And then we can get married. Daniel didn’t say it, but Megan could imagine what he was thinking. What a shame this sweet couple, so perfect for each other and so much in love, faced so many obstacles. Life wasn’t fair.

“I’ve got to go.” Katy stood. “My dad will be wanting to get home. Thanks for the cookies, Megan.” She gave Daniel a peck on the cheek, took the cookies that Megan had bagged, and hurried out the front door.

Megan sighed, knowing what had to come next. Putting off this talk with Daniel wouldn’t make it any easier. As he reached for another cookie, she sat down across the table from him. “Daniel, I know you’re excited about taking the driver’s test. But there’s a bit of a problem. Mom is upset with me for letting you get hurt today. She doesn’t want me helping you study for the test. I promised to respect her wishes.”

“So you can’t help me anymore?” Daniel’s expression would have melted stone, but Megan knew she had to stand firm.

“I’m afraid not. I’m sorry. I know how much you want to try.”

Daniel gazed down at the table. Then he looked up at her, smiling. “It’s all right, Megan. You helped me figure things out with the notebook. I can use that to study by myself.”

His cheerful determination brought tears to her eyes. Even with her help, the odds of passing the test would have been against him. Now he’d be facing the challenge alone.

Should she encourage him or force him to face reality? Megan was weighing what to say next, but her cell phone rang.

That would be Derek with his usual bad timing. Megan let the phone ring again, then again. Let him call back later, she thought. Maybe by then, she’d be in a happier mood.

Then she happened to glance at the caller ID.

The call was from Conner.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Megan took the call on the last ring. “Hi, what’s up?” she said, doing her best to sound casual.

“I just thought I’d see how Daniel was doing,” Conner said. “Were things okay at his work?”

“Fine. His boss was nice about giving him a few days off. Now I get to keep him entertained until he can go back to work.”

“Well, that’s sort of why I’m calling,” Conner said. “We’re planning on a big weekend at the ranch, with a lot of people coming to buy trees and take sleigh rides. We’ve hired a couple of high-school kids to dole out the hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows, but we could use somebody just to welcome people, show them the trees, and invite them for refreshments. Since Daniel’s off work, would he like that job for a couple of days? We’ll pay him whatever’s fair.”