It's a Christmas Thing (The Christmas Tree Ranch #2)(66)

It was barely 7:00 when they walked into the gym and presented their tickets at the door; but the festivities had already started. The buffet tables along one side of the room sagged with donated food—sliced ham and roast turkey with dressing, scalloped potatoes and baked beans, mountains of fresh homemade rolls, a sea of salads, cakes, and pies. No alcohol was the rule, but there were punch bowls and canned sodas in tubs of ice. Families in Western dress were lined up to heap their plates with food and find a place at the tables.

“Are you hungry?” Rush asked.

“I’m not hungry yet,” Tracy said. “But I’m guessing you and Clara might be. Just get me a soda, and I’ll save us a place to sit, while you go through the line.”

They found a quiet spot at the end of a table. Tracy took a seat while Rush found a Diet Coke in the tub and had Clara run it back to her while he saved a place in line.

The gym was decorated for Christmas with a twelve-foot, specially ordered tree in the center. It was trimmed with colored lights, traditional ornaments, and paper decorations made by Branding Iron’s schoolchildren. Strings of red and green crepe paper had been strung from the treetop star to the walls, to make a canopy above the dancers.

Right now, the dance floor was empty. The Badger Hollow Boys, a Nashville band that played for every Christmas Ball, had yet to make an appearance. Rush had seen their bus outside, so he knew they were here. But they would probably wait until 8:00, after the food rush had ebbed, before starting their first set.

Keeping a firm grip on Clara’s hand, Rush surveyed the expanse of tables. A smile tugged at his lips as he spotted Conner, sharing a meal with Ronda May Blackburn. Petite and buxom, with blond curls and a turned-up nose, Ronda May might not be the prettiest girl in town, but she was pretty enough, and way out front in terms of determination. She had set her sights on Conner, and made up her mind to rope, tie, and brand him. Now that she had him cornered, she probably wouldn’t let him out of her sight.

Conner’s mystery woman didn’t seem to be here. Too bad. Rush would have enjoyed the drama. And he would’ve enjoyed teasing Conner tomorrow.

He helped Clara fill her plate, got his own food, and made his way to the table where Tracy waited. By the time they’d finished their meals, the Badger Hollow Boys had walked out onto the makeshift stage and begun warming up.

A few minutes later, they broke into a lilting Texas two-step. Couples were already moving out onto the dance floor. Travis had captured Maggie for a first dance. Daniel and Katy were dancing slowly, looking into each other’s eyes. Francine, in her red saloon girl costume, was strutting her stuff with a cowboy while Hank, who didn’t dance, enjoyed watching her from the sidelines. Ronda May was tugging Conner in that direction.

Knowing Tracy would understand, Rush bowed low before Clara. “May I have the honor of this dance, my princess?” he asked.

Clara giggled and held out her hands. Rush picked her up in his arms, walked onto the floor, and began to dance with her. Clara’s smile was like a sky full of stars.

As the music faded, he carried her back to the table. “There’s a room down the hall where kids can play games and have fun,” he said. “Would you like to go there while I dance with Tracy for a little while?”

“Okay.” Clara looked hesitant. Rush realized that aside from the McFarland kids, she’d spent very little time with other children.

Tracy stood. “I’ll go with you two. Don’t worry, Clara, it’ll be fine. We’ll check on you in a little while.”

They walked her down to the classroom where about fifteen kids were doing crafts, playing board games, and watching videos. The volunteers in charge greeted Clara warmly and seated her at a table with two little girls who were making necklaces out of colored macaroni.

“Do you think she’ll be all right?” Rush asked as they walked back down the hall.

“She’ll be fine. It’ll be good for her,” Tracy said. “Now, what do you say we do some dancing?”

They made it back to the gym in time for a slow waltz. Holding Tracy in his arms and drifting with the music was as close to heaven as he’d ever been, Rush thought. He wanted a life with this woman and the special family they would find a way to create. It was too early in the relationship to propose, but he would do his best to keep things headed in that direction.

The music ended, and the guitarist of the Badger Hollow Boys stepped up to the microphone. The antiquated P.A. system in the gym was hard to understand, but he seemed to be introducing a new performer. The audience applauded as a figure walked onstage.

Long dark hair, topped by a weathered Stetson, stunning dark eyes, and that fringed, beaded rock star coat . . .

Rush almost laughed out loud. Unbelievable. It was Conner’s dream woman.

“I saw her today,” Tracy whispered. “She was watching the parade.”

Rush guided Tracy toward the foot of the stage. “Conner saw her, too. Come on, I want to watch this up close.”

With his arm around Tracy, Rush scanned the dance floor until he spotted his partner. Conner was staring drop-jawed at the stage. Ronda May was tugging at his arm, wanting his attention and not getting it.

The music started, the bass guitar pumping out a throbbing beat. The stunning singer leaned over the mike and broke into a cover of the old Patsy Cline hit “Walkin’ After Midnight.”