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)
“I think I might have a favorite flavor now.”
“We’ll have to come back this month for you to have another one. The special features don’t stay around for long.” She stopped herself abruptly. I just asked him out again!
“I’ll look forward to enjoying more frosting with you,” he answered gently. “What shall we do for our next date? The zoo? A picnic? Breakfast?”
“I’m so sorry. I’m not a good person to date. I practically live at the store now. I can only sneak away for a short time.” Rose paused and looked at her watch before continuing. “Especially now with the holiday season, I need to pull in as many customers as possible and make their experience so memorable that they come back for more.”
“Then I’ll come to you. What are you doing when the store closes tonight?”
“I have to do some inventory and restock if we’re busy up to closing time. I may not have time to do that while Stuff-It is open.”
“I’m a good worker. I’ll zip in at closing time and help you with whatever you need. After that, we’ll see how tired you are.”
“I’m usually exhausted,” she confessed.
“Then it will be bedtime for you, Little girl.”
“Are you sure you’re my Daddy?”
“There’s no doubt in my mind.”
Chapter Four
Looking at the clock for what had to be the four hundredth time, Rose scolded herself, “You’re not making the numbers move any faster.” Forcing her mind back to the task at hand, she helped newly arriving customers as Amber manned the cash register. The high schooler was a model employee and obviously a good student. She loved wearing the Santa hat and was so cheerful her happiness rubbed off on everyone.
Several teachers had come in to make stuffed friends. All had been delighted to see her. Rose hadn’t anticipated her employee drumming up business at school, but it appeared that Amber had shared her amazing job with everyone she knew.
When a large man walked through the door, Rose felt her shoulders settle into place. She hadn’t realized how tense she’d become waiting for Adam to show up after their incredible date. Talking to him felt like she’d known him for a long time. It was comfortable but nerve-racking.
“Hi, Adam!” She waved a greeting.
“Hi, Rose.”
When she turned back to the counter, Amber squeezed in next to her to whisper, “You know him?”
“I do.”
“He’s gorgeous. A real silver fox like they talk about in my mom’s romance novels,” Amber gushed.
“A bit too old for you?” Rose teased.
Sighing loudly, Amber agreed, “Probably. But I can dream.”
Rose couldn’t stop the giggle that welled from her lips. “You’ll have to tell your mom you met a character from her books.”
“Oh, I read them, too. They’re yummy,” the teenager said before adding, “Is it okay if I head home? I have a math test tomorrow.”
“Of course. I’m almost ready to close the shop. Go study,” Rose urged.
“Thanks, boss!”
Rose watched the bubbly young woman gather her things from behind the counter and head into the mall toward the parking lot with a wave. How long had it been since she’d read a juicy book? Rose resolved that she’d squeeze in a chapter or two soon.
“She seems personable,” Adam commented.
“Amber is a great employee. I tried to choose people who fit the fun environment of the shop but who seemed reliable and honest.”
“Put me to work. What can I do?” Adam asked.
“You could help me straighten.”
“You’ve got it.”
He followed her over to the bin and worked next to her, making sure all the stuffie bodies were ready for eager customers to choose them. His gentle presence as they worked side by side felt wonderful. Adam chatted about the news in the world and told her funny things that had happened at work.
“What’s the hardest color to make a gumball?” she asked.
“We tried tie-dye once. It was a royal flop. All the colors just blended together. Who wants gray bubble gum?”
“Yuck. That doesn’t sound appetizing.”
Rose heard another door in the mall closing and checked the time. “Be right back. I’ll close up.”
She slid the metal gate across the opening of the shop and turned to pull the glass doors closed.
“Wait! I need to make a…”
Rose studied the man on the other side of the barrier as he spoke. When he fumbled to name some item he needed to buy in the store, she quickly decided not to reopen the door.
“I’m sorry, sir. The mall is closed. Come back tomorrow. Our business hours are from ten to nine,” Rose said politely.
The man looked like he would argue as Rose felt Adam approach to stand behind her. He didn’t interfere but stood silently.
“I guess I’ll make another trip back tomorrow,” the man grumbled and he turned and disappeared among the shoppers heading for their cars.
“That was weird,” Adam observed.
“It really was. We get all kinds of people here. That makes my job interesting.”