Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Maybe we could go together some time. You know, so neither one of us would have to be the newbie alone?”
“I think that would be a great idea. For now, I think we need to focus on us. Would you like to go home with me?”
“Home? Is that to my brother’s house or to yours?” Tori asked, holding her breath.
“To what I hope will become our home, Curls. Coral and I have been very lonely without you.”
“I didn’t screw everything up?” she whispered as she glanced down to peek into the bag next to Evan’s feet. She was relieved to see Coral was inside. She wanted to pick her up and hold her, but this probably wasn’t the place. She swung her legs and forced herself to wait.
“No, Tori. I would like you to promise me that you’ll not run away next time.”
Tori nodded resolutely. “I was just scared. I want this so badly, but I worry I’m not good enough for you.”
Ignoring the other customers in the shop, Evan scooped Tori out of her chair and onto his lap. Surprised, she didn’t struggle. Once in his arms, she breathed in his scent and felt so much better to be close. Her Daddy always knew what she needed.
“I will spank your bottom cherry red, Little girl, if I ever think you’re even thinking that you’re not good enough. You are the best thing I ever discovered through my camera’s lens,” Evan said softly into her ear.
The beautiful images Evan had captured in the book she’d decorated flashed through her brain. She couldn’t be better than all those. Could she? Tori peeked up at her Daddy’s face, looking for any clue that he was stretching the truth.
“I promise never to lie to you, Tori.”
She nodded automatically, accepting his vow. “I’ll tell you the truth, too. Even when I don’t want to,” she promised.
“Thank you, Little girl. Are you ready to get out of here?”
“Yes, please,” she urged, smiling at him. Her heart felt so much better. Tori wanted to be alone with her Daddy. Tori pressed a kiss on his lips and heard clapping. She and Evan looked toward the counter where the entire Little Cakes staff stood grinning at them and celebrating their reconciliation.
Daringly, Tori blew them a kiss. This really was the best place to work.
Evan led his Little girl into the house that had felt so empty without her. “I want to talk to you about something.”
“Am I in trouble?” Tori asked, looking down at her sneaker as she tapped it nervously on the carpet. She was squeezing Coral against her chest. She had been ever since they got in the car.
“No. You’re not in trouble. I want to show you something.” He led her toward the sofa.
“Okay!”
Evan patted the sofa cushion next to him as he sat. With Tori snuggled close, he gestured at the book of flowers he had given her that now lay on the coffee table. Opening it up, he turned the pages slowly before telling her, “I took your additions to my publisher. She wants to offer you a contract to decorate my next photographs.”
“A contract?” Tori looked at him with wide eyes. “Like I’m going to get paid to doodle?”
“You’re going to get paid for your art,” he corrected.
“That’s a lot of pressure,” Tori admitted.
“We’ll work on the book together. This next one will be all animals. We may have to go camping to get a few shots that I want to include.”
“I love animals,” she cheered. “I’ve never been camping, Daddy. Will we sleep in a tent? That might be scary.”
“How about if we zip our sleeping bags together so you can be close to me?” he suggested.
“I’d like that, Daddy.”
“I’d like that too, Curls.” Evan ran a finger down her forearm and licked his fingertip. “Sweet. I think you’ve been whipping frosting, Tori.”
She gasped. “How did you know?” Lifting her arm, she licked over her skin and laughed. “I do taste like sugar!”
“A bath before dinner and then some cuddle time before bed,” Evan suggested.
“I’d like that, Daddy. Can I have bubbles?”
“Of course.”
Evan helped her off the couch and led her down the hall. Thank goodness, the Littles had convinced her to listen to him. Evan had a feeling he owed her brother his thanks for encouraging Tori to talk to him as well. He would need to remember that his Little girl was new to so many things. Introducing her to everything she’d missed out on would be a pleasure. Taking time to talk and answer questions was essential.
Chapter Seventeen
“I sign here on this line?” Tori asked nervously.
“Right there by the red X,” Evan confirmed.
“You think I can do this?”
“I don’t have any doubt, Curls.”
“Can I still work at Little Cakes?”
“Of course. I don’t think they can have a special cupcake featured without you there to draw it,” Evan reassured her.