Page 17 of A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy

A lump formed in Rob’s throat. He hadn’t been prepared to see her again so soon.

“Is… that okay…?” Brent drawled. There was a knowing smile on the man’s face. “I could have someone else help her get the boxes down if you don’t think?—”

“No, it’s fine. I got it.”

“Good man. I won’t be back until late. Make sure the animals get fed and locked up for the night, will you?”

“Yes, sir.”

Rob watched his boss walk away and it wasn’t twenty minutes before Pippa arrived. She got out of her car and her eyes darted to where he was finishing up in the corral. She offered him a small wave and strode toward the house.

“He’s not here,” Rob shouted.

She stopped and glanced toward him.

“Brent,” he yelled again. “Your brother left to run some errands.”

“Of course he did,” she yelled back, cupping her mouth with her hands. She moved toward him, her hesitation clear with every step she took toward him. “Did he tell you when he’s going to get back?”

Rob shook his head, waiting for her to get closer so they could stop yelling to one another. “All he said was that I needed to make sure the animals got fed and that I’m supposed to help you with anything you want.”

She wagged her eyebrows and placed a hand to her chest. “Why, Rob, have you been telling secrets?”

At first, he didn’t understand what she was talking about. Her demeanor was shifting so fast he didn’t have a chance to keep up. But then she flushed and it all made sense. He chuckled nervously. Here was his chance. They would get back on the right track. She was opening the door for him and he’d just have to make sure he could walk through it.

Rob lifted a brow and let his gaze sweep over her appreciatively. “I wouldn’t dream of it. The last thing I need is to get the talk from your brother.”

She sliced a hand through the air with a dismissive flick of her wrist. “Brent couldn’t care less. He’s one of those brothers who won’t get involved unless you break my heart. You’re not going to break my heart, are you?”

Her tone had lifted somewhat and she snickered, making him realize he must have had a strange look on his face.

“So…” she drawled. “Where are the decorations? I was promised nutcrackers and mistletoe.”

Rob nodded toward the barn. “It’s up high, though. Brent seemed to think you’d need help getting it down.”

“Well, hop to it, then. While I would love to watch you work your magic with that horse over there, I have to get my display up before the weekend. The mayor is holding an event on Saturday. It’s nothing like the main lighting ceremony, but there will be vendors and the ice rink will finally open.” She smiled at him. “You should come.”

“Like a date?”

She tilted her head as if she were considering what he was asking. This was the moment of truth. She could tell him no right here, right now. She could insist they didn’t need to go on a date to have fun and their pact would stay strong.

Or she could give him what he wanted—a chance to prove they could make it work. She just didn’t know it yet.

“Sure. We were going to go on a date in town anyway, or don’t you remember?”

“I have a vague recollection.”

“Then it’s a date. I have to work Saturday morning and afternoon so you’ll have to meet me there. But we can look at the light displays, the shop windows, and go ice skating. It should be really fun.”

“Sounds like it,” Rob said. “I’ll meet you there.” He climbed out of the corral. “How about we get you those supplies so you can get on your way?”

He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her forward. He could feel the warmth of her body emanating through her jacket and into his hand. There was a surge of energy between them whenever they were near each other, and it was something he was starting to crave.

The more he thought about it, the more he needed her touch. The second they reached the barn, he slipped a hand around her waist and spun her around so her back pressed against the wall.

Pippa’s gasp was the last sound that left her lips before he captured them with his own. His fingers wrapped around her wrists, keeping them at her sides to prevent her from distracting him. All he wanted was a kiss to curb the growing temptations within him. They didn’t need a full make-out session—not when anyone could walk in on them.

The kiss ended before it felt like it had begun. Her heavy-lidded eyes lifted to meet his and she exhaled softly. “What was that for?”

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