“You’re not putting her out. She really wants to help. And when she makes up her mind to get something done, it’ll get done. So just wait for it. You know Maggie.”
* * *
With the court in recess for the holidays, Tracy was enjoying some time off. She still had paperwork to do and briefs to read, but she could do those things at home. This morning she’d slept late, awakened to feed Murphy and the still-nameless mama cat, and tuned in to a morning exercise program on TV.
When the session ended, she was sweating. She turned off the TV and stood in the middle of the floor, catching her breath and surveying her spotless house. She’d spent the past two days cleaning, and it showed—everything dusted, scrubbed, and in its place. But there wasn’t a Christmas decoration in sight. The lights and ornaments she’d collected in the early years of her marriage, when Christmas was still magical, remained boxed in the attic, never to be used again. She couldn’t bear to put them up, but she couldn’t get rid of them, either. They held too many bittersweet memories.
She’d given up on Christmas for good, Tracy told herself. Last Christmas, her first without Steve, had been a nightmare of grief. This year would be easier. But nothing had changed. She was still alone, and still numb inside.
Maybe next year she could book a trip and get out of Branding Iron for the holiday season. Hawaii might be nice. Or even someplace like Costa Rica. But this year she had Murphy, who couldn’t be left alone, and she still had to decide what to do with the calico cat and her growing kittens. Rush had offered to come by and check on her animals. But she hadn’t heard from him. Maybe he’d given up on her and moved on. Fine. It wasn’t as if she’d encouraged the handsome vet.
Right now, it was time to get herself together for the day. Maybe she could make batches of cookies, deliver them to her neighbors, and drop them off at the courthouse for her coworkers. Or maybe she’d call the volunteer agency in Cottonwood Springs and see if they could use her help. Anything to boost her sagging spirits.
She had just stepped out of the shower when the phone rang. The call was from the mayor’s office. Tracy picked up to hear Maggie’s cheerful voice.
“Hi, Tracy. How are you enjoying your time off?”
“Actually, I’m finding it a challenge to keep busy,” Tracy said.
Maggie chuckled. “In that case, I can help you out. I need a favor—a personal favor.” She paused, as if waiting for a reply that didn’t come. “Hear me out before you answer. I’m really hoping you’ll say yes.”
“All right, I’m listening.” Tracy liked the woman, who was the closest thing she had to a girlfriend. But Maggie could be pushy when she needed to get something done—which made her an excellent mayor.
“When was the last time you talked to Rush?” Maggie asked.
&nbs
p; Tracy willed herself to ignore the skip of her pulse. She’d dismissed Rush as a lost cause. But the old stirrings were still there. “Not for a while. Maybe a couple of weeks.”
“How much has he told you about his divorce?”
“He mentioned it once—that his ex had married her old flame, and that they had a daughter. Nothing more than that.”
“The little girl’s actually his stepdaughter,” Maggie said. “It’s a long, sad story. But to cut to the chase, because of a family emergency, he has her for the holidays. She’s four. I haven’t met her, but Travis says she’s a little doll. Rush adores her.”
“And the favor?” Whatever it was, Tracy had a feeling her heart would be put at risk. Red flags went up.
“Again, it’s a long story,” Maggie said. “Evidently, she packed her own suitcase, mostly with princess costumes. She doesn’t have anything practical to wear on the ranch. She needs somebody to take her girl-shopping, with Rush’s credit card, and buy her some clothes.”
“Rush asked you to do it?”
“No, Travis did. He told me the story. I would’ve been happy to help, but I’ll be in meetings most of the day. So I was hoping . . .”
“That I would do it.” Tracy wasn’t fooled. Maggie had been trying to get her and Rush together. This time she’d come up with a legitimate reason.
Maggie seemed to sense her hesitation. “If there’s any reason you don’t want to . . .”
“No, of course, I’ll do it. Let me know what arrangement would work best.” How could she say no? She’d already told Maggie that she wasn’t busy. And she owed Rush a favor for helping with her animals. Things might be a little awkward at first, but what could be more fun than clothes shopping with a cute little girl?
Especially if she could forget that she might never have another chance.
“Thanks, you’re an angel,” Maggie said. “Let me call the ranch and get back to you.”
A few minutes later, Maggie called again. By then Tracy had dressed in jeans and a sweater and combed the tangles out of her freshly washed hair.
“All set,” Maggie said. “Rush just got an emergency call. He’ll have to leave Clara with Travis. If you don’t mind driving out to the ranch to pick her up, his credit card will be there for you. Once he’s finished with his calls, he’ll stop by your place and get her. Will that work for you?”
“That should be fine.” Tracy had met Travis and knew the way to the ranch. But she couldn’t help but wonder if Rush was avoiding her. Or was it Maggie’s ill-disguised matchmaking he was avoiding? At least he’d be coming by her house later on. But Tracy never knew what to expect from him. He was a difficult man to read—but then, she was no open book herself.