Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
His mmm in response seemed to indicate he agreed as he devoured his portion.
Unable to stop herself, Sue finished it. “I’m going to have to work out for an extra half hour to burn off those calories,” she playfully complained. “That was totally worth it. My new favorite.”
“I’ll run it by Ellie, but I think I have a winner here,” Tarson said, eyeing the others he’d prepared. “I’ll put these away before they disappear. I may be at Fitness Haven for hours.”
“I just joined last night,” Sue shared as she grabbed the last tray of cupcakes she needed for the display.
“You’ll love it. Davis knows his stuff.”
As she backed through the door, Sue called, “Five minutes until we open.”
“Gotcha. Call if you need help. Ellie will be in soon.”
“Will do.”
The day flew past. A refreshed-looking Ellie showed up about an hour after the shop opened. Sue brushed off her apologies for having to open by herself.
“No problem. We had it handled. I’m glad you got some sleep.”
“I feel so much better,” Ellie admitted. “Daddy always knows what I need.”
Maintaining her usually cheerful smile, Sue wistfully wished she had someone who cared for her as much as Garrett did for Ellie. When the bells jingled at the door, she turned to greet the customers entering and felt her smile disappear from her lips.
“Sue, I need that grandfather clock we had in the living room.”
“Hi, Troy. It’s good to see you,” Sue lied as her ex-husband approached. She watched him glance over Ellie’s shape and dismiss her as anyone worthy of his attention. Instantly, she bristled at his rudeness.
“Sorry, Ellie. I’ll get him out of here,” she promised her boss.
“Let me know if you need help,” Ellie answered and disappeared without her normal cheerful greeting for bakery visitors.
“Get me out of here? That’s not very nice,” Troy criticized before referring to the purpose of his visit. “Now, the clock. When can I pick it up?”
“I’m sure there’s a great one at the furniture store downtown,” Sue suggested.
“No, Viola wants the one from that picture I took of the big TV in our old living room,” Troy insisted.
“You mean the one my great-grandfather commissioned that has been handed down through my family?” Sue stressed her family connection to the device.
“Yes. That one. When can I pick it up?”
“Sorry, Troy. The divorce decree awarded that to me. You said it was an ugly abomination as I remember.”
“So, I’ve changed my mind. Don’t be difficult.”
Sue tried to keep her temper under control. She didn’t get angry easily, but everyone needed to watch out if she did. “It’s not yours. Viola will have to make do with another one.”
“You’re really going to make me call my lawyer to handle this?”
“Feel free to give him my lawyer’s number if he’s lost it. I’ve been meaning to call him about the alimony you haven’t paid for six months.”
“You always were a bitch, Sue. How I ever thought you would make a good wife, I’ll never know,” Troy fumed before scanning her body with a sneer. “You might want to get a job at a weight loss clinic instead of here. Maybe they’d give you a discount.”
“Get out of my shop.” Ellie’s sharp tone ordered from behind. “You’re not welcome here.”
Troy opened his mouth to respond, but snapped it closed when Garrett and Tarson walked through the swinging door. As if they could feel the tension in the room, both walked up to flank Ellie.
Without a word, Troy turned and stormed out of the door, fuming and tossing the phrase, “You’ll hear from my lawyer” over his shoulder.
“I’m sorry. That was my ex-husband. He won’t come in again. Troy avoids anyone he can’t manipulate,” Sue said, bracing herself against the counter with a shaking hand.
“What an ass! You married him? Come sit down. I’ll get you some water.” Ellie rushed to wrap an arm around Sue’s waist and urge her to a nearby table.
“I need to…”
“Take a break.,” Ellie interrupted with steel in her voice. “You’ve been here all day long without one. Did you bring lunch or should Garrett run over to the café for something for you?”
“Oh, no.” Sue turned to look at Garrett who’d moved toward the door. “I’m trying to diet. I’ll be okay without lunch.”
“I’ll bring back something healthy,” he promised and disappeared before Sue could protest further.
“No skipping meals,” Ellie said as if she’d heard that phrase a million times from her Daddy.
“Call me if he comes back,” Tarson directed before disappearing back into the kitchen.
“Sorry, Ellie,” Sue whispered. “He’s a jerk.”
“Yep. Even sprinkles couldn’t make him look good.”
The image of Ellie’s usual exuberant tossing of the multicolored decorations over Troy’s carefully styled hair made Sue laugh out loud. Meeting her boss’s eyes, Sue knew she was picturing the same thing. The two women wrapped their arms around each other as they howled with merriment, breaking the tension that had stiffened Sue’s spine.