“It doesn’t matter whether I believe you or not,” Megan said. “This issue is between you and Ronda May, and I can’t be part of it. Whatever the two of you decide, I need to back off until it’s settled. I hope that makes sense to you.”

“Damn it, there’s nothing to settle. We broke up. It’s over.”

“Not according to Ronda May.” Megan took a deep breath, wishing she could erase tonight from her memory, as if it had never happened—wishing they could start over, have a wonderful evening, and maybe even fall in love. But that was not to be.

“You know I’m right,” she said. “You need to resolve this. And we can’t be together again until you do. Now take me home.”

They were coming into Branding Iron. Conner turned off the highway, onto Main Street. The Christmas lights glowed overhead, but the magic seemed to have gone out of them.

“I hope you know that I didn’t want tonight to end this way,” he said as he turned onto her street.

“If it’s any consolation, neither did I.” Megan unbuckled her seat belt as he pulled the Jeep into her driveway. “Don’t call me until you’ve settled things—one way or another. And I won’t be calling you. Good night, Conner. No need to walk me to the porch.”

As he braked, she opened the door, climbed out before he could help her, and strode, head down, toward the house. Conner didn’t go after her. But he waited, headlights on, as she mounted the porch. Only when he could see that she had the front door safely open did he back into the street and drive away.

* * *

Megan walked in to find her family sitting in the living room, watching a Christmas special on TV. Her mother gave her a startled look. “You’re home early, dear. And, oh, my, what on earth happened to your clothes?”

“Nothing.” Megan shook her head. “Just an accident with some wine. I’ll be fine, but I’ve got a splitting headache. I’m going to take something and get ready for bed.”

“How was your date, Megan?” Daniel had been over the moon about her going on a real date with his idol.

“I’ve had better. Enjoy your show.” Megan headed for the hallway before her brother could ask more questions.

“Soak your jeans in cold water,” her mother called after her. “That’s your best chance of getting those wine stains out.”

Megan made it to her bedroom, where she stripped out of her damp clothes and pulled on her pajamas. After rinsing her jeans in the tub and leaving them to soak in a pail of cold water, she returned to her room and sank onto the edge of her bed. Tormented by questions, she buried her face in her hands.