Page 12 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell

When the cheeks were stuffed so full, she couldn’t even close her mouth, Gracie hooked a finger inside and pulled some of the chewed globs out. “Hey, baby, slow down or you’re going to choke. I promise, no one is going to take this away from you. Take small bites.”

Sam came into the room, and Gracie could tell from the grim look on his face that whatever he’d found out wasn’t good.

“The woman renting the duplex is Rita Faulkner, but she doesn’t have any kids. I’ve got a call into social services, but being a holiday, who knows when they’ll get out this way.”

“So, what’s she supposed to do?”

“I can keep her here until social services arrives…” Sam trailed off as if there were more options, but he couldn’t think of them.

Gracie’s gaze met those big eyes, and her heart broke into a million pieces. “What if I keep her with me? Until social services can get out here? I can feed her and give her a bath. She’ll be more comfortable with me than here.”

“Ah, Gracie, I know your heart’s in the right place, but I can’t—”

“Why? You know me, Sam. Why not let me make a scared child just a little more comfortable?”

Sam scratched the back of his neck hesitantly, then nodded. “All right, I’ll let social services know she’s got a safe haven for the night. I’m sure they’d appreciate the load off.”

Sam left the room, and Gracie smiled, running her hand over the soft skin of the child’s cheek. “Looks like you and I are going to have a slumber party, pipsqueak.”

* * *

Eric pulled into Hall’s Market parking lot just before they closed, and two things stopped him in his tracks.

Gracie was right across the aisle, chatting with Hope Weathers, who was putting a box in the back of Gracie’s car.

And the second was that Gracie was balancing a dirty child on her hip.

Curious, Eric crossed the way, watching out for the icy ground. “Hey, ladies.”

Hope turned and gave him a wide smile, her blonde hair up in a messy bun. “Hey, Eric. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Happy Thanksgiving.” When he turned his attention to Gracie and the kid, the little girl buried her face in Gracie’s neck. “Who’s this, Gracie Lou?”

“My new friend,” was all she said before addressing Hope. “Thanks for bringing those down. I’ll wash them and give them right back to you.”

“It’s no hurry. Emily is grown out of them, and we aren’t having anymore, so whenever.”

Eric’s brow furrowed.What in the hell is going on?

Eric noticed the grocery bags in the back of the car, and the box of diapers. “You baby-sitting or something?”

Hope laughed. “I’ll let you get her in the car and deal with Curious George over here. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Hope walked to her car, and Gracie went to the passenger side door, calling over her shoulder, “Close that for me, will you?”

Eric’s jaw about dropped, but he did it anyway.

He heard the kid crying, and Gracie’s voice went up an octave. “Oh, don’t cry, love. I’m going to start the car, and we’ll be home in just a few minutes.”

She closed the door and actually walked past him to the driver’s side and climbed in. He approached and knocked on her window, but she didn’t bother rolling it down until the car was running.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“Are you going to fill me in? Who’s the kid?”

Gracie arched her brow at him. “I’m sorry, are you my father? Boyfriend? Husband?”

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