Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Undressing her, he wrapped her in a diaper and tucked her in her crib. Unable to leave her, Cameron drew the rocking chair up to its side and took a seat. The events of the day ricocheted through his mind, and he shook his head.
All of this had almost been stolen away by a vindictive woman whom he’d treated kindly and professionally. Cameron tried never to wish bad karma on anyone, but he struggled with this one. Rexy caught his eye and Cameron knew he needed to let everything go. The nursery especially did not need negative emotions inside it.
He turned his thoughts to planning a special day for them tomorrow. A trip back to their first date. Would CC’s Purrfect Coffee have a kitten or cat that would steal Aria’s heart? They’d top off their day with a cupcake and some time together at home.
Whoops. They’d have to visit Little Cakes, then the café. If they found the purrfect cat they’d want to take him home immediately. And supplies! They’d need a cat box and food. Quickly, he pulled out his phone and ordered very basic supplies to be delivered—just in case.
“Daddy?”
“Hi, Little girl. Do you want to go back to sleep?”
“I’m hungry,” she confessed.
“Then I think we need to get some food in your tummy. Do you like scrambled eggs?”
She nodded eagerly as she moved onto her knees and held up her arms for him to help her down. Aria was hungry.
“I need a shirt, Daddy, or I’ll get cold,” she told him.
“I think we can find a shirt for you, sweetheart,” he assured Aria.
When she wore a pair of ruffled shorts over her diaper with a matching shirt and knee-high stockings so her toes didn’t get cold, Cameron boosted her to her feet and led her to the kitchen. Together, they broke eggs and mixed them up with a splash of milk and some seasoning.
As he heated the pan, Cameron asked, “Do you like cheesy eggs?”
“Is that just cheese in scrambled eggs?” she asked.
When he nodded, she answered, “I haven’t tried that, but it sounds good.”
Quickly, he added some grated cheese from a mixture in his refrigerator and scrambled the eggs in a pan as she supervised.
“You’re not going to leave them runny, right?” she double-checked. “If so, just let mine cook in there for a little while longer.”
“No mushy eggs for my Little girl,” Cameron decreed as he deliberately flipped everything over so that the top side would come into direct contact with the pan. Then he turned off the heat.
“Come sit at the table. I’ll get us each some milk and then you can see what you think of my cheesy, non-mushy scrambled eggs.”
In just a few minutes, he was back with a steaming bowl of scrambled eggs. “Try a bite,” he suggested, holding a small amount to her mouth.
“That’s yummy, Daddy. More,” Aria urged.
By the time they were both full, the bowl was almost empty. Aria leaned forward to look at the last of the eggs wistfully.
“I wish I could eat another bite. Those were so good. Cheesy. Perfectly cooked.”
“I’ll make eggs for us again,” Cameron promised. “Now, time to brush teeth and cuddle in bed with Daddy.”
“Oh, I can’t go back to sleep,” she protested.
“I bet you can,” he said with a wink.
“What are we betting?”
“If you go to sleep quickly, I’ll let you choose the best cupcake in our box to eat. If you don’t, I’ll let you choose the cupcake that your Daddy eats.”
“I could choose an ugly one for me or for you,” Aria pointed out a problem with his logic, as she stifled a yawn.
“You could. Do you know what?” he asked, leaning in confidentially.
“What?”
“They’re all going to taste the same, and I’ll love the one you chose.”
“You’re funny, Daddy.”
“Just rest here while I clean up the kitchen and we’ll go brush our teeth and cuddle in bed.”
As he watched, she gradually laid her head on the table. Within minutes, he rejoined her and cajoled her out of her chair. “Come on, Giggles. Don’t go to sleep here.”
When he finally held her in his arms, cushioned by fluffy pillows, Cameron kissed her softly. “Sleep tight, Little girl.”
She was out so fast she never responded to him. It looked like he was destined for an ugly cupcake if there was even such a thing at Little Cakes. Cameron allowed himself to relax. He couldn’t wait to spend a special day with Aria.
Chapter Nineteen
The next morning, Aria woke up and opened her eyes to see her Daddy’s handsome face just in front of her. Immediately, her lips curved in a smile. She was so happy to see him.
Aria allowed herself a mean thought toward the monster who almost stole all of this from her. If it hadn’t been for Cameron’s deductive skills and persistence in forcing her to listen, Aria would have lost her job and the love of her life. A tiny bit of sadness crept into her mind. What kind of life must Carol live that she’d even think of doing something so mean and vindictive? Aria was still going to be mad at her. Some things just couldn’t be forgiven.