My Kind of Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #1)(38)

He did sound like a cop, even to himself, Travis thought.

“You’d put me up, even after I totaled your truck?” Rush asked.

“Don’t remind me.”

“If that’s a yes, I’ll take you up on it—as long as I’m not putting you out.”

“Believe me, you’re not.” Travis said. “But to get back to your story, there’s one thing I’m still wondering about. You said you had a daughter.”

“I do. She’s three. Her name’s Claire. I try not to think about her too much.”

“What happened?”

Rush’s jaw tightened. “That,” he said, “is a story for another time.”





Chapter 10


The porch light was on when they drove in through the gate. “Welcome to Christmas Tree Ranch,” Travis said. “You can pull up next to the house.”

“Christmas Tree Ranch?” Rush switched off the engine, climbed out of the cab, and looked around. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it,” was all he said.

From inside the door, Bucket raised an alarm of furious barking. “It’s all right, boy,” Travis shushed him. “Everything’s fine.”

The barking ceased, but a light had come on in the back bedroom. Travis hadn’t meant to wake Conner, but what was done was done. As he opened the front door, Bucket came out to inspect the newcomer, sniffing Rush’s jeans and boots before showing his approval by wagging his tail. Rush scratched the dog’s ears before following Travis into the house. “I see what you mean about the skunk smell,” he said. “I could use a bathroom. Then point me to the couch, and I’ll be fine.”

Just then Conner came stumbling out of the hall. Dressed in the worn thermals he wore to bed on cold nights, he looked sleepy and none too pleased.

“What the hell, Travis?” he muttered. “I was hoping you’d gotten lucky and decided to spend the night. Did Maggie throw you out?”

“Not quite the way you’re thinking. But it doesn’t matter. I brought an overnight guest.”

Rush stepped forward, hand extended. “J. T. Rushford. You can call me Rush,” he said. “I’m afraid I totaled your friend’s truck.”

“No kidding?” Taking a moment to remember his manners, Conner accepted the handshake. “Conner Branch. Pleased to meet you, uh, I guess.”

“Well, at least I’ve got good insurance. I . . . Wait!” Rush stared at Conner in sudden recognition. “Conner Branch! I saw you ride in Phoenix, when I was filling in as a rodeo vet. You were amazing! Damned sorry about your accident.”

“Yeah, me, too.” Conner yawned, then brightened. “You’re a vet?”

“Yes, for what it’s worth. Mostly large animals, but I can treat the occasional cat or French poodle.”

“Well, as long as you’ll be around in the morning, maybe you can take a look at one of our horses. I noticed he was favoring one leg when he came into the barn tonight.”

“Sure,” Rush said. “It’s the least I can do.”

“The nearest vet is in Cottonwood Springs, and we don’t have any way to haul the horse there, let alone the money to pay.”

“No problem. I’ll check both horses for you while I’m here.”

“I’m sorry we can’t offer you a real bed,” Travis said. “We have a spare bedroom, but it’s full of stuff, and there’s no furniture.”

“The couch will be fine.” Rush glanced down the hall. “Bathroom?”

“Down there and to your right.”

Conner gazed after Rush as he disappeared. “That guy totaled your truck, and you invited him to spend the night?”

“It was an accident. He couldn’t stop on the slick road. He said his insurance would pay, and he drove me here. What else was I supposed to do, slug him?”

“I might’ve done that if it had been me. It’ll take some time to replace your truck—and it’s time we don’t have. But he seems like a decent sort. I’ll give him that much.” Conner glanced at Bucket, who was curled on his blanket by the stove, fast asleep. “Now there’s somebody who’s got the right idea. Morning will be here before you know it. I’m going back to bed.”

After Conner had wandered back down the hall, Travis got a pillow from his bedroom and a spare quilt, which he laid over the back of the couch for Rush. He remembered his earlier feeling that something was about to happen. For better or worse, he’d been right. But would tonight’s accident be a passing event, or had his whole life taken a subtle turn?

Never mind. He would think things through tomorrow, when his mind was clear. For now, he was dead on his feet. He would go to bed and hope to drift off with the delicious memory of holding Maggie in his arms.

*

Travis woke at dawn to the smell of coffee—surprising, since he was usually the first one up. He rolled out of bed, pulled on his work clothes, and, still sleepy, lumbered down the hall to the kitchen.

He found Rush sitting at the table, enjoying a fresh cup and checking the messages on his phone. “I hope you don’t mind,” he said. “I found everything I needed to make coffee, so I went ahead. Help yourself. Hope it’s not too strong.”