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)
“He was supposed to be out today. I was totally bummed,” another voice shared. “Then he came strutting down the line with the foreman. I think every female employee and a few of the males all swooned.”
“You two are awful, talking about the boss like that,” the third voice criticized.
“Miss High and Mighty, didn’t I see you running over there to talk to him?” the second voice asked.
“That’s business. He asked me to let him know how the new extruder was working.”
“You didn’t go talk to him while he was showing that woman around. They looked pretty friendly,” the first voice pointed out.
Hearing three stall doors close, Rose flushed her toilet quickly and rushed out without washing her hands. She’d do that later. Right now, she wanted to avoid running into the women who’d ogled her Daddy.
Rushing back the other way, Rose burst into the welcoming area, visibly startling Alice. “Oops! Sorry. That door opened faster than I expected.” She wandered casually over to the hand sanitizer dispenser at the side of the room and took care of her hands.
“Did you want to pick up a few treats?” Alice said, smiling as she stood up from her chair.
“Definitely. I loved the cinnamon scent. Do you have any of those?” Rose asked.
“They just brought a fresh batch in. There are some yummy fruit flavors, too. They’re my favorite. If you like to blow bubbles, the traditional bubble gum balls are what you want,” Alice advised.
“Who doesn’t like to blow bubbles?”
“Right? Let’s get you an assortment.”
Within minutes, Alice had a large tote bag filled with a huge assortment. “That should keep you busy for a couple of weeks,” the receptionist announced.
“Weeks? It will take months to chew all that!” Rose exclaimed as she pulled her phone wallet from her pocket to pay.
“Put that away. This batch is on Mr. Connell. He’ll flay me alive if I let you give me any money.”
“Thank you. Is he this sweet to everyone?” Rose asked.
“He’s a very polite man but I never forget that Mr. Connell is a shrewd businessman as well. The factory wasn’t doing too well when he took over. He’s made a ton of improvements in the last couple of years. I was working on the line back then. I saw everything first hand.”
“Does he date his employees?” Rose blurted.
“Mr. Connell? Not that I know of. There’s plenty that flirt with him. I don’t think he notices. I’ve always suspected he was searching for someone special. I’m glad he’s found you,” Alice shared.
“I’m glad I found her, too,” Adam’s deep voice commented from the doorway.
“Sorry, Mr. Connell. I wasn’t gossiping,” Alice assured him quickly.
“Rose has a very inquisitive mind. I have no doubt she asked you some questions. She’s used to hanging out with the creatures at Stuff-It. There are no secrets there,” Adam observed, walking to Rose and hugging her to his side.
“Stuff-It? I always want to go in there, but I’m too old to make a stuffie for myself,” Alice deplored.
“No one is too old for stuffies. You totally should. It’s so much fun,” Rose encouraged her.
“Maybe I will. Thanks. I haven’t done anything just for the joy of it for a while. It could be my Christmas present to myself,” Alice suggested.
Adam nodded his agreement. “I think that’s a perfect idea. Now, we need to get something to eat. All the emergencies are settled. Did you get enough gumballs? This sack feels light,” he observed, lifting the colorful tote bag.
“I didn’t pay for it,” Rose said quickly.
“Good. Thank you, Alice, for taking care of Rose while I was busy.”
“Have a good day, Mr. Connell. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Alice answered and scurried to her desk as the phone rang.
“Let’s go, Rosebud. What flavor did you get the most of?” he asked, steering her through the door.
“Guess!”
“Let’s see. You practically wiggled into the mixer when they added the cinnamon flavoring. I bet that’s the one you wanted over the others.”
“You know me so well,” she whispered as they reached the car.
When he helped her into her seat, Adam leaned close to kiss her lightly. “I’m learning all I can about my special Little girl.”
Overcome with a depth of emotion she didn’t expect to feel so quickly, Rose tugged his lips back to hers and kissed him passionately before settling against the seat to pull her seatbelt on.
Adam brushed her hands away and snapped it securely for her. “Food and then back home, Rosebud. I need to get you alone.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she replied obediently. “Can we get a cupcake before we go home?”
“Of course. Let’s go to Nibbles & Bites for lunch and then pick up some treats to have at home. What flavor do you want?”
“Santa’s Kiss, of course. It’s yummy.”
Chapter Twelve
“Hi, Rose! I bet you’re back here for Santa’s Kiss cupcakes,” Ellie enthused when they walked through the doors.