Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“This is the best time of day for us to escape. It’s after the lunch rush and before kids get out of school. Sue and Tori stayed behind to make sure any customers are taken care of,” Ellie informed her.
Riley giggled. “They were jealous though. We’ll have to swap with them so they can come to Stuff-It soon while Ellie and I stay behind.”
Lark hugged Rose next. “I don’t happen to have any houses to show this afternoon.”
Daisy was last to greet Rose with yet another hug. “I have extra help in Blooms by Daisy for this month too, so I snuck away.”
“Need any help, boss?” At the deep voice, Rose spun around to face the man she hoped would become her newest employee, Deke. She hadn’t had a chance yet to formally hire him, but she would speak to him as soon as there was a longer lull.
“I’m good, Deke. Thanks. These are my friends.”
The burly man stroked his beard and smiled. He was certainly a big guy, but already Rose could tell he was a softy inside. She wondered if he was a Daddy.
“Ah, good. Nice to meet you all,” Deke said. “I’d ask your names, but we’re so busy I’m certain I would forget all of them in seconds. I’ll go help the couple heading our way with the toddler. Let me know if any of you need anything.”
Rose smiled as Deke greeted the elderly couple who appeared to be shopping with their grandchild.
“Wow, Deke seems nice. How long has he worked here?” Ellie asked.
“He just started this morning. He caught on fast,” Rose informed her. She turned toward the Stuff-It bins. “Let’s pick out new friends!”
It didn’t take long for all four women to pick out a stuffie and start the process. It was fun listening to each of them as they tried out different names and laughed as they discarded some outlandish ones.
An hour later, they had all finished and were ready to head back to their respective jobs, new stuffies in hand.
Ellie gave Rose another hug as they said their goodbyes. “I know you haven’t lived here long and you’re super busy with Stuff-It, but I hope you’ll be able to come to Blaze one night soon with your Daddy. We have so much fun in the daycare. I know Adam is a member.”
Rose nodded. “He’s mentioned Blaze. It sounds like fun. I’m so glad I met all of you. As soon as I can get away for an evening, I’ll ask him to take me.”
Lark bounced excitedly. “We love new friends.”
Rose couldn’t stop grinning as she watched the four women skip away down the mall. She’d known Ellie and Riley at least peripherally from many trips to Little Cakes, but she could tell in time all of them would be a great addition to her growing list of friends.
“Your phone’s ringing, boss,” Larisa called out from behind the cash registers as she returned from the back room.
“Oops.” Rose glanced around, determined everything was under control, and rushed back to her office. She winced as she picked up her phone. Four missed texts from Adam. Two calls.
She decided to call him, and she chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for him to answer.
Luckily he picked up on the second ring. “Hey, Rosebud. Have you been busy today?”
“Yes, Daddy.” She glanced at the door to her office, but no one could hear her. “Swamped. Did you know Alice came in this morning?”
“Did she? She mentioned wanting to go sometime. I guess she chose today since she had the morning off. Did she find a new friend?”
Rose nodded excitedly even though her Daddy couldn’t see her. “She did much more than that. She was a godsend. I was swamped. She jumped in and started working.”
Daddy chuckled. “That sounds like Alice. She’s a hard worker.”
“Even more than that, she called her brother to come help.”
“Deke? He’s a great guy. That was kind of her.”
“It was. Apparently, he’s looking for a job. He’s been here working most of the day. I haven’t even had a chance to sit down with him and ask him if he’d like to start working here.”
“Oh, that would be amazing, but he’s a bit overqualified. I’m not sure he’ll take you up on that offer. He just moved here to be closer to Alice, but he was a department store manager before he moved to town.”
“Really? Oh, my. You’re right. He’s not going to want to work in a silly little stuffie store.” Rose sighed. Darn.
“Now, let’s not get too hasty. I have some thoughts about that.”
“Really?” Rose couldn’t imagine what might lure Deke into working for her. She couldn’t possibly pay him what he was worth.
“For one thing, since he doesn’t have a job yet, I bet he could at least get you through the holidays, and I know him well enough to be certain he’s a trustworthy employee. Maybe this is the perfect temporary solution to your problem,” Daddy suggested.