My Kind of Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #1)(61)

“Abner’s dog is at the ranch now,” Maggie said. “His name is Bucket, and he’s super smart. Travis says he even herds the horses in and out of the pasture. He’s—”

Maggie broke off as a new idea struck her.

“What is it?” Francine asked her. “I can almost see the wheels turning in your head.”

“You’re going to think I’m crazy.”

“Try me, honey.”

“Think last-ditch, back-to-the-wall Plan B. If we can’t get anybody else, Bucket could be our Santa.”

“How’s that again?”

“Think about it. If we give the kids a fake-looking Santa, they won’t be happy. But most of them already know Bucket. He’s been in the parade almost every year of their lives, and they love him. He wouldn’t be Santa Claus, but he’d be like . . . like the spirit of Santa.” She gazed at Francine, who still looked skeptical. “What do you think?”

Francine gave a shake of her Dolly Parton curls. “It’s one crazy idea. But I agree with you that a dog Santa would be better than a human Santa who didn’t look the part. And having Abner’s dog there would be like a tribute to the old man. Do you think Bucket would stay on the seat and behave?”

“Abner did a great job of training him. I’m sure he’d stay, especially if someone he knew was in the driver’s seat.”

“I could make him a little red cape to wear, with a furry collar and bells around the edge.” Francine was getting into the idea.

“Of course, it would still be best if Hank would play Santa,” Maggie said. “Bucket could wear the costume and ride with him.”

“I’ll keep working on him, honey, but don’t count on it. Meanwhile, you’d better make sure you can count on the sleigh and the dog.”

“I’ll go this afternoon,” Maggie said. “The guys will be busy at the ranch, but I’ll only need a few minutes to talk to them.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll be on my way home to make roast beef dinner for my man.” Francine rose and crammed her swollen feet into her pumps, put on her coat, and tottered out to her car.

Maggie put on fresh jeans and a dark green sweater, touched up her makeup, and brushed her hair before she went out to the garage. The past couple of days had been above freezing, and the snow had begun to melt—good for the roads and sidewalks, but not for the sleigh ride business or the upcoming parade. As she backed out of the garage, she sent up a silent prayer for more snow.

On Main Street, mounds of shoveled snow were thawing and running into the gutters. Shoppers bustled in and out of stores, getting their errands done while the weather was fair. “The Little Drummer Boy” boomed over the speakers in the park.

Maggie passed the crowded Shop Mart parking lot and drove onto the highway. There were vehicles outside Hank’s Hardware and people looking at his Christmas trees. In spite of the tricks he’d played, he’d lost business to the Christmas Tree Ranch. By this time last year, he had all but sold out. This year a third of his trees were left, and their boughs were getting dry. More and more customers were passing them up for a fresh tree from the ranch.

She couldn’t help feeling sorry for Hank. He was a good man, and he’d done his best with the cruel cards life had dealt him. He deserved a relationship with his son, and Travis deserved to have his father in his life. If only she knew how to make that happen.

At the ranch, she counted nine cars and trucks parked along the road. People who’d put off buying their trees until late in the season were getting them now. But the snow was already too far gone for sleigh rides. The unhitched sleigh was parked in the shed, the horses enjoying the sunshine in the pasture.

Maggie parked across the road and walked through the gate. Bucket, dozing on the porch, came bounding down the steps to meet her. She rubbed his ears as she looked around. The teenage boy and girl they’d hired were tending the fire, the s’mores, and the chocolate machine. Rush was helping a family pick out a tree, and Conner was lashing another tree onto the top of a car. In the distance, she could hear the sound of the chain saw. Travis, she assumed, was cutting a tree from the farm for a customer.

As Conner turned away from loading the tree, she waved at him. He trotted over to where she stood. “Hi, Maggie.” He greeted her with a grin. “If you’re looking for Travis, he should be back here in a few minutes. You’re welcome to go inside and wait.”

“Actually, it’s you I wanted to talk to,” she said. “I hope your offer to drive the sleigh in the parade next Saturday is still good.”

“Sure, no problem. It’ll be good PR for the ranch. But you’ll need to brief me on when and where.”

“I’ve got a page with a map and instructions on it in my office. I’ll make sure you get it.”

“So, did Hank finally agree to play Santa?”

“No, but I’ve got a plan B. Right here.” She patted Bucket’s eager head. “Meet our backup Santa.”

“You’re kidding!” Conner looked startled.

“Why not? Bucket’s been riding shotgun in the sleigh for years. He’ll look adorable in the doggy Santa outfit Francine is making him. Better a first-rate dog Santa than a second-rate human.”

“You’re right! Why not?” Conner burst out laughing. “Some folks might be disappointed, but at least they’ll get a kick out of him.”