Eli nodded at her. “Hey.”
“Hi, I’m Dara. Nice to meet you, Miss Stephens,” Dara gushed.
“You, too, Dara.” She beamed at the girl, then at Eli. Eli didn’t smile back. “Can’t wait to see the sketches.” She waved them back behind the counter.
Eli stood between the two of them and spread open a large piece of drafting paper. A chair sat in the middle of the float, flanked by two supersize books.
“These will have the covers for Floppy Ears and 34,” Eli pointed out. “Mrs. Upton said she wants to get the little brothers and sisters of the Future Farmers of America kids to ride on the float with you. Make it like you’re reading to them.”
Josie nodded. “And these?” She pointed to two blob-like shapes.
“One will be a cow and one will be a rabbit,” Dara said. “We’re going to make them out of garland and wrap them with lights. You know, those topiary things?”
“It looks great.” Josie was impressed. “And a lot of work.”
“It was Eli’s idea.” Something in Dara’s tone made Josie look at the girl.
“It’s a great idea,” Josie said. She saw Dara cast a timid glance Eli’s way, saw Eli’s red cheeks. Just when Eli looked at Dara, the girl looked back at the drawing.
The bell over the door rang.
“Hey, Josie-girl.” Fisher was all smiles. “How’s it going?”
“Gingerbread madness has begun.” She grinned. “Nice of you to stop by to help.”
“I’ll help eat my fair share. It sure smells good.” Fisher sniffed for emphasis.
“Tastes pretty good, too.” Josie offered the three of them a gingerbread man.
“Damn good,” Fisher agreed, eating the cookie in two bites. “You good with the plans?”
She nodded. “Since I’m not building it, yes. Looks great.”
Dara’s phone rang so she walked outside to take the call, and Eli followe
d.
“They’re adorable,” she said to Fisher.
“Eli’s too young for a girlfriend,” Fisher argued. “He’s just a kid.”
“I don’t think they’re talking marriage, Fisher.” She offered him another cookie. “How’ve you been?”
“I’m good, real good. Nothing like living your dream while being seriously good-looking, you know?”
She giggled. “You’re incredible.”
“I’ve heard that before.” He winked at her.
She kept laughing. “Behave.”
“Not in my nature,” he countered.
“Fisher,” she wheezed. “You’re going to make me have an asthma attack.”
He chuckled. “Never done that to a woman before.”
She shook her head. Fisher had always been funny. Once she was able to breathe and talk, she tried again. “I’m really impressed by the ranch. Looks like the family has been working hard.”