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)
Pippa wanted to ask questions, but refrained. “Then I’d love to take a shower.”
“Let me show you where everything is. Then I’ll get you some clothes to wear.”
In just a few minutes, Pippa stripped out of her clothing and stepped into a stream of blissfully warm water in the spacious shower stall. Even as it stung her abraded skin, Pippa loved the cascading silkiness of the liquid. She ran her tongue over her clean teeth as the liquid streamed over her. This was pure bliss. Tilting her head back, she wet her long hair.
Pippa had never considered what a blessing it was to get clean. She washed her hair and every inch of her skin. Symbolically, water swirling down the drain helped erase her time spent in that car and her abductor’s touch. Even when the liquid stung the cuts around her wrists, Pippa didn’t care. Zale would take care of the wounds again.
She wrapped her arms around herself at that thought. Zale would take care of her. Pippa couldn’t describe the attraction welling inside her toward the man who’d saved her. Obviously, she’d be grateful, but this link between them was more than that. He fit her like a missing puzzle piece. They clicked together perfectly.
Exhaustion draped over her like a blanket. She forced herself out of the shower and into the new underwear Aspen had gifted her. Careful of her wounds, she shrugged into the sports bra, leggings, and long sweatshirt folded neatly on the counter.
Wrapping her towel around her dirty clothes so she wouldn’t have to touch the garments as she picked them up, Pippa carried them into the main living space. “Can I wash these? The shirt is probably toast, but jeans are popular with holes in them now, right?” she asked Aspen, who sat on the couch flipping through the on-screen guide.
“Definitely. Let’s throw them into the washer.”
When the machine filled with water, Aspen turned to Pippa. “I got out the first aid kit. Let me rewrap your wrists. Then would you rather see a movie or take a nap?”
“I have taken so much of your time. Is there something you normally do?” Pippa asked.
“No. I do whatever I want on my days off. I love movies if you do,” Aspen told her as she held her hand out for Pippa’s.
“You’re good at that,” Pippa complimented as Aspen wrapped gauze around the gouges she’d smoothed a soothing ointment over.
“Zale texted me directions. Come on. Let’s choose a movie.”
CHAPTER 4
“Has she been asleep for a long time?” Zale asked quietly.
“About three hours. This is her second nap. She woke up to eat a second lunch and drink more at two. Then she fell back to sleep. Poor baby. She’s exhausted.”
“Yes. Thank you, Aspen. You’re a good friend. I know Pippa will want to spend more time with you when she’s not sleep deprived.”
“It’s not a problem. I’m glad she felt safe enough to rest,” Aspen said, leaning back against her daddy’s chest.
The lump on the couch shifted and Pippa sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. “Did I fall asleep again?” she asked. She petted Rexy who had cuddled up next to her.
“You needed sleep,” Zale told her. “How about if I take you to my house now for dinner? You’ll be safe there.”
“You’re better than Rexy.” Pippa popped her hand over her mouth as if she could shove those words back inside. “I mean…”
“I know what you meant, Pippa. I’m glad you’ll feel safe with me. Besides, we all know that Rexy looks fierce, but he’s a total pushover,” Zale told her, using humor to smooth over her embarrassment.
“I put your clean clothes in a bag for you, Pippa, with a few things you might need immediately. Will you come back and hang out with me again?” Aspen asked.
“I’d love to. I promise I won’t crash next time,” Pippa said as she blinked her eyes open. “Thank you for washing my clothes and being so nice.”
“Making new friends is always fun,” Aspen told her. “We were lucky I was off today. We’ll coordinate schedules—you know, if you stay with Zale for a while,” Aspen suggested.
“I’d love that,” Pippa said. “I’ll wash these clothes and get them back to you.”
“No hurry. Keep them as long as you need them,” Aspen said.
“Thank you.” Pippa stood and turned back to spot the stuffed animal on the couch. She picked up the alligator and asked, “Are you sure I can take this, too?”
Now watching her body language in person, Zale knew she needed that stuffie.
“Of course! Toothie is yours forever. He’d cry when you left if he didn’t get to go with you,” Aspen answered and stepped forward to hug Pippa.
Zale saw her whisper something into Pippa’s ear. As Pippa listened, her face relaxed, losing the anxious expression that had appeared when she’d worried that she should give up the stuffie. Aspen had taken such good care of Pippa.