Page 27 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
“As do I.” I dip my head.
“Yoo-hoo!”
I curse at Faye’s animated greeting. Maggie giggles and gives me an I-told-you-so-look.
“Who ya hiding in there?” Faye tugs on my T-shirt and I step aside. “Ohhh, Miss Maggie, what a nice surprise.”
Wilma’s gaze drags down our fronts with perched eyebrows. “Y’all look like you blew through a snowstorm.” Her crisp, but flat voice always sounds like she’s scolding.
“We have you two to thank for that,”
Maggie says. “You decided it would be a good idea to have our grandparents work together.”
“It was a good idea,” Wilma says matter-of-factly.
I fold my arms over my front. “It’s was a terrible idea.”
“It put you two together, didn’t it?” Faye turns away. The feathers in her hat swipe my cheek. Without another word, both ladies breeze away.
I glance down at Maggie.
She raises a brow. “Do you think they’re playing matchmaker with us?”
“It sure sounded that way.”
“Why? Why would they do that? How would they know that, you know, we like each other?”
I share a playful smile. “You like me?”
“I think you’re okay.”
A deep laugh rumbles up my chest. I lean closer to her. “I like you, Maggie.”
She folds her arms over her chest like a shield. “Don’t you dare think about kissing me in public.”
“The local folklore claims the Quylt Queens sense a couple who are destined to be together. And it seems they have their sights on us.”
She rolls her eyes heavenward. “I don’t care if it’s the holidays, and there are hints of magic in the air. I don’t believe the Qyult sisters sense a darn thing.”
“For hundreds of years, parents and family members have gathered scraps of material from their children to hand over to the current Quilt Queens.”
“I do not need a folklore recap.” She reaches in the backseat of the truck and snatches her purse.
I continue the tale. “These sentimental scraps include detailed hand-written notes from the parents outlining the meaning behind each square. This assists the Quylt Queens with their matchmaking duties.”
“It’s not a duty.” She yanks on the strap of her purse, and grunts when it catches. “And it’s not real.” She tugs with a zing more force. It still doesn’t budge.
“The Quylt Queens hand-stitch beautiful quilt masterpieces for the lucky couples. Each square tells the piece of their love story.”
She gives a final jerk and her purse spills in the back seat. She stumbles backward into my front. “Sorry.”When she glances up at me, I catch her chin with my fingers.
I’ve never paid much attention to the matchmakers before. But is it coincidence that they have their sights on us after I spent the year unable to rid the strong feelings I have for Maggie.
“I feel the magic in the air.” My thumb strokes her chin. “With you. Every time I see you. Each touch we share.”
She swallows hard and her lips part ever so slightly.
“The funny thing is Wilma and Faye didn’t make a quilt for my engagement. They didn’t show interest in my relationship with my ex whatsoever. I never had a hint like today.”
