Page 32 of A Little Puck Luck

I pulled out everything we needed to make the pancakes: the mix, a bowl, and the griddle. Then, I looked at my kid. “We can’t do the super fun pancakes today. You have school today. Chocolate chip and fluff-covered ones are only a weekend thing.”

Eric looked dejected but muttered, “I know.”

Putting a finger under Eric’s chin to make sure he knew it was nothing personal, I looked at him as he smiled and said, “But any chance you could make my lunch today?”

“Let me guess. You want your apple slices, some nuts, a banana, and a peanut butter and fluff sandwich with no crust.”

Eric nodded enthusiastically.

Annie wasn’t pleased by how hyper Eric got the first time I made him the sandwich, but I couldn’t deny my kid something so good. Besides, this time, it would be the school that had to deal with the hyper kid. So, I didn’t see the harm in making his favorite lunch. Hell, I’d come to make it for him on a semi-regular basis before going to practice.

From there, I went to work on the pancakes. I was just testing the griddle to see if it was warm enough when Annie came through the garage door.

Oh damn, I didn’t realize she was already out on a walk.

“Early morning. Did everything go well, and do you want any pancakes?” I turned around and asked her.

“No, I’m good.” Then she looked at Eric. “Just a little bit of syrup. No other fun stuff.”

“I know. Dad already told me,” Eric whined.

I shouldn’t let him whine, but two things. One, he was finally calling me Dad, which I adored, and two, after him being too docile, I was okay with some whining as long as it was appropriate.

Annie gave him that look that seemed to come with becoming a mom. It wasn’t mean, but it caused both Eric and I to immediately straighten up.

Turning back around, I focused on making the pancakes. It was kind of fun to see all the fun shapes take form from the liquid mix.

Just then, Eric spoke up and said, “Daddy got you a gift.”

I looked over at the two of them as Annie grabbed the present from the island and carefully tore the wrapping. “What’s this for?”

“I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you.”

Plus, I want to get you back. But since I don’t think you’re ready for another relationship, here we are.

Chapter 24

Annette

Comingdownstairs,Iwasalmost afraid of what Terry had up his sleeves now. The past few days, he has had the ‘I just wanted to give you something’ gifts waiting for me. It was too much, especially when I couldn’t do the same for him.

Gifts were his love language, while I always preferred acts of service. But we weren’t together.

Unless…

What if he was trying to say he wanted to get back together by using the gifts rather than his words?

It was amazing how quiet things were at this hour. Everyone was still asleep. I stayed alert for Walter since it seemed like I would get halfway down the hall before he followed me downstairs to get breakfast.

As I got downstairs, I heard the pitter-patter of Walter’s feet and his bell. Before I could get my cup of coffee, I decided to walk the excited puppy so I could really relax a little bit.

Sure enough, there was another gift waiting for me by my dog walking supplies. Instead of putting on the running leash for Walter, I opened up the small box.

I hoped he didn’t give me any jewelry. Inside, there was a tiny note.

My Love,

I was hoping you would do me the honor of being my date. I know your dog walking is so busy at night, so I was thinking of lunch.

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