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)
“You have a nursery?” she asked, turning in the seat to face him.
“I do. Would you like to see it?”
“Yes. I’m not ready to sleep with you yet, Garrett,” Ellie blurted.
“Okay. Nursery time until you’re ready to sleep in your Daddy’s big bed,” he agreed readily as he turned onto his driveway. The lights came on automatically inside as the garage door rose. Garrett appreciated the welcoming feel of his home now more than ever.
“It’s so pretty,” Ellie complimented.
“Let me show you around,” he suggested. “Stay there. Daddy will let you out, Rainbow.”
She nodded and relaxed against the seat back. Garrett watched her as he grabbed the pizza from the back. He set the box on the roof as he opened her door and leaned in to unlatch her seatbelt. “I’ll take you home anytime you wish, Little girl.”
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“Let’s go eat some pizza.” After helping her out, Garrett snagged the large container and took Ellie’s hand to tug her into the house. “Sit at the counter, Rainbow.”
He grabbed two plates and opened the box to place a piece on each of their plates. Immediately, Ellie picked up her slice and took a huge bite. She froze in place when she wiggled on the padded seat.
“Careful,” he warned. Garrett filled two glasses with ice and water before snapping a lid on one to place in front of her.
“This is amazing!” Ellie complimented, taking another huge bite.
“Small bites, Little girl. Don’t choke,” Garrett warned as he lifted his slice to his mouth. “Mmm, it is good.”
She grinned at him.
“Feel better after your nap?”
“I didn’t snore, did I? My grandmother always said I did, but I think she exaggerated,” Ellie shared as she chewed.
“She told the truth.”
“Really? I snored?” Ellie took another bite and chewed thoughtfully before double-checking, “Like a cute snore, right? Not like a roaring chainsaw?”
“The leather is still attached to my passenger seat,” Garrett reassured her.
“Oh, good. Wait! What does that mean?” she asked, tilting her head sideways to look at him quizzically.
“Let’s just leave it at you snore,” he suggested.
“Oh, heavenly sprinkles! I snore that bad?”
“Yep!” he confirmed, taking another bite to hide his grin. Garrett absolutely loved the pink tinge that colored her skin. Adorable!
“I’ll never be able to look at you again,” she dramatically despaired, taking another bite and chewing.
“You don’t know how loud I snore. Maybe I’m even louder than you are,” Garrett proposed.
“That would be awesome. Then, I wouldn’t be self-conscious.”
He stroked his hand through her hair, smoothing the locks ruffled by her nap. “You don’t need to be worried. I still brought you home.”
“That’s right! You did!” she cheered up.
After taking a drink, she asked, “Did you really mean it when you said you have a nursery—a Little’s nursery?”
“Yes.”
“Can I see it?” she asked, sliding off her stool.
“After you finish that piece of pizza. I want something in your tummy before we brush your teeth and put you to bed.”
“Okay,” she agreed, good-naturedly. Climbing back onto the padded seat, she munched the crunchy crust.
He loved watching her nibble.
“Don’t rush. I’m not in any hurry,” Ellie told him, pushing her plate away to pillow her head on her arm.
Garrett popped the last of his piece into his mouth and stood. Ushering her before him, he led her to the guest bathroom. “Go in and potty. There are fresh toothbrushes and toothpaste in the drawer. Jump into the shower and rinse the sugar from your skin. You’re sticky, Little girl.”
He groaned as she licked the inside of her forearm to test his theory. “I’ll get you a T-shirt to wear in your crib.”
Yawning, she nodded. Garrett watched her turn and walk sleepily into the bathroom. He’d step in to help if she was too exhausted to take care of herself. Right now, he didn’t want to scare her by moving too fast. After the toilet flushed and he heard the crinkle of a wrapper, he jogged to his room to snag something for her to wear.
To his delight, she sang endearingly off-tune in the shower. He eased the door open and set the shirt on a dry spot before resuming his wait in the hall. In a few minutes, she appeared in the doorway. Swallowing the possessive surge that brewed inside him at the sight of her dressed in his clothing, Garrett wrapped an arm around her to guide her into the nursery. She was the first Little to ever step inside.
Garrett watched her blink as she looked around. “Playtime later, Rainbow. Time to be in your crib.” He lifted her into the elevated bed and settled her under the covers.
Ellie wiggled a few times but settled into place when he patted her back. With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep. Her adorably loud snore clued him in that she was out for the night.