Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3)(41)

“If that’s an apology, I’m waiting for more.” Conner remained on his feet. “You were out of line, spilling wine on my date and then dragging her into the ladies’ room so you could give her an earful of lies and threats. What were you thinking?”

“That I still love you, and that I’d do anything to be with you again.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Conner didn’t want to be cruel, but he was too angry to hold back. “I thought you were getting married. I was fine with it. I wanted you to be happy.”

“I was—I even had my wedding dress bought. And then Chuck—I caught him fooling around with this high-school girl. Now I can’t have my wedding. But maybe that’s all right, because you’re the one I really wanted. Please, Conner, honey, can’t we just pick up where we left off? You’ll be alone here when Travis gets married. You’re going to need a wife. I can cook, I could make this old house look like a dream, and—”

Conner stifled a groan. “Ronda May, you’re going to make some man a wonderful wife. It just isn’t going to be me. I’ve moved on. I’ve found a woman I want to be with.”

“Her? That little flat-chested mouse? Why, she’s—”

“Yes, her. And putting her down is no way to get on my good side. Tonight was supposed to be special for us, and your little stunt spoiled everything—but then, I’m guessing that’s what you wanted.”

Ronda May burst into fresh tears. “You don’t understand,” she sobbed. “I got fired tonight. I lost my job because of you.”

“Because of me?”

“You told the hostess to get you a different server. When I came out of the restroom, the manager was waiting in the hall. She fired me on the spot. I didn’t even get a chance to explain.” She broke into uncontrolled sobbing. “This is all . . . your . . . fault!”

Conner had already guessed what she was planning. He would gather her into his arms, comfort her, and promise to make things better. But she would be too broken up to leave. She would cling to him, begging him not to send her away while she was too upset to drive.

The fact that they were alone in the house made the situation even more dicey. If she chose to get him in trouble with Megan—and he wouldn’t put it past her—it would be her word against his.

Damn it, where is Travis when I need rescuing?

“How about some coffee?” Still standing, he moved toward the kitchen. “It’ll warm you up. No—stay there. I’ll bring it to you. It’ll only take a few minutes.”

“Thanks . . . I guess,” she said. “But what I really need is for you to hold me.”

“Not a good idea.” Conner measured coffee and water into the electric coffee maker. “But I do feel bad about your losing your job. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

“Thanks a bunch.” Her voice dripped sarcasm.

“If you like, I could call the restaurant tomorrow and speak to the manager. Maybe I could talk her into hiring you back.”

“Don’t bother. She’s a bitch. Hey, maybe you could hire me to help out here, just for the season. I could sell trees, help the kids toast marshmallows, whatever.”

“We have as much help as we need. Besides, you’d have to get along with Bucket, and I don’t see that happening.” Conner poured coffee into a mug, added milk and two spoons full of sugar, and carried it into the living room. “Here, this’ll perk you up for the drive home.”

She accepted the coffee and took a sip. “You remembered how I like it,” she said. “At least that’s something. Does this mean you’re about to throw me out in the cold?”

Conner took a seat in the rocker, facing her. “Ronda May, you’ve got everything it takes to find a good man and have a happy life. You’re pretty, you’re smart, and you’d make a wonderful wife and mother. One of these days, you’ll get your chance to walk down the aisle in that beautiful dress. And the sooner you forget me and move on, the sooner that’s going to happen.”

He’d meant to cheer the woman, but his words only released a fresh flood of tears. “What if it doesn’t happen? You dumped me. Chuck cheated on me. And now . . . I don’t even have a job. What’ll I do if I don’t get married? I’m almost twenty-one. All my friends are married. My sister got married at seventeen. She’s got two kids now. I’m scared, Conner. I don’t know what to do.”

“Hey, look at Maggie. She’s thirty and getting married to a great guy. Go home and get some rest. Things will look better in the morning, I promise you. Maybe you’ll even meet somebody new at the Christmas Ball.”

“Like I’m even going. Everybody knows what happened with Chuck. They’ll all be laughing at me.” She finished her coffee and sat cradling the mug in her hands as she wept like a spring flood.

Conner stood, hoping she would take it as a signal to leave. But he should have known better. He was beginning to feel like a jerk. Had he really caused her this much pain, or was he being played?

Just then, a small miracle happened. Headlights swung past the front window, accompanied by the sound of Travis’s truck slowing down and pulling under the shed. Conner exhaled in relief. The U.S. Cavalry had arrived.

Minutes later, bundled against the weather, Travis came in through the front door. His knowing gaze met Conner’s from across the room.