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)
“I, uh… I’ve been gone for three whole days,” she pointed out even though he was well aware. She stroked her good hand through her hair—the part that was hanging around her shoulder. The front was pulled up in a cute butterfly clip on top of her head.
“Looks like you have amazing employees that kept the ship running.” He nodded toward the organized stacks.
“Yes. They’re the best. I owe them.” Suddenly, she sat up straighter, eyes wider. “Oh, I forgot. I need to meet with Sunshine before I can leave.” She winced. “I’m sorry.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Why are you sorry, Little girl?”
She swallowed. “I wouldn’t want to hold you up. I’m sure you have important things to do.”
He smiled at her. She was precious when she was flustered. “CC, as of three days ago, I suddenly don’t have anything to do outside of work that’s more important than you. And if I’m being truthful, that might have extended to before three days ago.”
She flinched. “How is that possible?”
He shrugged. “I’ve seen you a few times at Blaze. I just never approached. I’ve enjoyed watching you play with the other Littles in the daycare though.”
Her jaw dropped open. “You have?”
He nodded. “I promise I wasn’t stalking you or anything. I just noticed and should have approached sooner. I’m sorry your cat bit you and you ended up in my ER, but I’m not sorry it caused me to get to know you better.”
She looked so stunned with her wide eyes and parted lips. “I’m glad too.” She jerked her gaze down as if she’d said something wrong.
Hunter lifted one hand to set a finger under her chin and tip her head back. “I know you’re still grieving your husband, and to a certain extent, you always will. It sounds like he was an amazing cop and a wonderful Daddy. Do you think you can take a chance on a new Daddy?”
She bit the corner of her bottom lip and slowly nodded.
He smiled. “Good girl. I promise to take things slow and check on your feelings often, but I want you to know that I’m already wrapped tightly around your pinky finger. I want to be your Daddy. Can you see yourself being my Little girl?”
She swallowed, eyes wide again. “Yes, Sir.” Her words were barely above a whisper, but he heard her.
He smiled wider. “Good. Then you’ll understand why it’s no imposition for me to wait for you while you meet with Sunshine. I know your coffee shop is important to you. I would never suggest you neglect your business.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“CC?” The voice coming from the doorway caused Hunter to release his Little girl’s chin, push himself to standing, and turn to face Sunshine. He’d met her out front, so he knew who she was.
CC cleared her throat and stood. “Come on in, Sunshine.”
Hunter looked back at CC, lifted her good hand to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. Maybe he was being too forward in front of her employee, but as of right now, she was his, and he didn’t intend to hide it from anyone.
She looked a little dazed when he released her hand. He loved it. Loved seeing her flustered. He turned to leave the room. “I’ll wait out front. It was nice meeting you, Sunshine,” he told the obviously competent employee on his way by.
“You too,” she murmured. “There are some cupcakes on the front counter if you’d like to eat one while you wait. We’ll get a new batch in tomorrow. If you don’t eat them, they’ll end up at home with me, and I’ll gain ten pounds tonight.” She smiled sweetly.
“Thank you. I think I will.” Hunter left the two women to discuss business and made his way to the front of the shop. He’d never been in there before. It was indeed purrfect as the name on the sign implied.
He looked around, expecting to find kittens and cats climbing all over the furniture, but instead, he quickly located them crated in the middle of the room.
The lights had been dimmed and the place was empty. Apparently Sunshine and the other employees had closed up and cleaned while he’d been in CC’s office talking to her.
It was probably for the best since CC didn’t need to be cleaning or doing anything too strenuous for several more days. He didn’t want her to suffer a setback and end up in the hospital even longer.
Hunter smiled. His Little girl had a very nice coffee shop. He’d heard of it many times. Lots of locals came here, especially the cat-friendly folks and those with kids. Kids were nearly always cat friendly.
The theme and schtick was perfect. Or…purrfect. He chuckled to himself as he found the cupcakes on the counter. His stomach growled. A snack wouldn’t hurt. He’d had a rushed lunch and it would be a while before he had dinner ready for CC.