Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch 3)

“How was your evening, dear?” she asked.

“Fine.” Crazy, but at least it wasn’t boring. “I met some nice people.”

“Good. Derek called. He said he hadn’t been able to get you on your cell phone. I told him you were out with friends. He said he’d call back later.”

“Oh, thanks.” Megan headed for her room to change. She’d turned her phone off for the evening. Derek had probably left several messages. It would be like him to track her down, if nothing more than to make sure she was all right.

Sometimes his protectiveness made her feel like a truant sixth grader. But at least he wasn’t in love with Lacy. In fact, he’d encouraged her to put the wig and makeup aside and perform as herself.

Derek was a good man, everything a school principal should be, Megan conceded. He was responsible and conscientious—the polar opposite of devil-may-care Conner.

But there was no point in comparing the two men. Derek had a plan for his whole life—including her. Conner was like a carnival ride on a hot summer day—wild and heady, then gone like the sweetness of cotton candy in her mouth. He was a cheap thrill, a waste of her time.

So, why couldn’t she stop thinking about him and that dizzying kiss?

In her room, she sat on the bed, found her phone in her purse, and turned it on. There were three voicemail messages from Derek. She listened to the first one.

“Hi, Megan. Just calling to say I miss you. Hope you’re having a nice time with your family. I’ll try you again later.”

The second message held a note of worry.

“Where are you, Megan? Why aren’t you answering your phone? Is something wrong? Call me, please.”

The third message was even more urgent.

“It’s almost nine o’clock, Megan. For heaven’s sake, call and let me know you’re all right. If I don’t hear from you in the next ten minutes, I’m calling your parents.”

And that was exactly what he’d done. At least now he knew she wasn’t dead on the highway somewhere. But had he really been concerned about her safety? Or was he more worried that she might be out with another man?

It wasn’t as if they were in a committed relationship. Neither of them had promised not to date others. But knowing Derek, he’d have already taken that for granted. If she didn’t call him back now, he would just keep calling until he reached her.

Scrolling to his phone number, Megan made the call. Derek picked up on the first ring.

“Megan!

Thank God you’re all right. You shouldn’t worry me like that. Where were you?”

“Some new friends invited me to dinner. They were lovely people, and I was fine.” Not the whole truth, but she knew better than to tell him about Conner. “What about you?” she asked. “What have you been doing with your vacation time?”

“Mostly working—going over the new budget proposals and the projections for the coming year. That, and supervising a crew to fix those potholes in the school parking lot.”

“That doesn’t sound like fun,” Megan said.

“Nothing’s much fun without you here. I might as well work. I miss you, Megan. Promise me that this is the last Christmas we’ll spend apart.”

Megan muffled a sigh. “I can’t make that kind of promise, Derek. Nobody can—unless they have a magic crystal ball.”

“Well, a man can dream, can’t he?” Derek’s chuckle sounded forced. “Are you still planning to sing at the town Christmas party?”

“That’s the idea. The Badger Hollow Boys are counting on me to perform.”

“In costume?”

“As Lacy? Yes. That’s part of the package.”

“But it’s a family event in a small town. Why not perform as yourself?”

“Because Lacy is more entertaining.”