Page 113 of Unwrapping Romance

“Only three hundred dollars.” I smiled.

“Wow. I got off cheap.” He winked.

“Daddy! Daddy!” Ellie ran into the kitchen. “Guess where the elf was today?”

“Where was he?” He picked her up.

“Hanging from the Christmas tree! I think he was trying to decorate it more.”

“That silly elf.” He tickled her. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

As we were eating, Ellie decided to open her mouth about the cupcake she got from the bakery.

“Daddy, I got a cupcake today.”

“You did? From where?”

“A bakery that Sierra took me to. It was so good, and the lady was so nice. I got to see their kitchen where they bake all the stuff.”

“Is that so?” He cocked his head, staring at me.

“We’ll talk about it later, Jack.”

“You bet we will.”

After we ate and cleaned up, we put Ellie to bed, went downstairs, where the fireplace was on, and sat on the couch, staring at the beautifully lit tree.

“Are you going to tell me about your visit with your mother?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were going there?”

“It was a last-minute decision.”

“And? How did it go?”

“It went fine. She’s coming over Saturday to teach Ellie and me how to bake Christmas cookies.”

Really?” His brow arched.

“Yes.”

“I’m proud of you, sweetheart. Listen. I got to thinking. We haven’t shopped for Ellie yet for Christmas. You said you had a plan, but you failed to tell me your plan. What are we getting her?”

“You’ll see tomorrow. We’re going to the store during our lunch hour. You don’t have any meetings scheduled. Or at least, you better not and forgot to tell me.”

“I don’t.” I chuckled. “Which store are we going to?”

“You’ll see.” I smiled.

“Why are you being so secretive?”

“I’m not, Jack.”

“Then tell me which store.”

“No. You’ll see tomorrow.”

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