Page 25 of Cowboy Stolen Kiss for Christmas

Laura smiled, wondering if it was true. It certainly sounded like something Ames would do, but it wouldn’t be fair to pressure him into handling the care and upkeep of a pet for her. That would be taking advantage of his kindness…and the very serious crush he seemed to have on her. Just thinking about it made her heart do a crazy flip-flop. Okay, a whole series of flip-flops, followed by a few cartwheels, and a triple backflip.

She glanced away to hide the butterflies fluttering inside her stomach. “He and his brothers are gone as much as we are. I doubt they’re in any more of a position to adopt a pet.”

“Don’t know until you ask,” Lucy noted impishly.

“Please don’t.” Laura’s voice grew thready. She really, really, really didn’t want to put that kind of pressure on Ames right now. Their relationship was already experiencing enough growing pains.

Giving her an odd look, her sister finally dropped the topic. For now. Or maybe she fell silent because they’d reached the grand opening of Pinetop’s newest boutique. A throng of people surrounded the entrance to the jewelry store.

Laura and Lucy exchanged a wry glance, both silently acknowledging that it would take longer than their one-hour lunch break to make it inside the store. There was a pretty lengthy line waiting to get in.

Lucy stepped closer to Laura to murmur, “Guess that’s what happens when you give away a free gold bracelet.”

Or more than one. According to the excited chatter around them, a drawing for a second gold bracelet was about to take place soon.

“Maybe I’m just a simple elf,” Laura joked, backing away from the growing army of spectators, “but I don’t need or want a gold bracelet badly enough to risk being trampled.” The tiny local news station had two cameramen on site, filming the event with cameras elevated on poles.

A child, who was stuck in line between two adults holding her hands, suddenly squealed. She tried to wiggle from their grasp and managed to break one hand free. She pointed frenziedly at Laura and Lucy. “Look, Mom! Elves! Real ones.” She couldn’t be more than four or five-years-old.

Laura felt sorry for the child, knowing she would be having a lot more fun at Santa’s Toy Factory. Instead, she was shivering outside in the mountain breeze with parents who probably weren’t going to win the next gold bracelet.

She and Lucy curtsied in their elf skirts and candy cane striped stockings, blowing kisses at the little girl. She started to jump up and down, begging to have her picture taken with the elves.

The sisters ended up posing with her and several more children. The parents thanked them profusely for helping break the monotony of standing in line. One even offered them a tip, which Laura quickly refused. Instead, she took the opportunity to invite them to pay a visit to the toy store later on.

“When you’re done being a walking advertisement…” Lucy tugged on her arm to get her moving again. “Our lunch break isn’t going to last forever. Our best bet, at this point, is grabbing lunch at our favorite sandwich truck on the way back.”

“It’s a date!” Laura momentarily paused in front of the All That Glitters display windows. Like nearly every other shop in town, the store windows were drenched in Christmas lights. Theirs were all white with gold foil accents, an entrancing mix of holiday spirit and glam that was well suited to a jewelry store.

“You seriously can’t resist shiny things.” Lucy quit tugging on her arm and joined her at the window, pointing at one of the pieces of jewelry on display. “There’s your ring, sis!”

Laura followed her finger, surprised to see a massive square diamond on a simple white gold band. “That’s at least five karats!” She couldn’t imagine spending that kind of money on a ring. Ever.

“I know, and it’s exactly the kind of ring Ames is gonna spring for when the time comes. Mark my words.” Lucy batted her lashes teasingly.

“Luce,” Laura groaned. “You really don’t have to say everything that pops into your head.” Her younger sister had been born without a filter. It was no wonder Flint was so into her. They had that unfortunate trait in common.

“Whatever.” Lucy rolled her eyes. “I was just pointing out the obvious.”

“Are you?” Laura gave her a warning head shake. “What part of we’re not dating can’t you seem to get through your noggin?” She was still too messed up in the head over her breakup with Brex to give another relationship a fair shot at the moment. Sorry, Ames! She truly was, but he deserved better than a bunch of rebound nonsense. It was such a shame that Brex had popped into town when he did. She’d just about reached the point of being able to move on with her life. Then he’d shown his arrogant mug and ripped off the scab again.

“Uh…maybe because a certain crazy good looking bronc rider kisses you with his eyes every time he sees you.” Lucy employed her duh voice, like she was trying to communicate with someone who was really dense.

He does? Laura stared at her, perplexed. Was it really that obvious to others?

Lucy wasn’t looking her way. She was pointing to another ring. “Now that’s more my style.” It was a marquise diamond set in a diamond-encrusted sterling silver band.

“It looks like something that belongs in a museum,” Laura sighed, leaning closer to get a better look at the intricate details etched into the side of the band. “It’s absolutely stunning.” It was a one-of-a-kind ring, the work of a master designer.

“I know. Utterly perfect for this go-big-or-go-home kind of gal.” Lucy wiggled the fingers on her left hand with a faraway look, clearly envisioning it on her ring finger.

It was Laura’s turn to bat her eyelashes. “I’ll be sure to let Flint know.”

“You do that.” Lucy snorted, sounding more amused than worried as she swung away from the window. “Tell him if he buys me a ring that nice, I might have to consider dating his cocky self, after all.”

Laura burst out laughing. Her sister joined in. They strolled arm in arm down the street together, stopping at their favorite truck vendor to purchase grilled jerk chicken sandwiches. The brioche buns were filled to overflowing with pineapple slices, coleslaw, and shredded chicken.

“Pinetop serves the best food on the planet,” Lucy declared between bites. “I’m practically inhaling this thing.”

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