Page 15 of The Holiday Gift

He shot her a quick look across the bench seat of his truck. “Is the idea of dating me so incomprehensible?”

“Not incomprehensible. Just...disconcerting,” she answered honestly.

“Why?” he pressed.

How was she supposed to answer that? He was her best friend and knew all her weaknesses and faults. Surely he knew she was a giant coward at heart, that she didn’twantthese new and terrifying feelings.

She had no idea how to answer him so she opted to change the subject. “I haven’t had a chance to ask you. How’s Louisa’s new horse?”

He shifted his gaze from the road, this time to give her a long look. She thought for a moment he would call her on it and press for an answer. To her relief, he turned back to the road and, after a long pause, finally answered her.

“Settling in, I guess. She seems to have really taken to Tor—and vice versa.”

“I hope they won’t be too upset at being separated when we send the new horse to Seth Dalton’s after Christmas.”

“I’m sure they’ll survive. If not, we can always arrange visitation.”

That word inevitably reminded her of his ex-wife.

“How is Cindy’s mother doing?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Fine, from what I hear. She’s probably going to be in the hospital another week.”

“Does that mean the cruise is off?”

“Cindy insists they don’t want to cancel the cruise unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’m still planning my Christmas celebration with Addie on December 20.”

“It’s just another day on the calendar,” she said.

“Don’t let Hope hear you say that or she might ban you from The Christmas Ranch,” he joked.

They spoke of the upcoming children’s Christmas show and the crowds at the ranch and the progress of her sisters’ movie for the remainder of the short drive to the reception hall where the annual dinner and party was always held.

He found a parking space not far from the building and climbed out to walk around the vehicle to her side. While she waited for him to open her door, Faith took a deep breath.

She could do this. Tonight was no different from dozens of other social events they had attended together. Weddings, birthday parties, Fourth of July barbecues. Things had never been awkward between them until now.

We’re finally going out on a real date.

When she thought of those words, little starbursts of panic flared inside her.

She couldn’t give in. Chase was her dear friend and she cared about him deeply. As long as she kept that in mind, everything would be just fine.

She wasn’t certain she completely believed that but she refused to consider the alternative right now.

The party was in full swing when they arrived. The reception hall had been decorated with an abundance of twinkling fairy lights strung end to end and Christmas trees stood in each corner. Delectable smells wafted out of the kitchen and her stomach growled, almost in time to the band playing a bluegrass version of “Good King Wenceslas.” A few couples were even dancing and she watched them with no small amount of envy. She missed dancing.

“You’d better give me Celeste’s New York City coat so I can hang it up,” Chase said from beside her.

She gave him a rueful smile. “I’m a little afraid to let it out of my sight but I guess I can’t wear it all night.”

“No, you can’t. Go on inside. I’ll hang this and be there in a moment.”

She nodded and stepped into the reception room. Her good friend Jennie Dalton—Seth Dalton’s wife and principal of the elementary school—stood just inside. Jennie was talking with Ashley Hartford, who taught kindergarten at the elementary school.

While their husbands were lost in conversation, the two women were speaking with a young, lovely woman she didn’t recognize—which was odd, since she knew just about everyone who came to these events.

Jennie held out a hand when she spotted her. “Hello, my dear. You look gorgeous, as always.”

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