Sunday was a warm day for December, breezy but clear. Under a bright winter sun, the muddy ground was drying into ruts and ridges. With no snow in the forecast, Conner’s hopes for a white Christmas and a profitable sleigh-riding season were fading. But he wouldn’t think about that today—not when he could look forward to spending time with his favorite woman.

Before leaving to pick up Megan, he turned the horses into the pasture to enjoy a few hours of sunshine and freedom. Rush had promised to come by later to check on them and let Bucket outside for a run.

On his way through town, he stopped at the do-it-yourself car wash, hosed the mud off the Jeep, and vacuumed out the inside. His vehicle was nothing fancy, but he wanted Megan to feel comfortable in it. If they could relax and talk today, maybe they could get beyond this edgy, uncertain stage of their relationship and into something warm and secure.

He wanted her to be his girl—that and more. With his partners settling down, he’d begun to think ahead, picturing a family of his own. Would Megan be part of that family? He already knew he had strong feelings for her. But unless Megan returned those feelings, he was headed down the bumpy road to the Heartbreak Hotel.

With luck, after today, he would know.

* * *

Megan dismissed the impulse to check her computer as she waited for Conner to arrive. She had yet to receive a reply to her e-mail about driver training for Daniel. But nobody was going to answer her on a Sunday. For all she knew, the Department of Public Education was closed for the holidays.

And today was all about being with Conner.

Her pulse skipped as his Jeep pulled into the driveway. With a last-minute check in the mirror, she hurried out of her room, said good-bye to her family in the kitchen, and met him at the front door.

His smile warmed her to her toes. “You look terrific,” he said, offering his arm.

“Thanks. I worked on it.” And she had. She’d chosen to wear her new forest green sweater, with jeans and miniature Christmas bell earrings. She’d taken pains with her makeup, too, although she’d held back on the mascara and lipstick. Too much, and she’d start to look like Lacy.

“Have you heard any more about how Travis is?” she asked as he helped her into the Jeep.

“Maggie called me this morning. He’s doing better, but they want to keep him one more night.” He backed out of the driveway and headed in the direction of the highway.

“Poor Maggie must be exhausted. Did she say anything about the wedding?”

“I expect that right now the wedding is the least of her concerns. She just wants Travis to be all right.”