Page 48 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
I try to contain my laughter. It’s hopeless. It bubbles out of me. More each time grams calls out. Soon, Cole is laughing with me. We buckle against the wall until the echo of grams shutting the door makes it to us.
“I’m going to do it again.” I dash down the hallway, knock on their door, and barely make it around the corner when I hear it open.
“Hello? Who’s out here?” It’s grams again.
Cole leans over me to peek down the hallway.
“I don’t know who it is. I don’t see anyone.” She must be talking to old man Fred.
Cole rolls back against the wall. He tries to stifle his laughter.
The door shuts again.
I playfully hit his middle. “Your turn.”
“I don’t want to play.”
“Just go knock on their door and run back. Third time’s a charm.”
He grumbles, but stomps off. I peek my head around the wall to watch him. He tiptoes down the carpet, taking long, careful strides. He stops before their door like a chicken. He glances back at me, as if expecting me not to be watching. Or wanting to make sure I am.
“Go. Go.” I wave my hand. “Do it.”
He motions his arms in a shushing motion. Slowly, he lifts his fist in the air before he springs out in front of their door to knock. He doesn’t get a chance. An arm flies out and punches Cole straight in the nose.
Chapter Twelve
COLE
––––––––
“STOP MOVING.”
I lean back. “I’m fine.”
“Your bloody nose suggests otherwise.” Maggie tangles her fingers in the back of my hair, just as I’d done to her earlier. She presses the towel of ice against my swollen nose. “Stay still.”
