Page 65 of Cowboy’s Christmas Baker

A little piece of her will always be here, Mallory told herself. In me, and in everyone she loved.

As the holidays got even closer, she found herself missing her mom more and more. But Mallory had been opening herself to those feelings more this week, and once again, she had Harrison to thank for helping her through her grief.

He’d texted her that night after they left her dad’s place, and every night since.

He was back to his old self, online at least, asking her deeper questions and sharing thoughtful advice when she asked for it.

In one of their text chats, they had even come up with a plan for Katie. On Tuesday, she was bringing the girls from her class to her baking session and they were going to have a cookie-making party.

It was a huge step for the quiet little girl, and Mal only hoped they weren’t pushing her too far outside her comfort zone.

But in person, Harrison was the same grumpy cowboy, bringing Katie in for baking lessons and barely saying two words.

At least Mal knew the man she had come to care for was still in there somewhere.

“Hey, Mal,” a familiar voice said.

She looked up to see Ana heading her way, a smile on her face.

“How’s it going?” her friend asked.

“Everything is going well,” Mal told her. “Busy, but I’ll bet you guys are too.”

“We had so many customers looking for Christmas party outfits this week,” Ana said, nodding. “It’s been great for the shop.”

“And you can put out more of your mom’s creations,” Mal said, nodding.

Ana’s mother, Mari, was nothing if not prolific. She always made so much clothing that it didn’t fit on the racks of their small shop. They usually had to run clearances several times each year just to make more room.

“I know I’m not supposed to ask, but…” Ana looked around, as if she thought Valerie might be waiting to catch her bringing up the forbidden topic.

“It’s going well,” Mal said, giving Ana a tentative thumbs-up. “We’re not actually dating. But he did ask me though. I told him I’d think about it.”

“Why?” Ana asked, seeming genuinely surprised. “He likes you. You like him. Why not say yes?”

“He’s… different online,” Mal admitted. “More relaxed and easy with his feelings, the kind of man I’d love to date. But in person he’s just so clamped-down. And… well, I’m not sure which one is the real Harrison Law.”

“Hey, are those the famous jingle bell knots?” Valerie asked by way of greeting as she hurried over to join them. “Hi, Ana.”

“Hi, Valerie,” Ana said, her eyes dancing as she looked over at Mal.

“Yes,” Mal said. “Have one.”

“Those things are like Cabbage Patch Kids in the eighties,” Valerie said, shaking her head. “I can’t just take one when the sale hasn’t started yet. It would be unsporting.”

“You’re family,” Mal said, grabbing each of the women a jingle bell knot and holding them out. “You get special perks.”

Neither of them argued, and she watched them take their treats and dig in.

“Oh, wow,” Valerie said. “I get it. Makes me think of having peppermint tea with a chocolate croissant at that café in New York.”

“I love the pretzel,” Ana said. “And the combination of flavors reminds me of the salted chocolate bars my uncle used to bring me. I haven’t thought about those in forever. He always did spoil me.”

“I’m so glad you like them,” Mal said.

“The rest of your sales are spiking, right?” Valerie asked. “People come in for this and buy other stuff?”

“Definitely,” Mal said. “It’s everything I dreamed of.”