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“Another service done.”
Rebel squealed, jumping off Tori’s lap and running over to Miranda, clinging to her legs.
“Hey, baby.” Miranda combed her fingers through Rebel’s hair, which seemed slightly less tangled than before. She bent down, picking Rebel up and putting her on her hip. “You’re looking much better.”
“She is,” Tori agreed, pulling herself to a standing position. She bent down to grab the book and a few other toys Miranda hadn’t noticed before. Not that she noticed them now because Tori bending over gave her a perfect view of her cleavage, the gentle swell and curve of her breasts, the creamy skin that had a smattering of freckles that disappeared under her dress. When Tori stood back up, her cheeks were flushed a gentle pink and their gazes locked. “Like what you see?”
Miranda swallowed the lump in her throat instantly, catching herself. “Thank you for doing this. You didn’t have to, and I appreciate it.”
“I see your sidestep, but I’ll accept it.” Tori grinned, her eyes glittering with amusement. “I really didn’t mind. We had fun. We worked on the alphabet and numbers. She told me her diaper was wet.”
“She what?” Miranda frowned, the stomach punch landing hard.
“She said her diaper was wet, so I changed her.”
Miranda sighed. Why did Rebel’s first few words have to be with Tori? Why couldn’t they be with her? She sat in one of the chairs Tori had been in when she had left. Rebel wiggled, so she let her down after checking that the office door was shut.
“Rebel is behind in her speech. Aili was worried about it because since she came to the daycare, she’s not said a single word.” Miranda hated admitting that, but to hear that Rebel said two words in the last two weeks was huge, and she had no one else to share it with.
“Aili generally has a really good sense of those things.” Tori slowly slid into the chair across from Miranda. “Did she suggest speech intervention?”
“Yes, but I don’t…” Miranda clenched her jaw tightly. “I’m not Rebel’s legal guardian. I can’t take her to the doctor for a referral.”
“Ah.” Tori crossed her legs, smiling when Rebel came over for a hug. “Did Aili suggest anything to do at home?”
“Talk to her. Constantly.” Miranda let out a wry chuckle. “Which I’m sure you can tell from the few times we’ve met isn’t my norm.”
Tori grinned broadly, shaking her head. “No, I can’t see you rambling into the silence. But she is picking words up, so that’s a good thing.”
“I suppose.” The tension in Miranda’s shoulders eased slightly. “Her mother went on a trip. She was supposed to be back already, but extended it.”
“Extended it?” Tori looked dubious.
Miranda flicked her shoe slightly so the heel came off. It relieved the pressure and ache in her foot. “Yes. I don’t know when she’ll be back.”
“She can sign a form and the hospital will accept it, and any doctor associated with them, so that you can take Rebel in to be seen. It’s really simple. Siena did that with her mom in case one of us couldn’t be there to take Harley to appointments. She had a lot of ear infections when she was a baby.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” Miranda would have to try and get hold of Tierney, which was harder than she’d expected lately, and see if she could get something like that. Then she could properly take her to the doctor. Then again, she still held out hope that Tierney would be home soon. Because she hated being the only responsible adult in her family.
“Rebel is such a sweet kid, you know.” Tori smiled at Rebel as she found the pile of toys and started to play with them. “She’s full of energy and spice. I love seeing that.”
“That’s one way to put it.” Miranda sighed heavily. “But I do need her to listen and not run into the street or run away from me every chance she gets.”
“But she does love you. When she sees you, she comes running. That’s what’s important. She comes back to you.”
Miranda’s mouth went dry. Did Rebel really see her as that? She was so concerned about everything else going on that she hadn’t even noticed that.
“I still have those clothes if you want them. I really didn’t mean to offend you before.”
Guilt racked her. She always did come off as a bit of a bitch when she first met people. It served her well over the years, but she could see why Tori would be concerned about it. “It’s been overwhelming with Rebel.”
“I can only imagine,” Tori answered. “You’ve been doing amazing.”
“I could…use the clothes. I don’t have many for her, and I haven’t had time to get more than a few necessities. Tierney—”
“Tierney?” Tori interrupted.
“My sister.”
