My Kind of Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #1)(19)

*

Maggie sat up, pulled down her jacket, and brushed back her hair. She’d come out here hoping that Travis would open up about his father. Understanding what had driven a wedge between them could be the first step in getting father and son back together. But so far all she’d done was haul furniture.

Maybe she was wasting her time. Not that she hadn’t enjoyed herself. Travis was the most attractive man she’d met in a long time, and the way he treated her made her feel—as the old Carol King song put it—like a natural woman. But she’d come here on business, and that business was getting nowhere.

She heard the front door open and close, then the sound of footsteps as he came down the hall with the box of bedding.

“I can make the bed for you,” she offered as he walked into the room and set the box on the bed. “There’s a mattress pad in the bottom of the box. It needs to go on first.”

“I know how to make a bed, Maggie,” he said. “You’ve been a lot of help, and I’m grateful, but you must have better things to do than hang around here.”

The words felt like a cold slap in the face, but Maggie chose not to react. “Fine,” she said. “Just one more thing. I’d like to look at the sleigh and the other things Abner left. I need to make sure everything is there and nothing needs to be replaced. Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Sure. Come on. But it’s getting cold out there. You won’t want to spend much time.”

He led her through the kitchen and out the back door to the open shed. Bucket, who’d been waiting on the porch, tagged along after them.

Maggie could see the covered sleigh, mounted on the flatbed. She stepped back while Travis pulled the tarp to one side. “It looks fine,” she said. “I’m always amazed by this sleigh. Abner put so much love into building it. And he loved being Santa for the kids. When he was dressed up in that red suit and beard, it was like he was the real thing.”

“Too bad he had to leave,” Travis said. “I know you won’t have an easy time replacing him.”

“Actually, I have someone in mind.” Maggie spoke cautiously, knowing she couldn’t push him too far. “I think he’d be perfect, but I haven’t asked him yet. I don’t know if he’d be willing.”

She held her breath, waiting for him to ask who it was. But at that moment, Bucket, who’d followed them into the shed, jumped into the sleigh and onto the seat. He wagged his tail and gave a little yip, as if to say, Let’s go!

“Maybe Bucket could do the job,” Travis joked. “All he needs is a red suit and a beard.”

“Bucket always rode on the seat with Abner,” Maggie said. “He even wore a red Santa hat. The kids loved him. Look at him now. He knows right where he belongs.”

With Bucket supervising from the seat, Maggie inspected the boxes that contained the harness gear and the Santa costume. “Everything seems to be here,” she said. “We’ve got all we need except our Santa.” She glanced at Travis, wondering whether he’d be open to her mentioning his father. His stone-faced expression told her to wait. “Where are the horses?” she asked.

“They’re out in the hay pasture. So far they’ve done all right. But Conner is the horseman. He’ll know how to take care of them. Meanwhile, our resident horse handler is right here.” He gave Bucket a nod. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

They covered the sleigh again and left the shed with Bucket trotting at their heels. Fine, powdery snowflakes were blowing on the wind. Maggie felt their cold sting against her cheek as they walked out to the wire fence that surrounded the pasture. She could see the big Percherons in the middle of the field, standing close together as if to shield each other from the weather.

“Time to get them in.” Travis glanced down at Bucket. “What do you say, boy?”

Bucket gave a yip and ran to the gate. Travis lifted the latch and swung it back. The dog raced through and made straight for the horses.

Maggie knew what she was about to see. Border collies were born herders, and Abner had trained his dog well. What surprised and delighted her was seeing Travis’s pleasure as Bucket did his job and brought the horses in. It was the first time she’d seen genuine happiness on his face.

Hallelujah, there’s hope for the man yet!

They stepped out of the way as the huge horses trotted through the gate with Bucket at their heels. When they were safely in their stalls, Travis closed the gates and rewarded the dog with a bowl of kibble.

“Does he sleep in the barn?” Maggie asked him as they walked outside, into the blowing snow.

“He’s got a bed in the straw. So far, he seems to like it fine.” Travis closed the barn door.

“Abner used to let him sleep in the house. Don’t be surprised if he charms his way in as it gets colder.”

“He won’t be doing that until that skunk smell goes away. Come on.” His hand cupped her elbow, firmly guiding her. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

Snow swirled around them as they walked to the front gate. The flakes were fine and weightless, leaving the barest skim of white on the ground. Neither of them spoke. It was as if they’d run out of things to say. Whatever she’d come to accomplish here, she’d failed. The wall Travis had raised against her was as solid as ever.