Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch 3)

“Take a chance.” That was the challenge he’d flung at her. But Conner Branch was heartbreak on the hoof. Throw her heart into the arena and she was bound to get it trampled.

Common sense told her to run while she still could. But she was still here.

So, what was she waiting for?

Chapter 8

&nbs

p; After the last sleigh ride of the evening, Conner unloaded his passengers, then pulled around to the shed to unhitch the horses. He and Travis were pushing the sleigh under the cover of the shed as Maggie’s Lincoln Town Car pulled into the driveway. Clutching her down coat around her, Maggie climbed out and headed straight for Travis.

“You,” she said, planting a finger in the center of his chest. “You’re coming with me. Now. We need to talk.”

Conner looked amused. “Go on, Travis,” he said. “I can put the horses away. And don’t worry, I won’t plan to wait up for you.”

Megan had been standing nearby to keep Bucket out of the way. “What was that about?” she asked as the Lincoln pulled out of the driveway and sped away with Travis inside.

Conner chuckled. “They’re having a go-around about the wedding. Maggie wants her fancy affair with the whole town invited. Travis wants to keep it simple and private. My money’s on Maggie.”

“Oh, I agree with you,” Megan said. “The bride should have her day, any way she wants it. And Travis is being clueless. They can’t just cancel all those plans and elope.”

“That’s what I told Travis. And you’ve met Maggie, so you know her a little. She didn’t get to be mayor by being a doormat. When she gets her mind set on something, it’s ‘get in line’ or ‘get out of the way.’” Conner pulled a canvas tarp over the sleigh. “If you’re not in a hurry, maybe you can give me a hand with the horses. Would you mind?”

“I wouldn’t mind. But I haven’t been around horses much. You’ll need to tell me what to do,” Megan said.

“Don’t worry. Just follow me.”

After long hours of pulling the sleigh, the big Percherons were ready for a rest and a good meal. Bucket did his job, nipping at their heels to hurry them into the barn, but they needed no urging to return to their roomy box stalls for a helping of oats.

Conner tossed Megan a clean, dry towel. “Ever rub down a horse?”

Megan shook her head. From where she was standing, the two massive gray beasts looked as big as elephants. “I’m a city girl,” she said. “I’m not sure—”

“Come on, you’ll be fine.” With his arm around her shoulders, he guided her into the nearest stall. She could hear the sound of the horse’s teeth, chewing and grinding as it munched the oats in its feeder. “This is Chip. He’s just a big baby, and he loves his rubdown. Here. Take the towel like this.” He guided the towel in her hand over the horse’s back. She felt a shudder of pleasure beneath her palm.

“Oh . . .” Megan breathed.

“See, he likes it,” Conner said. “We have to dry the horses off when we put them away, or they might get sick. Now try it alone . . . See, you’re doing great. Go ahead and rub him down while I take care of his brother. If you get nervous, or have any questions, call me. I’ll be right in the next stall.”

Trying not to shake, Megan continued rubbing the moisture from the horse’s satiny coat. “There, Chip . . . Take it easy . . .” She murmured the words to the horse, but she was really talking to herself. Every time the huge animal snorted or flinched, she wanted to leap out of the stall. But as she worked, the task became easy, even pleasant.

“Good job.” Conner stood at the entrance of the stall, watching her. “I was almost getting jealous of the horse.”

Megan was grateful that the shadows hid the blush that crept into her face. “Are we finished?”

“We are. Hand me that towel, and we’ll call it a good day.”

“So I can go?” She passed him the damp towel as she left the stall. He tossed it into a nearby laundry basket and closed the stall gate behind her.

“You could’ve gone anytime, Megan. But I was hoping you’d stay. I’m glad you did. Come here.”

Reaching out, he caught her hand and pulled her toward him. Megan went without resisting. She knew that he meant to kiss her, and she knew that she’d wanted it to happen. Wasn’t that why she’d stayed for so long?

“Take a chance. ”

His arms claimed her, pulling her close. He’d kissed her once before—a chaste and gentlemanly kiss that had burned like a slow flame through her senses. This kiss was as different as a sweeping storm from an afternoon breeze—dizzying in its power, opening floodgates of response. With a low whimper of need, she molded her body to his. Her fingers raked his hair, pulling him down to her, deepening the intimacy between them.

“Damn it, Megan . . .” His lips nibbled hers, his voice rough in his throat. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day. It’s been driving me crazy.”