Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3)(45)

“Hi,” she said. “I know I promised not to call—”

“No—that’s all right. It was your idea, not mine. I’ve missed you. What’s up?”

The conversation was about to become awkward. “I ran into Ronda May at Shop Mart yesterday. I invited her for coffee and we had a nice talk.”

“Oh?” He was instantly on guard. “How did that go? Did the two of you dice me into pieces?”

“No. In fact, she said some nice things about you. I can’t say we’ve become friends, but at least we understand each other better.”

“And?”

“Here’s why I’m calling. I guess you know she lost her job.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I just let Daniel off at Shop Mart. There’s a Help Wanted sign in the window—they need somebody in customer service.”

He was silent for a moment. “Yeah, that would be right up her alley.”

“I want to let her know, but I don’t have her phone number. I’m guessing you do. I’ve got a pen here, if you don’t mind giving it to me.”

“Sure.” He rattled off the number, clearly from memory.

“If you’d rather call her yourself—”

“No, that’s fine. Go ahead.” He cleared his throat. “This isn’t how I wanted us to be, Megan. If you’ve talked with Ronda May, and if she was honest, you’ll know that we’re still friends. But that’s all, and it’s not going anywhere. She wants to get married, and I don’t—didn’t.” He corrected the slip. What was that supposed to mean?

“What she seems to think,” Megan said, “is that you’re in love with that singer who showed up at the ball last year—you know, your dream woman.”

“Fine. Let her think that. It doesn’t matter.” There was silence on the phone before he spoke again. “What matters is you and me. And, damn it, I’m not about to let Ronda May control our lives—trust me, that’s her way. I’ve seen it before. I miss you and I want to be with you—just you and nobody else. So let’s end this standoff. . . tonight.”

His words caught Megan off guard. She wanted him—wanted him so much, it hurt. But she could feel her emotions churning with unanswered questions. Things were moving too fast, like the twists and turns on a crazy amusement park ride. She needed time to stop and think about what she really wanted.

The truth was, she was tired of games. She’d passed beyond the need for cheap thrills and stolen kisses. She wanted something lasting, something real. She was ready for a lifetime relationship based on love and trust.

But was Conner? Or, if she gave him her heart, would she end up as bitterly disappointed as Ronda May?

Her womanly urges were shouting, Yes! But Conner’s “love ’em and leave ’em” track record gave her every reason to be cautious.

“What is it?” he asked. “Are you still worried about Ronda May?”

“I never really was,” Megan said. “I just need time to get my bearings.”

“You said you had a boyfriend.”

“Not anymore. I broke up with him. That’s just one reason why I need more time. Conner, I don’t know where you and I are headed, but if our relationship’s meant to go beyond a few casual dates, I want to do things right. Give me a few days, at least, to rewind, or change gears, or whatever I’m supposed to do at a time like this. Right now, I’m a mess.”

Unexpectedly, he laughed. “Megan, you may be the most honest woman I’ve ever met. I understand. But a few days is a lot of time to lose when you’ve got a job waiting in Nashville after the holidays.”

“I may have a job waiting—or I may not, since the man I broke up with is also my boss. And there’s also my family. I can tell how much they need me here. I’ve got some big decisions to make. And until I make them, I don’t need a handsome, charming cowboy muddling my brain.”

“If you’re talking about me, that might be the nicest compliment I ever received.” He sighed. “All right, how much time do you need?”

“Maybe a few days—I honestly don’t know.”

“Then how about this. The ranch has one more big weekend coming up, the last Saturday before the Christmas parade and ball. After that, business should slow down, with folks getting ready for the big town celebration. Today’s the ninth. It seems like a long time away, but I’ll have Sunday the fourteenth free. We could plan on some serious time then.” He paused. “Or I could come and find you where you are right now and kiss the living daylights out of you. Your choice.”

Megan suppressed a giggle. “Don’t tempt me,” she said. “Actually, the Sunday plan isn’t a bad idea.”

“Then we’ll go with that. You can expect a few calls between now and then. I know you’ll be doing some soul searching. If you’re not in the mood to talk to me, just say so. I won’t like it, but I’ll understand.”

“Thank you for that.”

“For understanding? Believe me, it isn’t easy. When it comes to getting what I want, I’m not a patient man—and I want you, Megan Carson.” Voices could be heard in the background. “Duty calls. Gotta go.”