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)
“Yes, Sir.” She sighed as she picked up her fork. The first bite was hard to chew and swallow, but then she realized she was actually hungry and polished it all off in no time.
“Good girl.” Daddy was eating next to her, his plate piled much higher than hers. He finished at the same time.
“Can we go now, Daddy?” She swung her legs.
“After I finish my coffee.”
“We can make you more coffee at the shop,” she told him, hoping he would take her up on that offer.
He chuckled as he leaned over and bopped her nose. “There’s plenty of time, Rainbow. The store doesn’t open for hours.”
“I know, but I’m anxious.” She couldn’t sit still, and it was a struggle to wait patiently, but she didn’t badger her Daddy again.
Before she knew it, they were out the door and heading for the SUV.
Chapter Sixteen
“Ready?” Garrett shouted from his place by the front door. He had his hand on the sign, ready to flip it over and unlock the door. His gaze shifted around the room.
Ellie stood near him, wringing her hands nervously.
Lark was at the cash register. Tori was next to Lark, ready to fill orders. Sue was in the middle of the room, prepared to hand out today’s menu and help customers understand where to line up. Riley was in the back, ready to bring out more cupcakes as they were needed.
Ellie nodded. “Let’s do it.” She was excited about the line that had slowly grown outside as people waited for the shop to open. She couldn’t tell how far it extended, but long enough that she could no longer see the end. She thought it wrapped around the corner.
The line was a good sign, but it also intimidated her. What if they couldn’t keep up with so many patrons all at once on opening day?
“Little Cakes is officially open for business,” Daddy declared as he opened the front door.
Ellie smiled so broadly that her face hurt as the noisy crowd filled her store. She was beyond grateful for every single one of the women she’d hired because they proved to be efficient and worked well together under the stress of the grand opening.
Within minutes, a line had formed at the cash register, and Lark was ringing people out while Tori handed them their selections.
Ellie spent most of her time working the crowd, introducing herself to everyone she could, making sure they had napkins and forks and water cups if they hadn’t bought a drink.
Within a half an hour, every table was filled and people were spilling out onto the sidewalk with their cupcakes. Based on the moans of delight every time someone took their first bite, Ellie was giddy with excitement.
Two hands curled on her shoulders from behind, and Ellie tipped her head back to smile at Daddy. He kissed the top of her head. “They love it,” he murmured.
She believed him. The proof was on their wide-eyed, smiling faces. “I should go check on Riley in the back and see if we’re running out of anything.”
He gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Okay, but don’t panic if you are. That’s a good thing. You’ll learn which cupcakes are a favorite and make more of them in the future. You can’t provide an infinite supply of every flavor every day. Don’t beat yourself up if something runs out.” He lifted a brow.
She nodded. She knew he was right, but she still wanted to have as many of each variety as possible.
The next several hours went by so quickly that Ellie was shocked when she noticed it was after three. She grumbled when Garrett leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Time to break for something to eat, Little girl.”
His voice was no nonsense, but she still protested, twisting around to look at him. “I can’t leave the floor on opening day. What if someone needs me?”
He tipped her chin back with one hand and leaned in so that his lips were close to her ear. “You have to eat, Rainbow. It’s already way past lunchtime. I know you don’t want me to take you to the back room and spank your bottom with all these people in the shop.”
She shivered at his suggestion. “You wouldn’t.”
“You want to test that theory?” He leaned back, eyebrows high.
She swallowed. He looked serious. “Okay, fine.”
“Good girl. I made you a sandwich before you got up this morning. I bet you didn’t even notice I brought lunch with us.”
She shook her head. She hadn’t noticed much of anything. She’d been too excited.
As Daddy took her hand and led her to the back room, she turned her head toward the cash register. “I’ll be back in ten.”
“No worries,” Lark responded. “Everyone’s had a lunch break but you. Go eat something before you faint.” She grinned. Ellie truly had the best friends ever.