“Take a chance.” That was the challenge he’d flung at her. But Conner Branch was heartbreak on the hoof. Throw her heart into the arena and she was bound to get it trampled.

Common sense told her to run while she still could. But she was still here.

So, what was she waiting for?

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

After the last sleigh ride of the evening, Conner unloaded his passengers, then pulled around to the shed to unhitch the horses. He and Travis were pushing the sleigh under the cover of the shed as Maggie’s Lincoln Town Car pulled into the driveway. Clutching her down coat around her, Maggie climbed out and headed straight for Travis.

“You,” she said, planting a finger in the center of his chest. “You’re coming with me. Now. We need to talk.”

Conner looked amused. “Go on, Travis,” he said. “I can put the horses away. And don’t worry, I won’t plan to wait up for you.”

Megan had been standing nearby to keep Bucket out of the way. “What was that about?” she asked as the Lincoln pulled out of the driveway and sped away with Travis inside.

Conner chuckled. “They’re having a go-around about the wedding. Maggie wants her fancy affair with the whole town invited. Travis wants to keep it simple and private. My money’s on Maggie.”

“Oh, I agree with you,” Megan said. “The bride should have her day, any way she wants it. And Travis is being clueless. They can’t just cancel all those plans and elope.”

“That’s what I told Travis. And you’ve met Maggie, so you know her a little. She didn’t get to be mayor by being a doormat. When she gets her mind set on something, it’s ‘get in line’ or ‘get out of the way.’” Conner pulled a canvas tarp over the sleigh. “If you’re not in a hurry, maybe you can give me a hand with the horses. Would you mind?”

“I wouldn’t mind. But I haven’t been around horses much. You’ll need to tell me what to do,” Megan said.

“Don’t worry. Just follow me.”

After long hours of pulling the sleigh, the big Percherons were ready for a rest and a good meal. Bucket did his job, nipping at their heels to hurry them into the barn, but they needed no urging to return to their roomy box stalls for a helping of oats.

Conner tossed Megan a clean, dry towel. “Ever rub down a horse?”

Megan shook her head. From where she was standing, the two massive gray beasts looked as big as elephants. “I’m a city girl,” she said. “I’m not sure—”