My Kind of Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #1)(69)

“We’ll be in my car,” Francine said.

Travis stepped away from the others and made a call to his partners. They would be waiting for news—it was good, thank heaven. But Travis also had an idea. He could only hope they would agree and help him carry it out.

*

Maggie caught Ben outside his office. “I had a feeling you’d be looking for me,” he said. “Come on in.”

He ushered her into his office and offered her the chair opposite his desk. “I think you know what I’m going to ask you,” she said.

“Ask me anyway.” His smile showed an appealing dimple.

“How did you work this? And why did you arrest Hank if you knew up front that he was innocent? I want the whole story.”

“Luck played a part in it,” he said. “At first, I thought Travis was a legitimate suspect. He and Hank were competing for business, they’d had words, and Travis was in the vicinity that night, with no alibi. That was why I brought him in.

“But the more I thought about Stanley’s story, the fishier it sounded. Like, why didn’t he try to stop Travis from setting a fire? And the part about him spying on your house—that tipped me off that something wasn’t right.”

“I know. That was creepy. I still get shivers when I think about it,” Maggie said. “But what about Hank?”

Ben chuckled. “Pure, dumb luck! I was planning to sit down with Travis and Stanley face to face and compare their stories. Then Hank walked into your office and confessed. He was the wild card I couldn’t resist playing.”

“But if you knew he was innocent, why did you arrest him?”

“It gets a little personal here. You know I’m married to Francine’s daughter, so I was aware of the relationship between Hank and his son, and that Hank wanted to reconcile, but Travis would have none of it. I knew what it took for Hank to make that false confession to save his son, and I wanted to make sure Travis knew it. There was no risk involved. By then I knew Travis wasn’t guilty. And I would never have tried to prosecute Hank.”

“Which was why you wrote me that note. I really could trust you.”

“Yup.” He grinned.

Maggie rose from the chair. “Thanks for sharing. I’ve got to go now, but one more thing, Ben.”

“What?”

Maggie laughed. “Remind me never to play poker with you.”

“And I’ve got one more thing for you,” Ben said.

“Oh? What’s that?”

“You’ve got a damned good man there. You might want to think about keeping him.”

*

She did have a good man, Maggie reflected as she rode next to Travis in the cushy backseat of Francine’s big, red Buick. His arm was around her shoulders, his hand clasping hers as if he never wanted to let go. She didn’t have to think about keeping him. She’d already made up her mind.

The four of them were in a festive mood as they drove to the restaurant. Christmas music was playing on the radio. Francine and Hank were singing along—Hank in a mellow baritone that sounded almost professional. He would make such a wonderful Santa, Maggie thought. Maybe he would say yes the next time she asked him. Maybe he would even offer. It might not hurt to wait a day or two before asking, in case he wanted to volunteer. Or maybe she should ask Francine to give him a nudge.

After feasting on the best prime rib in the county and pie that was almost as good as Buckaroo’s, they drove home. “I can drop you off at your office, Maggie,” Francine said. “I’ll drive you out to your ranch, too, Travis. I’ve been wanting to see what you and your partners have done with the place.”

“That would be great, thanks,” Travis said. “But can you wait and let Maggie off on your way back? There’s something I want her to see.”

“Sure,” Francine said. “Is that all right with you, Maggie?”

“No problem. I’ve got a two-thirty meeting, but there’s plenty of time. Besides, I feel like a teenager on a date back here.”

Francine giggled. “Hey, you can even go ahead and neck. I won’t mind.”

“That can wait.” Maggie gave Travis a playful wink. “What is it you want me to see?”

Travis answered her in a whisper. “It’ll be a surprise—a good one, I hope, especially for Hank. But I won’t know for sure until we get there.”

They were coming into the north end of town on the highway. As they drove down Main Street, Maggie could sense Travis’s restless tension. Whatever he was waiting for, it must matter a great deal to him.

They passed Shop Mart on the way out of town. Now they were coming up on the hardware store. Travis leaned forward and touched Francine’s shoulder. “Stop here,” he said.

Francine pulled the Buick off the highway in front of the store. Maggie heard Hank gasp.

The burned-out Christmas tree lot had been swept clean. Rush and Conner were busy stocking it with the lush, green Christmas trees they’d brought with the Jeep and trailer. They grinned and waved as the car stopped, then went back to work.

Hank climbed out of the car. He seemed to have something in his eye. “What is this?” he demanded in a shaky voice. “You know I can’t pay you for these trees.”

Travis came over to stand beside him. “That’s not the idea. We’re not selling you these trees. We’re offering you a partnership—fifty cents on the dollar for every tree you sell out of this lot.”