Page 9 of Discovering Daisy

She sat up slowly, looked around, and then smiled upon remembering that she was in fact on the Little Star.

She hugged Hedy and said, “This is going to be the best day ever! We leave today!”

She brushed her teeth, put on some makeup, fixed her hair, and got dressed. She needed some Little clothes, but she’d worry about that later. Right now, she just wanted to get on the deck and see the excitement as passengers boarded.

She made her way to the boarding deck and smiled at the sight of passengers flooding onto the giant ocean liner. It felt strange to be carrying Hedy. Usually, she saved such Little trappings for the privacy of her apartment. But this was a cruise just for Littles and Bigs. She was hardly the only one with a stuffie in her arms. Some of the others were even already dressed for the occasion. There were plenty of baby doll dresses, shortalls and rompers, and a couple of onesies. It was also obvious some of the passengers had thick diapers on. Daisy couldn’t wait until she could join their ranks. She hoped to outfit herself soon.

There was a big breakfast station set up with bagels, juice, yogurt, and other snacks and beverages. She got something to eat and then found a place to stand, out of the way, watchingas all the happy, chatting people boarded. The captain and Nelly were there, greeting everyone as they came onto the ship. It was a wonderful sight to behold!

But just like yesterday, when she’d seen the ocean for the first time, she couldn’t help but wish Wyatt was there, experiencing it with her.

She shoved such thoughts aside, though, deciding to soak in the moment. But she couldn’t soak it in for too long. Realizing the time, she hurried away toward the second deck where her shop was located.

She arrived to find a small but cozy space filled with the homemade toys she’d brought along in the boxes. The crew had not only moved them in, but also unpacked and arranged them. Everything was waiting for her just as the captain had said it would be.

“My own store!” she said with excitement. She hugged Hedy. “We did it!”

There were stuffies she’d handsewn, complete with cute outfits and accessories she’d made. There were some wooden toys she’d fashioned—a skill she’d picked up from her grandfather who had been an expert woodworker. And there were some other items—quite a few, actually—that she’d used a 3D printer to produce, all from her own unique patterns and designs.

Little Daisy’s Shop of Little Curiosities was now a part of the Little Star Cruise Line.

And it felt wonderful.

***

Daisy was surprised by how fast the customers started coming in.

The first few had arrived even before the ship’s horn had blown its deep wail, announcing its departure, and business had been steady ever since.

“Hedy!” she said, looking at her bear once there was a lull in the traffic flow. “At this rate, we’re going to sell out quickly! I need to make more toys!”

“Where will you make them at?” a voice asked.

She jumped and yelped, the voice startling her. She looked to see a handsome man standing in the doorway, smiling as he watched her.

“I, uh, didn’t know you were there,” she said.

He smiled wider. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

He pushed off the doorjamb and stepped closer, giving her a better view.

Gosh, he was handsome! At a couple inches over six feet, with a tone build that showed off well-conditioned muscles beneath his light blue t-shirt, the guy was something to look at.

He had dark hair, dark eyes, and a little dimple on his strong, pronounced chin. He was probably about forty or a year or two over.

The faint smell of his cologne reached Daisy’s nose. It wasn’t overpowering by any means, but just the right amount to be pleasant.

“This is your store? You’re Little Daisy?” he said, having obviously read the sign.

“Yes, sir.”

“And you made these toys?”

“Yes, sir. All by myself!”

He looked around. “That is truly impressive, Little Daisy.”

She giggled slightly. The guy stepped closer and said, “So how will you make more?”

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