Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch 3)

“Is your family new in town?” he asked.

“They moved to Branding Iron a couple of years ago, but they don’t get out much. My dad teaches at the high school. My mom is in a wheelchair, so he spends most of his free time at home with her.”

“What about your brother? He’s the one who said he knew me, but I can’t place him.”

“Daniel knows everybody in town. And people remember him—not just because he’s friendly, but because he has Down syndrome.”

The description clicked. “Oh, sure, I know who he is. He works at Shop Mart. Great kid. So he’s your brother?”

“He is, and I agree, he’s a great young man. He holds down a job and helps Mom a lot, too. He and I are the only children in our family.”

As she spoke, Megan felt a familiar twinge of guilt. Her family could use her help, too. That was why she’d arranged for a substitute teacher and given up two weeks’ salary to come home early this year. She did contribute money to her mother’s care. Still, it wasn’t the same as being here full time. She could always move to Branding Iron—her father had mentioned that teachers were in high demand. But leaving Nashville would mean giving up her dream, just when good things were beginning to happen.

“My street’s just ahead,” she said. “Is there someone I can call to get my car towed back onto the road?”

“You’re looking at him,” Conner said. “There’s a garage in town, but in this weather, the owner is liable to be busy. You’d most likely have to wait. But I can come first thing tomorrow, with a tow chain. If that plan works for you, I can pick you up at your house. We’ll pull your car out of the ditch, and you can drive it home.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Sure. That’s what small towns are all about, neighbor helping neighbor.” He turned the truck onto her street. “The highway should be plowed by nine. Is that too early for you?”

“I’m a teacher. It’s fine. And that’s our house on your right—the blue one with the porch light on.”

Conner pulled into the driveway and stopped. Howling wind swirled snow around the truck. Snowflakes peppered Megan’s face like buckshot as she climbed to the ground, closed the door behind her, and staggered, head down, toward the porch. Conner followed with her two suitcases.

Megan’s father, Ed, tall and spare, with thinning hair and glasses, had come out onto the porch. He gave her a brief welcoming hug. “Thank God you’re safe,” he said, then turned to take the luggage from Conner. “And thank you for bringing her home. Won’t you come in? There’s hot cocoa on the stove.”

“Thanks,” Conner said, “I was glad to help. But I’d better head home before the roads get worse. See you tomorrow, Megan.” He strode back to the truck, snow flying around him.

As the truck backed down the driveway, Ed ushered her inside and closed the door. The house was warm and cheerful, with a small Christmas tree with twinkling lights in a corner of the living room. Megan’s mother, Dorcas, painfully thin but still a pretty woman, held out her arms for a hug. Daniel, all smiles, offered Megan a mug of steaming cocoa with a marshmallow melting on its chocolatey surface.

Her parents were getting older, Megan reflected as she took a seat at the table. They both appeared more careworn. But Daniel had never looked happier. Two years ago, he had walked into his first job as a bagger at Shop Mart and met sweet little Katy Parker working behind the bakery counter. Katy, who also had Down syndrome, had become the love of his life. The two were even talking marriage—happy news, but bringing new concerns for both their families.

“What about your car?” her father asked. “Do we need to call a tow truck in the morning?”

“No, Conner’s offered to come back with a chain and help me. He’ll be here at nine.” Megan sipped the chocolate. It was too sweet for her taste, but it warmed her body going down.

“I know the man who helped you,” Daniel said. “That’s Conner Branch. He was a champion bull rider. I even saw him ride on TV. But he had to quit because he got hurt. And now he lives right here in Branding Iron. He even gives me high fives when he comes to Shop Mart.”

As her brother chatted on about Conner, Megan finished her chocolate, licking the sticky marshmallow off her upper lip. So her rescuer really was a local celebrity. Interesting, but not her concern. As she’d reminded herself earlier, a man that attractive was sure to have some woman’s brand on him. Besides, there was Derek, back in Nashville. They’d met when he was hired as principal of the school where she taught. They’d been dating about six months, and things were getting serious. The last thing she needed was another complication in her life.

“You must be exhausted after that long drive,” her mother said. “We should give you a break and let you go to your room.”

“Thanks. I really am tired.” Megan stood, yawning.

“I’ll take your suitcases.” Daniel grabbed both bags and carried them down the hall to the room that was kept ready for Megan. She needed to visit more often, she told herself as she kissed her parents good night, picked up her purse, and followed him. Branding Iron was a long day’s drive from Nashville, but there were holiday and seasonal breaks from school when she’d have time to make the trip. Unfortunately, those were the times when Lacy had the best chance of getting gigs.

Daniel had left her bags on the bed. All Megan really wanted to do was put them on the floor, then crawl under the covers and sleep. But first she would force herself to unpack both suitcases. In the morning, it would be nice to wake up and have the job already done.

First she unpacked her regular things, putting the folded shirts, jeans, and underclothes into the empty dresser drawers; then she hung up her quilted down coat, her woolen sweater, and the one dress she’d brought. Her snow boots and low-heeled pumps went into the closet, along with the sneakers she’d worn for the drive.

That done, she opened what she’d come to think of as Lacy’s suitcase. The fringed, beaded leather jacket went onto a padded hanger in the back of the closet, along with the low-cut black silk blouse and the distressed stretch-denim jeans. The knee-high, stiletto-heeled boots went into one corner, the long brunette wig, with its inflatable stand, on the top shelf of the closet. Next to it, she placed her weathered felt Stetson and the box that held her stage makeup, complete with false eyelashes, lush red lipstick, and the collection of cheap silver rings that Lacy wore on her fingers.

At last, the unpacking was finished. Lacy would be ready to perform when her friends, the Badger Hollow Boys, showed up for the Cowboy Christmas Ball. Until then, Megan could relax and enjoy the season with her family. With luck, she might also find some time to get out her old guitar and work on the original song she was writing.

With a tired yawn, she stowed the empty suitcases under the bed, brushed her teeth, changed into flannel pajamas, and climbed into bed. Tomorrow, i

f she could trust his word, Conner Branch would be back to help her with her car. In spite of her misgivings, she looked forward to seeing him again. She wasn’t interested in romance, but she was intrigued. The fact that Daniel seemed to almost worship the man only sharpened her curiosity.