Santa's Sweetheart (The Christmas Tree Ranch #4)(14)

*

They piled into the vehicle, buckled up, and started for home. Snowflakes blew against the windshield. Sam turned on the wipers and cranked up the heat. Big storms were rare in Texas, and this one probably wouldn’t leave much snowfall behind. But the cold was going to be fierce tomorrow—a day for slick roads, sliding vehicles, and short tempers. Sam knew what to expect, and he didn’t look forward to it.

A quick look in the rearview mirror showed him that Maggie had fallen asleep in the backseat. Grace swiveled slightly, glanced back between the seats, and gave him a heartwarming smile. Sam smiled back at her. Even knowing how Maggie had set them up, he’d enjoyed the evening far more than he’d expected. Maybe his daughter was right. Maybe a new friendship was what he needed.

He wouldn’t ask Grace out—not, at least, until the business with her car was settled. But the notion had taken root in his mind. He would think about it for now. Maybe after a day or two, he would come to his senses and realize that it wasn’t a good idea. Or maybe not.

Grace gave him directions to her house. On the way, they stopped by the school and left the tree outside the door to her classroom. Then he drove her home. The small house was one he knew, as he knew every property in Branding Iron. The old man who’d lived here for years had died this past summer, and the place had been bought by a woman who was the youth counselor for the school district. He’d heard that she’d taken in a couple of roommates to help with expenses. Grace would be one of them.

They pulled up in front of the house, with its big, dead tree in the front yard. After checking on Maggie, who was still fast asleep, Sam got out and came around the vehicle to open the door and give Grace a hand to the ground.

“Would you mind walking me to the door?” she asked. “I need to talk with you for a minute, out of Maggie’s hearing.”

“Sure.” He fell into step beside her. “Is something wrong?”

“That’s what I’m trying to prevent.” She paused at the foot of the porch steps and turned to face him. “I need to make certain that Maggie understands something. In my class, it’s essential that I treat all my students the same. We had a good time tonight. But that doesn’t mean I’m her new best friend, or that she can expect special treatment.”

“You’re right, of course,” Sam said. “I’ll have a talk with Maggie and make sure she understands the rules. Anything else?”

“One more thing.” She took a deep breath, remembering the photo she’d seen in his wallet. “I know you meant well, taking me with you and Maggie tonight. But while we were in the restaurant, I could tell that people were staring and talking about us. As a teacher, I don’t need that kind of attention.”

“I was aware of it, too,” Sam said. “I’m sorry you were uncomfortable.”

She took another deep breath, snowflakes melting on her glasses. “Here’s the thing. We both value our jobs and our reputations. I don’t think we should be seen together. In fact, to be clear, I don’t think we should spend any more time together at all.”

Sam had half expected what was coming, but it still stung. “Grace—” he began.

“This isn’t personal,” she said. “You’re a very nice man. In a different time and place, maybe—”

“It’s all right, Grace. Something told me you might feel this way. So don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of your car problem, see you at Maggie’s school events, and we’ll call it good. Friends?” He extended his hand.

“Of course.” Her smile was strained. Her hand trembled slightly in his. “Good night, Sam.”

“Good night, Grace.” He turned and strode back down the sidewalk, telling himself it didn’t matter. Maggie would be disappointed when he gave her the news. The little schemer had put a lot of thought and effort into setting up her dad with her teacher. All for nothing—but it was probably for the best. He had his baggage, and something told him that Grace had hers as well.

Maggie had only wanted to make him happy, Sam reminded himself. Now it would be his turn to give back. His heart might not be brimming with holiday spirit, but he would do his best—ugly tree and all. Nobody deserved a happy Christmas more than his Maggie did.

*

When Grace walked in the door, her roommates pounced on her like a couple of cats on fresh tuna. “We saw you drive up!” Wynette tugged Grace over to the couch. “What happened? Spill! We want to hear everything!”

Grace sighed. All she really wanted was to get to her room, take off her school clothes, pull on her sweats, and try to forget the look in Sam’s eyes when she’d told him she didn’t want to see him again.

“There’s not much to tell,” she said. “It wasn’t anything like a date, if that’s what you’re thinking. It was mostly about Maggie.”

“Not much to tell? Are you saying you spent an evening with the most gorgeous man in town, and nothing happened?” Jess took Grace’s coat and hung it on the rack. “He walked you to the door. That must’ve meant something.”

Grace imagined her roommates peering through the slats of the venetian blinds, trying not to be seen. “As I said, it was mostly about Maggie. He came by for the conference after school. Maggie apologized for her behavior and promised not to do it again. She almost seemed pleased with herself.”