Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch 3)

Megan appeared to be having a good time with his friends, laughing at their jokes, complimenting Maggie on the meal,

smiling at everyone around the table—even him. But the smiles she gave him were only with her lips. Her eyes held a glint of cold steel—almost as if he’d somehow become the enemy.

What had changed? Had she heard something from Maggie and Tracy behind that closed kitchen door—a bit of gossip, an unfounded rumor—that had raised her defenses? He’d been honest about the women he’d dated. She’d seemed fine with that. And it wasn’t as if he were hiding a scandalous secret. His life was an open book—all she had to do was google him online, something he would bet she’d already done.

But he wasn’t imagining things. Megan’s manner toward him showed signs of strain. And he liked her too much to shrug and walk away. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he found out what was troubling her.

* * *

“You mentioned that you were in town last Christmas, Megan.” It was Rush who’d asked the question. “Did you make it to the Cowboy Christmas Ball? I don’t recall seeing you there.”

“No, I was . . . busy.” It was a half-truth; Lacy had been the one at the ball. Megan should have anticipated the question, but it had caught her off guard. To make it through the evening without revealing her secret, she would have to come up with some creative answers. She could only hope that her new friends would back her up.

“But you’re going this year, aren’t you?” Travis asked. “It’s the biggest event of the year. The whole town shows up. Great western food, costumes, and dancing. And it’s not like you need a date. You just go and have fun.”

“I’m afraid I have other plans.” Megan sipped a glass of the wine she’d brought. “Sorry, it does sound like a good time. I’m sure my brother, Daniel, will be there. He loves to go and dance with Katy. Her parents will pick him up and take them.”

“What about your parents, Megan?” Tracy asked, deftly changing the subject. “You mentioned that your mother is in a wheelchair. But surely she’d enjoy getting out. And she’s an artist. And people—including me—would enjoy meeting her.”

“My parents tend to keep to themselves,” Megan said. “But, yes, I think they might enjoy it. I’ll do my best to encourage them.”

Conner had been uncharacteristically silent. Megan could just imagine what he was thinking. He wanted to be free to hit on Lacy, if and when she showed up. Right now, he was probably squirming at the thought that Megan expected to be invited as his date.

If only she hadn’t promised her friends—the Badger Hollow Boys—that Lacy would sing with their band. If she hadn’t made that commitment, she would have been free to enjoy the ball as herself or simply stay home. And Conner’s hopes of seeing his dream woman would’ve been for nothing.

She gave her head a mental shake. She’d read Shakespearean plays that were less complicated than this mess. It was a true Comedy of Errors.

“Well, I’m sorry to miss the fun,” she said. “But I really do have plans. Here’s hoping you all have a great time at the ball.”

“Maybe that singer will come with the band again.” Rush helped himself to another slice of pot roast. “She wasn’t bad. Maybe not Grand Ole Opry material, but I think everybody enjoyed her.”

Megan winced as the truth stabbed home. Deep down, she’d always feared that she might not have what it took to succeed—not even as Lacy. In the dog-eat-dog world of show business, it took grit, determination, and luck to make it big. But most of all, it took talent. If the talent wasn’t there, all the hard work in the world wouldn’t be enough.

She blinked back the tears that sprang to her eyes, hoping no one would notice. Rush’s innocent remark had given voice to her worst fear—that she just wasn’t good enough.

But that didn’t mean she was ready to give up. She had to believe in herself. She had to keep chasing her dream until there was no dream left to chase.

Maggie and Tracy were exchanging glances—knowing looks that spoke a clear message. “I thought she was wonderful,” Maggie said. “The way she held the crowd’s attention, and made it fun for everybody, was great. And she had a beautiful voice.” She rose from her chair. “Now, who’s ready for dessert? Apple pie with ice cream, if you’ve got room for it.”

“I’ll help you serve.” Megan stood, almost too hastily, and followed Maggie into the kitchen.

“Thanks,” she said as the door swung shut behind them. “Things were getting awkward in there.”

“Well, just so you know, I meant every word I said about your performance. I thought you did great.”

“You’re very kind,” Megan said. “And thank you for keeping my secret.”

“The ice cream’s in the freezer. You can scoop it out.” Maggie cut the pie into six wedges and began lifting them carefully onto saucers. Megan dug out a scoop of vanilla for each piece. “You know,” Maggie said, “it might be simpler to just tell Conner the truth. He’s a good guy, and I can tell he likes you. He’ll deal with it.”

“Deal with it how?” Megan finished scooping and put the ice-cream carton back into the freezer. “You know that Lacy isn’t real. But she’s like having this glamorous girl buddy who always steals your boyfriends. If Conner knew I was Lacy, he would want me to be Lacy. And that would ruin everything.”

“I understand your point.” Maggie picked up three of the saucers, leaving the rest for Megan. “But how long can you keep him from knowing the truth? No man likes to be made a fool of. If Conner sees Lacy at the ball and realizes he’s been played, he’s not going to take it well.”

Megan picked up the remaining saucers and followed Maggie back into the dining room. Her new friend was right. Conner was a proud man. The longer she kept her secret from him, the more upset he was likely to be when he discovered the truth.

But letting Lacy into the picture would ruin her friendship with a man she was liking far more than she’d planned. Conner was smart, funny, gentle, and sexy enough to make her pulse race every time he touched her. But he’d already fallen for Lacy. And Megan had learned the hard way that she couldn’t compete with her glamorous alter ego.

So, what should she do now?