Sweet Tooth (Little Cakes, #11)(18)

Tom picked up the bowl of veggie scraps he had collected as he made their dinner and held out his hand. “Let’s go.”

When they reached the mudroom, Elizabeth stopped and tugged her hand free.

“What’s wrong, Bunny?”

“I can’t go outside like this,” she stated, glancing down at herself.

He chuckled. “Don’t you worry. I’ve got rubber boots for you right by the door.” He bent to grab a pair that was covered in yellow flowers. “My sisters like to feed my bunnies sometimes, so they always keep boots in here. It’s messy out there around the bunnies.”

Tom slipped his feet into a large pair of boots before grabbing a light jacket and helping Elizabeth put her arms into the sleeves.

She looked down and giggled. “I hope no one sees me like this. I don’t even have on panties.”

“No one will see you, Bunny. You’re safe.” He led the way from the kitchen door to a shady spot nearby where she saw an elevated wooden box sheltered from the weather. It was a lovely spot. Stopping at the hutch, Tom opened the door and offered the fluffy inhabitant a bit of carrot. Immediately, the large gray rabbit nibbled on the treat as Tom set the other tidbits in a small bowl and straightened a few things.

Turning his attention back to the handsome fellow, Tom stroked his furry back as he introduced his guest. “Froufrou, this is Elizabeth. She’d like to say hello.” Tom glanced at Elizabeth. “He’s my friendliest. I’ve had him since he was a baby.”

Tom stepped away from the entrance to offer, “Would you like to pet him? He’ll love you forever if you give him a piece of bell pepper.”

“Can I?”

Accepting the slice of pepper, Elizabeth crowded close to the enclosure so the bunny couldn’t escape. Froufrou didn’t make a run for it. He simply wiggled his dark nose and kept his eyes on her.

“Hi, bunny. Would you like this?”

Elizabeth set the pepper in front of him and instantly Froufrou abandoned his carrot and munched on the green treat. “He does like it.” Tentatively, she petted the soft creature. To her delight, he seemed to enjoy it. She tried it again.

A brown nose wiggled on the right, disturbing the bedding and startling Elizabeth. “Oh. There’s his roommate!”

“That’s Edgar. He’s a serious type. Sometimes, he takes to people, but often, he just likes to hang out.”

Elizabeth plucked a piece of lettuce from the bowl and set it in front of the brown bunny. He wiggled his way out of the camouflaging bedding and nibbled. Moving slowly, she stroked between his ears. Edgar looked at her and moved a bit closer to eat.

“He likes me,” she cheered quietly, looking over her shoulder at Tom.

“I wondered if you’d charm Edgar like you did me,” Tom said with a wink.

With the efficiency of obvious practice, Tom set out the rest of the produce and double checked that the hutch was secure. With the empty bowl in one hand, he wrapped his arm around Elizabeth’s waist.

“Let’s go, my special Bunny.”

After guiding her back into the house, Tom helped her remove her jacket and boots before leading her to a closed door off the hall. “Remember, we’ll need to make this nursery yours and Hortense’s. We’ll make any changes you’d like.”

He turned the doorknob and Elizabeth peeked inside. She wandered away from his side to stand in the middle of the room and turn in a slow circle. It wasn’t a huge space, but small and intimate. Tom had painted the walls a delicate lilac color that she immediately loved. It set off the dark walnut furniture beautifully.

Unable to stop herself, Elizabeth walked to something that looked like a daybed but there was a lowered railing at the front. She ran her hand over the smooth wood and looked back at him. “Is this a crib?”

“It is,” Tom confirmed as he stepped forward to raise the side into place. “When you take a nap, Daddy will make sure you’re safely inside. Do you like the comforter?” he asked before lowering the railing back down into place.

Elizabeth smoothed a hand over the silky comforter. It was the same beautiful color as the walls with a pattern of darker purple flowers on it. She wanted to climb inside and snuggle. “I love it. I don’t think I need a crib, though. I’m not a baby,” she protested.

“All Little girls need a pretty bed for naps and to stretch out on while Daddy reads them a story. Sometimes, you’ll need to be very Little, and I’ll need to know that you’re safe. Have you ever dreamed of your Daddy feeding you a bottle as he rocks you?”

Before she could stop herself, Elizabeth nodded, answering his question. Feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment, she stammered, “You know, just a random dream. Not something I really want.”

“Come sit on my lap, Little girl.”

He led her to an oversized upholstered chair and sat down to pat his thighs. When she hesitated, feeling silly, he scooped her up and cuddled her close. “There’s nothing we can’t share with each other. Would you like me to tell you how I will take care of you when you’re Little?”

Nodding, Elizabeth hid her face in the crook of his neck.

“Such a shy Baby,” he murmured and hugged her tight. “When—not if—you’re very Little, I will lay you down on the changing table there.”