“You mentioned that you were in town last Christmas, Megan.” It was Rush who’d asked the question. “Did you make it to the Cowboy Christmas Ball? I don’t recall seeing you there.”

“No, I was . . . busy.” It was a half-truth; Lacy had been the one at the ball. Megan should have anticipated the question, but it had caught her off guard. To make it through the evening without revealing her secret, she would have to come up with some creative answers. She could only hope that her new friends would back her up.

“But you’re going this year, aren’t you?” Travis asked. “It’s the biggest event of the year. The whole town shows up. Great western food, costumes, and dancing. And it’s not like you need a date. You just go and have fun.”

“I’m afraid I have other plans.” Megan sipped a glass of the wine she’d brought. “Sorry, it does sound like a good time. I’m sure my brother, Daniel, will be there. He loves to go and dance with Katy. Her parents will pick him up and take them.”

“What about your parents, Megan?” Tracy asked, deftly changing the subject. “You mentioned that your mother is in a wheelchair. But surely she’d enjoy getting out. And she’s an artist. And people—including me—would enjoy meeting her.”

“My parents tend to keep to themselves,” Megan said. “But, yes, I think they might enjoy it. I’ll do my best to encourage them.”

Conner had been uncharacteristically silent. Megan could just imagine what he was thinking. He wanted to be free to hit on Lacy, if and when she showed up. Right now, he was probably squirming at the thought that Megan expected to be invited as his date.

If only she hadn’t promised her friends—the Badger Hollow Boys—that Lacy would sing with their band. If she hadn’t made that commitment, she would have been free to enjoy the ball as herself or simply stay home. And Conner’s hopes of seeing his dream woman would’ve been for nothing.

She gave her head a mental shake. She’d read Shakespearean plays that were less complicated than this mess. It was a true Comedy of Errors.

“Well, I’m sorry to miss the fun,” she said. “But I really do have plans. Here’s hoping you all have a great time at the ball.”

“Maybe that singer will come with the band again.” Rush helped himself to another slice of pot roast. “She wasn’t bad. Maybe not Grand Ole Opry material, but I think everybody enjoyed her.”