Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Ready to go on an adventure?” he asked as his grin did funny things to her stomach. He sauntered toward her as she locked her front door.
“Ready,” she confirmed as she turned toward him.
He extended a hand to help her down the steps.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“I thought we’d go get a cup of coffee and get to know each other better,” he suggested.
Lark’s excitement evaporated. That’s not an adventure. That was like the hundred other first dates she’d had. Disappointed at his lack of originality, she forced a smile back on her face.
“Great! I’m sure you have harrowing stories to tell about being a police officer.”
“I won’t tell you any of those. Little girls should have sweet dreams, not scary ones. Shall we go?” he invited, tugging slightly at her ponytail.
She liked the small taste of pain too much. I have it bad.
When Lark nodded, Wyatt guided her to the passenger door and helped her settle inside. Automatically, she looked around the interior, peeking over the seat into the back. His car was immaculate. Not an empty wrapper or French fry to be seen.
Wyatt joined her and started the car. “Anything you don’t like to do?”
“No, I like to try new things,” she hinted, hoping he wouldn’t drive to the chain coffee place to get a cup of the overly roasted beans—in her opinion only, of course. Everyone else seemed to love it. Lark didn’t know if it was so popular because of the name brand recognition or just because people thought it was the “in” thing to do.
To her astonishment, he passed it and continued downtown. He pulled into the parking lot of a small building in an area becoming revitalized by a craft brewery, small boutique shops, and loft space.
Lark read the plate glass window and laughed. “CC’s Purrfect Coffee. I heard we had a cat café in town, but I’ve never been here.”
She looked at Wyatt with new appreciation. He hadn’t just taken her to the same old place. This was fun.
“They’re waiting for us.” He pointed to the window where a big, orange cat and a white kitten sat looking at them.
“Let’s go,” she urged, reaching for the door handle.
“I’ll open your door, Lark,” he corrected in a stern tone she hadn’t heard before.
Lark settled back against the seat and waited for him to get out and circle the car. She was surprised even at herself. This wasn’t like her at all. She was used to taking care of herself.
Trying to distract her thoughts from pondering her strange reaction, Lark asked, “How many cats are in there?”
“I think it varies from day to day. CC partners with the local animal shelter to bring cats and kittens to the shop each day,” Wyatt told her as he helped her from the car.
As they stepped into the first door of the shop, Lark appreciated that a system of keeping the cats safe was built in to the entrance. The outer door had to close completely before the inner door would open. Three cats rushed to see them while several more raised sleepy heads to look at the new arrivals.
“Pebbles would never get out of here,” she commented with a laugh as they walked into the shop dotted with teenagers and parents with younger children.
“Fort Knox for cats. No escapees to date,” a friendly woman at the counter commented.
“Hi, CC! This is Lark. She hasn’t been in before. Looks like you’ve got a lot of new cats today,” Wyatt greeted the owner.
“Hi, Wyatt. Thank you for spreading the word. If you have time, pet the kitten in the corner. She’s pretty scared. It’s her first day here.”
“Will do,” Wyatt assured her after turning to locate a black and white ball of fluff trying to be invisible under one of the tables.
“Want your usual?” CC asked.
“Yes, please. Lark, what would you like? Their hot chocolate is out of this world,” Wyatt suggested.
“Too many calories for me. Black coffee will be great. Medium roast if you have it,” Lark requested.
“Of course. I’ll bring it right out,” the owner assured them as she turned to concoct their drinks.
Wyatt steered her toward the corner of the room with a warm hand on Lark’s low back. “This is my favorite table.”
The large orange cat meowed loudly at their feet. To Lark’s delight, Wyatt introduced her to him.
“Tangerine, this is Lark. She’s very special so be on your best behavior, okay?” Wyatt requested.
Instantly, Tangerine rubbed against her legs, demanding attention.
“If you sit down, he’ll get on your lap,” Wyatt told her softly as he pulled out a chair.
Sinking into the padded seat, Lark opened her arms to invite the cat to join her and groaned as the large creature heaved his way onto her thighs. “Tangerine. You’ve been eating too many scones.”