Page 41 of Cowboy’s Christmas Baker

“You know what I mean,” Mal said.

But she was in denial if she thought Harrison Law was just a friend. The way she felt when his blue eyes fell on her, and the way his hand on hers made her whole body feel like it was filled with electricity…

Well, it didn’t exactly take a detective to deduce that she was attracted to him. And maybe he liked her too. She was almost sure that she’d seen it in the way he looked at her a few times.

They weren’t going to act on it though. Mal was sure of that. She’d seen him shut down once or twice just when she thought maybe he would ask her out.

She knew him too well. Hard as it was to believe that the warm and easy man she had gotten to know online was also the grumpy cowboy she was spending time with in real life, she did know what was most important to him from all the hours they’d spent messaging.

Harrison had his daughter and the new farm to focus on, in that order. And either one was enough to fill his hours.

Besides, Mal needed to get the bakery ready for the holidays, and find a way to cheer up her dad.

The truth was that neither of them needed romance. They were already stretched thin as it was.

“Have fun then,” Valerie said as they headed out. “Hey, have Sloane and Kai Blackstone been to the bakery yet?”

“Not yet,” Mal said, shaking her head.

“Too bad,” Valerie said. “I hope he’s finding some things he likes in this town.”

“Maybe I’ll come up with my signature treat before they visit me,” Mal suggested.

“Good thinking,” Val agreed, giving Mal a quick squeeze before hurrying back down the street to Promises, Promises.

Mal was planning to just walk up and down the block until she got a text from Harrison letting her know that he was here. The holiday decorations were so gorgeous, and every day it seemed like something new was up in one of the windows.

But by the time she got outside, his truck was already parked out front. Katie had rolled down the back window and was eyeing Mal with interest, but not waving or greeting her.

It was funny how the girl went quiet with Mal every time, and they had to slowly melt down her barriers again.

“Hi, Katie,” Mal said calmly. “I’m so excited to go with you today. I brought lots of scones.”

Katie smiled with her lips pressed together, but it was a great start.

Harrison had hopped out of the truck while Mal was talking to her. Now he opened the passenger side door for her and offered her his hand.

“Oh, thank you,” Mal said, feeling pleased and a little awkward.

She couldn’t help taking a quick glance around. Reggie Webb smiled at her from his post outside the bakery and it was all she could do not to roll her eyes.

Her dad was definitely going to hear about this.

“You okay?” Harrison asked gruffly.

“Yes,” she said, scrambling in without taking his hand. “Thanks. Sorry, long day.”

“Hey,” Mal said, turning to Katie. “How was your day?”

“Fine,” Katie said, shrugging.

“Okay,” Harrison said as he got back in his side. “Let’s go.”

He turned the key and the engine roared to life. Thankfully, the radio came on with it.

“—so just call in when you hear the sound of sleigh bells,” the deejay was saying. “You could win a Ho-Ho-Hope Holiday hoodie. And one special winner gets the grand prize, a basket of local holiday joy.”

“What’s in the basket?” Katie demanded suddenly.