“My brother is great with kids,” Megan said. “Don’t worry, he’ll look out for her.”

“I wasn’t worried. I can tell they’ll be fine.” Conner realized he was alone with Megan for the moment—a moment he couldn’t afford to waste. “I was hoping you’d come so I could see you again. Thanks for bringing Daniel to help out.”

“Actually, you’re getting two for the price of one,” Megan said. “My mother was pretty upset about Daniel’s accident. She said the only way she’d let him come here this morning was if I stayed. So I hope you have a job for me, too.”

Conner restrained a whoop of elation. Maybe today was going to turn out all right after all. “I do have a job, if you wouldn’t mind,” he said. “One of the two kids who helps with the cocoa and marshmallow roasting called in sick. His friend’s here, doing the job alone. When folks start coming in, he’s going to have his hands full. He could use some help. We’d pay you, of course. We don’t ask anybody to work for nothing.”

She gave him a smile—familiar because he’d seen those dimples on the face of his so-called dream woman at last year’s Christmas Ball. That smile was one thing Megan couldn’t change. “Sure,” she said. “But don’t even think about paying me. I’m only here for fun, and to keep an eye on Daniel. I just have one question.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

She laughed. “Where’s my Santa hat?”

“Come on,” he said. “I’ll get you one.”

* * *

By early afternoon, business was booming. Families were coming to buy trees, enjoy hot cocoa, and toast marshmallows on sharpened green willow sticks. Some of them sat on the circle of low benches around the fire pit, keeping warm while they waited for their turn to ride in the sleigh.

Wearing the Santa hat Conner had found for her, Megan ladled hot cocoa into insulated cups, added a couple of miniature marshmallows to each one, and passed them around the circle. She was having a good time. The weather was perfect, the people happy and friendly. Warren, the high-school boy who was handling the fire and the marshmallow sticks, was an easygoing cowboy type who also helped with the ranch’s hay harvest in the summer.

Around the yard, everyone was busy. Travis was hauling trees to vehicles. Rush, seated at a table on the porch, was handling the cash and credit card payments. Conner was off driving the sleigh, but the distant jingle of sleigh bells told Megan he would soon be pulling up alongside the driveway to unload and load passengers. His gaze would find hers across the crowded yard, and he would give her a quick smile before turning his attention back to his work.