Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch 3)

“You two really love each other, don’t you?”

“Uh-huh.” He grinned.

“Do you have any idea how lucky you are?” Megan spoke past the lump in her throat. She blinked back a tear as she turned down the street toward home.

“What happened?” Daniel didn’t miss much. “Did you have a fight with Conner?”

“I’m afraid so. We broke up.”

“Oh no! Conner’s the best. I wanted you to marry him.”

“Sorry. It’s not going to happen. And don’t ask me why. Talking about it will only make me feel worse.

”

“Okay.” Daniel fell silent for a moment. “Can we talk about driving?”

“All right. Are you having trouble with the information in that booklet?”

He nodded dejectedly. “It’s hard. I’ve studied and studied. But there’s still stuff I can’t figure out. What if I can’t pass the test? How can I marry Katy if I can’t even drive her to work or take her to a movie?”

The emotion in his voice tore at Megan’s heart. But telling him about the driving school now would be a mistake. If her doubts won out over her desire to help him, her brother would be crushed. And so would Katy.

The course would last for a couple of months, at most, depending on his progress. The money wasn’t an insurmountable issue, but her parents could still say no. And if they agreed to let Daniel try for his license, she would have to give up her own plans in order to stay in Branding Iron and help him. Even the teaching job her father was urging her to take would be difficult to work around.

Could she do it? Could she give up a couple of months of her precious, selfish time for the sake of two people’s lifetime happiness?

What kind of person would even ask that question?

She wouldn’t tell Daniel until everything was in place—getting his hopes up too soon would be cruel. But she would start soon, by talking with her parents. They were going to take some serious persuading. Once they said yes—if they did—she would contact the driving school.

At least, for now, she’d have something to keep her busy—and take her mind off Conner.

* * *

Nursing a beer and feeling like two-day-old roadkill, Conner sat slumped in the overstuffed chair, watching the rebroadcast of a PBR event on TV. He had loved the dangerous sport—the challenge of it, the rush, the cheers of the crowd when he lasted eight seconds on a rank bull. Watching it now, knowing he could never do it again, was a form of well-deserved punishment.

Bucket nosed his hand, wanting attention. Conner scratched the dog’s scruffy ears. “Well, old boy, I guess she’s dumped us,” he muttered, half to himself. “Serves me right. I should’ve been up front about knowing her secret. That, or I should’ve been smart enough to act surprised and keep quiet when she told me the truth. Instead, I opened my big mouth and ruined everything.” He took a swig of beer, emptying the can, then crushed it in his fist. “Damn it, she was the one—the woman I wanted to wake up with every morning for the rest of my life.”

Bucket thumped his tail and trotted to the front door to be let out. Conner stood, slipped on his coat, and waited on the porch while the dog did his business. Beyond the overhang of the roof, there was nothing but darkness and swirling, blowing snow. According to the weather forecasters, the storm would be massive, with heavy snow falling through the night and into tomorrow.

Bucket’s needs didn’t take long. He was back on the porch in minutes, shaking the snow off his shaggy fur, ready to be let back into the warm house.

As Conner was hanging up his coat, his cell phone rang. He grabbed it off the coffee table, where he’d left it. Maybe Megan had had a change of heart.

The caller wasn’t Megan. It was Travis. Conner was happy to hear his voice. “Hey, partner, I’ve been wondering about you,” he said. “Is Maggie treating you all right?”

Travis chuckled. “She’s got me spoiled. But it must be what the doc ordered, because I’m doing a lot better. I should be home in a couple of days, when I’m able to take care of myself. I won’t be able to work much till these ribs mend, but at least I’ll make it to the wedding—maybe even to the Christmas Ball.”

“Don’t worry about the work,” Conner said. “Rush and I are managing fine. And nothing’s going to happen until this storm blows over. Have you looked outside? It’s a blizzard.”

“That it is. I’m hoping you’re snuggled up with your sweetie, keeping cozy.”

Conner sighed. “About that. The only snuggling I’ll be doing is with Bucket. Megan broke up with me today.”

“Oh, don’t tell me.” Travis groaned. “You and Megan seemed perfect for each other. What happened?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later. Mostly, it was just me and my big mouth.”