Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“That was enough to start Darren’s research into the lifestyle, I assume,” Hunter commented.
“Yes. He found a local club and applied to be a member. We had to wait a few months until I turned twenty-one. I asked him not to go without me. We were both scared and exhilarated when we got there, but it turned out to be the best thing we’d ever done.”
“Were you both drawn to the same activities?” he probed.
“Yes.”
Hunter loved the delicate shade of rose that tinted her cheeks. She really was quite innocent. “Eat, CC. You need fuel to help your body heal.”
Sensing she needed to talk about something else, Hunter said gently, “I love to hear about you and your story. Tell me about your coffee shop.”
With an expression he interpreted as relief, she recounted all the trials and tribulations of starting a small business. Adding the extra commotion of small, furry bodies trying to explore and/or run away made her story even more hilarious. Hunter liked that she always looked at the positive side of things, finding the rainbow after the thunderstorm.
“To date, we’ve placed over a thousand cats with people who love them.” She wrapped it all up with wonderful news like it was icing on the cake.
“Wow! That’s amazing. Can I get you more pizza or would you like a cupcake for dessert?” Hunter offered.
“Could we split a cupcake? I’m going to need to go home soon,” she commented, looking at the clock on the wall.
“You must get up early.” He could tell that his statement wasn’t what she was worrying about. Hunter tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together to figure out what concerned her.
“I do. I think it’s going to take me a while to get ready for bed. I’m not supposed to get this line wet,” she shared, waving a hand at the line implanted in her upper arm. “I guess I’ll try to shower with one hand outside the curtain. I’d love to get my hair washed as well but I don’t think I have the energy or dexterity to do that myself.”
“Let’s eat our cupcake for energy. Then I’ll take you back to your car and follow you home. I’ll be glad to wash your hair for you at the kitchen sink. There’s a better plan for showering.”
“Really?” Her face lit with happiness before she shook her head. “That’s too much to ask.”
“Nothing is too much to ask.”
Chapter Eight
CC pulled into her garage with a sigh. She was so tired. Her normal energy was gone. “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” she mumbled as she watched Hunter pull his car behind hers. The thought of getting her hair clean rebounded immediately into her mind.
She was still thinking when her door opened. CC looked up to meet his worried gaze.
“You okay, princess?”
“I’m exhausted. Sorry. This was a bad idea. I hate to waste your time in coming over here.”
“Come on, Little girl. Let’s go inside.” Hunter urged, ignoring her protest.
He scooped her out of the car and set her feet on the concrete. “Where are your things from the hospital?”
When she waved a hand to the trunk, he pushed the trunk release button on the door and grabbed her bags. Wrapping a supportive arm around CC as he rejoined her, Hunter led her into the house. She looked around, seeing it through his eyes. It looked like a house belonging to a police officer and his wife. Commendations and pictures lined the wall over the desk in the kitchen area. The small gun safe sat underneath the wooden surface where Darren had locked his service pistol each night after his shift.
Time had just passed by as she tried to cope with losing her dashing husband. Hunter was like a breath of fresh air in the house that suddenly felt like a museum. Part of her hated that his mere presence made her notice things differently. Another part of her craved his companionship and liveliness. She’d been in stasis for too long.
“You’re thinking too hard. Where’s your laundry room?”
“Through that door,” she said, pointing to the other side of the kitchen.
CC watched Hunter set her bag of laundry on the washer before returning to her side. “Really. You don’t have to stay.”
“Where’s your shampoo?” he asked. “I can wash your hair here at the sink.”
“Do you mind?” slipped from her lips before she could stop herself.
“Not at all. Is your master bath attached to your bedroom?” Hunter asked, starting to head down the hall.
“Yes. The last door on the right. Watch out for Tangerine. He’s here somewhere.”
A loud yowl came from the bedroom as Hunter disappeared into it. She heard him talking to her pet for a few seconds. Almost immediately, Tangerine appeared in the hallway and headed directly for her, reporting the intrusion and welcoming her home at the same time.