Page 65 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
Epilogue
MAGGIE
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“ADOZEN RASPBERRY ANDwhite chocolate Dreamy Monster Extreme’s.” I set the box on the counter beside my sister.
Sadie peeks through the clear lid at the swirling red and white mounds. “That’s way too many sprinkles.”
“I know a certain hunky cowboy who doesn’t think so.”
“You’ve been together enough months that I think it’s time he can tell you the truth about the sprinkles.” Sadie touches my hand. “It’s too many sprinkles.”
I pat my sister’s hand. “That’s why you’re in the front and I’m baking in the back.”
She sucks in an exaggerated breath. “Harsh, Maggie.” She leaves my side to tend to a customer.
The customers adore my sister’s bubbly personality and witty words. Sometimes I think they pop in to see her more than to enjoy my baked treats.
We didn’t change much when we took over. I dust the bottom edge of the menu where we added desserts. I fluff the throw pillows on cozy chairs we added to a reading nook. Other than that, this is the bakeshop I adore and remember. White tile floors with mint green diamond pattern. The smell of sugar and cinnamon.
I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I spend the days with my sister and the evenings with my hunky cowboy.
The bell above the door rings. I recognize a certain cowboy’s boots tromping on the tile floor.
I turn slowly and find the man of my dreams strutting inside. I know I’ve gotten as lame as a holiday Christmas special. But this man is everything I didn’t realize I was missing.
Kindness.
Laughter.
Love unconditionally.
There’s also his nice ass in a good pair of tight jeans. And the way he angles his Stetson low over his face just warms my insides. Not to mention, his cocky, but sweet smirk just for me.
“Afternoon, ma’am.” The low rumble of his voice is more delicious than any cookie I’ve ever baked. I could listen to him talk for days.
“Afternoon, cowboy.”
“Hunky cowboy,” he corrects and I laugh.
He crosses the room to pull me into his arms. Love swells my heart and a sensation of fulfilment and content I’ve never felt consumes me. His head dips down and he grazes my lips. “I’ll never tire of cinnamon and sugar,” he breathes against my lips.
“Get a room.” Sadie squeezes between us to flash a postcard. “Look what we got in the mail. “It’s from Fred and Grams. They’re enjoying maple everything in Canada. Pancakes, suckers, muffins, beans, even toasted brussels sprouts.”
“Canada,” Cole says. “How’d they end up in Canada? Weren’t they just swimming in the Dead Sea?”
“That was last week.” I lace my fingers in his.
“At this rate, they’re never comin’ home.”
“They’ll be home in three months.” Sadie rubs my protruding middle. “They’ll want to meet this little guy.”
“Or girl,” Cole says.
