It's a Christmas Thing (The Christmas Tree Ranch 2)

“With my help. The post office will send it to a place with that address. I was going to mail it, but I didn’t have a stamp.”

“We’ve got stamps at the ranch. I can take this home and put it in our mailbox. I still need to buy her some presents. What did she ask for?”

“Nothing you can get at Shop Mart, I’m afraid.” Tracy poured two mugs of coffee and set them on the table before she sat down.

Rush was slipping the letter into his jacket when he realized the flap was loose. He took a closer look. Clara, it appeared, had licked off enough adhesive to keep the envelope from sealing.

“I can get you a new envelope,” Tracy said.

“Don’t bother. I’ll tape this shut before I mail it.” Rush paused, wondering what was in the letter. “Do you think she’d mind if I looked?”

“Since you’re the closest thing to her Santa, I think you should,” Tracy said. “But don’t expect it to resolve anything.”

Rush slipped the folded page out of the envelope, smoothed it on the table, and read the words his little girl had asked Tracy to write. The kitten was no surprise. Even that would be a problem. As for the rest . . . Rush struggled to ignore the rising lump in his throat. “Damn,” he muttered.

Tracy shook her head. “I understand, and I’m sorry.”

Rush folded the letter again and put it back in the envelope.

“Give it to me. I’ve got some glue.” Tracy stepped to the cupboard and found a small bottle of white glue. She squeezed a thin line along the flap of the envelope and closed it. “There. It might be just as well if she doesn’t know you read the letter.”

Rush slipped the envelope into his pocket. “I’d do anything to keep her with me, even part-time. But she doesn’t understand how impossible it is, let alone the reason why.”

“I think she understands more than you realize. That’s why she asked Santa for miracles.” Tracy refilled his coffee cup. “Can’t you appeal to your ex-wife? Surely she wants her daughter to be happy.”

“I tried. But Sonya wanted to create a new family with Andre as the only father and me totally out of the picture. She insisted that having two fathers would only confuse her little girl.”

“But you’ve got Clara now.”

“That was a fluke. When she gets home from her cruise, Sonya will probably throw a full-scale hissy fit, and the next person I hear from will be her lawyer.”

Tracy was looking at him as if she had something to say. Her lips parted. Then, with a slight shake of her head, she pressed her mouth into a tight line.

“What is it?” Rush asked.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

He would have pressed her for more, but just then Clara walked into the kitchen, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Her face lit with a happy little smile when she saw him. “Hi, Daddy. Did you see the cookies we made you?”

“I saw them and tasted them. They were yummy. Thanks.”

Clara looked at the table. “Where’s my letter?”

“I’ve got it in my pocket,” Rush said. “When we get home to the ranch, I’ll put a stamp on it. Then you can put it in the mailbox.”

“Can’t we take it to the post office? Santa will get it faster that way.”

“Sure. In fact, I was planning to take you to Buckaroo’s for burgers and shakes. The post office is right on the way.” Rush glanced at Tracy. “You’re invited, too,” he said.

She shook her head. “Thanks, but Maggie is coming by later to bring me her spare ball gowns. I’ve got things to do before then.”

“There’ll be another time.” Rush masked his disappointment with a smile. There never seemed to be enough time for the two of them. “I hope you’ll take a rain check.”

“Certainly. Here’s a box of cookies to take home and share with your partners.”

“Thanks. And thanks for helping out this morning.” He took the cookies from her, knowing the busiest season at the ranch was just beginning. Travis and Conner were going to need his help. He’d have little time for the woman whose company he’d come to crave. “Get your coat, Clara.”

“Can I say good-bye to the kittens first?”