My Kind of Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #1)(42)

“Katy?” She spotted the petite, blond girl behind the counter. Silas and Connie Parker’s daughter, who had Down syndrome, was a favorite in Branding Iron. She’d always lived at home with her parents, but now that she was twenty-two years old, she was showing an independent streak.

“I didn’t know you had a job, Katy,” Maggie said. “That’s great!”

“I’ve been working here a month,” Katy said. “Right now, I’m just helping people, but I’m learning to bake.” She leaned across the counter, her pretty blue eyes sparkling. “Guess what? I’ve got a boyfriend. He’s right over there.”

Maggie followed the direction of her gaze. At one of the registers, a young man was bagging groceries. Noticing their attention, he gave them a grin. He, too, had Down syndrome.

“His name is Daniel,” Katy said. “We talk a lot. Sometimes he holds my hand. It’s nice.”

It did sound nice, Maggie thought. Katy deserved some romance in her young life. But she couldn’t help wondering how much Katy’s protective parents knew about the relationship, and how they viewed it.

Other customers were waiting, so Katy couldn’t continue to visit. Maggie chose a dozen fresh dinner rolls and two pies from the dwindling supply in the bakery and took them, along with her other purchases, to the checkout stand with the shortest line. Daniel, who was bagging groceries, gave her a quiet smile. He was a nice-looking young man, short and heavyset, with dark hair and gentle brown eyes. His family must be new in Branding Iron. Otherwise, she would surely have noticed him earlier.

Thinking back, Maggie remembered that Katy had been home-schooled by her mother. In this small Texas town, she’d had little chance to meet other young people like herself. No wonder she was so drawn to Daniel. Maggie could only hope the budding romance would turn out to be a good thing.

She spent too much time worrying about people—at least that was what she’d been told. She was the town mayor, not the town mother. But she couldn’t help being concerned about Katy and Daniel, their parents, and all the families in Branding Iron. She wanted them to be safe and happy and have what they needed. And she wanted the town’s Christmas celebration to leave everyone in a festive mood.

So far that wasn’t working out so well.

“Can I help you outside?” The soft voice at her shoulder was Daniel’s. He gave her a shy smile. Ordinarily, Maggie would have carted her own groceries outside and loaded them in the car, but she wanted to know more about the boy who’d captured Katy’s innocent young heart.

“That would be nice, thank you,” she said. “My car’s on the far side of the lot.”

She walked beside him, taking her time as he pushed the cart. He was no taller than her shoulder, his dark hair carefully brushed to one side. Beneath the red Shop Mart apron, his clothes were neat and clean.

“I haven’t seen you before today,” Maggie said. “Is your family new in town?”

“We just moved here. My dad teaches sixth grade at the school. My mom is a writer. This is my first job.” Daniel guided the cart carefully along the crowded lanes of the parking lot.

“You seem to be doing fine.” Maggie made a mental note to look for his family and introduce herself. It was surprising she hadn’t met them earlier. She could only assume they were private people who kept to themselves.

“I saw you talking to Katy,” Daniel said. “Are you her friend?”

“The whole town is Katy’s friend,” Maggie said. “Everybody who knows her loves her.”

“I love her, too.”

Just like that. His simple honesty caused Maggie’s throat to catch. Why couldn’t more men be that sure and straightforward?

“She’s the prettiest, nicest girl I’ve ever met,” Daniel said.

“How many girls like Katy have you met?” Maggie knew she was prying, but for Katy’s sake, she needed to know. “Have you had other girlfriends?”

He gave her a sharp glance. “We lived in St. Louis. I went to a special school. There were lots of kids with Down syndrome. Lots of girls. But not any like Katy. Not any that I loved.”

Maggie had to smile. Score one for Daniel. She had underestimated the young man. “Have you met her parents?” she asked.

“I’ve seen her mother in the store. But I haven’t met them. I’m kind of nervous. What if they don’t like me?”

“I understand,” Maggie said. “Silas and Connie are some of the nicest people I know. But they’re very protective of Katy. If it helps, I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“Thanks.” He gave her a grin as they reached her car.

Maggie clicked the trunk, and he loaded the grocery bags.

“It’s nice to have somebody on our side.”

On our side? Was she really on their side? Maggie asked herself as she drove away. Heavens to Betsy, didn’t she have enough on her plate without taking sides in what could turn out to be a Romeo and Juliet romance? Why couldn’t she learn to mind her own business?

At home, she put the fresh turkey in the fridge and set about organizing the rest of her supplies for tomorrow. Maggie hadn’t cooked a Thanksgiving dinner since her father had passed away. She was looking forward to doing it again.

She’d almost finished sorting her supplies and setting out the pots and pans she’d need tomorrow morning when her phone rang. Her pulse did a little skip-hop when she saw the name on the caller ID.