Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Those are good indicators.”
I held Parker’s gaze for a moment, watching as his smile softened and he huffed out a laugh. “I bet you never expected this.”
“What?”
“Me sitting at your breakfast table with a baby, talking about pureed carrots.”
That was true. “No, I didn’t, but I’m sure you could say the same thing.”
“Definitely.”
Franks swept into the dining room with a tray that held a bottle for Joy and a selection of small bowls that held her carrots and beef in puree form with a tiny spoon covered in a soft rubber.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” Franks inquired as he set the bowls in front of Parker.
“Uh…no…I’m good.”
“He needs a latte,” I cut in as I poured my coffee from the silver coffeepot, then added a spoonful of sugar and a splash of cream.
“What?” Parker gasped.
“Of course, sir. Would you like your latte made any special way?”
Parker’s eyes were locked on me. “Wait, how did you know?”
“I was in the elevator when you were telling Linda Hughes that you couldn’t start your day without a happy burst of caffeine from your latte.”
Parker swung around to stare at Franks. “You can make me a latte? Here? Like at a coffee shop?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Franks pull himself up even straighter and puff out his chest a bit. “Of course we can, sir. What would you like?”
“Double-shot espresso-mocha latte with skim milk and a hint of cinnamon.” The request flowed off Parker’s tongue so fast, I barely understood him. Thankfully, Franks got it all and hurried off to the kitchen to relay the order to Donovan.
“I’ve got to get out of here,” Parker muttered under his breath as he turned his attention to Joy.
I’d reached out to spear one of Donovan’s fluffy pancakes with my fork, but stopped. “Why?”
“Because I can’t risk getting used to this. Having a latte at home every morning? Someone to help prepare Joy’s meals? I’ve been here for less than a day, and I already feel spoiled.”
“Think of it as a break while you get your life in order again.”
Parker nodded as he picked up a bowl and stirred it a little. I watched for a minute as he fed Joy some of the orange concoction before switching over to the brown mixture. Here and there, Joy clumsily lifted her bottle to her mouth to take a drink. The entire time, Parker chatted happily with her. It wasn’t quite baby talk but a gentler tone than he normally used as he talked about her food and all the things they were going to do today, which was roll on the floor, play with toys, and nap.
The only problem was that feeding Joy meant Parker couldn’t fill his own plate with food. I’d filled my plate with pancakes, fruit, and sausage.
I got to my feet and grabbed the small crystal bowl next to his plate and filled it with freshly sliced fruit. With his plate in hand, I inquired, “Waffles or pancakes?”
“Waffles,” Parker replied without even looking up.
“Sausage or bacon?”
“Bacon.”
“Hash browns or Potatoes O’Brian?”
“Hash browns.”
We continued that way until his plate was full and Franks had returned with Parker’s latte. My assistant blinked, but wisely didn’t say a word as he placed Parker’s drink on the table.
“Mr. Cain, would you like me to help with feeding Miss Cain? It would allow you to eat while your food is still warm,” Franks offered.
“Nah. That’s okay. She crushed her carrots and beef this morning. The bottle should keep her busy while I eat. If you could get me a damp cloth to wash off her face and hands.”
Frank nodded and was off again while Parker turned to his own plate and swore.
“Eat. Don’t curse at the food,” I murmured between bites of pancake.
Parker made a noise that might have been a giggle and dug in. A moan rumbled up his throat that was too similar to what I heard when we were alone. I stopped with my coffee halfway to my mouth and stared at him. His head was tipped back, and his eyes closed as he chewed.
“Heaven. These waffles are heaven.” He took a sip of his latte and groaned.
“Try to contain yourself. You’re going to traumatize your daughter,” I said while returning my eyes to my plate.
“How do you eat like this every day and not weigh three hundred pounds? This food is amazing.”
“I have some self-control.”
Parker snorted and I wasn’t able to lift my gaze, because I knew I would blush. Parker Cain was the only person I’d ever met who could consistently destroy all my self-control, and he took pride in it.
“What are your plans for today?” It was better to change the subject.
There was a long pause, and I looked up to see Parker smirking at me. He knew exactly what I was doing, but he cleared his throat and answered my question.