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

“There’s just one, not counting the white one Clara has her heart set on. He’s a little black boy. Full of mischief. Somebody’s bound to love him.”

“If you want, I can put up a notice at work.”

“Thanks. I’ll write one for you. I promised Clara I’d save the white one until Christmas. She’s hoping for a miracle. But if she can’t keep him, he’ll be available, too.” Tracy spread the three gowns on her bed. “Oh, these are gorgeous. I can’t believe you’re letting me borrow one.”

Maggie gave her a smile. “What are friends for?”

The words touched Tracy with unexpected sweetness. She’d needed a friend—and the friend she’d needed had pushed through her resistance and found her.

Chapter 11

All three of the gowns were traditional Old West–style, with high necks, long sleeves, and nipped-in waists. “I have to wear a corset to look good in mine,” Maggie said. “Something tells me you won’t need that.”

Tracy slipped the first dress over her head. It was a sky blue calico with little yellow flowers and a wide ruffle at the bottom that trailed on the floor when she walked. Maggie stood behi

nd her as she studied her reflection in the full-length mirror.

“Great color on you,” Maggie said. “But it’s too big in the waist, and that ruffle would take forever to shorten. Try the green.”

Maggie unzipped the back of the dress, helped Tracy out of it, and handed her the deep jade green gown with black piping. Tracy held it up in front of her. “I don’t need to try this on,” she said. “This is your gown, Maggie. It’s your color and cut to fit your curves. I’ll bet you look just stunning in it.”

“I just brought it for fun, and to give you a choice.” Maggie smiled. “All right, one gown to go, and I’ve saved the best for last. I wore this when I was in high school, and it’s hung in the back of the closet for years. It doesn’t fit me anymore, but I’m betting it will almost fit you.” She lifted a lavender gown, trimmed with ecru lace, from the bed.

“I don’t know what I was thinking, with that color and my red hair,” she said, slipping the gown over Tracy’s head. “But it’ll be perfect on you.”

Tracy gazed at her reflection as Maggie zipped the back of the lavender gown. She looked like someone from a long-past time, with the gauzy fabric floating around her and the high lace collar framing her face.

“Yes!” Maggie took Tracy’s hair, twisted it into a high pompadour, and held it there for effect. “Perfect,” she said. “You’ll just need to take up the hem a few inches. Since I’ll never get into it again, it’s yours.”

“Thank you! I can’t believe you’d give me this. I love it!” Tracy twirled in front of the mirror. “Now, what do you say we take it off and go have some cookies?”

“That sounds wonderful. And I’ve just got time before I need to go.”

Maggie helped her out of the gown and waited while Tracy dressed in her jeans and sweatshirt. Her gaze fell on Steve’s photo, next to the bed. “I still remember him,” she said. “I didn’t know him very well, but he was a real gentleman, and so good-looking.” She gave Tracy a knowing look. “You mentioned complications with Rush. Does Steve happen to be one of them?”

Tracy sighed as she laid the lavender dress carefully over the back of a chair. “I’m afraid so. But there’s more involved than that. With Steve, it’s a matter of when to let go and move on. And yes, I’m having trouble with that. But there are other issues, things I can’t change.”

Maggie gathered up the two remaining gowns. “Let me put these by the front door, where I won’t forget them,” she said. “Then we can go in the kitchen.”

“I’ll make a fresh pot of coffee,” Tracy said.

“That sounds wonderful.” Maggie strode back to the living room and laid the gowns on the chair nearest the door.

In the kitchen, Tracy started a fresh pot of coffee. “Come see the kittens while we’re waiting,” she said. I know you’re not a cat person. Neither was I until the little pregnant mother showed up on my doorstep.”

“Okay, but don’t try to give me one.” Maggie followed her down the hall to the laundry room, where they found Rainbow in the box, nursing her four kittens. “All right, I admit they’re pretty cute,” she said.

“It’s the white one Clara wants,” Tracy said.

“I know. Travis says that kitten is all she talks about.”

“Did Travis tell you why she can’t have him?”

Maggie shook her head.

“She can’t take the kitten home to Phoenix because Andre, her father, is allergic. And she can’t keep the kitten at the ranch because of Bucket.”

“Bucket? No way,” Maggie said. “I knew the man who gave him to Travis. Bucket was raised with an old cat who eventually died. They were best friends. Bucket should be fine with a cat. But the kitten would have to stay inside at the ranch. Coyotes, foxes, hawks, and owls would all be after him. And that white coat would make him an easy target.”