Page 35 of Pinch of Love
“Grandma, you didn’t answer my question,” Maya teased. “How did Chippy get out?”
“I couldn’t hear you two very well, so I had to open the cabinet door.”
Maya snickered while I walked past them. “Why would you need to hear us?”
Her grandma ignored her granddaughter and instead asked me if I needed any help.
Chewie had finally calmed down, but one sudden move from Chippy, and I might need to call a medic if Millie got run over.
“How about you all go upstairs and keep Chewie calm?” I knelt down, and Maya nodded.
“Sounds good to me,” she muttered, nearly pulling Millie with her.
“Don’t you think you should help him?” Millie whispered, and we both shouted no, scaring Chippy.
When I heard the door close upstairs, I glanced at the chipmunk. It was awfully cute, but I knew they could carry all kinds of diseases out in the Northwoods. I snapped on the gloves and slowly moved toward the chipmunk.
“Here, Chippy, Chippy,” I sang.
The tail shot straight up and twitched as I called her name again.
Just as she bolted, I slid the sideways box in front of her and flapped the box shut. Feverish scratching turned to a sudden acceptance.
No scratches.
No bites.
A complete success.
As I marched myself up the stairs, feeling somewhat heroic, I opened the door to see Maya crying and her grandma rubbing her back.
Chapter Nine
Maya
“What the hell happened?” Cash asked, holding the box’s flaps down as he opened the door. “I was only alone for a minute.”
I sniffled and shook my head. “Sorry. Nothing. I’m good.”
My gaze flicked to my grandma’s, pleading with her to stay quiet.
This news hurt. It dug deep.
“Her jerk of a boyfriend, which is a term I use loosely, filed a complaint against her.” Grandma Millie clenched her jaw shut and shook her head. “He’s trying to take everything from her.”
The box started moving as scratching inside became frantic. Cash looked like he didn’t care if there were a sasquatch in the box. All he wanted to do was listen.
I could see it in his eyes.
Which was exactly why I didn’t want him to know. I wasn’t his burden and would never put that on him. I was too messed up on many levels.
I wiped away the tears. “I’m totally fine. It’s fine. I have attorneys for this kind of thing. I was almost expecting it. It’s just a different thing when it happens.”
He straightened and looked in the box as Chewie’s eyes lit up. “Let me take care of this, and I’ll be right back.”
Cash dashed out the front door, and I spun around to my grandma as she shoved the orange puffball into my hands.
“I need to go. My boyfriend is waiting for me. Jack Sr. and I are going to catch the early bird supper at two different places today. If our timing is right, we won’t be able to roll home tonight.”