My Kind of Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #1)(25)

“I am,” Maggie said. “My father was mayor of Branding Iron for years. When he got sick, I came home to take care of him. After he passed away, I was elected in his place.”

“You said you had some business, Maggie.” Travis looked dour.

“Yes. I’ll get right to it,” she said. “Since you won’t be playing Santa, there’s no reason for you to keep the costume. I hope you won’t mind my coming by to pick it up. That way I can get it cleaned and ready for the next Santa—whoever that might be.”

“Feel free. The box is still in the sleigh. Anything else?”

“Well, maybe. I did some checking. If you don’t want to store the sleigh, there’s room for it in the city equipment shed. We’d just need to tow it into town on the flatbed. Unfortunately, you’re still stuck with the horses. Nobody I’ve talked to is willing to take them.”

Travis shrugged. “Whatever. If you’ve got room for the sleigh, you might as well—”

“Wait!” Conner shot forward in his seat, almost spilling his beer. “We’ve got a sleigh?”

“I mentioned it on the phone,” Travis said. “It’s in the shed, next to where we parked your ATV.”

“Who owns the sleigh, Maggie? The city?”

“No,” Maggie said. “Abner built it years ago. It was his.”

“So now it belongs to Travis, right?”

“I suppose so.” Maggie could imagine wheels turning inside Conner’s head.

“So, if you don’t mind, we’ll keep it for now. All right, Travis?”

“Fine.”

“But we can still use it in the parade?” Maggie asked.

“I suppose so,” Travis said. “As long as the city picks it up.”

“And brings it back right after the parade,” Conner added.

Just then the waitress, a plain-looking girl who looked barely old enough to be out of high school, appeared with their pizza and Maggie’s Coke. When Conner thanked her with a smile and a wink, her thin face flushed a becoming pink. The man was a natural-born flirt, Maggie observed. Heaven help the female population of Branding Iron if he stuck around.

But she was immune, she realized. Her eyes were only for the sad, angry ex-cop.

The men fell to eating. Maggie chose the smallest slice of pizza and nibbled on it while she sipped her Coke. Just then a family walked in—two parents, a little girl, and a boy who appeared to be about twelve. Maggie didn’t recognize them, but she surmised they must not be local. If they were, the children would be in school at this hour. Maybe they were traveling.

They had just seated themselves when the boy started staring in their direction. Suddenly he jumped out of his chair and, before his parents could stop him, raced over to where Maggie, Travis, and Conner were sitting.

“You’re Conner Branch, aren’t you?” His eyes were wide with wonder, his young face split in a wide grin. “I’ve seen you on TV. You’re the best bull rider ever! I want to be just like you!”

Conner gave him a friendly smile. “Then I hope you don’t get hurt like me,” he said.

“I know. I saw you get hurt. I cried when they said you’d never ride again.”

“I cried, too.” Conner reached past Maggie and laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I’m right pleased to meet you, son. What’s your name?”

“Jamie. Jamie Foster. Can I please have your autograph?”

“Sure. My pleasure.” Conner took a fresh napkin from the dispenser, lifted the pen from Travis’s hand, and scrawled a brief message and a signature on the napkin.

“Wow! Thanks! I’ll keep this forever!” The boy took the napkin and scampered back to his family. Conner gave them a smile, tipped an invisible hat, and turned his attention back to his lunch companions.

“Heavens, we’ve got a celebrity in town,” Maggie joked. “I’m sorry I never saw you ride.”

“What you’ve got is a washed-up has-been struggling to become something else,” Conner said. “But as long as you’re here, Maggie, I have a question for you. How do we go about getting a business license?”

“The county clerk’s office should be able to help you with that,” Maggie said. “What kind of business do you have in mind?”

Conner grinned. “You’re never going to believe this, but we’ve found a—”

“Actually, we’re keeping it under wraps for a while,” Travis said, cutting him off. “You’ll find out soon enough, but for now, it’s a secret project.” He glanced at his friend. “Right, Conner?”

“Uh, yeah. Right.” Conner gave Maggie an awkward smile. “So don’t even ask.”

Maggie took her cue. “Well, I need to get back to the office,” she said, rising. “Is it still all right for me to come and get the Santa costume?”

“Anytime,” Travis said. “If nobody’s home, just take the box.”

“Will do. Thanks for sharing your lunch.” Maggie made her exit. Walking back to her car, she saw that Bucket was still in the truck bed. She stopped long enough to scratch his ears and tell him he was a good boy. Then she got in her car and headed back to work.

Something was up with Travis and Conner—something that Travis, at least, didn’t want her to know about. She couldn’t help being curious. But Travis had made it clear that it was none of her business. For now, she had little choice except to respect his wishes.