Page 20 of A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy

Jackie wrinkled her nose. “That’s a terrible analogy. No one wants to open a box to see something isn’t alive.”

“That’s the point. Are you going to let your fear of the unknown prevent you from seeing if the cat is, in fact, alive?” Allie turned a firm look on Pippa. “Think about when you decided to open your restaurant. From what I remember, everyone in town thought you were crazy. They all said we were just fine because we had the diner, the Barbecu Pit, and a few chain restaurants. This place wasn’t big enough for your restaurant, and it was too high-end for the folks who chose to live in a small town. But that didn’t stop you.”

“That’s because I knew it would work. The problem is that I don’t know if everything is going to work out the way I want it to with Rob.” That was the basis of her concerns. Rob. He was the person she didn’t want to lose. If her restaurant hadn’t worked out, then she would have eventually picked herself up and dusted herself off. She didn’t know if her heart would be able to handle it if Rob didn’t feel the same.

“Don’t worry too much about it,” Jackie interjected. “Rob is perfect for you. We both think so.”

Pippa stared at them with surprise.

Allie nodded. “We’ve seen the way you guys are together. It’s not like you can hide that sort of thing, especially when you stop by Jackie’s place to see him. Just give him some time. He’ll warm up to the idea. Besides, it’s not like anyone could resist you. You’re amazing.”

Pippa gave her friends a shy smile. “You guys are the best.”

CHAPTER TEN

Rob arrived at the restaurant but didn’t see Pippa anywhere. He asked the hostess, who mentioned that she’d gone for a walk with a few others. While Sweet Bloom was small, it was still big enough that he wouldn’t know the first place to look.

He headed down the street toward the center of town where a large Christmas tree had been put up. Each window he passed had festive holiday decorations displayed. There were miniature towns, Christmas scenes with small trees surrounded by presents, and some displays that had more to do with what was being sold inside. The bookstore had a display of various holiday-themed books. Some of them were wrapped like gifts while others just had bows. He stopped at the hardware store and stared in wonder at the makeshift Santa’s workshop.

A small smile touched his lips as he drank it in. The people in Rocky Ridge loved the holiday as much as anyone, but it appeared Sweet Bloom couldn’t live without it. No wonder Pippa had decided to settle down here.

Rob continued down the sidewalk, passing a display where angels were singing carols and one where a robotic Santa waved at people passing by.

Then he saw her.

Pippa stood at the edge of a wishing well. She stared down into it and he could imagine she was making a wish right then and there.

No one was with her—either they’d left or she’d fibbed to her hostess. Rob nearly jogged over to her, but he stopped himself. They were supposed to meet at the restaurant. If she needed some time to herself, he didn’t want to intrude. Instead, he watched her from his spot on the sidewalk.

The more he observed her, the more he realized just how important she was to him. He wanted her in his life. Unfortunately, he didn’t feel he deserved her. That was what his issue was. From the moment they’d met, he’d influenced her. He’d told her college wasn’t important. That relationships didn’t have to be serious. One could simply live their life the way they wanted to—so they could have fun.

He’d been wrong.

Thankfully, she’d turned out okay. But her successes had nothing to do with him. And he was terrified she’d realize this.

She straightened as if she’d heard someone call her name. Then she turned and her eyes found his. For a moment, they just stared at one another. Neither one of them moved—not even to crack a smile.

Until a grin split her face and she waved him over.

With each step he took, Rob pushed aside his concerns. He could spend time with her today and just enjoy himself. He didn’t have to feel weighed down by all his insecurities. Not today.

When he reached her, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and pointed to the well. “Feel like making a wish?”

He glanced into its depths. “Does it work?”

Something in her eyes made him wonder if she really believed it might. Then she laughed. “There’s no such thing as magic. You have to make the magic you want to see in the world. But that doesn’t stop the locals from tradition.”

Rob arched a single brow. “Have you made a wish before?”

She didn’t have to answer this time. Her eyes said it all.

“What did you wish for?” He placed both hands on the edge of the well and leaned over to get a better look. “Because I’m going to have to know what caliber of wishes this thing grants.”

He turned a boyish grin on her and warmed at the way she smiled back. This was who they were together—cracking jokes and being silly. This was what he’d expected when he’d come to stay in Sweet Bloom.

“I can’t tell you that,” Pippa said, coming closer and slipping her arm through his. “If I did, none of my wishes would come true.”

He scoffed. “Well, if you haven’t had any wishes come true, then you must not be wishing hard enough.”

---