Page 60 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
A dark feeling clouds my excitement. I can’t get Cole’s look out of my mind. I can’t erase the way he made me feel this weekend. But there’s more.
Marcus slams on the breaks. I jerk forward. My hands propel and hit the dash. I’m so out of it I don’t know what’s happening. I focus and see Gus moseying along in front of us. Taking his sweet old time, as usual.
“Get off the road, mutt!” He blasts the horn. Gus lies down and scratches his belly.
“He’s a hound dog.”
“What?”
“He’s not a mutt. He’s a pure bread hound dog. The community pet.”
“What the hell is a community dog?”
“The community takes care of Gus. He doesn’t have a home. He roams the town and everyone contributes by feeding or housing him.” The way Cole had at the grocery store. So tender. So sweet. Kind and caring.
He rolls down the window and sticks his head out. “Go. Get out of here. Scram.” His hand repeatedly hits the horn and I jump at his aggression.
“He just wants a treat.” Marcus doesn’t hear me over his shouting and honking.
My gaze drifts beside us straight to the front of grams bakery. Betty’s Bakeshop. I remember the day the old red awnings were swapped out with the white and pastel green striped ones there now. Sadie and I painted the large framed windows to match. And we both watched from the sidewalk as they unveiled the sign above. I can envision my name on that sign. My insides ease with a touch of serenity. I can picture standing behind the counter working with my sister. A burst of pride flows through veins. And I can hear a certain cowboy’s boots tromping on the hardwood floor. Ass in a good pair of tight jeans. Stetson tilted low over his face. And his cocky, but sweet smirk just for me as he crosses the room to pull me into his arms. Love swells my heart and a sensation of fulfilment and content I’ve never felt consumes me.
Marcus shifts the car into gear and I watch the bakery roll away. I watch the plans I’d thought I was settling for pass me by and realize I was never settling.
“Stop the car.”
“Why?”
“I can’t leave. No, I don’t want to leave. My life is here.” No words have ever sounded truer.
“Your life is in the city. With me.”
“It’s not. It never was.” I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. “Pop your trunk.” I open the door.
He chases me to the back of his car, not bothering to open the trunk. “This is the breakthrough you’ve been waiting your entire career for.”
“I don’t want it.”
“What do you mean you don’t want it?”
I face him. “There’s more to life than your face on television” His confused expression will never be convinced. “I’m going to bake with my grams. Work alongside my sister. And marry the Cowboy of my dreams.”
“Marriage?”
“I need my suitcase.” And the little black dress inside.
Marcus grumbles reluctantly as he clicks the buttons on his keychain and the trunk pops. “You’ll never get this opportunity again.” He stands back not attempting to help me with my bags. That’s okay. I don’t need his help. Not now. Not ever.
“Goodbye, Marcus.” I roll my suitcase to the sidewalk. I pat the side of my leg. “Come on, Gus.”
The dog rises to his feet and slowly wobbles over to me.
“Last chance.” Marcus stands on the other side of his car.
I wave my goodbye and watch him drive away.
I rub behind Gus’s ears. “Good boy, Gus. You always know best.” He howls in response. “Come on, we have to find a ride to the fundraiser.”
