Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Zale?” she asked, focusing on the phone screen in front of her.
“Yes, kitten. It’s me. Take a deep breath with me,” he requested and audibly inhaled with her. “Good girl. Now exhale out all those bad thoughts.” He blew out his breath in a gust that made her follow suit.
“Again, kitten. You’ve got this.”
By the fourth repetition, the band of terror that had wrapped around her slowly unraveled. “Thanks, Zale. Oh, Aspen. I’m so sorry I freaked out. You must think I’m a basket case.”
Aspen set down the phone and hugged her close. Pippa couldn’t believe how good it felt to have human contact with someone who genuinely cared. She basked in the warmth of Aspen’s embrace and hated when it ended.
“Ahem!”
The two women’s gazes met before each focused on the phone that Aspen had turned face down to the tabletop. “Oh, Zale. I’m sorry,” Aspen said quickly as she snatched up the phone. Giggles spilled from her lips as she turned the phone back to face them.
“You’re forgiven, of course, Aspen. Thank you for being there for Pippa.”
“I’m okay now, Zale. I don’t know what happened,” Pippa said, feeling embarrassed.
“You’re human, kitten. Now that you’re in a safe spot, your brain is processing what happened to you. It’s okay. It’s important to remember that you’re a survivor. You won.”
Pippa nodded her head. She could feel the weight of those words etching themselves into her psyche. He was right.
Her hand lifted from the stuffie to pet Rexy’s head lying heavily across her lap. The animal’s calm presence continued to reassure her. “Thank you, Rexy.”
“He picks up on more emotions than a lot of dogs, I think—because of his background,” Aspen said.
“Who’s your friend?” Zale asked.
She met his gaze, wondering what he referred to, when Zale added, “The stuffie in your arms.”
Pulling the soft object away, Pippa looked down at the ferocious alligator. Vicious teeth emerged from its closed mouth. She traced one white tooth and smiled. It was furry as well.
“Aspen brought this for me to hold on to. I should give it back.” She couldn’t bring herself to hold it out to Aspen. Toothie needed to stay with her.
“Oh, no. It’s yours now,” Aspen rushed to tell her.
“What’s its name, little girl?” Zale asked.
“Toothie.”
“Once you name a stuffie, it belongs to you,” Zale told her wisely. “Aspen, are you sure you want to give it away?”
“Please. It has to sleep in the guest room,” Aspen shuddered. “I thought Pippa needed a guardian gator.”
Guardian gator. That thought made Pippa smile. She nodded happily. Toothie would protect her. That is, when Zale wasn’t around. “Thank you, Aspen. He helps.”
Pippa looked back at the phone and realized that Zale was running. How had he talked to her so calmly and focused? What kind of shape was he in? “Oh, I’m sorry. You’re busy.”
“I’m never too busy for you, Pippa. We’re about seven miles out on our training run. Do you need me to come to you?”
Somehow, inside, she knew he would traverse mountains to get to her. “I’m okay now. Promise. Go train.”
“I’ll check in on you later,” he promised.
Before she could tell him that wasn’t necessary, he disconnected. Pippa glanced up at Aspen. “I am so sorry. You must think I’m a weirdo.”
“I think you’ve been through a trauma and need time to recover. No worries about the freak out. I can’t imagine what I’d be like if I were in your shoes,” Aspen reassured her. “Besides, what are friends for?”
Suddenly, Pippa didn’t feel so alone. She hugged Toothie close again before patting Rexy’s head. “I’m okay, boy. You can go lie down.”
Rexy returned to the side of the room and sprawled out on the floor. Almost instantly, the sound of soft snores filled the air.
Pippa put Toothie on her lap. She needed to have him close. “How did you know I needed a stuffie?”
“Bowbow always helps me.” Aspen must have seen the confusion on Pippa’s face because she added, “Bowbow is a stuffed rainbow.”
“I love seeing rainbows.”
“I’ll introduce you later. Ready to finish our lunch?” Aspen suggested.
To Pippa’s amazement, her appetite had returned. She picked up her sandwich and took another bite. So good.
“Seven miles out? How far do they run?”
“Forever,” Aspen answered and shared what she knew about the team’s training schedule.
By the time she finished, Pippa had devoured her sandwich, a handful of chips, and some dip. She pressed a hand against her stomach. “That was so good.”
“Can you eat anything else?” Aspen asked. “Ice cream? Cookies?”
“No way. Thank you. I’m good.”
“How about a shower next?”
“That sounds heavenly. Let me help you clean up.” Pippa didn’t want to impose too much on Aspen.
“No need. It will take me five minutes. It’s also on my chore chart. I want to earn a sticker,” her hostess answered, waving a hand toward a large sheet on the refrigerator.