Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3)(69)

The afternoon would be spent getting ready for the biggest event of all, the Cowboy Christmas Ball, held every year in the decorated high-school gymnasium. There would be live music and lots of dancing, games for the children, and a long plank table sagging with donated casseroles, salads, breads, and desserts. Everyone would be in traditional western costume—the men dressed as cowboys or gamblers, the women in long western-style gowns.

Last year, Megan’s parents had stayed home all day. This year, Megan was determined to get them out of the house and into the festivities, or at least some of them, starting with the breakfast.

“Are you sure I’ll be all right?” Her mother tended to be anxious about leaving the house, especially if it involved meeting people.

“You’ll be fine,” Megan said. “The weather’s warming up, the roads are clear, and I already spoke with Francine about parking the van in the driveway, next to the restaurant. There’s even a ramp for your wheelchair. And wait till you taste the food. It’s heavenly!”

“I ate there once with Katy’s family,” Daniel said. “It was yummy! I can’t wait!”

“It does sound good,” Megan’s father said. “And don’t worry, Dorcas. I know a lot of people from the school. They’ll be happy to meet you.”

Bundled into their coats, they used the lift to load the wheelchair into the back of the van and drove downtown to the B and B. Cars were parked around it for blocks, but, as promised, the driveway was clear. All they had to do was move the barricade with the RESERVED sign, drive in, and unload the chair.

Mouthwatering aromas greeted them as they came up the ramp and onto the porch. Daniel held the door open while his father wheeled the chair inside the crowded dining room.

Francine gave them a wave and a breezy smile. “Come on in. Megan’s already paid, and your table’s ready. Right over that way. You’ll see the sign.”

They headed for the empty table with another RESERVED sign on it. “I can’t believe you arranged all this, Megan,” Ed said. “And you paid. I was ready to do that.”

Megan smiled. “My treat. Sit down at the table. One of the servers will bring you coffee, and I’ll fill some plates for you and Mom.”

Daniel had headed straight for the food line and was now moving along the buffet table, heaping his plate with bacon, eggs, airy flapjacks, and crisp hash browns. As Megan waited in the line, she cast surreptitious glances around the dining room. Conner wasn’t here; neither were his partners. But, of course, he and Rush would be busy readying the sleigh and horses and getting them to town for the parade. With Travis still recovering, they’d have their hands full. Maggie was absent, but Tracy was here with Clara, sitting at a table with some friends.

Katy and her parents were here, too. Daniel had spotted them and was carrying his plate over to their table. Megan could have scolded him for deserting his own family. He needed a reminder to be more sensitive and respectful to his parents. But now was not the time. She would mention it later, at home.

She filled two plates for her parents and carried them back to the table. A lively gray-haired woman had joined them, sitting in the empty chair. Megan recognized her as the city librarian.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to meet you at last, Mrs. Carson,” she was saying. “We have all your books in the library. The children love your illustrations. If you can ever spare the time, we’d love to have you come for a visit. Some of the children want to be artists. They’d be so excited to meet you.”

Megan read her mother’s expression as pleased, but hesitant, as she gestured to indicate her wheelchair. “That’s very kind of you, but as you see—”

“If you want to go, Dorcas, I’ll see that you get there,” Ed said. “Think how happy you’d make the children.”

“Well . . .” There was still a moment of hesitation. Megan held her breath. Her mother had shut herself up in the house, with her work and her family, for too long. She needed to get out and make some friends.

“Well, I guess I could do that,” Dorcas said. “Call me after the holidays, and we’ll work something out.”

Megan exhaled in relief as she walked back to fill her own breakfast plate. There were no guarantees, but at least her mother had agreed to a later arrangement. She still hadn’t decided about letting Daniel take the driving course, but maybe that would be next.

By the time breakfast was over, Dorcas was tired and needed to go home. Daniel wanted to see the parade with Katy, so Megan chose to return home with her parents. Conner would be in the parade, driving the horses that pulled Santa’s sleigh. To see him from the sidewalk—maybe even make eye contact—would shatter her. Sooner or later, she would have to face him. But she couldn’t do it unprepared.

For now, she would go home, get some rest, practice her new song, and transform herself into Lacy—perhaps for the last time.

*

As Conner drove the sleigh down Main Street, pulled by Chip and Patch, he willed himself to look straight ahead. To search the cheering crowds for Megan would be a mistake. If he didn’t see her, he’d be disappointed. If he did see her, and she didn’t acknowledge him, he would be crushed. But if she so much as smiled, he’d have to fight the urge to jump off the sleigh and sweep her into his arms.

He was better off not looking.