Santa's Sweetheart (The Christmas Tree Ranch #4)(42)

What in hell’s name . . . . ? Sam rose reluctantly to his feet.

“Ta-daaa!” Turning, Alice swept her arms toward a large cardboard box sitting on the credenza behind her. Sam gave her a puzzled frown.

“It’s your Santa Claus suit!” she exclaimed. “All cleaned, pressed, and ready for you. Everything’s there, even the beard and the boots.”

Sam sighed. Why couldn’t she have just dropped the damned thing off at his house?

“How about trying it on and giving us a preview?” Alice’s tone suggested that this was an order, not a suggestion. “You can change in Rulon’s office next door.”

“Thanks, but I’ll save it for when I’m home.” No way was Sam going to dress up and make a fool of himself just to satisfy the mayor’s wife.

“But don’t you want to see if it fits?”

“Why bother with that, since it can’t be altered?” Sam struggled to rein in his temper. “Don’t worry, I’ll make it work. Let’s get on with the meeting.”

With a huff of displeasure, Alice adjusted her reading glasses and started on the minutes. Sam’s gaze wandered to Grace, who was sitting across from him again. For the space of a heartbeat their eyes met. Then she looked away. Sam had hoped for a secret smile or a look of understanding. But that wasn’t to be.

Blast it, he was already tired of keeping his distance. He wanted to talk with her, to touch her, to kiss her. But he’d promised to respect her need for time and space. He couldn’t go back on his word.

*

The meeting was mostly a rehash of earlier decisions and a progress report on how they were being carried out—posters up, announcements out, ticket sales arranged, food planned, Christmas tree, seating, and tables to be set up, audio equipment and music ready, and a room with video reserved for children’s activities. Next Wednesday, the eighteenth, would be their final session before the party, which was traditionally held on the last Saturday before Christmas Eve. After the mayor’s unnecessary lecture on the importance of everyone showing up, the meeting was adjourned.

Sam picked up the box, which was bulky but not heavy, and headed for the entrance. Glancing ahead, he saw that Grace was holding the front door open for him.

“Thanks,” he muttered, passing through.

“I was really hoping to see you in that suit tonight,” she joked as they walked out to the parking lot. At least she was being friendly.

“You’ll see me soon enough,” he said. “I’ll probably be the grumpiest Santa in the history of Christmas. I’ll give the little kiddies bad dreams.”

“You’ll be fine. I know you’re just a big softie at heart.”

“You think?” Sam opened the door of his pickup and laid the box on the passenger seat. “To be honest, I just want the whole blessed holiday to be over. But then there’s Maggie.”

“Yes, there’s Maggie. And I know you’ll do anything to make her Christmas a happy one. You’re a good man, Sam Delaney.”

“Don’t be too sure of that.” She might change her mind if she knew what he was thinking. If he had free rein to do as he wanted, he would pull her into the truck right now and crush her lips with kisses.

“I’ve got to go,” he said.

“Me, too. You’re coming to Maggie’s Christmas program next week, aren’t you?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Emotions welled as Sam stood looking down at her. He struggled against the urge to tell her he was tired of this standoff, that he wanted her in his arms and in his life, that he was falling in love with her.

But self-control won out. He watched her get into her car and drive away. There’d be other times, he told himself. Better times than tonight.

After making sure that Hank made it to his AA meeting, Sam drove home and collected Maggie from the neighbors’ house. After she’d gotten herself ready for bed, he came into her room to hear her prayers and tuck her in.

Bethany’s senior high school photo, framed in rosewood, sat on the nightstand. It was the only copy they had, and Sam had let Maggie keep it in her room. He didn’t need a photograph to remember his wife’s gentle smile. Bethany hadn’t had a mean or jealous bone in her body. Maggie was right. She would want her loved ones to be happy.

“Did you talk to Miss Chapman tonight?” Maggie asked as Sam laid an extra warm blanket over her.

“I did. She reminded me about your school program next week. I said I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Are you still friends?”

“We are. But just friends, Maggie.”

“Oh.” She snuggled deeper into the bed. “But she’s a good one, Daddy. If I were you, I wouldn’t let her get away.”

“Go to sleep.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead and walked out of the room. Maggie was growing up so fast, and he was missing out on so many things that would only happen once. Maybe after the holidays, he’d look into hiring another part-time deputy, or move one of the part-timers to full-time work. He needed more time just to be a dad.

Restless, he turned off the living room light and walked out onto the covered porch. Snow was drifting down in powdery flakes. The storm didn’t look like a big one, but the roads would be slick in the morning. He’d be smart to get some rest now, while he could.