Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
You don’t believe that for a minute.
She should call Bear, but it was opening day for Little Cakes. The last thing she wanted to do was cause anyone undue stress on the big day.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to be brave. Go back outside, sweep the mess into a bag, and leave it to deal with later. She hurried to take care of it before Erica arrived so her employee wouldn’t have to face the mess.
Nevertheless, Daisy was worried all morning. Not so much because she thought someone would bother her store in broad daylight, but because she knew when Bear found out, he wouldn’t be happy.
Many times, she considered calling the police, but when she looked outside and saw the growing line waiting for Little Cakes to open, she knew it would ruin everything if the cops pulled up.
She waited until the afternoon when Erica was working the register, there was a lull in customers, and their afternoon help had arrived, to take a break. JT was amazing. He was a high school senior with an incredible eye for all things artistic who helped out two or three afternoons a week, often as her delivery driver.
Daisy wanted to visit Little Cakes and take some flowers as an opening-day gift. Or maybe that was just an excuse. She was secretly hoping to see Bear.
“I’ll be back in fifteen minutes,” she told Erica as she gathered the bouquet.
“Don’t rush. Take a lunch break. You haven’t left the shop all day. I’ll be fine.”
Daisy smiled. “We’ll see what happens.”
Hurrying past the few shops between Blooms by Daisy and Little Cakes, she couldn’t wait to see how things were going. She knew Ellie—the owner—was both nervous and excited.
As she walked into the delicious aroma that filled the cupcake bakery, Daisy marveled at the bustling crowd. Chattering people filled almost every table. Their cheerful voices reflected their enjoyment of the delicious treats coming from the kitchen.
“Hi, Daisy!” Ellie exclaimed as Daisy stepped inside.
Daisy held out the bouquet in the glass vase. “House-warming gift,” she announced. “I’m so excited for you. Judging by the line I’ve seen outside all day, I’d say things are going well.”
Ellie grinned. “It’s amazing. Thank you for bringing the flowers. You need to add one of those flower-card holders with your company card so people can grab a card when they ask where the gorgeous arrangement came from,” Ellie greeted her cheerfully.
Grinning at the smudge of flour decorating Ellie’s round cheek, Daisy pantomimed wiping off her face. “Thanks! I’ll remember to do that next time. I’m sure I’ll be bringing over lots of flowers.”
“I hope so. I love your arrangements.”
Daisy leaned in to whisper confidentially, “You’re killing it!”
“Cupcakes are the perfect treat. Small, but yummy. Portable. What else could you ask for?” Ellie laughed.
“Is Bear here by chance?” Daisy asked, feeling her cheeks warm.
“I knew it! He’s been dancing around the kitchen like a Daddy who’s found his Little. He did. Teddy found you!” Ellie celebrated, first carefully taking the vase from her friend and setting it down on the counter before rushing forward to wrap her arms around her friend. Happiness was contagious inside Little Cakes.
The two Littles jumped in a circle of glee, celebrating the new relationship. Everyone in the shop clapped to join the merriment, even though they had no clue why the women were happy.
“Littles,” a deep voice behind them commented softly.
Laughing, Ellie and Daisy turned around to see Bear in his white apron with the Little Cakes logo.
“Bear, you should take a break! Just don’t leave forever.” Ellie turned conspiratorially back to face Daisy, pretending to cover her mouth as if Bear couldn’t hear her. “He isn’t really on the clock today, but he was going to show me the new lemon chiffon frosting he came up with. He’s been calling it Daisy’s Do,” Ellie confided.
“Daisy’s Do?” Daisy repeated with a wrinkled nose, glancing at Bear.
“It looks exactly like your hairdo would if I piled it on your head,” Bear explained.
“Teddy!” Daisy protested, tugging on her braids. “I don’t wear my hair in a high ponytail.”
“You will when Daddy gives you a bath.” Bear chuckled knowingly as Daisy felt her cheeks flame in reaction to the intimate act he suggested. He took Daisy’s hand and led her into the workspace of the kitchen and out the backdoor.
“Little girl, I’m glad you came to visit. It was hard to leave you last night.”
“Thank you for taking me home after I recovered. That shouldn’t have bothered me so much,” she said, trying to dismiss her fear.
“No way, Little girl,” Bear corrected her. He sat down on the bench Ellie had placed behind the shop for employee breaks. Guiding Daisy, he helped her sit down on his lap. “You had a definite reason for reacting to that jerk. I’m sorry I wasn’t there earlier to keep it from happening.”