bit of a compulsive shopping problem and would buy things she didn’t need, just because they were a good deal.

She came out with a box of kid’s toys and stuffed animals and pointed at him. “When you’re done with your food, you take this over to that girl, you hear me?”

“Mom, I don’t think she’s keeping her. It’s just for the night.”

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