Page 23 of Cowboy’s Christmas Baker

Or offer to show around some guy she met on the internet…

“So what’s up?” she asked, grabbing a cloth and opening one of the ovens. “You mentioned Katie?”

She pulled out a massive cupcake tray filled with golden muffins that smelled just like Christmas and set it on one of the counters.

“Yeah,” he said. “I just met with Principal Tucker over at the school.”

“Oh, isn’t she the nicest lady?” Mallory said, looking up at him with stars in her eyes. “She knows every child’s name.”

“Wow,” Harrison said, momentarily stunned.

“Yes,” Mallory said. “I was always kind of unremarkable in school. It used to make my day when she would say, Hello there, Mallory Fisher. You have the brightest smile at Trinity Falls Elementary.”

“That is nice,” Harrison said with a smile at the thought of little Mallory with a pair of fiery ponytails, beaming at the principal.

“Anyway, what did she have to say about Katie?” Mallory asked.

“Right,” Harrison said. “She agreed that Katie is really quiet, and she’s got another kid who’s going to spend time with her.”

“Which kid?” Mallory asked.

“Amelia Cassidy?” Harrison said.

“Oh, she’s lovely,” Mallory said. “She and her sister were new to town last year. She’s here a bunch since her sister works at the Heroes Center. She comes in for a cookie almost every day.”

“Interesting,” Harrison said. “I figured with the last name Cassidy she’d be one of my cousins’ kids.”

“She is,” Mal said with a smile. “She’s your cousin Wolf’s step-daughter.”

That made sense. A few of his cousins out this way had gotten married recently, but he didn’t know much about the new families. He was excited to reconnect with them all now that he was living so close.

“Wow,” Harrison said. “Is there anyone you don’t know?”

“In town?” Mallory said. “Probably not. I might not know everyone well, but Trinity Falls is tiny. And you won’t find anyone here avoiding carbs.”

Harrison chuckled at the idea, and then wondered what was going on with him. He hadn’t exactly been the chuckling type lately.

“So she’s pairing her up with Amelia,” Mallory said. “Where do I come in?”

“She also said Katie should have an activity outside of school with someone she likes,” he said. “Even if it’s one-on-one with an adult, like guitar lessons.”

“I could give you some recommendations,” Mallory offered.

“Actually,” he explained, “I was hoping you might consider giving her baking lessons.”

“Oh wow,” Mallory said. “You think she likes me?”

He blinked at her for a second, completely thrown. That was what she had taken from him asking her to offer baking lessons?

“Yeah,” he said automatically. “She said you’re funny.”

He regretted the words as soon as they were out of his mouth. What had he be thinking?

“She said that?” Mallory echoed, a little smile on her face, like she was pleased instead of offended.

“In a good way,” Harrison said quickly. “She doesn’t really notice a lot of people. She’s kind of been in her shell.”

“Well, it’s understandable,” Mallory said, her sunny smile vanishing. “And I’d love to help. Though I’m not sure she really needs lessons if she already made ladyfingers. Did she really do that by herself?”