Page 63 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
I have my doubts.
“We’d originally planned to have Fred judge Betty’s cookies and vice versa.” Wilma flashes two judging paddles.
“In order to decide who will be crowned king or queen and receive The Sprinkle Crown.” Faye parades a large crown across the front of the stage and back again. It’s a custom bling piece dipped in sprinkles with tips of jewels. “But they have a secret.” Faye cups her mouth and pretends to whisper the sentence.
“Tell us your secret!” Rita shouts, throwing her fists in the air. She pays no attention to the liquid sloshing out of her glass.
“If you got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow.” Grumpy Wayne quotes John Wayne.
“We know you’ve heard the buzz and it’s correct, Fred and Betty didn’t bake this year’s cookies. Let’s give a round of applause to Cole.” Faye slaps her hands together and the crowd follows suit. “Where is Cole?”
Good lord, why didn’t I leave when I had the chance? Or not come at all. I don’t want to be up on that stage.
“He’s here! Right here.” Sadie waves one hand and lifts my arm with the other.
I glare at her.
“Don’t be shy, Cole. Come on up to try and claim this prize.” Faye jiggles the silly crown the town goes crazy over during the annual bake-off.
I shake my head. “I’m fine right here.”
Sadie tugs me toward the stage. “Get up there, cowboy.”
I grudgingly stroll through the crowd, up the stairs, and find myself the center of attention. My granddad shakes my hand and Betty pulls me into a hug.
“One official judging paddle for you.” Wilma hands me a wooden paddle. “Don’t take this job lightly.”
One side is mint green and saysyes. The opposite side is baby pink and saysno.
“I’ll do my best.” What do they want me to do? Rate cookies Fred nor Betty baked? In case they didn’t notice, there is no Maggie.
Sadie totes a small round wooden table onto the stage in front of me. Faye follows behind and sets a covered tray on the table. She lifts the lid to reveal one of Maggie’s Dreamy Monster Cookiextreme’s and a sugar cookie. But neither of those things catches my attention the way the glistening sugar cookie ornament sitting on the side of the platter. The ornament I gave to Maggie.
“We need our second judge.” As Faye calls out, my head slowly lifts to the wing of the stage. My gaze meets the woman I love. My heart skips a beat. Maggie is gorgeous in a holiday red lace dress. It hugs and accentuates her curves as she sashays onto the stage. She stops on the opposite side of the table.
“Hi.”
I want to scoop her into my arms and wildly kiss her. Is she back? Is she staying? Is this what Sadie’s mood change was about? I have a hundred questions, but I’m not asking them in a roomful of townspeople hanging onto our every word. Our every look. Our every action.
“Hi,” is all that comes out of me.
“This is for you.” Wilma hands a paddle to Maggie. “Maggie baked the Dreamy Monster Cookiextreme and Cole baked the sugar cookie.”
We baked them both together, but I’m not about to argue.
“Who would like to judge first?” Faye asked.
“I’ll do it.” I pick up her cookie.
“We all remember the last time you judged her baking. Maybe take it easy this time, son.” My granddad claps my shoulder.
Maggie smirks as I take a bite of the soft, chewy cookie. I chew it slowly, giving a shoulder shrug, and squinted eye like I’m actually debating the flavor and texture. I don’t reply until I’ve swallowed every last bit.
“Delicious. Best of the best.” She smiles softly with my words. “Good enough to make Bake by Day and walk away with the prize.”
Fear swirls inside me.
Fear she’s not back to stay.
