Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
She hoped he was right. She glanced both ways to find no one was standing close enough to hear her. Nevertheless, she kept her voice low. “Do you have a Little boy or girl at home who would like a cupcake? I’d like to box some up for you as a thank you.”
Wyatt smiled. “I don’t. Not yet. Still looking for the perfect Little for me. But I won’t turn down a cupcake myself. I bet my partner won’t, either. We’ll pay for them, of course. I was meaning to come by after I got off work today and try out your treats anyway. I’ll come back when my shift is over.” He winked at her.
Eyes wide, she shook her head. “Oh, no. I couldn’t possibly take your money. But I’ll save you some of my favorites before they run out.”
He grinned. “Appreciate it, little one.” He turned and headed for the squad car.
Daddy gave Ellie another squeeze before cupping the sides of her face and meeting her gaze. “You need a minute? Or do you want to go back inside?”
She took a deep breath. “I think I’m okay. Let’s go back inside.”
As Ellie let Garrett lead her back into her shop, a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. She felt so incredibly lucky. She’d found the perfect Daddy who loved her and took such good care of her. She was also fortunate he’d been at her store today and able to intervene and keep an ugly situation from possibly escalating into something even uglier.
Ellie wasn’t sure what might have happened if Garrett hadn’t been strong enough and quick enough to haul that man out of her shop. Ben and his friends might have hurt someone or done serious damage to Little Cakes.
As they entered Little Cakes, the customers inside burst into spontaneous applause.
An elderly woman called over the celebration, “I love seeing the good guys win.”
“I can see why someone would want to steal these cupcakes. They’re amazing,” a young man called out.
The crowd agreed with compliments and raised cupcakes to cheer his assessment. Within seconds, the friendly atmosphere of the shop had been restored. Ellie scanned her new customers, realizing that the experience hadn’t driven her business away. It had bonded everyone together. They were invested now in Little Cakes and would support her.
Happy tears gathered in her eyes as she smiled at everyone. When her Daddy ushered her through the shop and into the back room, she didn’t resist the opportunity to gather herself. When they were alone, she grabbed his waist and tipped her head way back. “Thank you, Daddy,” she murmured. “You’re the bestest Daddy in the whole world.” She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him as tightly as she could.
Chapter Seventeen
Garrett kept a sharp eye on his Little girl for the rest of the day. She seemed to bounce back and shake off the drama, but he wasn’t certain how much she was holding inside. He kept fearing she might be putting on a front.
When Little Cakes finally flipped the sign to closed at seven o’clock, everyone was giddy with excitement. Lark and Ellie jumped up and down hugging each other, but the other employees held as much pride as the two friends for a successful opening day.
“I can’t believe how many people came in,” Ellie exclaimed.
“We sold out of seven flavors and only have about two dozen cupcakes total left in the back,” Riley informed her.
Tori dropped onto a chair and groaned. “My feet are killing me.”
Sue sat next to her. “You were amazing with that man’s daughter this afternoon. I was relieved when you helped back her out of the way. I was too far away to pull the child to safety.”
Tori shrugged. “Instinct, I guess. I was afraid her dad was going to throw a punch, and Lord knows what might have happened if he’d provoked that man.”
Lark shuddered. “It helped that Bear happened to stop by with perfect timing. That man is intimidating when he wants to be.”
Ellie giggled.
“You all did a fantastic job,” Garrett informed them as he pulled his Little girl into his arms, hugging her against his chest. He hoped she wouldn’t mind this level of display of affection in front of her employees. He would never do anything to reveal their private relationship to anyone, but it would be too much to ask for him to keep her at arm’s length. He needed to touch her. He wanted to touch her.
Ellie didn’t balk or flinch, which relieved him. In fact, she rose up onto her toes and kissed him in front of everyone. “You were wonderful.”
“He really was,” Lark agreed. “I think at least ten women in the store swooned when you flattened that thug against the wall.” She dramatically ran the back of her hand over her forehead, making everyone laugh.