Page 63 of Cowboy’s Christmas Baker

“She sure did,” Mr. Fisher said fondly. “Good thing I had a peppermint in my pocket.”

Katie giggled, and in the night air, the clear happy sound was like delicate bells chiming.

Later that night, when the chores were done and Katie was fast asleep, Harrison grabbed his phone as he got into bed.

He’d somehow managed not to do this since moving to town and meeting Mallory in person.

But tonight had been special. Tonight, he was aching to talk to her, a deeper conversation like the kind they used to have back when her words sometimes felt like the only thing that kept him going. He typed out a quick text before he could change his mind.

Still awake?

His message showed as read almost immediately.

MalloryBakes

barely :)

He smiled at her honesty.

Thank you for today.

…

Three little dots appeared then disappeared again.

They reappeared and disappeared twice more before a message finally popped up on the screen.

there’s no way for you to know how much tonight meant to me

i haven’t seen him like that, like himself, since Mom passed

Harrison swallowed over his own emotions before replying.

It meant a lot to me too. And even more to Katie.

I’m glad he was feeling himself.

it’s because of you and Katie

having a kid around again, and sweet treats, and someone to listen to the stories who doesn’t know them already

you know?

I definitely know.

There was a pause before the next message popped up.

i know you do

How did it feel for you? Seeing the decorations and everything?

He was thinking of her mother’s handwriting on that bin. There had probably been a million other reminders that he hadn’t recognized.

bittersweet

He nodded to himself. That made perfect sense.

i’m so glad we did it