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

With Christmas a little more than two weeks away, the season peak that could make or break the tree business was upon the ranch. People from all over the county were swarming to Hank’s tree lot or out to the ranch to buy fresh, fragrant trees that had been cut within the past few days. Keeping the supply in stock was a full-time job for the partners, and Rush had his vet practice calls to make as well.

Fortunately, Clara had made friends with the family on the neighboring ranch. Jubal and Gracie McFarland had a nine-year-old daughter, a two-year-old boy, a baby, and a little white poodle that Clara had loved on sight. The McFarlands were happy to include her in their lively family while Rush was working. And Rush would repay them the next time one of their animals needed care.

Busy as he was, Rush called Tracy almost every day, even if the call was little more than a quick hello. They hadn’t seen each other since the day he’d picked up Clara at her house. He found himself missing her even more than he’d expected to. That was why, when a midday cancellation came up, Rush jumped at the chance to spend some time with her.

“How about a quick lunch date?” he asked when she picked up his call. “The crowd at Buckaroo’s should be thinning out by now.”

He sensed a beat of hesitation before she replied. But when she said, “Hey, that sounds great. I’m starved,” he dismissed his worry.

“I’ll be by in about ten minutes,” he said.

Buckaroo’s, a burger and pizza joint on the corner of Main Street, had a down-at-the-heels look about it. The bulbs on the string of Christmas lights above the counter were dulled with smoke and grease, and the aging speakers that blared country Christmas music needed replacing; but there was comfort in the sameness of the place. And the food was always good.

The lunch crowd had cleared, giving Rush and Tracy their choice of booths. They slid into the one in the farthest corner, where they could talk.

“So, have you found homes for the kittens?” he asked, making small talk as they sipped sodas and waited for their pizza.

“All but Snowflake. Maureen, from work, called me yesterday. Her little granddaughter wants a kitten, so Midnight is spoken for. Just like that. They’re so cute. I’ll miss them when they’re gone.”

“But you’re keeping the mother?”

“Oh, yes. Rainbow has found a place in my heart. She even caught the mouse that startled me under the sink.”

“You could keep Snowflake, too. The cats would keep each other company. And at least Clara would know where he was.”

“I’ve thought about that. Snowflake would be safer with me than on the ranch. But Rush, there has to be a way for Clara to keep him.”

“She asked for a miracle. That’s what it’s going to take.”

“Couldn’t Andre just take allergy pills, or stay away from the cat?”

“Maybe. But Andre isn’t the accommodating sort. Everything has to revolve around him and what he wants. He was the one who insisted that I be kept away from Clara. Didn’t want the competition.” Rush gave himself a mental slap. “Sorry, I promised myself I wouldn’t put him down. He is Clara’s father, after all.”

Just then the server appeared with their pizza. Tracy had said she was hungry, but she nibbled at the single slice she’d put on her plate as if forcing herself to eat. Something, Rush sensed, was wrong. He’d suspected it earlier but dismissed the thought. Now the worry returned.

“Is everything all right?” he asked her.

“Fine. Just a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

“I’ve missed you,” he said. “I told you I was going to be busy for the next couple of weeks, and I have been. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about you. I hope you understand.”

“Oh, I do. It’s not that at all.”

“But it’s something, isn’t it? I can tell. Does it have anything to do with me?”

“Yes and no.”

He reached across the table and captured her hand. “I’ve never told you how I feel, because you’ve said you weren’t ready for anything serious,” he said. “But I’ve tried to show you how much I care about you, Tracy. If I’m pushing you where you don’t want to go—”

“No, it’s not even that.” She was on the verge of tears, Rush could tell. “It’s not you. It’s me.”

The old breakup line hit Rush like a punch below the belt. He felt as if he’d had the breath kicked out of him, but he was determined not to show it. “Have I taken too much for granted?” he asked. “Are you having second thoughts about us? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

Tracy shook her head. “Please don’t ask me anything else. There’s something I haven’t told you, that’s all. I’ll tell you in the car.”

Neither of them felt like finishing the meal. Rush left a tip on the table, helped her with her jacket, and held the door as they went outside. Cloaked in a silence that matched the dark clouds spilling over the distant hills, they crossed the empty parking lot and climbed into the Hummer. The inside was still warm. There was no need for Rush to start the engine and turn on the heater.

“Here?” he asked. “Or do you want me to drive?”