Page 18 of A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy

Rob hooked his finger beneath her chin so she would be forced to maintain eye contact with him. “That’s a little taste of what I want to give you when we go out this weekend.”

She smiled. “Can’t wait.”

CHAPTER NINE

Pippa put the finishing touches on the window display and stood back to give it a final once-over. It was perfect. She’d had the kitchen put together a little Christmas village—made entirely of cake.

While most of the chefs were good at plating food and could help with the final touches, her pastry chef had been the real genius when it came to the small town made entirely of butter and sugar.

She grinned. There had been rumors the mayor was going to judge the window displays throughout town. The winner would get a special prize, but no one could pin down what it was.

Pippa’s happy spirits couldn’t only be attributed to the way her storefront looked, she was in a good mood because of someone in particular. Rob would be meeting her here in the next hour or so and she couldn’t wait to spend the evening with him.

There were so many expectations for what this night would entail. After the kiss he’d bestowed upon her a few nights ago, she’d unfortunately allowed herself to daydream far too much. He might be trying to rekindle what they’d had when they were younger… but he might also be trying something new.

Both of these ideas terrified her one moment and thrilled her the next. There was just something about their chemistry that had her losing track of everything. At this point, she didn’t have anything against it. But that could change in a second if she wasn’t careful.

“Pippa! Hey, how’s it going?”

She jumped, her reminiscing of the other night cut short. Turning, she saw Jackie and Allie across the street. Her sisters-in-law waved, their arms full of shopping bags. When no cars were coming, they ran across the street.

Allie didn’t waste any time pointing to the window display. “That’s so cute! I think I had that exact dollhouse when I was a kid.”

Pippa grinned. “We might have used it as inspiration when we made this.”

Allie gasped. “You made that? You’re kidding. Like with wood and stuff?”

Jackie remained silent, but her small grin made it clear she already knew what Pippa was going to say.

“It’s cake.” Pippa laughed. “It’s completely edible… though by the time we take it down, I don’t think anyone would want to eat it.”

Allie moved closer to the window. White, blue, and silver ball ornaments hung overhead, strung up with ribbons. Pippa had thought they could symbolize a Christmas Eve night sky. All that was missing was a miniature Santa and his sleigh.

Allie shot her an impressed look. “Well, I think you win.”

“It’s not a competition…” Pippa glanced at Jackie and back to Allie. “Unless you’ve heard confirmation of one.”

Jackie shrugged. “Who knows what they’re planning. I think it was just a way to get everyone in the holiday spirit.”

“Yeah,” Allie drawled sarcastically, “what better way to spread Christmas cheer than by getting everyone to compete with each other.”

Jackie motioned around them. “Do you see a bare window? Last week only half of them were decorated. Now, they’re all participating. Even Pippa.”

“Hey!” Pippa shot back. “I participate every year. Sometimes I’m just a little bit late to the party.”

“Like this year,” Jackie snickered. “We’re heading over to the coffee shop to get something to drink. You wanna come?”

Rob would be showing up soon. Pippa wasn’t sure if they’d be getting anything to eat, but she wouldn’t turn down a nice hot cup from Ruth. Nodding, she motioned to her shop.

“Let me just tell the hostess where I’m going.”

On their way to the coffee shop, Allie and Jackie chattered about what they’d decided to get their husbands for Christmas. They spoke of special plans and traditions. Pippa’s mind traveled back to the person in her life she wanted to have that sort of relationship with.

When they found themselves at the wishing well, Pippa stared down into its dark reaches thoughtfully.

“You gonna make a wish?”

She glanced up at Allie’s question. “I think I’m a little too old to believe in that sort of thing.”

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