Page 38 of Cowboy’s Christmas Baker

“I’m glad I got to know her on her own terms first,” Mallory said. “Of course you’ll always worry since you’re her father. But just think, she’s hanging out with another little girl right now, one she only met this week. I’d say she’s making a lot of progress.”

“She had so much fun with you last night,” Harrison said, his voice gruff. “I haven’t seen her like that in forever.”

“I had a really good time too,” Mallory said. “And wow, that concert you gave us. I had no idea you were a man of so many talents.”

“I guess you bring out the lighter side in both of us,” he said. He still couldn’t believe he’d acted the fool last night just to see her smile.

“I’m glad,” she told him, her voice more serious now. “You two brightened up my week too.”

That was a vague reference to that stupid friend of her brother’s, he just knew it. How could any man fail to notice Mallory? How could a man choose any other girl?

I can’t ask her out, he reminded himself. She’s too young and too sweet, and I’ve got Katie to focus on.

But when she lifted her green eyes to meet his gaze, his heart throbbed in his chest and he opened his mouth to do it anyway.

“Dad, Dad, Dad,” Katie yelled, blasting in the door of the bakery and sending the bells jangling.

Harrison quickly let go of Mallory’s hand and looked up to see Sam and Amelia gazing in the window.

When they saw he was looking they gave a wave and headed back in the direction of the center.

“Amelia has to go home now because she has a school project,” Katie panted. “But we can finish our movie another time, right?”

“Definitely,” Harrison told her.

“What’s that?” Katie asked, pointing to the beautiful board of cut-up scones.

“Oh, I’m glad you’re here,” Mallory told her. “I’m having people do a taste test for me so I can decide which one to make more of. Would you like to try them?”

“Okay,” Katie said, her face lighting up as she slid into the seat next to her dad.

“Now, this one is lemon with a light glaze,” Mallory said, pointing to the light-colored choice on the left. “It’s simple and sweet with a hint of tart.”

“Yum,” Katie said.

“And the other one is brown sugar pecan,” Mallory said. “That’s sweeter and more rustic.”

“Rusty?” Katie asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

“Rustic,” Mallory explained with a smile. “It’s like… more of a homemade feel.”

“Okay,” Katie said.

“Go on,” Mallory told them. “Eat up, and let me know what you think.”

Katie took a piece of the lemon and closed her eyes, humming.

Harrison tried one too. The sweet glaze melted in his mouth, and Mallory was right. The fluffy little treat was the perfect blend of sweet and tart.

Katie handed him a brown sugar pecan sample and took one for herself.

This one had a warmer, sweeter flavor that made him think of cold childhood mornings, and a generous spoonful of brown sugar melting over warm oatmeal.

“Okay guys,” Mallory said. “What do we think?”

“Definitely lemon,” Katie said.

“Brown sugar,” Harrison said at the same time.