Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“That actually makes me feel better. Those first eight won’t blindly follow again. They’re going to question everything,” she pointed out.
“Definitely.”
“I bet I can guess who that last guy was,” she said sarcastically.
“I was as blunt with that individual as I was in the meeting. Days with weekends off is the prime shift everyone strives to reach. With it comes certain parameters. I gave him his choice of three alternative shifts.”
“What happens if he just calls in sick every Friday?”
“I can’t address individual cases, of course. However, if anyone asks me that question about sick leave requests, I will answer in this way. Sick leave is reserved for illness. If excessive requests are made, then individuals could be required to provide proof of an in-person doctor’s visit.”
“I guess you can’t tell me if he alleged any special treatment.”
“No. I did update my superior before speaking to him and handed that individual the commissioner’s contact information along with putting a stack in my office,” Trace shared as he set a diet soda in front of her.
“There’s beer in the fridge if you’d like one,” she offered.
With a nod of thanks, he grabbed one before joining her. Trace paused by her chair and wrapped his arms around her, dropping a kiss on her mouth. “I worried about you today. But I’m going to be concerned about you if you’re at the grocery store buying hot fudge for an ice cream sundae.”
“I’ll always be careful,” she promised.
“For your bottom’s sake, I’m glad to hear that,” Trace commented.
“So, if I get written up at work, I’ll be spanked at home if I do something stupid?”
“You bet. Twice as much at home than anything I can mete out at work,” he promised.
“That doesn’t seem fair,” she challenged and took another bite.
Trace shrugged as he helped himself to a couple of pieces from the box and plopped one on a plate for her to eat when she polished off the one in her hand. “Rail against the inequities of the world for a Little girl later. Get some fuel inside you.”
“Are you spending the night with me?” she asked, focusing on her pizza.
“Yes.”
“That’s it?” She peeked over to find him watching her with a fond expression.
“Yes. Unless you’d rather me just pick you up tomorrow?”
“You had your bag packed before you found out my car would need major attention,” Avery pointed out.
“I don’t sleep as well without you next to me,” he admitted without hesitation.
“Me neither,” she confessed. “So…”
“Shall I just move in sooner than later, Little girl? Are you sure you don’t feel like we’re moving too fast anymore? I’ll warn you that I want you to know I consider that a big commitment. Are you ready to be mine completely?”
“That’s kind of scary and kind of amazing at the same time. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.” Avery paused and took a deep breath before exhaling. “Yes. I want you to move in with me, Daddy. I want this,” she drew lines in the air back and forth between them before finishing, “I want you in my life all the time.”
“Then we make plans. I’ll ask Lark for the name of some remodelers she recommends, and we’ll get some bids to put in that door from the nursery to the master bedroom. I’ll take you shopping this weekend for nursery furniture. There’s a specialty shop within driving distance from us. We’ll make a day of it.”
“Can you start staying here every night?” Avery asked eagerly.
“You’re not going to be able to get rid of me, Mae Bug.”
Avery took another big bite of pizza and leaned over to boop him with her shoulder. “Guess we’re doing this, huh?”
“I knew it from the first look at those icing-blackened lips. You were simply the one for me.”
“Zombies turn you on?”
“Only when she turns out to be the Little I’ve been looking for. Thank goodness my taillight went out.”
“I should have given you a ticket. That would make a better story,” she teased.
“Want to see if there are any scary movies on TV tonight?”
“No way. Weenie will have nightmares.”
“Not you, though?”
She shook her head. “I’m a mean, scary police detective who tracks down men in slimy sewer drains. And I’m sleeping with a total hunk. You’ll take care of the monsters for me, won’t you, Daddy?”
“I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe,” he promised.
“And I’ll teach you the finer art of culinary preparations,” she promised.
“I am not fixing macaroni and cheese for us every night.”
“Every other night?” she asked.
“Once a week,” he suggested. “Tomorrow, I cook with real fresh vegetables and meat. Do you like steak?”
“I do. I love shrimp,” she suggested, taking another bite of her pizza.
“I do, too. See, we’re perfect together.”
“We are.” She sighed happily.
When they’d devoured the last piece of pizza, Trace cleaned the kitchen. She liked how he made himself at home and seemed to want to learn how she’d organized everything.