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 we need several. Go ahead and put yours on and I’ll run down when I have a few minutes and buy a few more so we can all wear one. Santa caps all around,” Rose cheered.
“I knew I was going to love working here,” Larisa said.
“You all are having so much fun!” a customer observed. “I fell in love with the dragon in the window wearing the elf costume. Could I make one for my son?”
“That is the cutest, isn’t it?” Larisa agreed with a smile. “Have you been to Stuff-It before?”
“Never. I’ve seen the store, of course, and heard people talking about making a stuffed animal,” the friendly customer commented.
“Let me walk you through the process. Let’s find the perfect dragon first. All the stuffable friends are over here. We actually have three colors of dragons…”
Rose watched Larisa guide the shopper to the display. She and Larisa had clicked immediately during the interview process. Rose had learned to listen to her gut when hiring employees. With only four employees and herself, Rose needed to have people to rely on.
“Miss?” An older man interrupted her thoughts.
“Yes? Can I help you find a new friend?” Rose asked with a smile, sure that this was a grandpa shopping.
“Tomorrow is my anniversary. My wife has quite a collection of stuffies but nothing from your new store. I’d like to make her one, please.”
“Of course. We do have gift certificates if you’d like to bring her in to do it herself. That’s a lot of fun.”
“Oh, I’m afraid she doesn’t get out much anymore. Crowds jostle her too much without meaning to cause her pain. Darn arthritis,” he shared.
“I’m sorry. It will be just as special if you create a surprise for her. Does she have a favorite animal?” Rose asked, trying not to tear up at the sad story. She couldn’t ask but his use of the word stuffie made her think maybe his wife was Little.
“A cat. Black, if you have one.”
“I do. Come see if this one is the best choice for her.”
As soon as Rose helped him begin the process of choosing all the special features for his stuffie, another customer arrived. The entire morning rushed by with a steady stream of eager stuffed-animal creators. The flow of shoppers fit perfectly with the process of choosing all the fun components and adding the stuffing. Larisa and Rose were busy but not so swamped that they couldn’t interact with each person to help them make the best choices.
“I love this cat,” Rose confided as she rang up the black cat who now wore a polka-dot nightshirt. He’d added his voice saying “I love you” and a lavender scent to help his wife sleep.
“Bethie will adore it,” he answered confidently. “I think I saw some polka-dot nightgowns in the store across the way. I’m off there next.”
“That’s perfect!” Rose smiled as she watched the older man walk out of the store carrying the stuffie as if it were the most precious gift on earth. Bouncing on her toes with happiness that a stuffed animal from her shop would be so cherished, Rose turned to help the next customer.
After Larisa returned from her lunch break, Rose dashed down the hallway to the bookstore. To her delight, they also had smaller Santa’s hats that would fit perfectly on the stuffies’ heads. A cute idea of highlighting a different stuffed animal each day by placing the hat on its head popped into her mind. There was only one Santa anyway. Not all the stuffies could wear a hat on the same day.
Catching sight of the time, she rushed back to the store. It was almost time for her date with Adam. She’d hoped to get a message from him today, but her phone had remained stubbornly blank. They’d texted a bit yesterday. Adam had even sent her a picture of his favorite niece and her new elephant friend, Pinkie. It seemed that his niece had expanded her choice of names for her new friend, abandoning the usual Sally and Betsy for something much more appropriate for the rosy pachyderm.
Now, it seemed strange that she hadn’t heard from him. Maybe she should try to call in case he’d changed his mind. As she walked into the store, Larisa pantomimed holding a phone to her ear as she waited for a child to make their choice of a cream or dark brown teddy bear.
Dashing to the cash register where she’d left her phone, Rose checked the screen. One missed call and a message. She’d missed him. With a heavy sigh, Rose played the message, fearing the worst.
Hi, Rose! I know you’re busy, but I wanted to confirm our date at Little Cakes at two? Are you still able to make it?
Immediately, Rose pressed the call button to connect with him. Just hearing his deep voice made her smile. “Hi, Adam. I’m sorry I missed your call.”