Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Avery watched Ellie signal Riley to take over at the cash register before running back into the kitchen. By the time they reached the counter to order, she ran out with two witch’s brew cupcakes.
“I stashed these in the freezer in case you came in this week. They’re a bit cold but I love them like this,” Ellie shared. “You need cold milk! Go sit down; I’ll bring it to you.”
Trace moved to the cash register to pay. Pulling out his wallet, he smiled at the heavily tattooed woman who seemed familiar from Blaze. “How much do I owe you?”
“Ellie says they’re on the house. Think of them as a welcome-to-the-city treat,” Riley announced. “Besides, Avery helped teach us self-defense classes and wouldn’t let us pay. We treat her to cupcakes every time she comes in.”
“That’s very nice of you. Thank you for taking care of her.” Trace didn’t argue. These were obviously very good friends of his Little girl.
“Our pleasure. Enjoy the cupcakes. Witch’s brew is my second favorite flavor,” Riley added.
“What’s your first?” he asked curiously.
“Red Velvet, of course.”
“Of course.”
Trace turned and walked to the secluded table where Ellie and Avery chatted. “Thank you for the cupcakes, Ellie.”
“My pleasure. I’m waiting to see what you think of the special witch’s brew flavor. It was super popular. I think we’ll have that every year if we don’t replace it with something frosted green like a warty toad. That sounds fun to me but this one is so good. What would a warty toad taste like?”
“I’m looking forward to seeing what flavor witch’s brew is,” Trace commented, amused by all the information the owner had shared in a small time period.
“I think you’ll love them. I’ll scoot back to the register. Thanks for coming in,” Ellie said quickly and disappeared.
“She consumes a lot of sugar,” Trace suggested.
“She’s always high energy, I think,” Avery agreed with a fond smile. He could tell she enjoyed Ellie tremendously.
“So, do I use a fork or just dive in?” he asked.
“Like this, Daddy,” she recommended, lifting the gourmet cupcake from her plate to peel back the paper liner. Then lifting it to her lips, she took a huge bite, smearing the black icing over her lips.
“Ah, I see the skilled technique you have acquired. Let me try,” Trace suggested and followed her example.
To be honest, he hadn’t expected to enjoy anything called witch’s brew quite so much. It was moist, packed with flavor, and sweet but not overly so. He drew the cupcake back from his lips to look at it a bit differently. These could become his next addiction.
When he heard her laugh, Trace looked up at his Little who brushed his lips with her fingertips to show him that he’d gained a few crumbles here and there. Laughing, he brushed himself off and took another bite as Avery turned to wave to get Ellie’s attention. Acknowledging his approval, Trace held one hand over his head with his thumb up before turning his attention back to his Little girl.
“I don’t suppose I look hot as a zombie, do I?” he asked, running his tongue over his lips that the dark frosting had to affect similarly to hers.
“You look hot,” she answered without hesitating a second before her cheeks turned rosy.
“Come here, Mae Bug. I need to see if you taste as delicious as this treat.”
Trace pulled her chair between his spread knees and leaned in to kiss her. He loved that she cupped her hands over his thighs to move as close as possible. The attraction between them flared into desire quickly and Trace lifted his mouth from hers before he forgot where they were.
“Cold milk,” suggested Ellie as she drifted by with a tickled look on her face.
Without taking his eyes off Avery, Trace reached for his glass and took a big drink. It was going to take a lot of the refreshing beverage to cool him off. He smiled widely as Avery followed his lead and drank deeply as well.
“I wish tomorrow wasn’t Monday,” she whispered. “I want more fun days with you.”
“We have many days to come, Little girl.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Chapter Eighteen
The next week flew past in a whirlwind of activity. Avery was pleased to notice the other detectives acknowledging that the changes the new captain had put into place were actually a benefit instead of more bureaucracy and paperwork that filled every small free moment in their lives.
The furniture arrived on Thursday night and the boxes now filled the newly painted nursery. Avery loved the color and Trace had surprised her with a fanciful large rug that matched perfectly and added the whimsy of decorated cartoon animals scattered across it. She already loved stretching out on the soft material to enjoy the space. Trace had promised they’d start putting the furniture together that night and that she could help.