A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy: Love in Sweet Bloom

Chapter 8

Rob marched toward the door,not caring about the looks the chefs gave him. He just kept making mistakes. He knew better than to bring up college to Pippa. Back when he’d dropped out, she’d been one of the first to tell him he was making a mistake. He could already feel the judgment coming off her.

She probably hadn’t meant it the way he”d taken in. In fact, he was smart enough to know she definitely didn’t mean for him to feel upset by any of it. Truth was, he had his own issues to resolve—like developing a thicker skin. Unfortunately, it was hard when Pippa could be pushy about things like this. She’d get it in her head that he needed college to fulfill something inside him and she’d keep pushing until it came between them.

The bigger problem was he couldn’t help but feel she was right. Hadn’t he moved out here to see what his life could be like when he wasn’t under his father’s thumb? Hadn’t he chosen this area specifically because he wanted to be closer to Pippa? There had to be some small part of him that knew he would end up taking this path and, in the end, might give in.

It just wasn’t for today.

A hand grabbed his just as he stepped through the heavy metal door. He jumped and spun around to find Pippa, breathing heavily like she’d just run a marathon.

Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked mildly annoyed. “Why did you do that?”

“Why did I do what?”

“Why did you just take off? Did I say something to make you mad?”

He tore his eyes from hers though she still held his hand. Scowling out into the alley, he shook his head. “Of course not. Tonight was fun. I got to watch you work and try your food.”

“Then why are you running from me?”

Rob snorted. “I’m not running from you.”

She gave him a pointed look. “Okay, I get it. Last weekend, I was the one playing the avoidance game, but now you’re the one who won’t say anything.”

“To be fair, you never said anything either.”

Words left unspoken filled the air. She wasn’t about to admit to anything. She’d “proven” she wasn’t avoiding him last week and they’d left it at that.

Rob sighed. “I’m not running from anything. I’m just… dealing with a lot right now. I’m trying to figure some stuff out.”

She moved closer to him. “If this has something to do with college…” She trailed off. “I’m not going to tell you it wouldn’t be hard, because it would.”

“I’m too old for college, Pippa. Everyone would look at me like I’m some nut job.”

“You’re never too old.”

He snorted. “Then how about you go to culinary school. Tell me how it is and then I’ll consider finishing my degree.”

She dropped his hands and folded her arms with a smirk. “Somehow, I think my experience would have a better outcome than yours. I’ve already mastered what I want to be when I grow up.”

He knew her words weren’t supposed to hurt, but it was like she’d stabbed a knife into his back. She’d practically said she had her life together. She didn’t have regrets. Everything he was dealing with was his own dang fault.

And she was right.

He’d shunned the idea of a serious relationship. He’d ignored everyone telling him he shouldn’t drop out of school. And what did he have to show for it? Only one work reference—his father. Who would hire him based on that? What kind of experience did he have to offer?

Rob’s stomach knotted uncomfortably as he glanced in Pippa’s direction. “Thanks for dinner, Pippa. I hope you find a good place for those flowers.”

“Rob—”

He turned and held up a hand in a half-hearted wave goodbye, but he only made it a dozen steps before she grabbed onto him once more. This time when he turned, she threw herself into his arms.

Her hands wrapped around the back of his neck, and she pressed her whole body into him as her kiss stole the soul right out of him. Rob’s reaction was instinctual. He held onto her, giving in to everything he knew he shouldn’t. If there was anything he couldn’t resist, it was this woman.

The kiss ended far too quickly as Pippa scrambled from his embrace. She glanced up at him once, then twice. “Have a nice night, Rob.” Then she hurried toward the back door of the restaurant.

His eyes remained glued to the door long after she’d disappeared. His heart was tormented. There was so much to unload when it came to Pippa. As much as he wanted her, he didn’t know how to get there.

There was a very real possibility she kissed him like that only because of their shared history. It was a way for her to make him feel better, and he hated like crazy she knew that about him. He clenched and unclenched his hands if only to get some feeling back into his numb body.

He’d come out here to change the path his life had been taking. A new job was just the start of it. He wanted Pippa, too. He might not be good enough for her, and she might make him feel off-balance much of the time. But the way she made him feel like he’d entered through the pearly gates themselves made the turmoil he experienced worth it.

Rob just needed to get back on his A-game. He needed to woo her like he’d wooed girls back when he was in his prime. No more talk about his future. No more lamenting what he should have done. He was going to get this girl if it was the last thing he did.

A few days went by,and Rob hadn’t worked up the nerve to call Pippa and ask her if she wanted to spend some time together after his shifts. She hadn’t reached out to him, either, so maybe it was a good thing they were putting more time between them.

“Hey, Rob, you got a minute?”

He glanced over his shoulder to see Brent approaching. Turning from the horse he was working with, he folded his arms over the top of the fence. “What do you need?”

“Pippa’s coming by. She wanted to take a look at some of the old decorations Jackie has in the loft of the barn. I guess it’s something to do with fixing up her window display at the restaurant. I have to get going; do you think you could help her out?”

A lump formed in Rob’s throat. He hadn’t been prepared to see her again so soon.

“Is… that okay…?” Brent drawled. There was a knowing smile on the man’s face. “I could have someone else help her get the boxes down if you don’t think?—”

“No, it’s fine. I got it.”

“Good man. I won’t be back until late. Make sure the animals get fed and locked up for the night, will you?”

“Yes, sir.”

Rob watched his boss walk away and it wasn’t twenty minutes before Pippa arrived. She got out of her car and her eyes darted to where he was finishing up in the corral. She offered him a small wave and strode toward the house.

“He’s not here,” Rob shouted.

She stopped and glanced toward him.

“Brent,” he yelled again. “Your brother left to run some errands.”

“Of course he did,” she yelled back, cupping her mouth with her hands. She moved toward him, her hesitation clear with every step she took toward him. “Did he tell you when he’s going to get back?”

Rob shook his head, waiting for her to get closer so they could stop yelling to one another. “All he said was that I needed to make sure the animals got fed and that I’m supposed to help you with anything you want.”

She wagged her eyebrows and placed a hand to her chest. “Why, Rob, have you been telling secrets?”

At first, he didn’t understand what she was talking about. Her demeanor was shifting so fast he didn’t have a chance to keep up. But then she flushed and it all made sense. He chuckled nervously. Here was his chance. They would get back on the right track. She was opening the door for him and he’d just have to make sure he could walk through it.

Rob lifted a brow and let his gaze sweep over her appreciatively. “I wouldn’t dream of it. The last thing I need is to get the talk from your brother.”

She sliced a hand through the air with a dismissive flick of her wrist. “Brent couldn’t care less. He’s one of those brothers who won’t get involved unless you break my heart. You’re not going to break my heart, are you?”

Her tone had lifted somewhat and she snickered, making him realize he must have had a strange look on his face.

“So…” she drawled. “Where are the decorations? I was promised nutcrackers and mistletoe.”

Rob nodded toward the barn. “It’s up high, though. Brent seemed to think you’d need help getting it down.”

“Well, hop to it, then. While I would love to watch you work your magic with that horse over there, I have to get my display up before the weekend. The mayor is holding an event on Saturday. It’s nothing like the main lighting ceremony, but there will be vendors and the ice rink will finally open.” She smiled at him. “You should come.”

“Like a date?”

She tilted her head as if she were considering what he was asking. This was the moment of truth. She could tell him no right here, right now. She could insist they didn’t need to go on a date to have fun and their pact would stay strong.

Or she could give him what he wanted—a chance to prove they could make it work. She just didn’t know it yet.

“Sure. We were going to go on a date in town anyway, or don’t you remember?”

“I have a vague recollection.”

“Then it’s a date. I have to work Saturday morning and afternoon so you’ll have to meet me there. But we can look at the light displays, the shop windows, and go ice skating. It should be really fun.”

“Sounds like it,” Rob said. “I’ll meet you there.” He climbed out of the corral. “How about we get you those supplies so you can get on your way?”

He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her forward. He could feel the warmth of her body emanating through her jacket and into his hand. There was a surge of energy between them whenever they were near each other, and it was something he was starting to crave.

The more he thought about it, the more he needed her touch. The second they reached the barn, he slipped a hand around her waist and spun her around so her back pressed against the wall.

Pippa’s gasp was the last sound that left her lips before he captured them with his own. His fingers wrapped around her wrists, keeping them at her sides to prevent her from distracting him. All he wanted was a kiss to curb the growing temptations within him. They didn’t need a full make-out session—not when anyone could walk in on them.

The kiss ended before it felt like it had begun. Her heavy-lidded eyes lifted to meet his and she exhaled softly. “What was that for?”

Rob hooked his finger beneath her chin so she would be forced to maintain eye contact with him. “That’s a little taste of what I want to give you when we go out this weekend.”

She smiled. “Can’t wait.”