Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3)(42)

“Hi, Ronda May,” he said. “I saw your car outside and took time to brush the snow off the windows. If you leave now, you won’t have to do it again.” He held out a gloved hand. “It’s slippery out there. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”

“Thanks. I’m glad there’s one gentleman around here.” Rising, she accepted his hand and allowed Travis to walk her to the front door. As he was about to open it, she turned tearful eyes back toward Conner. “This isn’t over,” she said. “You’ll see.”

The sound of Ronda May’s car starting up and driving away was like music to Conner’s ears. A moment later, Travis came back inside the house, shook the snowflakes off his coat, and hung it on the rack.

“Thanks,” Conner said. “You may have just saved my life.”

“Anytime.” Travis ambled into the kitchen, greeted Bucket, and took a cold beer out of the fridge. “Something tells me you’ve got woman trouble,” he said, sinking into the overstuffed chair and popping the tab. “Care to tell me about it?”

Conner managed a weary chuckle. “That depends,” he said. “How long can you stay awake?”

*

On Monday morning, Megan took her brother to the clinic. The doctor told him to rest without the sling for one more day. If there was no pain, he could go back to work on Tuesday.

“Maybe Conner could use my help at the ranch,” Daniel said as Megan drove him home. “Maybe you could call and ask him.”

Megan sighed. “Conner has plenty of help. And today won’t be busy like Saturday. Stay home and rest your shoulder, like the doctor told you to.”

Daniel slumped in the seat, the picture of dejection. Megan’s mood matched her brother’s. She hadn’t heard from Conner since last night, when she’d told him not to call her until he’d dealt with Ronda May. She’d assured herself, again and again, that she’d made the right decision. But that didn’t stop her from worrying. What if Conner still had feelings for his former girlfriend?

What if she’d already missed her chance with him?

Later that morning, she’d just changed the beds, and put a load of laundry in the wash, when her cell phone rang.

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 about 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.