Page 20 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
“Hey granddad, you catching up on those cookies.”
Betty’s eyes fly wide open. Worry and frustration strain her face. She dashes back into the kitchen.
“Behave,” I tell them both, but doubt either will listen.
My large steps quickly bring me to Maggie’s side. “Your granny is a conniving woman.”
She doesn’t look at me. “Your granddad is a grumpy old man.”
“Only when Betty is around.”
She makes an understanding grunting sound.
At the elevator, I cover the button. “Listen, maybe we should talk before we board this elevator and you pounce on me—”
She shakes her head and folds her hands over the front of her lemon yellow crop top. The tiny slit of skin between it and her high-waisted skirt make my blood boil.
“Jerk.”
I chuckle. “The tension between us is great conflict for prize room banging, but I want you to know that I like you.”
I watch her recoil. “Whoa, cowboy, I’m here for a week. Then I’m back to the city where my apartment and job wait for me. You might like me and I might like you, but I’m not looking for anything serious.”
“I meant I like you as a friend.” The words are sincere. But deep down, that something I can’t distinguish mocks me.
She tilts a questioning smirk at me. “Like friends with benefits? Is that where you’re heading?”
I gasp and press a hand to my chest. “Miss Hill, I never, in all my life, have been so insulted.”
“That’s too bad. I liked the idea.” She turns away from me.
I catch her arm and spin her to face me. “Hey now, I’m open to options.”
She laughs. Her gaze darts to the top of my head. “You’re a mess.” She lifts her hand. “May I?”
I’m not sure what the hell she’s going to do, but I don’t care either. “Sure.”
“You have a little flour ...” Her delicate fingers dust flour away from my forehead and the sides of my face. “And here ...” Her hands continue to my hair.
I didn’t wear my cowboy hat today. Didn’t want it all mucked up with baking ingredients. Her fingers sweep away flour on top of my shaggy hair. Then they sink into my hair and dig into my scalp. The innocent motion rocks me to my core. Her shy smile is adorable. But the longer her fingers linger, the quicker I see hints of desire dancing in her gorgeous green gems.
She retracts her hands and they disappear inside her jean pockets. “There. Now you’re presentable.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Yeah, just don’t tell my grams.”
“Wouldn’t dare. But you know she’s sweet on me.”
Maggie laughs.
Up in the Woods Grill is packed full. All the tables are occupied and there’s a lineup waiting to be seated. Luckily for us, the take-out line isn’t too bad. In less than ten minutes, we carry our dinners back to the kitchen.
“Is tomorrow going to be an all day baking event too?” I’ve never volunteered for the fundraiser. I support the cause. Buy the high priced tickets and fill a box of cookies. But not worked behind the scenes.
“Yes. Tomorrow we’ll finish the second half of cookies.”
“How many cookies are we aiming for?”
