Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
She forced herself to stop staring at the beautiful green space and drive into the garage. Needing to refresh herself, Nicoya headed directly into the shower, and it invigorated her slightly. Walking out onto her new deck, she peeked toward Axel’s yard and didn’t see any movement.
“He must not be home yet,” she said out loud to the tote bag she’d bravely flung over her shoulder.
She decided to try out her new deck. After sitting down on her chaise lounge, Nicoya twisted to put her feet up and set the tote bag next to her. A sigh of enjoyment escaped from her lips as she watched butterflies dart around the flowers she’d planted outside. Nicoya’s eyes drifted closed.
A deep voice invaded her dreams. “Little girl, dinner’s ready. Can you wake up to eat?”
Nicoya’s stomach growled in response as she opened her eyes to look into deep brown eyes. Her heart rate jumped as she realized she’d let someone get so close. Automatically, she put her hands up defensively, and her fingers got tangled in the bag she held to her chest.
“Whoa! Little girl. You’re fine. It’s just Daddy,” Axel reassured her.
“Daddy?” she repeated, struggling to push away the sleep fog in her brain.
“Yes, Nicoya. It’s just me.”
She shook her head. “Sorry. Automatic response.”
“I should have stomped on the decking to let you know I was coming. I’ll remember that next time.”
“It was stupid to fall asleep out here,” she grumbled, condemning herself.
“Never call yourself stupid. You’re as safe here as you could be. It’s okay to let down your guard when you’re at home. This is a quiet neighborhood, isn’t it?” he asked.
“Yes. Nothing bad happens here. We all look out for one another.”
Her hands still fumbled with the straps of the tote bag. He carefully untangled her and peeked inside. “Could this possibly be Ruffles?” he asked.
“Yes. I brought him so I could introduce the two of you.”
“I would have recognized him immediately.” He turned to the stuffie. “Hi, Ruffles. I’ve heard a lot about you. Thank you for protecting Nicoya for so many years. She’s very lucky to have you in her life.”
“It’s silly to talk to stuffies,” Nicoya said quietly.
“Balderdash!” he responded in mock affront. “Whoever told you that isn’t the recipient of a stuffie’s love and affection.”
Nicoya quickly sided with this opinion. Her parents and grandparents had worked together to discourage her from carrying Ruffles everywhere. She doubted they’d ever loved a stuffed animal as much as she adored Ruffles.
“Would you two like to come over for dinner? I’ve made hamburgers, potato salad, and strawberries with cupcakes as dessert,” Axel said to tempt her.
“That sounds amazing.”
“Let’s go.”
Taking her hand, Axel helped her up and led her into his backyard to an area protected by netting. With each step she took, Nicoya could smell the delicious scents wafting from the table. She sat down eagerly.
“This looks incredible,” she complimented.
“Have a hamburger,” he offered, holding out a plate for her to help herself. “Pile everything you like on it.”
Nicoya dolled up her hamburger as he put a heaping spoonful of the potato salad on her plate along with three plump strawberries. Finally, she lifted the sandwich to her lips, took a big bite, and groaned. “This is the best hamburger I’ve ever eaten.”
“I’m so glad you like it. I’ll remember that. Tell me what foods you don’t like so I won’t cook them for you.” He took such a huge bite out of his burger after he spoke that Nicoya’s eyes went wide, making him chuckle as he swallowed.
“I’ll never understand how men are able to eat a sandwich in so few bites,” she commented as she took another bite from hers. After she chewed and swallowed, she answered him. “I’m not a very picky eater. I just don’t like raw onions.” She curled up her nose.
“Noted. That explains why you didn’t put any on your burger.”
“Icky,” she confirmed. “And squash. Why do people think they can replace spaghetti with that stringy stuff? Uh uh.” She shook her head.
He laughed. “No squash then.”
She sat up straighter and narrowed her gaze to make sure he understood how important her next comment would be. “There are important food groups, you know.”
His smile lit up his face. “What would those be?”
“Well, the most important one is cupcakes, of course. You haven’t been in town long enough to see the food pyramid Ellie created. She put it up in the window and on the wall in Little Cakes and then everyone wanted one, so now it’s all over town. I’ve heard some Littles even have one in their homes.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I assume the largest tier is cupcakes.”
“Yes!”
“Which flavors are the best?” he asked. His burger was already gone.
“That depends. Before tomorrow, I would say it was probably one of the chocolate ones because chocolate is an important staple that should also get its own level on the food pyramid, but…” She shook a finger at him. “Tomorrow, Ellie is finally going to introduce the best, best, best cupcake ever. I already know it will be the best one ever because Ellie’s cupcakes are always amazing and delicious. She doesn’t have any bad ones. This new one though…” She sighed dramatically. “I haven’t even tried it yet because Tarson is a meanie and wouldn’t let me come into the kitchen at Little Cakes to taste it or even see it. Can you believe that?”