Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Oh.” She was still pensive.
After opening the door, Hunter led them inside. He rushed over to the island to set her satchel and the cupcakes down before turning back to her.
When he met her gaze again, she was staring at him. He stepped into her space and cupped her face with both hands, wanting her full attention. “When you’re ready, I want to hear all about your husband. I know he was an important part of your life, and his own was cut far too short. I’m so sorry that happened. I hate thinking of the pain you’ve dealt with. I will never pretend he didn’t exist. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t talk about him. I want to know what kind of Daddy and man he was. I want you to always feel like you can speak when you have a reminder or memory. I’ll never pretend to fill his shoes or replace him. I’m the next chapter in your life. It won’t be the same. It will be different in a lot of ways. Hopefully I can be the best Daddy in the world and you’ll love me as deeply as I know you loved him.”
A tear ran down her cheek, and he swiped at it. “I didn’t mean to make you cry, Little girl. I hope I didn’t botch that speech.”
She shook her head. “No. You didn’t botch it.” Her voice was rough and shaky. “You said exactly the right things. I can’t believe you’re for real. It will take me a while to catch up. Will you be patient with me while I learn to believe I can love again?”
“Always.” He pulled her into his arms, loving the way she nearly jumped into his embrace at the same time.
She hugged him as tight as she could with the two arms she needed to be slightly careful with.
He kissed the top of her head and held her close. It would be fine with him if he never let her go.
“Can we talk now before dinner?” she asked as he walked her toward the sofa and set her gently in the corner.
“Of course. Let me get you something to drink and some ice for your hand. Sit here and prop it up on this pillow. The swelling will go down faster if it’s above your heart.”
When she was settled, Hunter kissed the top of her head again. He had gotten into medicine to help people. Now that he’d found CC, Hunter wanted to help her feel better as quickly as possible. Not just because of his oath as a doctor but because the knowledge that she was his Little had kindled inside him as Hunter saw her first at Blaze and then as he interacted with her at the hospital. It brought out a different type of caring—a desire to prevent anything from hurting her again.
When she settled back against the cushion and closed her eyes, Hunter knew she was completely exhausted. She probably hadn’t slept well the past few nights. Most patients had difficulty sleeping in a hospital.
Quietly, he moved around the kitchen. When he returned to place the gel ice pack on her hand, CC’s eyes were closed, and she was breathing deeply. Hunter gently set a thin towel and then the cooling device on her recovering hand.
Backing away, he breathed a sigh of relief as she continued to sleep. He stood for a minute and watched her. Gone was the discomfort from her hand and the stresses of running her own business. As if she knew she was in a safe place, CC had allowed herself to relax completely.
His plan to create a yummy dish of Mediterranean chicken evaporated. It took several pans, and he didn’t want to bang things around to wake her. Pulling a pre-made pizza crust from the freezer, Hunter layered ingredients on top as he chopped them quietly in the kitchen. When the veggie pizza smothered with three different kinds of cheese was assembled, he slid it into the oven to bake.
Hunter pulled an insulated cup from the top shelf of his cabinet and rinsed the dust off. He’d seen this years ago in a magazine and ordered a couple. It was a unique design with two lids—one, a sippy cup with the spout, and the other, a plain slot to drink from. He filled the cup with ice and apple juice and snapped the spill-proof lid on top.
After placing it on the table with his own tall glass of water, Hunter set the table with plates, forks, and napkins. He was just adding the parmesan cheese and his favorite hot pepper flakes when she roused.
“What is that? It smells wonderful!” CC asked, rubbing her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“I’m glad you did. Do you like pizza?”