Santa's Sweetheart (The Christmas Tree Ranch #4)(70)

Playing Santa had gone better than he’d expected. But he was getting tired. His shoulder was aching, the suit was hot, and the whiskers had begun to itch. He was ready for a break.

Even Alice had given up and quit handing out candy canes. What was left of the Christmas treats rested in a bowl on a nearby table.

There was just one little freckle-faced boy left in the line, with no more coming forward. Last one. He could do this, Sam told himself. Then he could call it a night and go home.

“And what’s your name, young man?” he asked in a voice that was getting hoarse.

“Jed. And I want a horse.”

“A real horse?”

“Yup. With a saddle and everything.”

“I don’t know if I could get one of those in my sleigh.”

“You could hitch him up with the reindeer. Then you could turn him loose at my house. You can do anything, Santa.”

“I don’t know about that, Jed, but I’ll do my best.”

“You’d better, ’cause I really want that horse.” Jed slipped off Sam’s knee and made for the candy bowl.

Too tired to laugh, Sam slumped in the chair. At last he was finished—or so he thought. Glancing at the floor in front of him, he saw a pair of slim leather boots, surrounded by a puddle of melting snow. His gaze traveled upward—long legs in faded jeans, a red sweater, then warm brown eyes, velvety soft behind those funky John Lennon glasses.

Was he hallucinating? Sam thought he might be, but then Grace spoke in a low voice.

“Hello, Santa. Would you like to hear my Christmas wish?”

Still dazed, he decided to play along. He patted his knee. “Why don’t you sit down here and tell me?”

She slipped into place. Snowflakes were still melting in her hair.

“So, what can I bring you for Christmas, young lady?” he asked. “What do you want to find under your Christmas tree?”

“Can I whisper it in your ear?”

When he nodded, she leaned forward and moved aside the fake hair that covered his ear.

“I want you under my tree, Sam—and under all my trees to come. All I want for Christmas is you and me together. So, what do you say, Santa?”

Sam didn’t care that people were watching or that his fake whiskers would tickle her face.

He kissed her.





Epilogue


Christmas morning, the same year



For as long as she lived, Maggie would never forget the joy of this Christmas. And it wasn’t just because of the presents—although her dad had gone overboard with a shiny blue bike and the puppy she’d been secretly wanting for ages. The little mutt pup was soft and brown with big feet, floppy ears, and sad eyes. Maggie had named him Banjo after a dog in a book she’d read. She already loved him.

But the best thing about this Christmas was seeing Sam’s happy face as he sat on the sofa with his arm around Miss Chapman. Now that she was his girlfriend, Maggie had debated what to call her. Grace seemed a little too familiar for the woman who was still her teacher. She would stick with Miss Chapman until school was out. After that, maybe it would be time to start calling her Mom.

A little while ago, Maggie passed by the kitchen door, where they’d gone to check on dinner. She’d caught a glimpse of them kissing, just like in the movies. Maggie had snuck away with a grin on her face. The plan she’d made a month ago had hit some rough patches along the way, but it had finally worked out—for always, she hoped.

The dining room table, which hadn’t been used in more than a year, had been opened up all the way and set with Maggie’s mother’s good china and linens. It had been Sam’s idea to host a Christmas dinner for their friends. Grace’s roommates would be coming, and Wynette would be bringing Buck. Hank Miller, who had no place else to go, would be coming, too.

The mouthwatering smells of baked ham, cheesy potatoes, hot rolls, and spiced apple cider filled the air. Maggie breathed them all in as she snuggled with Banjo next to the Christmas tree. Could any time be more wonderful than this?

“Maggie.” Sam called her name from the couch, where he and Miss Chapman were taking a break before the final dinner preparations. “Listen up. I have one last present to give you, and it doesn’t come in a box.”

“What is it?” Maggie asked.

“It’s something I know you’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve talked this over with Grace, and she agrees that I’m making the right decision.”

“Tell me.”

“It’s this. You’ve told me you wished I had a different job, so I wouldn’t have to get up in the night or be in danger. Getting shot made me do a lot of thinking. I want to be here to watch you grow up, Maggie. I don’t want to risk your losing me.”

“Daddy, just tell me.”

“All right, here goes. Next month I’m going to turn my sheriff’s job over to Buck. After that I’ll be doing other work for the county—work that won’t call me out at night. But here’s the exciting part. Next fall I’m going to run against Rulon for mayor.”

Maggie clapped her hands. “Daddy, you’ll make a great mayor. You’re always helping people and getting things done.”

“Then it’s settled,” Sam said. “I just wanted to make sure you liked the idea.”