Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch 3)

Her pulse leapt. But the caller wasn’t Conner. It was Tracy.

“Hi, Megan. I got your number from Conner. I apologize for calling on short notice like this. I’m putting together a bridal shower for Maggie, and her only free afternoon is this Wednesday. Since that’s only two days off, there’s no time to send out invitations.” Tracy paused for breath. “Anyway, if you can make it, we’d love to have you come.”

Megan thought fast. She’d enjoyed meeting Tracy and Maggie. They were delightful women, but they were Conner’s friends. Would they still welcome her at the shower if they knew that she and Conner weren’t together?

All she could do was be honest.

“Thank you for inviting me, Tracy,” she said, “but it might be awkward for me to come. Conner and I are having some . . . issues.”

“Oh no, I’m sorry,” Tracy said. “I won’t pry, but I hope you can work things out. You and Conner seemed so perfect together.”

Her words made Megan wince. Much as it hurt to admit it, she’d felt the same way. “We’ve decided not to see each other for now,” she said. “I’d love to come to the shower, but since you and Maggie are Conner’s friends, if you’d rather not have me there . . .”

“For heaven’s sake, Megan,” Tracy said. “We’re your friends, too, and that doesn’t depend on your being with Conner. We’d love to have you. And the other ladies will enjoy meeting you, too. Please do come. It’ll be at my house. I can give you directions—oh, and don’t worry, your secret identity is safe with us. How ab

out it?”

Megan caved with a sigh. “All right, I’d be happy to come. What about gifts? What kind of shower will it be?”

“I was thinking a kitchen shower. Maggie’s a terrific cook, as you know, but most of her kitchen things are left over from her parents, and they look it.”

“Maybe she’d like one of those fast-cooking electric pots. I saw some at Shop Mart. I’ll include a gift receipt in case it turns out to be a duplicate.”

“That sounds perfect. Let me give you my address, and I’ll see you Wednesday at three.”

Megan was nervous about meeting new people and the questions they might ask her. But the invitation did raise her spirits. After lunch, when she had some free time, she would make a trip to the big box store, pick up some groceries, and buy the electric pot, along with some gift wrap and a card. She could also stop by the bakery and say hello to Katy. She’d be happy to hear that Daniel would be back at work tomorrow.

* * *

At lunchtime, she made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for her family. After cleaning up the kitchen, she left for the store. Daniel had asked to go with her, but she’d made excuses. She needed time to herself, even if it was only a shopping trip. Derek had called again and left a voicemail, telling her he was waiting for her to come to her senses and call him back. Just listening had triggered a headache. If she’d had any doubts about breaking up with him, those doubts were gone. The only decision left to be made was whether to resign her teaching position now or finish out the school year with Derek as her boss.

In the store, she took her time, picking out the cooking pot and some tasteful wedding shower wrap with a white ribbon, along with a pretty floral card. The last bridal shower she’d attended had been for a teacher at her school, with gifts of naughty lingerie and some silly fun constructing a wedding gown out of toilet tissue. She could hardly imagine a city judge planning a party like that for a former mayor, but maybe she’d be surprised.

After picking up a few basics in the food section, she passed by the bakery counter. Katy was just putting a tray of fresh gingerbread men into the display case. She greeted Megan with a smile. “How’s Daniel?” Katy asked.

“Almost better. If he rests today, the doctor says he can come back to work tomorrow.”

“Great.” Katy reached under the counter and took out a small paper bag. “These cookies are for him, with enough to share,” she said. “I made them special.”

Megan thanked her and continued on toward the checkout stands at the front of the store. With so many holiday shoppers, the lines were all long. Megan picked the one that looked shortest and wheeled her cart into it. She could hear another cart coming up behind her. She paid no attention until she heard a familiar voice.

“Well, if it isn’t Megan. How was the rest of your evening, honey? Did you get the wine out of your pants?”

Startled, Megan glanced around. Standing behind her, with a cart full of groceries and a sour expression on her face, was Ronda May.

Chapter 10

“Aperson who hurts is a person who is hurting.”

Her mother’s wise words came back to Megan as she scrambled to assess the situation. Ronda May already viewed her as the enemy. An angry or sarcastic retort would only worsen things between them. As a teacher, she’d broken up enough fights on the school playground to know that there was only one good solution to conflict: make peace.

“Hello, Ronda May,” she said. “You know, I’m thinking it could be a good thing that we both showed up here. We need to talk.”

Ronda May’s pretty blue eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I can’t imagine what we’d have to talk about,” she said.

“You might be surprised.” Megan gave her the barest hint of a smile. “Why don’t you unload your groceries in your car and let me treat you to coffee and pie at Buckaroo’s. Maybe we can at least clear the air.”

Ronda May looked hesitant.