by Janet Dailey
Conner stifled a groan. “Ronda May, you’re going to make some man a wonderful wife. It just isn’t going to be me. I’ve moved on. I’ve found a woman I want to be with.”
“Her? That little flat-chested mouse? Why, she’s—”
“Yes, her. And putting her down is no way to get on my good side. Tonight was supposed to be special for us, and your little stunt spoiled everything—but then, I’m guessing that’s what you wanted.”
Ronda May burst into fresh tears. “You don’t understand,” she sobbed. “I got fired tonight. I lost my job because of you.”
“Because of me?”
“You told the hostess to get you a different server. When I came out of the restroom, the manager was waiting in the hall. She fired me on the spot. I didn’t even get a chance to explain.” She broke into uncontrolled sobbing. “This is all . . . your . . . fault!”
Conner had already guessed what she was planning. He would gather her into his arms, comfort her, and promise to make things better. But she would be too broken up to leave. She would cling to him, begging him not to send her away while she was too upset to drive.
The fact that they were alone in the house made the situation even more dicey. If she chose to get him in trouble with Megan—and he wouldn’t put it past her—it would be her word against his.
Damn it, where is Travis when I need rescuing?
“How about some coffee?” Still standing, he moved toward the kitchen. “It’ll warm you up. No—stay there. I’ll bring it to you. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
“Thanks . . . I guess,” she said. “But what I really need is for you to hold me.”
“Not a good idea.” Conner measured coffee and water into the electric coffee maker. “But I do feel bad about your losing your job. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“Thanks a bunch.” Her voice dripped sarcasm.
“If you like, I could call the restaurant tomorrow and speak to the manager. Maybe I could talk her into hiring you back.”
“Don’t bother. She’s a bitch. Hey, maybe you could hire me to help out here, just for the season. I could sell trees, help the kids toast marshmallows, whatever.”
“We have as much help as we need. Besides, you’d have to get along with Bucket, and I don’t see that happening.” Conner poured coffee into a mug, added milk and two spoons full of sugar, and carried it into the living room. “Here, this’ll perk you up for the drive home.”
She accepted the coffee and took a sip. “You remembered how I like it,” she said. “At least that’s something. Does this mean you’re about to throw me out in the cold?”
Conner took a seat in the rocker, facing her. “Ronda May, you’ve got everything it takes to find a good man and have a happy life. You’re pretty, you’re smart, and you’d make a wonderful wife and mother. One of these days, you’ll get your chance to walk down the aisle in that beautiful dress. And the sooner you forget me and move on, the sooner that’s going to happen.”
He’d meant to cheer the woman, but his words only released a fresh flood of tears. “What if it doesn’t happen? You dumped me. Chuck cheated on me. And now . . . I don’t even have a job. What’ll I do if I don’t get married? I’m almost twenty-one. All my friends are married. My sister got married at seventeen. She’s got two kids now. I’m scared, Conner. I don’t know what to do.”
“Hey, look at Maggie. She’s thirty and getting married to a great guy. Go home and get some rest. Things will look better in the morning, I promise you. Maybe you’ll even meet somebody new at the Christmas Ball.”
“Like I’m even going. Everybody knows what happened with Chuck. They’ll all be laughing at me.” She finished her coffee and sat cradling the mug in her hands as she wept like a spring flood.
Conner stood, hoping she would take it as a signal to leave. But he should have known better. He was beginning to feel like a jerk. Had he really caused her this much pain, or was he being played?
Just then, a small miracle happened. Headlights swung past the front window, accompanied by the sound of Travis’s truck slowing down and pulling under the shed. Conner exhaled in relief. The U.S. Cavalry had arrived.
Minutes later, bundled against the weather, Travis came in through the front door. His knowing gaze met Conner’s from across the room.
“Hi, Ronda May,” he said. “I saw your car outside and took time to brush the snow off the windows. If you leave now, you won’t have to do it again.” He held out a gloved hand. “It’s slippery out there. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
“Thanks. I’m glad there’s one gentleman around here.” Rising, she accepted his hand and allowed Travis to walk her to the front door. As he was about to open it, she turned tearful eyes back toward Conner. “This isn’t over,” she said. “You’ll see.”
The sound of Ronda May’s car starting up and driving away was like music to Conner’s ears. A moment later, Travis came back inside the house, shook the snowflakes off his coat, and hung it on the rack.
“Thanks,” Conner said. “You may have just saved my life.”
“Anytime.” Travis ambled into the kitchen, greeted Bucket, and took a cold beer out of the fridge. “Something tells me you’ve got woman trouble,” he said, sinking into the overstuffed chair and popping the tab. “Care to tell me about it?”
Conner managed a weary chuckle. “That depends,” he said. “How long can you stay awake?”
* * *
On Monday morning, Megan took her brother to the clinic. The doctor told him to rest without the sling for one more day. If there was no pain, he could go back to work on Tuesday.
“Maybe Conner could use my help at the ranch,” Daniel said as Megan drove him home. “Maybe you could call and ask him.”
Megan sighed. “Conner has plenty of help. And today won’t be busy like Saturday. Stay home and rest your shoulder, like the doctor told you to.”
Daniel slumped in the seat, the picture of dejection. Megan’s mood matched her brother’s. She hadn’t heard from Conner since last night, when she’d told him not to call her until he’d dealt with Ronda May. She’d assured herself, again and again, that she’d made the right decision. But that didn’t stop her from worrying. What if Conner still had feelings for his former girlfriend?
What if she’d already missed her chance with him?
Later that morning, she’d just changed the beds, and put a load of laundry in the wash, when her cell phone rang.
Her pulse leapt. But the caller wasn’t Conner. It was Tracy.
“Hi, Megan. I got your number from Conner. I apologize for calling on short notice like this. I’m putting together a bridal shower for Maggie, and her only free afternoon is this Wednesday. Since that’s only two days off, there’s no time to send out invitations.” Tracy paused for breath. “Anyway, if you can make it, we’d love to have you come.”
Megan thought fast. She’d enjoyed meeting Tracy and Maggie. They were delightful women, but they were Conner’s friends. Would they still welcome her at the shower if they knew that she and Conner weren’t together?
All she could do was be honest.
“Thank you for inviting me, Tracy,” she said, “but it might be awkward for me to come. Conner and I are having some . . . issues.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry,” Tracy said. “I won’t pry, but I hope you can work things out. You and Conner seemed so perfect together.”
Her words made Megan wince. Much as it hurt to admit it, she’d felt the same way. “We’ve decided not to see each other for now,” she said. “I’d love to come to the shower, but since you and Maggie are Conner’s friends, if you’d rather not have me there . . .”
“For heaven’s sake, Megan,” Tracy said. “We’re your friends, too, and that doesn’t depend on your being with Conner. We’d love to have you. And the other ladies will enjoy meeting you, too. Please do come. It’ll be at my house. I can give you directions—oh, and don’t worry, your secret identity is safe with us. How ab
out it?”
Megan caved with a sigh. “All right, I’d be happy to come. What about gifts? What kind of shower will it be?”
“I was thinking a kitchen shower. Maggie’s a terrific cook, as you know, but most of her kitchen things are left over from her parents, and they look it.”
“Maybe she’d like one of those fast-cooking electric pots. I saw some at Shop Mart. I’ll include a gift receipt in case it turns out to be a duplicate.”
“That sounds perfect. Let me give you my address, and I’ll see you Wednesday at three.”
Megan was nervous about meeting new people and the questions they might ask her. But the invitation did raise her spirits. After lunch, when she had some free time, she would make a trip to the big box store, pick up some groceries, and buy the electric pot, along with some gift wrap and a card. She could also stop by the bakery and say hello to Katy. She’d be happy to hear that Daniel would be back at work tomorrow.
* * *
At lunchtime, she made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for her family. After cleaning up the kitchen, she left for the store. Daniel had asked to go with her, but she’d made excuses. She needed time to herself, even if it was only a shopping trip. Derek had called again and left a voicemail, telling her he was waiting for her to come to her senses and call him back. Just listening had triggered a headache. If she’d had any doubts about breaking up with him, those doubts were gone. The only decision left to be made was whether to resign her teaching position now or finish out the school year with Derek as her boss.
In the store, she took her time, picking out the cooking pot and some tasteful wedding shower wrap with a white ribbon, along with a pretty floral card. The last bridal shower she’d attended had been for a teacher at her school, with gifts of naughty lingerie and some silly fun constructing a wedding gown out of toilet tissue. She could hardly imagine a city judge planning a party like that for a former mayor, but maybe she’d be surprised.
After picking up a few basics in the food section, she passed by the bakery counter. Katy was just putting a tray of fresh gingerbread men into the display case. She greeted Megan with a smile. “How’s Daniel?” Katy asked.
“Almost better. If he rests today, the doctor says he can come back to work tomorrow.”
“Great.” Katy reached under the counter and took out a small paper bag. “These cookies are for him, with enough to share,” she said. “I made them special.”
Megan thanked her and continued on toward the checkout stands at the front of the store. With so many holiday shoppers, the lines were all long. Megan picked the one that looked shortest and wheeled her cart into it. She could hear another cart coming up behind her. She paid no attention until she heard a familiar voice.
“Well, if it isn’t Megan. How was the rest of your evening, honey? Did you get the wine out of your pants?”
Startled, Megan glanced around. Standing behind her, with a cart full of groceries and a sour expression on her face, was Ronda May.
Chapter 10
“Aperson who hurts is a person who is hurting.”
Her mother’s wise words came back to Megan as she scrambled to assess the situation. Ronda May already viewed her as the enemy. An angry or sarcastic retort would only worsen things between them. As a teacher, she’d broken up enough fights on the school playground to know that there was only one good solution to conflict: make peace.
“Hello, Ronda May,” she said. “You know, I’m thinking it could be a good thing that we both showed up here. We need to talk.”
Ronda May’s pretty blue eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I can’t imagine what we’d have to talk about,” she said.
“You might be surprised.” Megan gave her the barest hint of a smile. “Why don’t you unload your groceries in your car and let me treat you to coffee and pie at Buckaroo’s. Maybe we can at least clear the air.”
Ronda May looked hesitant.
“I can drive you and bring you back,” Megan said. “What have you got to lose except a little time?”
Ronda May frowned. “Okay. But I’ll drive myself. Then I can leave when I want to.”
“Fine,” Megan said. “I’ll get us a booth and wait for you there.”
Megan unloaded her purchases from the cart to her trunk and drove to the burger joint on Main Street. Buckaroo’s wasn’t crowded at this midafternoon hour. She ordered coffee at the counter, found a quiet booth, and sat down to wait.
Ronda May hadn’t seemed too eager to accept her invitation. Maybe she wouldn’t show up. But if nothing else, Megan could at least say she’d made the effort.
Ten minutes passed. Then another ten. Megan’s coffee had cooled to lukewarm. The Christmas songs on the antiquated speakers were on their second repeated loop. She glanced at her watch. Maybe it was time to give up and go home.
She was shrugging into her coat when Ronda May walked in the door of the restaurant. She’d evidently taken time to run home, put on a fresh pink sweater, arrange her blond hair into a twist, and dab on some lipstick. She was glancing warily around, almost as if she were hoping that Megan wouldn’t be here. Maybe that was part of the problem. Maybe she felt intimidated by a woman who was older, better educated, and better dressed. But then, she certainly hadn’t seemed intimidated last night, or earlier in the store.
Megan gave her a smile. “I’m glad you made it. Have a seat, and I’ll order us some coffee and pie.”
“No pie for me,” Ronda May said, taking a seat in the booth. “I’m trying to lose weight. Chuck told me he cheated because I was too fat.”
“Chuck sounds like a total jerk,” Megan said. “Okay, just a coffee for you and a refill for me.”
She gave the order to the server. Ronda May gazed down at the red Formica tabletop while they waited. “You told me you wanted to talk,” she said. “So talk.”
“Okay.” Megan took a breath. “First, about Conner. We’re friends, but we’re still getting to know each other. After last night, we agreed to back off until he’d settled things with you. So, has he?”
Ronda May dumped cream and sugar into her coffee, which had just arrived, and stirred it with a spoon. “I went to see him last night. Today when I saw you, I was going to tell you how hot things were between us, but we really just talked. He knows I still want him.”
“And does he still want you?”
Ronda May took a cautious sip of her coffee. “He told me I’d make a good wife and a good mother. But I don’t think he meant for him.” She dumped another packet of sugar into her coffee. Her eyes met Megan’s across the table. “What I think is, he’s in love with somebody else—not you, somebody he can’t have. We were doing fine until the Christmas Ball, last year, when this sexy singer came out onstage. Conner’s eyes almost fell out of his head. He couldn’t stop looking at her. It was like I wasn’t even there. After that, things were never the same between us. I was hoping he’d be over her by now. But I think maybe he’s waiting for her to come back. So don’t you get your hopes up, either.”
Lacy strikes again. Megan stifled a groan.
“What is it you really want, Ronda May?” she asked, changing the subject. “If you could have anything, within reason, what would it be?”
Ronda May answered without hesitation. “I want to get married. I want to walk down the aisle in a beautiful white gown and veil, with everybody looking at me. And I want the man who’s waiting at the altar to put that ring on my finger and show the whole world how much he loves me. I want to cut the cake and throw the bouquet and go on a honeymoon. Is that too much to ask?”
Megan shook her head. “You deserve all that and more,” she said. “But getting married is just for one day. Being married is for a lifetime—a lifetime of hard work, raising a family, and sharing years of joy and heartbreak. For that, you need a man who’ll be a faithful partner and always love you. It doesn’t sound like Chuck was that man.”
“No.” Ronda May’s answer was accompanied by a melancholy sigh. “Bu
t I thought Conner was. He treated me better than any boyfriend I’ve ever had. He opened doors for me and took me to nice places—and he never got mad or hurt me or yelled at me, even when I did stupid stuff. I really loved him. But he didn’t want to get married. After a while, I got tired of waiting. That’s when I got engaged to crappy Chuck.”
Megan sipped her coffee. Any animosity she’d felt toward Ronda May had fled. All she could think of now was finding a way to convince this sad young woman of her self-worth.
“I want you to think about something,” she said. “You’re a pretty girl, you’re smart, and you’ve got hopes and dreams. What if you didn’t need a man to make you happy? What if you could find ways to be happy on your own until the right man comes along? Look at Maggie. Look how long she must’ve waited to find Travis. In the meantime, she’s worked and made something of herself—she’s even been mayor of this town.”
“Maggie’s gorgeous. But it’s not just that. Her father was an important man in this town, and he saw to it that she had the best of everything—nice clothes, a car, the right college. She even got to be mayor because her father was mayor before her.”
Before Ronda May averted her gaze, Megan caught a glimmer of tears. “My dad’s got a little farm that barely pays enough to put food on the table. He and Mom have got seven kids in a three-bedroom house. Since my sister got married, I’m the oldest girl, so I’m the one who has to babysit. I’ve been waitressing since I was in high school, even saved up enough to buy my wedding dress. But I might have to sell it now that I lost my job—that’s right, I lost it last night, after I spilled wine on you and Conner told the hostess.”
Putting down her cup, Ronda May slid out of the booth and stood. “So don’t feed me this sunshine-and-rainbows crap about making a happy life for myself. I’m dirt-poor, I was never good in school, and I won’t be pretty forever. The best I can hope for is to marry a decent guy, like my sister did, and get out of that house before I’m so old that nobody will want me.”
Stunned into silence, Megan didn’t try to stop her as she walked out of the restaurant. She’d hoped to encourage the young woman, to make her see that she could be happy and independent without a husband. But how could anybody argue with Ronda May’s raw logic? For her, there was only one way out of her cheerless situation—get married.
