A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy: Love in Sweet Bloom

Chapter 9

Pippa putthe finishing touches on the window display and stood back to give it a final once-over. It was perfect. She’d had the kitchen put together a little Christmas village—made entirely of cake.

While most of the chefs were good at plating food and could help with the final touches, her pastry chef had been the real genius when it came to the small town made entirely of butter and sugar.

She grinned. There had been rumors the mayor was going to judge the window displays throughout town. The winner would get a special prize, but no one could pin down what it was.

Pippa’s happy spirits couldn’t only be attributed to the way her storefront looked, she was in a good mood because of someone in particular. Rob would be meeting her here in the next hour or so and she couldn’t wait to spend the evening with him.

There were so many expectations for what this night would entail. After the kiss he’d bestowed upon her a few nights ago, she’d unfortunately allowed herself to daydream far too much. He might be trying to rekindle what they’d had when they were younger… but he might also be trying something new.

Both of these ideas terrified her one moment and thrilled her the next. There was just something about their chemistry that had her losing track of everything. At this point, she didn’t have anything against it. But that could change in a second if she wasn’t careful.

“Pippa! Hey, how’s it going?”

She jumped, her reminiscing of the other night cut short. Turning, she saw Jackie and Allie across the street. Her sisters-in-law waved, their arms full of shopping bags. When no cars were coming, they ran across the street.

Allie didn’t waste any time pointing to the window display. “That’s so cute! I think I had that exact dollhouse when I was a kid.”

Pippa grinned. “We might have used it as inspiration when we made this.”

Allie gasped. “You made that? You’re kidding. Like with wood and stuff?”

Jackie remained silent, but her small grin made it clear she already knew what Pippa was going to say.

“It’s cake.” Pippa laughed. “It’s completely edible… though by the time we take it down, I don’t think anyone would want to eat it.”

Allie moved closer to the window. White, blue, and silver ball ornaments hung overhead, strung up with ribbons. Pippa had thought they could symbolize a Christmas Eve night sky. All that was missing was a miniature Santa and his sleigh.

Allie shot her an impressed look. “Well, I think you win.”

“It’s not a competition…” Pippa glanced at Jackie and back to Allie. “Unless you’ve heard confirmation of one.”

Jackie shrugged. “Who knows what they’re planning. I think it was just a way to get everyone in the holiday spirit.”

“Yeah,” Allie drawled sarcastically, “what better way to spread Christmas cheer than by getting everyone to compete with each other.”

Jackie motioned around them. “Do you see a bare window? Last week only half of them were decorated. Now, they’re all participating. Even Pippa.”

“Hey!” Pippa shot back. “I participate every year. Sometimes I’m just a little bit late to the party.”

“Like this year,” Jackie snickered. “We’re heading over to the coffee shop to get something to drink. You wanna come?”

Rob would be showing up soon. Pippa wasn’t sure if they’d be getting anything to eat, but she wouldn’t turn down a nice hot cup from Ruth. Nodding, she motioned to her shop.

“Let me just tell the hostess where I’m going.”

On their way to the coffee shop, Allie and Jackie chattered about what they’d decided to get their husbands for Christmas. They spoke of special plans and traditions. Pippa’s mind traveled back to the person in her life she wanted to have that sort of relationship with.

When they found themselves at the wishing well, Pippa stared down into its dark reaches thoughtfully.

“You gonna make a wish?”

She glanced up at Allie’s question. “I think I’m a little too old to believe in that sort of thing.”

Jackie chuckled, leaning over the side of the well. “We’re all adults here. We can admit we come here to make wishes, especially if we’re trying to make sense of something. It doesn’t mean we believe in magic or anything.” She tilted her face toward Pippa. “Once, I came here and wished for clarity on a parenting decision.”

Allie nodded. “As a kid, I came here and asked for a puppy.”

They all laughed.

“I never got one, though,” Allie added soberly.

Jackie nudged her. “You just need to drop a few hints around Luke. I’m sure he wouldn’t tell you no. He adores you.”

Pippa continued to stare at the well. She’d asked this very well for silly things, too. “I once asked for my hair to grow faster because I got a bad haircut.” She lifted her gaze to Allie. “You remember that? Of course, it didn’t come true. I think I asked for Billy Joe Porter to take me to Junior Prom.” Pippa chuckled as she shook her head.

“Didn’t he take Susan Coker?” Allie interjected. “I think they’re married now and they’re expecting.”

“Seems like the well isn’t really magic after all,” Jackie mused.

Without realizing where she was going, Pippa continued. She was talking more to herself than anyone else. “One time, I threw two quarters into the well. One so that Rob Clifford would move to Texas and one so he would date me.”

The air grew colder in that moment and Pippa realized just what she’d confessed to. Her brothers’ wives wouldn’t spread gossip, it wasn’t their vice. But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t talk her ear off about the fact that Rob was now here.

Pippa forced a smile. “Silly, right? It’s weird, though. For years, he stayed in Montana—didn’t bother coming here to visit. But now he’s here permanently, at least for now. It’s almost like the well finally offered me something.”

“Do you still like him?”

Likewas a word that barely scratched the surface of how she felt for him. The feelings swirling within her were as strong as ever. The problem was she didn’t know how he felt. There was a very good chance he was only wanting to restart their casual relationship. And that thought only seemed to cause Pippa pain.

“Maybe?” she said. “Now he’s here, it’s like all those feelings have been magnified. But is it just a crush or is it more? I have no idea what’s going to happen and that in and of itself scares me to death.”

“Didn’t you guys… date when you were younger?” Allie moved closer. “I remember you said something about him once, but you brushed me off when I asked you if it was serious.”

Heat flooded Pippa’s face and she turned around to lean against the edge of the well. “That’s because it was just a fling.” She couldn’t bear to say any more than that.

Jackie lifted her brows but didn’t say anything. Allie nudged Pippa as she sidled right up beside her. “That doesn’t sound like you. The Pippa I know always had a plan—especially for the future. What changed?”

Pippa heaved a sigh. “He was in another town across the country. We visited there enough… I guess I’d gotten it in my head that if he was never going to be in Texas, then it would be okay to just have fun. Back then, Rob didn’t want to be tied down to anyone or anything. Especially not when he hit his twenties.”

“What about now?” Jackie asked. “He doesn’t seem like the sort of guy who would string a girl along.”

“That’s just it,” Pippa heaved another sigh. “I don’t know what he wants. I can’t bring myself to ask him or tell him I’m done with the games. I…” She turned to face them, her blush deepening. “What if I’m in love with him?”

Her sisters-in-law exchanged knowing smiles. Allie moved closer to her. “I think you’re just going to have to tell him how you feel.”

Some part of her already knew that was what Allie would tell her. The problem was, that had to be the most terrifying thing she could say. Rob was here in Texas. He was fun to be around. He was the kind of person who could make her laugh. If he didn’t want anything to do with her long-term, she didn’t know how she would handle that.

“I don’t think I can,” Pippa finally mustered. “I don’t want to change what we have because if he doesn’t feel the same, our friendship is shot.”

Jackie pursed her lips. “I can understand that. But you can’t just bottle up your emotions like this. It’s not healthy. Besides, you’re both adults. If you tell him you’re interested in a romantic relationship with him and he says he’s not interested, then what? Things get awkward for a few weeks. So?”

“That’s not the worst thing I can think of,” Pippa said. “But he could push me out. He could move back to Montana. Heck, he could tell me he’s not interested, but he’s still willing to keep our little agreement going?—”

“And that would tear you up inside,” Allie interrupted.

“It would,” Pippa nodded. “I’m not a fan of the chance to be rejected, but I also don’t want to not take a risk.”

Jackie shook her head. “You’re looking at this wrong. There’s a big chance he feels like you do, and if so, then you just have to take a leap of faith and jump. He’ll be there to catch you.”

She made a good point.

“It’s more like a Schrodinger’s cat situation,” Allie offered. “At this point, he has both cut ties with you and he’s madly in love with you. The only way you’re going to find out the truth is to open the box and see if the cat is alive or dead.”

Jackie wrinkled her nose. “That’s a terrible analogy. No one wants to open a box to see something isn’t alive.”

“That’s the point. Are you going to let your fear of the unknown prevent you from seeing if the cat is, in fact, alive?” Allie turned a firm look on Pippa. “Think about when you decided to open your restaurant. From what I remember, everyone in town thought you were crazy. They all said we were just fine because we had the diner, the Barbecu Pit, and a few chain restaurants. This place wasn’t big enough for your restaurant, and it was too high-end for the folks who chose to live in a small town. But that didn’t stop you.”

“That’s because I knew it would work. The problem is that I don’t know if everything is going to work out the way I want it to with Rob.” That was the basis of her concerns. Rob. He was the person she didn’t want to lose. If her restaurant hadn’t worked out, then she would have eventually picked herself up and dusted herself off. She didn’t know if her heart would be able to handle it if Rob didn’t feel the same.

“Don’t worry too much about it,” Jackie interjected. “Rob is perfect for you. We both think so.”

Pippa stared at them with surprise.

Allie nodded. “We’ve seen the way you guys are together. It’s not like you can hide that sort of thing, especially when you stop by Jackie’s place to see him. Just give him some time. He’ll warm up to the idea. Besides, it’s not like anyone could resist you. You’re amazing.”

Pippa gave her friends a shy smile. “You guys are the best.”