Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“I have to go get it?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Sue slid down from her Daddy’s lap and shuffled toward the door to the garage feeling extremely Little. All she could think about was the thermometer he was going to put in her. No. That wasn’t true. She was also worried about what other things he might have in the bag.
She opened the car door, grabbed the bag, and quickly stuffed everything back inside without looking. She didn’t really want to know what else was in there. Luckily most of it hadn’t fallen out.
When she returned to the kitchen, Daddy was at the counter arranging chicken nuggets on a baking tray.
That perked her up. “We’re having chicken nuggets?”
“We sure are. I don’t know many Little girls who don’t like chicken nuggets. Judging by the way your eyes lit up, I assume that goes for you too.”
“I love them. I’ve been buying them sometimes lately. I never had them while I was married.”
He lifted his gaze, his brows furrowed. “Why not?” He quickly waved a hand through the air. “Never mind. Don’t answer that. I can guess. Troy wanted you to cook from scratch. I bet deep inside what he really wanted was to avoid facing his Little self at all costs.”
She bit her lip while she considered his words. “Yeah. I think you’re right. He didn’t let me make mac and cheese either. And we never got anything fun like Popsicles or Frosted Flakes.”
Davis reached out a hand and Sue set the bag down and came to him, letting him wrap her in a hug at his side. He kissed the top of her head. “I think he was really in denial, Cherry. Probably for years.”
Sue tipped her head back. “I feel conflicted. Part of me is so mad at him for treating me badly. Part of me feels sorry for him for denying his true self.”
Daddy smiled. “The good news is you’re both in the right place now, and this Daddy is going to spoil you with fun foods. Mixed with healthy choices of course.” He winked.
She sighed as she leaned into him closer, trying to ignore the bag. It seemed larger than it had earlier. She knew it was filled with several colorful boxes, but she’d stuffed them in while squinting.
“Come.” Daddy guided her to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair for her to sit before returning to grab the ominous bag.
She relaxed significantly when he revealed a puzzle and set it in front of her. Not just any puzzle. It was a family of porcupines. “Daddy!” she exclaimed as she took the box from him.
“I thought that would please you. You can dump out the pieces and start working on it while I finish dinner. We’ll eat at the breakfast bar.” He cupped her face and tipped her chin back. “No arguing when I say it’s time to take a break though.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl.”
She carefully opened the box and dumped the pieces on the table before beginning the tedious task of turning all the pieces upright and finding the edges and corners. She didn’t like to start a puzzle until it was all organized.
“Looks like it’s going to be a tough one,” Daddy said from across the room. “It’s mostly the same color. It’s going to take a few evenings to get it put together.”
“Maybe we can use that special glue and frame it and hang it in my nursery when it’s done,” she suggested.
“We can definitely do that, Cherry.”
Sue concentrated so hard on the puzzle that it took her mind off the mysterious contents of the bag that now sat across from her on the table.
She certainly didn’t want to misbehave and risk experiencing things she wasn’t ready for, so when Daddy told her it was time for dinner, she immediately stopped and slid down from the chair.
She giggled when Daddy lifted her off her feet and set her on the barstool. He pointed at her plate. “Chicken nuggets aren’t particularly unhealthy. We can eat them pretty often if you like them, as long as we mix in healthy options too. No one should deprive themselves of yummy foods.”
“Thank you, Daddy. This looks delicious.” She wasn’t a picky eater. The steamed broccoli was just right. Daddy had even made French fries, and she knew he’d baked them on a pan.
“Do you want catsup, Cherry?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
He poured some on one side of her plate between the fries and the nuggets. “You’re not going to dip your broccoli in it, are you?” he teased.
She scrunched up her nose and shook her head. “Gross.”
He chuckled. “Good. Just checking.”
Chapter Nineteen
Sue ate slowly, putting off the inevitable. She was relieved once again when Daddy reminded her they were going to walk in the pool next.
She changed into her suit and mimicked Daddy for all the exercises, deciding she liked working out in the pool more than the gym.