It's a Christmas Thing (The Christmas Tree Ranch #2)(48)

Tracy shook her head. “I understand, and I’m sorry.”

Rush folded the letter again and put it back in the envelope.

“Give it to me. I’ve got some glue.” Tracy stepped to the cupboard and found a small bottle of white glue. She squeezed a thin line along the flap of the envelope and closed it. “There. It might be just as well if she doesn’t know you read the letter.”

Rush slipped the envelope into his pocket. “I’d do anything to keep her with me, even part-time. But she doesn’t understand how impossible it is, let alone the reason why.”

“I think she understands more than you realize. That’s why she asked Santa for miracles.” Tracy refilled his coffee cup. “Can’t you appeal to your ex-wife? Surely she wants her daughter to be happy.”

“I tried. But Sonya wanted to create a new family with Andre as the only father and me totally out of the picture. She insisted that having two fathers would only confuse her little girl.”

“But you’ve got Clara now.”

“That was a fluke. When she gets home from her cruise, Sonya will probably throw a full-scale hissy fit, and the next person I hear from will be her lawyer.”

Tracy was looking at him as if she had something to say. Her lips parted. Then, with a slight shake of her head, she pressed her mouth into a tight line.

“What is it?” Rush asked.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

He would have pressed her for more, but just then Clara walked into the kitchen, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Her face lit with a happy little smile when she saw him. “Hi, Daddy. Did you see the cookies we made you?”

“I saw them and tasted them. They were yummy. Thanks.”

Clara looked at the table. “Where’s my letter?”

“I’ve got it in my pocket,” Rush said. “When we get home to the ranch, I’ll put a stamp on it. Then you can put it in the mailbox.”

“Can’t we take it to the post office? Santa will get it faster that way.”

“Sure. In fact, I was planning to take you to Buckaroo’s for burgers and shakes. The post office is right on the way.” Rush glanced at Tracy. “You’re invited, too,” he said.

She shook her head. “Thanks, but Maggie is coming by later to bring me her spare ball gowns. I’ve got things to do before then.”

“There’ll be another time.” Rush masked his disappointment with a smile. There never seemed to be enough time for the two of them. “I hope you’ll take a rain check.”

“Certainly. Here’s a box of cookies to take home and share with your partners.”

“Thanks. And thanks for helping out this morning.” He took the cookies from her, knowing the busiest season at the ranch was just beginning. Travis and Conner were going to need his help. He’d have little time for the woman whose company he’d come to crave. “Get your coat, Clara.”

“Can I say good-bye to the kittens first?”

“If you don’t take too long.”

She raced back to the laundry room and disappeared inside, leaving Rush and Tracy alone. “Thanks again,” he said, wishing he could say more. He’d already begun to dream of a future with her, raising a family here in Branding Iron and growing old together, enjoying their grandchildren.... But it was far too soon to bring that up. The dream would have to wait.

“Good luck with Christmas,” she said. “You’re going to need it.”

“Thanks,” he said. “The next couple of weeks are going to be crazy at the ranch, but I’ll call you.”

“It’s fine. I understand. I’ll be here.”

“Come on, Clara,” he called. “I promised to help Travis and Conner this afternoon. We need to go.”

“Okay.” She closed the laundry room door and came skipping back down the hall. “You should see those kittens, Daddy! They’re already getting out of the box and eating food. They’re so cute, and Snowflake is the cutest one of all!”

Rush helped her with her coat. “Let’s go. Burgers and shakes are waiting.” He ushered her out the door, pausing to give Tracy a backward wave.

*

Tracy stood at the window and watched them drive away. Had she made a mistake by not telling Rush what she’d learned online? Since there was nothing he could do, would it be fair or cruel to give him a glimmer of empty hope?

For a moment, when he’d talked about losing Clara, she’d been tempted to tell him. But then Clara had awakened and come into the kitchen, settling the question for now. Sooner or later, especially if they parted company, he would need to know. But she would wait for a better time.

Making cookies with Clara had been a riot, but the kitchen was a disaster site of unwashed bowls, cups, and cookie cutters, spilled flour, broken eggs, and sticky spots on the floor. Maggie had mentioned that she might get off work early. Tracy knew that Branding Iron’s mayor wouldn’t mind a messy kitchen. Still, she couldn’t help wanting to make a good impression.

Summoning her energy, she flung herself into loading the dishwasher, wiping up spills, taking out the trash, and mopping the floor. From there, she moved on to tidying the house, fluffing a pillow, dusting a table, putting a magazine away. By then her phone was ringing. Maggie was on her way.