The sleigh was a large one, built in a traditional way, with a bench for the driver in front, and an ample, padded seat in back for the passengers. Conner helped Megan climb into the back. She made herself comfortable, covering her legs with the thick quilt that was provided. Bucket jumped up to settle against her side. A word and a pat let the dog know he was welcome.

There was plenty of room left for Daniel, but when Conner offered him a hand, he shook his head. “I want to sit up front, with you,” he said. “Please let me.”

Conner glanced back at Megan, as if needing assurance that it would be all right. The bench, set high to give the driver a view of the path ahead, was just that—flat and backless, with nothing to hold on to except an iron grip handle at either end, to aid in getting up and down. There was a footboard in front, but Daniel’s short legs wouldn’t reach far enough to brace, and his balance wasn’t the best. Megan couldn’t help worrying. But in the end, his eager face won out over her caution.

“Promise me you’ll be careful, Daniel,” she said. “No standing up or showing off. And if the ride gets rough, promise you’ll hold on tight.”

“I promise.” He was grinning beneath the thick wool cap that came down to his eyebrows.

“And it’s all right with you?” Megan asked Conner.

She sensed an instant’s hesitation. “Sure. Don’t worry. I’ll look out for him. Come on, Daniel. I’ll give you a boost.”

* * *

Conner helped the young man climb onto the seat. Before getting up himself, he went around to the back of the sleigh and rocked it slightly to free the runners from the ice. The route would follow the road made for hauling Christmas trees, over the pastures to the hollow where the trees grew, around in a wide circle and back the same way. By now, the snow was solidly packed, a perfect surface for the sleigh.

He checked the horses one more time. Either of the huge beasts could have pulled the sleigh alone, but they had worked side by side all their long lives. They were a superbly trained team, calm and steady, each one supporting the other.

On this, the first run of the season, Conner wanted to make sure there’d be no unpleasant surprises, especially for the horses. Special coverings had been fastened to their massive hooves to keep them from slipping on the ice. Conner inspected all eight to make sure none of them had come loose. The brass jingle bells had been strung over the harness, not under, to ensure that they wouldn’t press against sensitive skin. Conner checked each string to make sure nothing was going to swing or drag. All good.

“Ready?” he called up to Daniel.