Page 21 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
“Three-thousand cookies.”
I whistle. “That’s a lot of cookies.
“Yes well, my grams makes big batches. So we’ll have one-thousand done today and the same tomorrow. Plus whatever your granddad makes should bring us to our total.”
I shift the hot takeout containers to my other arm. “I mean, I’ve seen the stacks of cookies, but three thousand?”
“About a dozen cookies fit in each box and we’ve pre-sold two-hundred boxes. We want extra cookies so we don’t run out. People snack off the cookie table. Cookies fall on the floor.”
“Last year I almost missed my cookies because I was preoccupied in the prize room.”
“You going to bring that into every conversation?”
“Yes. As many as will allow.”
Her lips pinch together. “It’s better than a peeping Tom, I suppose.”
I’m disappointed when we reach the kitchen. I could spend hours touring the hallways and talking with her.
I hold open the door for her and follow behind. My jaw hits the floor. I swear. My eyes bulge at the sight. I cough as white dust tickles my throat.
The kitchen looks like a snowstorm has blown through it. Billows of flour clouds the air and lands on every surface. My boot slips on a gooey, wet mess. Eggs drips off the counters and soaks all the cookies we’ve spent the day making. And in the middle of the destruction stands our screaming grandparents. Caked in batter. My granddad smears a handful of goop on Betty’s face. She beats him off with a rolling pin.
“What the fuck happened here?” I growl.
An egg soars through the cloudy air. I watch it like slow motion. It’s coming straight for us. There’s no time to move. It smacks me right in the face.
Chapter Six
MAGGIE
––––––––
IGASP.
I laugh.
