My Kind of Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #1)(71)
For every year in recent memory, that Santa had been Abner Jenkins. This year there would be someone new.
Today’s weather was perfect for a Christmas parade. The storm, which had left nearly a foot of snow, had passed two days ago, giving work crews time to clear the roads and sidewalks. The sky was clear, the sunlight dazzling on the diamond-bright snow.
The crowds began gathering nearly an hour ahead of time, everyone hoping to get a good spot for parade viewing. In the past, Maggie had usually ridden in one of the antique cars with the visiting dignitaries. This year she had begged off. She wanted to watch her beloved parade from the sidelines, with Travis.
Travis, too, had bowed out of the parade. He’d left the sleigh driving to Conner, the only one with the skill to handle the big Percherons amid the crowds and noise. Rush would sit next to him on the driver’s bench to troubleshoot and toss treats to the kids.
Happy to the bone, Maggie clasped Travis’s hand as they strolled along the crowded sidewalk. Everywhere she looked, she saw folks she knew. Ben was there with his wife, accompanied by Francine, who was holding her little granddaughter, Violet. Travis’s neighbor, Jubal, gave her a friendly wave as he ushered his wife, Ellie, and their two children through the crowd. Now she caught sight of Katy and Daniel, holding hands. Silas and Connie walked behind them, trying not to hover too closely. And there were so many others—her people, her town, and her man. She was on top of the world.
The parade was flowing past them now. Because they were both tall, Maggie and Travis moved back to let the children and shorter folks stand in front of them. The cars, floats, horses, and bands made a festive sight, but Maggie could sense the anticipation as the grand procession neared its end.
“Where’s Santa Claus?” A little girl in front of them tugged at her mother’s hand.
“He’s coming soon,” her mother said. “Just wait.”
“Will he be the real Santa?” the little girl asked. “The one in the mall was fake. I could tell. He didn’t look one bit jolly. He just looked tired.”
“I’ll tell you what,” her mother said. “When Santa’s sleigh comes by, you take a really good look and let me know if he’s real.”
“Okay!” The little girl jumped up and down, trying to see if the sleigh was coming.
Travis nudged Maggie. “We’ve got an expert here,” he whispered. “I can’t wait to hear what she has to say.”
“I just hope she won’t be disappointed.” Maggie’s heart skipped as the sleigh came into sight, gliding like magic on its runners behind the majestic Percherons. Brass bells jingled on their harnesses as they walked along at an easy clip over the packed snow.
The little girl was still jumping up and down. “I see him! There he is! Look—he’s got a funny dog with him—a dog in a Santa suit!”
“But is he the real Santa?” her mother asked.
The little girl paused, but only for an instant. “Yes! Look at him! He’s so happy! He’s the real Santa! I can tell!”
She waved her hands. Hank waved back at her. At that moment he was, as the little girl had said, the real Santa, perfect in every detail. Bucket sat next to him in his costume, head up, tail wagging, loving the attention.
Travis glanced down at Maggie. “Good Lord, woman, you’re crying! Are you all right?”
Maggie smiled and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. This happens to me every year. You’ll just have to get used to it.”
His arm tightened around her. “Yes,” he said. “I plan to.”
*
The Cowboy Christmas Ball that night was as grand and festive as it had ever been. The tree in the high school gym glowed with its traditional lights and ornaments. The buffet table groaned under the weight of donated hams, casseroles, breads, salads, and dazzling desserts. A crystal fountain, resplendent on its own table, poured cascading streams of sparkling red punch.
The Badger Hollow Boys were in fine form, the dancers and merrymakers looking like something out of an Old West movie in their party finery. This was a magical night—a night to celebrate the blessings of friends and family, a night of feasting, fun, and Christmas spirit.
For Maggie, the most magical thing of all was being on the dance floor, in Travis’s arms. She could feel his possessive pride and see the love in his eyes as he held her. She didn’t mind a bit that people were looking at them. She could imagine them saying, Well, it looks like Maggie’s finally caught herself a man. It’s about time!
Francine and Hank sat on the sidelines, holding hands. Hank didn’t dance. But Maggie knew that Francine would be itching to get out on that dance floor and that Hank would enjoy watching her. She gave Travis a smile. “I need to play mayor and do some meeting and greeting. Would you be a sweetheart and ask Francine to dance? She’ll enjoy it, and so will you. Maybe your friends can give her a few twirls around the dance floor, too. I warn you, she’s one hot dancer!”
“I already figured that.” He gave her a wink and a grin as she slipped out of his arms. Then he turned and strode over to where Francine sat, fresh from the beauty shop and looking spectacular in her red satin saloon-girl dress.
At the edge of the dance floor, Maggie paused to catch her breath and look around. Conner was surrounded by a clutch of high school girls who were teaching him fancy dance steps. Rush was alone. He was gazing around the gym as if searching for someone he couldn’t find. But the looks that some of the women were giving him told Maggie he wouldn’t be alone for long.