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

“I know. But when I saw her, it was like being kicked by a mule. You and Travis have got your women. Maybe she’s the one for me.”

“Or maybe not.” Rush laughed. “All I can do is wish you good luck.”

They laid the priceless harness carefully in the bed of Travis’s pickup and led the horses up the ramp into the big double trailer. Travis had taken Conner’s Jeep to drive Hank home, where he would help him out of the Santa costume. Once the horses and their gear were put away, Rush and Conner would return with the truck to hitch up the flatbed with the sleigh and tow it home. After that, the partners could relax and look forward to the Christmas Ball.

Bucket was waiting for them inside the cab of the truck. He greeted them with wags and dog kisses. “Good job today, boy,” Rush said. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

* * *

By 6:15 that evening, rested, shaved, showered, and decked out in their finest Old West duds, the partners were ready for the Christmas Ball. Since Maggie needed to be at the gym early, Travis had already left to pick her up. Conner was going stag, but he’d offered to pick up some extra napkins, paper plates, and utensils from Shop Mart, so he’d left early, too. Only Rush remained to close up the house. He glanced around to give the place a quick once-over before leaving. Clara had left her pillow on the floor outside the tent, not a good idea with Bucket in the house. He unzipped the tent flap and tossed the pillow inside.

Now, where was Bucket? After that incident with the coyote, the partners had kept a close eye on the dog, only letting him out when someone was around. He must’ve slipped out the door when Travis or Conner left.

It was already dark outside when Rush stepped onto the front porch and turned on the light. “Bucket! Come here, boy!” He called and whistled, cursing silently as he listened in the stillness. He couldn’t go and leave the blasted mutt outside. There was nothing to do but call Tracy, explain, and tell her he might be late.

He was reaching for his phone when Bucket appeared, prancing up the driveway as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He wagged his tail, gave a little yip, and trotted up the steps, into the house.

“You old rascal,” Rush scolded him. “I know you heard me calling, but you didn’t show up till you were good and ready. No treats for you tonight.” He checked the dog’s food and water bowls in the kitchen and turned off the lights except for a lamp in the living room. Leaving, he made sure to lock the front door behind him.

Tracy and Clara were ready and waiting when Rush arrived. Clara, who opened the door for him, looked adorable in her freshly cleaned princess gown, with her silver shoes and sparkly tiara. Tracy had fixed her hair in fancy braids and even put a little dab of pink lipstick on her mouth.

Rush’s pulse skipped when Tracy walked into the room. With her flowing, lace-trimmed lavender gown, upswept hair, and simple pearl earrings, she looked as if she’d stepped out of an old-time portrait. She took his breath away.

“Doesn’t Tracy look beautiful, Daddy?” Clara asked.

“She looks amazing, and so do you.” Rush picked the little girl up and waltzed her around the room. “With you two lovely ladies on my arm tonight, I’ll feel like the luckiest man in town, maybe in the world. Shall we go?”

He made a courtly show of helping them both with their coats and escorting them outside. They’d decided to take Tracy’s car instead of the Hummer. It would be easier for Tracy, climbing in and out with her gown, and Clara’s booster seat was already buckled into the back.

It was barely 7:00 when they walked into the gym and presented their tickets at the door; but the festivities had already started. The buffet tables along one side of the room sagged with donated food—sliced ham and roast turkey with dressing, scalloped potatoes and baked beans, mountains of fresh homemade rolls, a sea of salads, cakes, and pies. No alcohol was the rule, but there were punch bowls and canned sodas in tubs of ice. Families in Western dress were lined up to heap their plates with food and find a place at the tables.

“Are you hungry?” Rush asked.

“I’m not hungry yet,” Tracy said. “But I’m guessing you and Clara might be. Just get me a soda, and I’ll save us a place to sit, while you go through the line.”

They found a quiet spot at the end of a table. Tracy took a seat while Rush found a Diet Coke in the tub and had Clara run it back to her while he saved a place in line.

The gym was decorated for Christmas with a twelve-foot, specially ordered tree in the center. It was trimmed with colored lights, traditional ornaments, and paper decorations made by Branding Iron’s schoolchildren. Strings of red and green crepe paper had been strung from the treetop star to the walls, to make a canopy above the dancers.

Right now, the dance floor was empty. The Badger Hollow Boys, a Nashville band that played for every Christmas Ball, had yet to make an appearance. Rush had seen their bus outside, so he knew they were here. But they would probably wait until 8:00, after the food rush had ebbed, before starting their first set.

Keeping a firm grip on Clara’s hand, Rush surveyed the expanse of tables. A smile tugged at his lips as he spotted Conner, sharing a meal with Ronda May Blackburn. Petite and buxom, with blond curls and a turned-up nose, Ronda May might not be the prettiest girl in town, but she was pretty enough, and way out front in terms of determination. She had set her sights on Conner, and made up her mind to rope, tie, and brand him. Now that she had him cornered, she probably wouldn’t let him out of her sight.

Conner’s mystery woman didn’t seem to be here. Too bad. Rush would have enjoyed the drama. And he would’ve enjoyed teasing Conner tomorrow.

He helped Clara fill her plate, got his own food, and made his way to the table where Tracy waited. By the time they’d finished their meals, the Badger Hollow Boys had walked out onto the makeshift stage and begun warming up.

A few minutes later, they broke into a lilting Texas two-step. Couples were already moving out onto the dance floor. Travis had captured Maggie for a first dance. Daniel and Katy were dancing slowly, looking into each other’s eyes. Francine, in her red saloon girl costume, was strutting her stuff with a cowboy while Hank, who didn’t dance, enjoyed watching her from the sidelines. Ronda May was tugging Conner in that direction.

Knowing Tracy would understand, Rush bowed low before Clara. “May I have the honor of this dance, my princess?” he asked.

Clara giggled and held out her hands. Rush picked her up in his arms, walked onto the floor, and began to dance with her. Clara’s smile was like a sky full of stars.

As the music faded, he carried her back to the table. “There’s a room down the hall where kids can play games and have fun,” he said. “Would you like to go there while I dance with Tracy for a little while?”

“Okay.” Clara looked hesitant. Rush realized that aside from the McFarland kids, she’d spent very little time with other children.

Tracy stood. “I’ll go with you two. Don’t worry, Clara, it’ll be fine. We’ll check on you in a little while.”