Holly Jolly Cowboy (The Wyoming Cowboy #7)(37)

“Yep, I heard.” She laid the chicken strips on a plate, only to see Hannibal’s nose getting a little closer to the counter than she’d like. Well, she had a solution for that, too. She glanced over at Adam and nodded. “Will you distract Hannibal with one of those dog cookies I made? They’re in the cookie jar.”

“You made dog cookies on top of everything else?” His mouth tugged into a reluctant smile, but he grabbed the jar.

“Of course. I can’t spoil everyone except the dogs, right? I have to spoil everyone.” She went back to breading chicken strips. “And those are made with peanut butter and oatmeal and bacon but no sugar.” Holly heard the click of Pumpkin’s tiny nails on the floor. “Give one to Pumpkin, too?”

“Naturally.” He leaned over and fed both dogs, then turned back to her, watching her work.

“Are you hungry? I was making these for tomorrow but tonight works just as well.”

Adam gave her a sheepish look. “I’m always hungry.”

“It’s a good thing for you that I’m always cooking, then.” She cast him a teasing smile over her shoulder, then headed over to the fryer she had plugged in. It was still warming, so she glanced back at him. “Becca texted me today, by the way.”

He snapped his fingers. “Cookies. Shit. I totally forgot.”

She’d suspected as much. “It’s all right. But now you owe me one for sabotaging things.” Did he turn pale just then? “You okay?”

“Just hungry.” Adam shook his head. “But yeah, I blanked out about the cookie thing. I’m sorry. How do I make it up to you?”

Holly already knew. “You’re going to be my date to her Christmas party Friday night.”

He made a face. “I am?”

“Don’t look so thrilled. And yup. You owe me, and Becca wants everyone to have a date because of party games or something. And I kinda have to go because I’m dropping off the cookies.”

“Ah.”

“Yeah, don’t worry. I’m not madly in love with you.” Holly dropped the first chicken strip in, testing the oil, and then glanced over at him. “I’ll do my best to leave early but I also don’t want to hurt Becca’s feelings. So you might be stuck with me for a few hours.”

Adam was quiet for a moment. “I guess I do owe you,” he finally said. “I just . . . after my ex and I divorced, I vowed to remain single. It’s not worth the hassle, you know? And I’ve been telling everyone that for forever.” He paused. “Including Becca.”

She fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Calm down, Romeo. It’s not like I can’t handle a platonic date. It changes nothing between us. And if anyone asks, you can tell them that I’m just using you for sex.”

He was silent.

She looked over at him. The expression on his face was definitely weird. Probably still feeling under the weather. “That was a joke.”

Adam managed a smile. “Right.”

“Don’t worry. No one in this room is catching feelings for one another. I figure as long as we’re on the same page, we show up, drop the cookies off, drink her wine, smile at a few people, and then call it a day. Easy.”

The expression on his face was suspicious, but at least he wasn’t declining outright. That was good. She meant every word of what she said, too. They’d show up, hug a few people, make an appearance, and call it a day.

And absolutely, positively avoid all mistletoe.



* * *



? ? ?

Holly took pictures of Pumpkin in a Santa hat and sent them to her sister Friday afternoon.

HOLLY: Ho ho ho, your favorite elf says good afternoon!

Polly’s answer was slow to come through.

POLLY: You only send me dog pictures when I ask or when you’re nervous about something. What’s up?

Did she? Was she that obvious? She tried to think back on other dog pictures she’d sent, but the last one was right before the big baking contest, which she’d flubbed. Hmm.

HOLLY: I’m going to a party tonight. Becca asked me to make cookies for her guests. I’m just killing time until my date arrives.

She hoped that would flush Polly out and force her sister to call. It had been far too long since she’d heard Polly’s voice and maybe she was feeling a little lonely. It was two weeks before Christmas and the weather was cold and frosty, the days short, and . . . she missed her family. The ache of missing her parents was one she was used to, but Polly’s absence was like a hole in her heart, made worse by the fact that she knew Polly was having a lovely time at university and enjoying herself . . . and for some reason, Holly resented it. Just a little.

And she hated that she resented it, too. It felt . . . unsisterly. She was happy for Polly but . . . she also wanted Polly to miss her. Just a touch. And it felt like Polly didn’t.

But that was just Holly being needy. It was the holidays, and she was alone. That was what it was.

POLLY: Who’s your date?

HOLLY: The jerk cowboy I’m cooking for. It’s platonic, of course. I just didn’t want to go by myself and he owed me a favor.

POLLY: What are you wearing? Your red holiday dress? He’s going to fall in love with you.

HOLLY: How did you know I was wearing the red dress?