My Kind of Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch 1)

“So this has worked out for both of you.”

“Yes, but we need a way to make some money off this ranch,” Conner said. “We’re hoping we’ve found it.”

A stern glance from Travis stopped him from saying more. Maggie knew better than to press for answers. She was here on a goodwill mission, nothing more, she told herself.

But when she looked at Travis, she couldn’t help wondering what had really brought her here tonight.

“How about some dessert? No, stay put. I’ll get it.” She rose, gathered up the dinner plates, and carried them to the counter. Finding saucers, she put a brownie and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on each one.

Conner took a bite of brownie. “Mmmm! Did you make these, too? If you say yes, I’m proposing here and now!”

Maggie laughed. “Sorry. The brownies came from Shop Mart’s bakery department. If you want to hang on to that proposal, I’ll get you the phone number of the cook. Maybe she’s single.”

“You’ve treated us like kings tonight, Maggie,” Travis said. “When we’re finished here, I’ll volunteer Conner to clean up while I walk you outside to get that box out of the sleigh. Okay, Conner?”

“Sure, if I can push myself away from the table. Did you mean we could keep those leftover enchiladas, Maggie?”

“You bet. The salad, too. Just cover the dishes and put them in the fridge. I’ll pick them up later.”

“No need. I’ll drop them off at your office on my next trip to town.” Travis pushed his chair out and stood. “Ready to go outside, Maggie?”

“I guess.” She let him help her with her jacket. The brush of his hands on her shoulders sent a tingle of awareness through her body.

Bucket was waiting on the porch when they went outside. He tagged along as they walked back around the house to the open shed. The night was chilly, with stars emerging from among drifting clouds. Travis had brought a flashlight. It made a pale circle on the ground as they walked slowly, side by side.

“Thanks for the meal, Maggie,” Travis said. “Whatever you had in mind, it was a nice gesture.”

“But you still don’t trust me. Not even after I was honest with you. Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s that you’re wasting your time. I washed my hands of my father years ago, and nothing’s going to change that.”

“That’s too bad. I have it on good authority that if you’d go to him and settle the past, he’d consider playing Santa in the Christmas parade.”

His jaw tightened. “Is that damned Christmas parade the only thing that matters to you, Maggie? Is that why you came here tonight, with all that food and fake sweetness?”

“It wasn’t fake! I care about all the people in this town—and not just because it’s my job. The old folks, the parents, the kids—even outsiders like you and Conner—they all matter to me. I want Branding Iron to be a happy place—especially at Christmastime.”

“Conner might be willing to drive the sleigh. He can already handle a team, and I know he wouldn’t mind doing it. But Hank might have issues with Conner, too, for reasons you aren’t aware of. Your best bet would be to find a different Santa Claus.”

“Can’t you at least talk to Hank? If you could settle your differences—”

“I’m sorry, Maggie, but that’s not going to happen, especially now.”

They’d paused outside the shed. “I know Hank’s been through a lot, but he’s a good man,” Maggie said. “I can’t imagine what he could’ve done to make you so set against him.”

He turned to face her in the darkness. “Are you asking me to tell you?”

“I’d like to understand, at least.”

“Listen, then,” he said. “But if you don’t like what you hear, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Chapter 8

As he spoke, trailing the words out slowly, Travis kept walking, past the shed and out into the yard. Maggie matched her steps to his, following the beam of his flashlight.

“You know how my father—Hank—lost his leg, don’t you?”

“Most people around here do. It must’ve been an awful accident. Do you remember it at all?”