Santa's Sweetheart (The Christmas Tree Ranch #4)(52)

“She works in the bakery,” Buck said. “I went in to buy some doughnuts, and we just clicked. I knew her a little in school, but she was three grades behind me, so I didn’t pay her any attention. Now she’s all grown up, and boy howdy, did I notice. We’ve only had a couple of dates, but I think I’m in love. Her name’s Wynette, by the way. Wynette Gustavson.”

Sam grinned. “I know the lady. You’ve got good taste. Don’t know if I can say the same for Wynette, but I wish you luck.”

“Thanks. There’s just something about her and those doughnuts . . .”

Five minutes after Buck left, Sam was still smiling. Wynette was a great girl, and they’d make a handsome couple. But the road to true love always had a few bumps.

As did Sam’s own road—if it even led in the right direction.

He hadn’t heard from Maggie since yesterday’s phone call. He was wondering whether to call her when the door opened and Maggie herself scampered into the room.

“Daddy, I brought you some Christmas cookies! Miss Chapman and I made them, and I decorated them all by myself!”

Grace walked in behind her. She was smiling. “Maggie couldn’t wait to show you her cookies. Try one. They taste as yummy as they look.”

Maggie was carrying a plastic container. She thrust it at Sam. “Open it, Daddy,” she said.

The cookies inside, layered between sheets of waxed paper, were decorated with colored icing and candy sprinkles. The icing might be smeared in spots, the sprinkles uneven, but to Sam, the stars, bells, Christmas trees, and snowmen were beautiful. He sampled a star with pink icing. “Yum,” he said. “These are really good. You sure brought me plenty of cookies. How can I eat them all?”

“We thought you could share with the doctors and nurses,” Maggie said. “We made four dozen cookies. I took some to Mr. and Mrs. McDermott, but there are still a lot left over.”

“We’re going to the mall for some window shopping,” Grace added. “When we get home, we’re going to make lasagna, so you’ll have something to warm up when you get home.”

“You ladies are too good to me.” Sam took another cookie, mostly to please Maggie. “I’m getting spoiled. Grace said you were going to the mall. Are you going to talk to Santa?”

“Ugh!” Maggie crinkled her nose. “The mall Santa is gross. Everybody says so. And the lines are awful. I know who’ll be the best Santa, Daddy. It’ll be you.”

“But you’ll know it’s me.”

“Uh-huh. But that’s all right. Some kids in my class still believe, but I know Santa is just for fun.”

“Will you be all right playing Santa this Saturday, Sam?” Grace gave him a concerned glance. She looked delicious today, in a bright red sweater, jeans, and a navy blue peacoat.

“I’ll manage fine,” he said. “But you can make my excuses to the committee on Wednesday. I won’t be feeling up to the meeting.”

“Oh, dear, that’s too bad. I can tell you’re just crushed.” Grace’s eyes sparkled with mischief. She knew how Sam disliked those meetings.

“Yes, I’ll miss Alice’s masterful reading of the minutes. But it can’t be helped.” Sam suppressed the urge to reach out and make an indecent grab at her. Damn, he must be getting better.

He almost mentioned the romance between Buck and Wynette, but decided against it. Buck had told him in confidence. And if Grace didn’t already know, she would soon get the news from her roommates.

“Can we go to the mall now, Miss Chapman?” Maggie asked.

“You’re the boss today,” Grace said. “We’ll go when you want.”

“You ladies run along,” Sam said. “I’m going to share my cookies with those nice nurses and then take a nap. I’ll see you at home tomorrow after school.”

Maggie leaned into his chair and kissed his cheek. “I’ll take care of you, Daddy,” she said. “You won’t need to worry about a thing.”

“I know, honey.” Sam hugged his daughter, then looked up at Grace. “I’m going to make this up to you,” he said.

Her smile flickered. “No need,” she said. “It’s my pleasure. Come on, Maggie, time for us to be a couple of chicks hanging out at the mall!”

*

To Maggie, the Cottonwood Springs Mall was a Christmas wonderland. Giant painted candy canes decorated the storefronts. Miniature colored lights, strung above the walkways, twinkled like ten thousand stars. Christmas songs were playing, and the heavenly aromas of bayberry, pine, cinnamon, and fresh pastries drifted through the air.

Those familiar fragrances stirred a memory. Maggie remembered walking through the mall as a small child, clasping her mother’s hand as holiday shoppers scurried past. Her mother had taken her to see Santa, who was big and gruff and had smelled of cigarettes. He had frightened her a little.

When she thought of her mother, Maggie still felt an ache in her chest where she thought her heart must be. But she was a big girl now, and she was here with Miss Chapman, who was more like a girlfriend than like her mother. Maybe someday Miss Chapman really would be her mother. But the magic between her teacher and her father had yet to happen. Maggie was getting worried, but she wouldn’t think about that now. Today she was here to have a good time.