Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3)(11)

“There’s a wide spot just up the road. You’ll be safe if you park there. I’ll pull up in front of you, so you can climb in with me.”

Branding Iron had two respectable eating establishments, not counting Rowdy’s Roost, a seedy bar and pool hall just outside the town limits. Buckaroo’s, on Main Street, was a burger, shakes, and pizza place that opened for lunch at 11:00. For breakfast, or just morning coffee, there was the Bed and Breakfast—or the B and B, as it was known. Located off Main Street in an old, remodeled house, its homey atmosphere, Saturday brunches, and mouthwatering food drew customers from all over the county and beyond.

The front walk had been shoveled, but it was still slippery in spots. Megan took the arm Conner offered as they mounted the front steps. This wasn’t a real date, Megan told herself. But right now, it felt like one—even though she’d offered to pay.

The door opened on a warm wonderland of fragrances. The aromas of Christmas pine, fresh-brewed coffee, cinnamon rolls, bacon, and hot cocoa blended to fill her senses with pleasure. Twinkling lights were strung above the dining room. Old-fashioned Christmas carols drifted from a wall-mounted speaker.

In one corner, a lush green Christmas tree glittered with lights and ornaments.

“Well, hello, Conner!” The middle-aged woman bustling toward them looked like a small-town version of Dolly Parton, complete with bleached curls, long red nails, fake lashes, and crimson lips spread in a welcoming smile. “Always a treat to see you,” she said. “Now tell me, who is this pretty lady? Is she new in town?”

Conner introduced the two women. “Megan, this is Francine, who runs the place and makes the best scrambled eggs and flapjacks in the known universe.”

“You have a lovely place, Francine,” Megan said. “I’ve never been here before, but as soon as I walked in, I felt the magic of Christmas.”

“Why, thank you, honey! What a nice thing to say!” Francine turned back to Conner. “So, have you come to collect?”

“That depends on whether I can talk Megan, here, into having more than coffee.”

Francine batted her indecently long eyelashes. “Conner, I swear you could talk a woman into just about anything!”

“Am I missing something?” Megan asked.

“Here’s the deal, honey,” Francine explained. “I made this arrangement with the boys at Christmas Tree Ranch. In return for this beautiful tree, each of the partners gets a free breakfast with the lady of his choice. Travis and Rush have already collected. That leaves just Conner, and I take it you’re his lady of the day.”

“Lady of the day?” Megan felt a prickle of misgiving. It appeared she was with the town Casanova. All the more reason to keep up her guard.

“Want to go for it?” Conner asked. “I guarantee you’ll be glad you did. Francine’s breakfasts are a taste of heaven.”

Megan took a quick moment to think about it. She’d made breakfast for her family that morning, but she hadn’t eaten much. And the work of digging through snow to find her keys had given her an appetite.

“I wouldn’t turn that down,” she said. “But I was planning to pay.”

Conner gave her a wink. “I’ll take a rain check on that.” What a charming rascal, Megan thought. She already had the man pegged.

Francine showed them to a table and brought two cups of coffee, along with a basket of fresh rolls and pastries. By now, it was after 10:00. Most of the customers had finished their meals and left. The dining room was quiet except for the Christmas music on the speaker and the muted sounds of kitchen work behind the swinging door.

Megan put a croissant on her bread plate, cut off a small piece, and popped it into her mouth. The flaky pastry literally melted on her tongue. “Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed, cutting off a bigger bite.

Conner grinned at her over his steaming coffee mug. “See, what did I tell you? Wait till you taste the rest of the meal.”

“My mouth is watering already,” Megan said. “But I’m still going to owe you for helping me with my car.”

“And I know just how you can repay me,” Conner said.

“I’m listening.” She could always say no, Megan reminded herself. But, damn it, he was cute. If women found him hard to resist, she could certainly understand why.

“Here’s the thing,” he said. “You’ll remember that Francine mentioned my two partners. Rush is married to Tracy, who’s a city judge. Travis is engaged to Maggie, who just finished a term as mayor.”

“So far, that sounds pretty impressive,” Megan said. “But I don’t see what it has to do with my paying you back.”

“Let me finish,” Conner said. “Maggie’s having a little dinner tomorrow night—just the three of us guys and our partners. Since I’m the partnerless one, she said I’d be welcome to bring a date. I could go alone, but it would be less awkward, and a whole lot more fun, if you’d come with me.”

The invitation sounded harmless enough, Megan told herself. Still, she hesitated. “A mayor and a judge? I’m afraid I’d feel out of my league.”

“Oh no—they’re great women. Totally down-to-earth. I promise you, if you go, you’ll have two instant friends. They’ll treat you like a sister. How about it, Megan?” When she didn’t answer right away, he added, “Remember, you owe me.”