Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
This time she didn’t hesitate, but opened her mouth, eager to try it. “Yum!” she mumbled as she chewed.
“Don’t talk while you eat,” he reprimanded. “I don’t want you to choke.”
“It’s so good,” she told him after swallowing.
“Hooray. Here. Have a sip of water,” he suggested, holding a fancy cut glass to her lips.
Kiki’s heart grew inside her chest as she looked over all the work he’d done—the pretty table setting, the delicious food, even cloth napkins. “Is this like a holiday?”
“It is a very special day. We’re celebrating us and our home,” Terry told her before leaning in to kiss her lips. “Yum. That is good chicken. I should try some, too.”
Being the center of his attention once again made Kiki enjoy this meal even more. He made her feel as if there were nothing more important than her. When her tummy was stuffed, Kiki shook her head as he offered her another bite.
“I can’t eat anymore, Daddy. That was so good.”
“What was your favorite?”
“The soup,” she answered without hesitation. “Can we have everything again? I loved each dish.”
“Of course. We’ll try new things, too. It’s important for a Little girl to have variety in her diet. I want you to be as healthy as possible.”
“Thank you, Daddy. You went through so much work…” she observed, looking around the table.
“I loved every minute of getting a celebration together,” he assured her. “Fudge Crunch cupcakes later.”
“Please,” she said in agreement, unable to think of adding anything else to her tummy now, but the Little Cakes’ treat sounded great.
“Do you want to color or play in a new sticker book while Daddy cleans the table?” he asked with a smile.
“I could help.”
“You’ll keep Daddy company while he puts everything away. That’s helping. So—color or stickers?”
“Stickers!”
Within a couple of minutes, Kiki was turning the pages in the captivating sticker book as her Daddy moved around the kitchen. He chatted with her as he worked and whistled from time to time, making Kiki feel better about letting him do all the work. He even lifted her bumblebee slippers up onto a chair, making her tired feet so happy. She could get used to being pampered like this.
Chapter Eighteen
“Daddy?” I’m home,” Kiki called, walking into the quiet house.
No one answered.
Trailing through the house, Kiki continued to call for her Daddy. Finally, she noticed a note on the kitchen table.
Dear Bumblebee,
I’ve been called away for an emergency consultation in Chicago. I should be home in a couple of days. I’ve left food for you in the refrigerator with heating instructions. Do not use the stove. Remember to use the oven mitts even when taking something out of the microwave so you don’t burn yourself.
Daddy
Kiki reread the note several times, and a feeling of unease filled her. What was going on? Why would an accountant need to make an emergency trip to Chicago? That just didn’t make sense to Kiki.
She could call him. Wait. Why didn’t he call her instead of just leaving a note?
She stared at the note again, deciding she needed to talk to Tori to see if she could get some details. Turning around, Kiki headed for Little Cakes, hoping to find Tori there. Consumed by her churning thoughts, she drove a bit too fast.
“Damn!” The sight of the flashing lights behind her made Kiki pull over to the side of the road and stop. She’d never had a ticket before.
Watching in the side mirror, she saw the unmarked car pull behind her, and after a few minutes, a familiar figure exited. It was Wyatt, Lark’s Daddy. She’d met him at Blaze. He wouldn’t remember her, of course.
“Hi, Kiki. What’s the emergency?” he said, familiarly.
“You recognize me?” she squeaked.
“I ran your plates and remembered meeting you. Can you tell me why you were speeding?” Wyatt asked. His stern voice made her shiver.
“I’m sorry. I was thinking too hard. I totally deserve the ticket,” she admitted.
“Where are you headed?” he probed.
“I wanted to talk to Tori. I think she’s at Little Cakes tonight,” Kiki answered, telling the truth. Who could lie to that Daddy?
“I see that you’ve never been pulled over before. I’m going to let you go with a warning if you promise me you’ll be more cautious.”
When she nodded, he continued, “Is there anything I can help you with? You seem out of sorts. Have you talked to your Daddy?”
“He’s out of town,” she whispered after answering the first question with a shake of her head.
“He would want you to be safe, Little girl,” Wyatt warned her.
“I’ll drive super slow. I promise.”
“Not too slow. That’s dangerous as well. Just keep it under the speed limit, okay?” he asked.
“Yes, Sir. I’ll be good,” she promised.
When he returned to his car, Kiki restarted hers and eased back into traffic. Watching the speedometer, she finished the short trip and parked. After jogging across the parking lot, she burst into Little Cakes.