Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“I can help.”
“Daddy’s job. Do you feel like coloring?”
“Sure. I enjoy that any time.”
“Perfect. I made a drawer for you.” He pointed to the cabinet closest to the table. “Go peek in there.”
He boosted her from his lap and watched Nicoya scamper over to open the place he’d indicated. Her squeals of delight made him smile.
“You’ve got the big set of crayons. And this is a sticker book!” She returned to the table with her prizes hugged to her chest. “Can I sit over here so I won’t get them dirty?”
“Give Daddy a kiss first, and then I think that’s a good idea.”
She bounded over to him and puckered her lips to bestow an enthusiastic kiss on him. Soon, she settled in a chair and started the tough process of choosing a picture.
Axel gathered the dishes and cleaned up the remains of dinner. He found himself moving slowly and knew he didn’t want this precious time to end. His Little girl was here. She was happy.
That night, cuddled in bed together, Axel held Nicoya as she crashed into sleep. He could tell she hadn’t slept well since they’d been apart and had insisted on an early bedtime despite her protests that she wasn’t tired. A cute snore made him smile. Damn, he loved this woman.
By the time Axel reached the house everyone had descended on, the cleaning process was in full swing. He got his crew pulling out an out-of-control line of hedging that blocked entrance to the house and mowing the overgrown lawn. They’d replace those things they removed with easy care plants.
“Hey!”
He turned and smiled at Nicoya. “Hey, yourself. I was just coming inside to see you.”
She walked forward, looking adorable in the hazmat jumpsuit they’d all decided would be best to wear. “Thanks for bringing some guys to do the heavy stuff. The other… men are glad to help whenever you’re ready for them. They’re doing some heavy lifting inside for us to get underneath stuff.”
“Is it bad in there?”
“It’s getting better,” she said cheerfully.
“Good. Do you need me inside or should I stay out here where I know what I’m doing?” Axel asked with a laugh.
“Oh, stay out here. You’ll make a big impact out here.”
“Will do. Be careful in there, Niki.”
“We are. I’m so sorry no one knew.”
“Hi. I’m from across the street. Is there anything I can do to help?” a friendly, but frail voice called.
“Hi. I’m Detective Stevens. Call me Nicoya.”
“We’re the Thompsons. Bill and Mary,” the elderly woman provided. “We can’t do much physical labor anymore but we can provide some drinks and snacks for the crew. We were friends of Ricky’s parents. We didn’t realize what it was like over here. Is he okay?”
“It’s easy to miss the signs. Ricky’s getting better all the time. He’s going to rehab for a while to get stronger. Would you mind keeping an eye on the house and letting me know if anything seems weird?”
“We can do that,” Bill Thompson agreed. “Do come over for a cookie. Mary just made my favorites even though they’re really for Christmas.”
“Did I hear Christmas cookies?” Ellie appeared behind them, looking hot. “I have to get out of these coveralls for a minute. They’re hotter than the kitchen with a hundred cupcakes baking.”
“You’re the lady at Little Cakes,” Mary said with a smile as Ellie took off the disposable clothing. “I love all your flavors. Where do you get all your ideas?”
“Sometimes from cookies. I don’t suppose you’d share your specialty with me? Maybe I’ll steal some ideas from you,” Ellie plotted happily.
“Oh. Wouldn’t that be fun. Does anyone else want to come? I have lots of milk and cookies.”
“Me!” echoed behind them and Nicoya turned to see Garrett shooing the Little girls out of the house.
“All you ladies go get cookies and milk. I’m going to ply these guys with a beer,” Garrett declared with a laugh and watched them peel out of their coveralls eagerly before addressing the man who stood on the driveway. “Sir, you can stay with us if you’d like.”
“Call me Bill, and as good as that beer sounds, I’m going for my favorite cookies.”
“Smart man. Watch out for all the ladies for us,” Axel requested. He watched the older man stand a bit straighter as he walked the women across the street.
When they disappeared from sight, he turned to Garrett. “Something bad inside?”
“Even the professional cleaners couldn’t get the stains from the large area rug. There’s hardwood underneath in fairly good condition. I thought we could move around the furniture and haul out the carpet,” Garrett suggested.
“Good idea.”
By the time the Littles returned with a cookie for each of the guys, the men had finished that job inside and were working with the landscapers. At the sight of her Daddy’s dirty hands, Nicoya held a treat to his mouth for him to take a big bite.