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)
“You stocked something that reflects the stores in the shopping center? That’s a brilliant idea!” Sue praised.
“I hope so,” Nora said with a smile.
“So do you have a partner or is it just you running the store?” Ellie asked.
“I have some employees helping me. I’ll pick up a dozen cupcakes of random flavors,” Nora said as Cameron pulled out his wallet to pay for his order, signaling to Sue that he wanted four cupcakes to go as Ellie had suggested.
“Oh! Could you package an additional Blueberry Bliss separately? Suddenly, I want a cupcake for breakfast,” Nora confessed.
Aria smiled at the lean, tall woman who’d obviously been working hard. Did she see a bit of wistfulness in her eyes? There was something about her. When her gaze connected with the cupcake baker, Ellie gave her a nod. Could she actually be? Ellie had a pretty good Little radar.
“Come on, Little girl.” Cameron held the loaded tray and guided Aria with an arm around her waist to a secluded table. “Riley’s going to fix up our to-go package so it will survive in our vehicle for a bit.”
Aria beamed at him as she sat down. “This is so much fun.”
Noting the two glasses of milk, she asked, “Aren’t you having coffee?”
“I think I’ll keep my caffeine intake dedicated to CC’s today. We’re going there next,” he reminded her.
They both paused to take bites of their cupcakes and moan with delight. Aria loved this so much. She wiggled in her seat with delight.
“Yum. This is just a day of treats. Any idea what we should do after CC’s?” she asked before taking a drink of the icy cold beverage and smacking her lips in appreciation.
“I do, but it’s a secret.”
Aria leaned forward to grill her Daddy on what he was thinking about but stopped as Riley brought their to-go bag.
“Here you go. This should last for a while,” she explained, setting the package on an empty chair by Cameron. “I love your hair, Aria. My Daddy needs to up his hairdo skills. Maybe Cameron can teach a class at Blaze some night for Daddies.”
“I’d be glad to show them a few easy styles,” Cameron offered.
“Thanks. We’ll all be excited.” Riley looked over her shoulder and gave the others a thumbs up.
Aria had to laugh as Ellie and Sue clapped and mouthed how pretty her hair was. Feeling super special, she laid her hand on her Daddy’s thigh as Riley wandered away with their thanks for the cupcakes. His covered hers and squeezed.
“I love you, Aria.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.”
Late morning turned out to be a great time to visit CC’s Purrfect Coffee. The place was almost empty when they arrived. That was except for the cats. A new batch had just arrived and were exploring the coffee shop area. Delighted, Aria and Cameron picked up coffee drinks from the counter and entered the cat zone.
A tall man sat in the corner with the new arrivals. He looked up as they arrived with slightly watery blue eyes. “Hi. Come join the fun.”
“Da… Hunter,” CC corrected herself as she followed them with a cup of water and something in her hand, “you didn’t take your antihistamine. You’re going to start sneezing soon.”
“Thanks, sweetheart,” Hunter responded, reaching out one hand.
“He’s allergic to cats, but he’s the cat whisperer. How fair is that?” she shared with Cameron and Aria as she helped him take the medicine.
“This little girl may have to go back to the shelter. She’s overwhelmed by the surroundings and isn’t getting better,” he said, pointing to a small kitten hiding inside his shirt. “She’s shaking.”
“I can’t see that the shelter would be a good place for her either if she’s so frightened,” CC said with concern.
“I know. She needs a rescuer,” Hunter said.
“Can we see her? We’re in the market for a kitten,” Cameron asked.
“We are?” Aria said, feeling her heart swell with happiness.
“We are. Every home needs a pet, including ours.”
Hunter carefully unfastened the tiny claws from his shirt and handed over an orange ball of fluff. “Orange cats are usually males. This little girl is a collector’s item. You know a lot of people consider orange cats the friendliest.”
“Really? She’s so pretty,” Aria exclaimed as she cuddled her against her chest.
The small creature looked up and meowed. Her bright green eyes studied Aria for a second and then the tension visibly vanished from the small body. As they all watched, the kitten reached one paw up to bat at the end of Aria’s braid before adding the other in an attempt to capture the temptation.
“That’s the first time she’s played in a couple of hours,” CC said in amazement.
“She’s purring,” Aria whispered, totally enchanted by the ball of fur.
Petting the kitten, she looked up at Cameron with tears in her eyes. “Can we have this one? Please?”