Page 85 of Cowboy’s Christmas Baker

“And we had to unplug it,” Katie added sadly. “But he liked it in the tree. It probably feels like outside.”

“He’s a smart one,” Harrison allowed. “He figured out the litter box right away.”

“Do you think he’ll start spending more time inside?” Mal asked.

“Dad put in a cat door,” Katie said.

“You did?” Mal asked.

“He’s a good cat,” Harrison said gruffly. “Shouldn’t have to be out there all by himself.”

“You’ll never have to worry about mice in the cellar,” Mal’s dad put in.

Peppermint barked, as if she thought they might have forgotten her.

“Are you a good mouser too?” Mal’s dad asked.

Peppermint gave another quick, happy bark and danced around his feet.

Katie’s eyes went wide, like she’d just realized something very important, and she pointed at the dog.

“Peppermint bark,” Katie said.

There was a moment of silence, and then Katie doubled over with laughter.

They all joined in, laughing right along with her as Peppermint howled and Mal’s dad assured them that he’d never even thought about that when choosing the name.

Once they had settled down again, they unpacked the treats Mal had brought over, and her dad started up a pan of bacon and another of eggs.

While the food was cooking, Harrison’s phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket.

“I’m sorry to do this on Christmas Day,” he said. “But I’ve got to take this.”

Mal assumed it was one of his workers when he picked up with a polite Merry Christmas. But that was followed up with a Yes, sir.

And then he handed the phone to Mal.

“Hello,” she said, giving Harrison a curious look.

“Hey there, Mallory,” a familiar voice said. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Webb,” Mallory said, her eyes widening at the idea of talking to her landlord so unexpectedly. “How are you?”

“It’s just Simon,” he laughed. “And it’s Christmas, so there’s a little magic in the air over here. How about for you?”

“Same,” Mal said, looking around at her dad enjoying his day with Harrison and Katie and little Peppermint.

“Well, your boyfriend called me with a question and I gave it some thought,” Simon replied.

Your boyfriend…

“Okay,” Mal said, wondering what was going on.

“He mentioned that you might want to buy the place one day,” Simon said. “And I’ve thought about it, and I have a proposal for you.”

“Y-you do?” Mal asked, her heart thundering.

Simon went on, laying out an option for her to buy the place with him financing it, at a price that felt too good to be true.