Page 35 of Cowboy’s Christmas Baker

“Where’s Katie?” she asked.

“She’s at the center with Amelia,” he told her, still in awe about it. “They’re watching a movie.”

“Very nice,” she said, looking really pleased, like she knew what a big deal that was. “I’m trying out some new scone recipes and I need a tiebreaker vote on the winner.”

Her voice was so light and happy that he couldn’t help but feel a little brighter just being in her orbit.

“A signature scone,” he said, nodding. A holiday scone would be a great calling card for the bakery.

“We’ll see you later,” the girl with the bob cut said, winking at Mallory and not sparing even a glance at Harrison as she headed out of the bakery.

“See you tomorrow,” the girl with the long, dark hair added with a shy smile, following.

“You guys don’t have to go,” Mallory said, her eyes widening. “He’s just here to try the samples.”

“Mm-hm,” the bob girl said, a little smile on her pressed-together lips as she continued down the block.

“Really, Valerie,” Mallory said. But her friend didn’t even turn around.

It surprised Harrison that a down-to-earth person like Mallory would be friends with someone who seemed so standoffish.

“My mom’s waiting with Theo,” the dark-haired girl said apologetically, as she headed off in the other direction.

“Bye, Ana,” Mallory said to her.

Mallory stepped back inside and Harrison followed, enjoying the warmth and the delicious smells as much as he had the first time. He wondered if Mallory ever got used to it.

“I’m sorry,” he said awkwardly. “I didn’t meant to run your friends off.”

“I think they want us to be alone together,” Mallory said with a crooked smile. “Or they don’t.”

“You don’t know which?” he asked her, frowning. They were her friends, shouldn’t they feel free to tell her their opinion?

“It’s… complicated,” she said, her eyes dancing.

“Okay,” he said, trying to focus on what she was saying instead of getting lost in those dancing green eyes.

“I mean, it’s not that complicated,” she sighed, lowering herself into a seat at the table where they’d all been sitting before he came along.

He sat opposite her, keeping his mouth shut and hoping she would share more. Those friendships were obviously important to her. She had mentioned her friends so many times in their chats online. He would have to understand the two women and somehow secure their approval, if he wanted…

If you wanted what? a little voice in the back of his head demanded. What could someone like you want from her?

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“Listen,” she said, leaning forward. “I guess you’ll hear it someplace else if you haven’t already. There was this guy… that I liked.”

“Okay,” Harrison said, nodding and leaning forward to show he was listening, though the mere mention of a guy she liked made his stomach twist.

“He’s my brother’s best friend,” she said, looking miserable. “I guess it was just a childhood crush. He never saw me as anything but Dean’s baby sister. But I guess I always hoped he would wake up and notice me one day.”

Harrison nodded. He couldn’t believe any man alive wouldn’t notice her, but he certainly couldn’t say that without giving his own thoughts away.

“Anyway,” she said, shaking her head. “That obviously didn’t happen. He asked another girl to marry him this week.”

“Oh,” Harrison said. “I’m really sorry to hear that.”

And he was sorry for anything that might make Mallory sad.