The Cowboy's Christmas Plan

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Not live reindeer. I didn’t like going to see the mall Santas. They always smelled funny and I knew they weren’t the real one anyway,” Cadence said with a lift of her chin. “Speaking of Santa, did Trent find the suit yet? We better get a move on if we’re going to have you ready for the Christmas program.”

  “I never said I’d do it,” Trey reminded her. Despite his protests, he knew the night of the program he would be wearing the red suit and sporting a big smile if for no other reason than to make Cady happy.

  “I know you didn’t agree, but you will.”

  “What makes you so all-fired sure?”

  “I just know.”

  “How?” Trey asked as they drove up to the house. He parked not as close to the back door as he could have, looking forward to carrying Cadence inside. “How could you possibly know I’ll do it when I told you and that brick-headed brother of mine I don’t want to?”

  “Because you’re a good man and because it will mean so much to the kids.”

  Trey didn’t know what to say because Cadence’s eyes had grown wide and teary.

  Shutting off his truck, he hurried around to the passenger side and opened her door. She started to slide out but he put his hands around her back and beneath her knees, pulling her to his chest.

  “Oh, I forgot about the snow.”

  “That’s okay,” Trey said, kicking the pickup door closed as he carried her to the mudroom. She leaned over and opened the door and he carried her inside before setting her down. After scraping his boots on the mat, they walked into the kitchen where Trey took off his sports coat and helped Cadence remove her coat and scarf.

  She went to the cupboard and took down mugs, making them both some hot chocolate. AS they sat at the counter, she noticed the kitchen was spotless. Tommy did a good job of keeping order while they were gone. Trent left the light on in the kitchen, but other than that, the house was dark and quiet.

  “Want me to see if I can find a piece of pie for you or some cookies?” Cady asked, leaning back in the bar stool and crossing one very attractive leg over the other.

  “Nah. I’m fine,” Trey lied. He was anything but fine. As he ogled Cady’s legs without being overly obvious, he wondered, not for the first time that evening, how she could walk in such high heels. They were about the sexiest thing he’d ever seen in Grass Valley.

  He assumed they must be something from her law office days. The tiny yet practical part of him still capable of reasonable thought wished she’d worn cowboy boots or even her hiking shoes instead. Those heels drew his attention to her legs, then traveled up her skirt. As his gaze traveled higher, it sent a signal to his brain that was about to short-circuit his system.

  Trey was a church-going man.

  He lived his faith.

  At least he tried, even after one very tempting female moved into his house. He knew his thoughts weren’t ones he should be having, but blast it all if Cady wasn’t completely under his skin, in his heart and tap dancing around in his head.

  While Cady sipped her chocolate, Trey wondered what she would do if he reached over and ran a hand up her shapely calf.

  Slap him? Dump her chocolate in his lap? Shove him off the stool?

  He was about ready to find out when Trent wandered into the kitchen, half-asleep with his hair pinwheeling around his head, his robe partially tied, and his plaid pajama bottom twisted around one leg. Shaking his leg as he walked, he opened his eyes wide enough to notice Trey and Cady at the counter.

  “Sorry, you two,” he said, starting to back out of the room.

  Cadence motioned him forward and smiled.

  “You’re fine, Trent. I was just heading to bed.” Cadence slipped off the stool, carried her mug to the sink and rinsed it, then picked up her coat and purse. Before she went down the hall, she gave Trey’s cheek a kiss and whispered, “Thanks for a wonderful evening.”

  Trey watched her swaying walk down the hall, holding her gaze as she turned the corner into the north wing.

  Pouring a glass of milk and finding the leftover pie in the fridge, Trent sat down on Cadence’s vacated stool. “I’m really sorry, bro. I didn’t realize you two were back yet.”

  Trey glared at Trent. Maybe he should be grateful for the interruption. Divine intervention? He looked heavenward and raised his eyebrows. He released a sigh and slapped Trent on the back, before getting to his feet.

  “It’s fine, man.” Trey picked up a fork and took a big bite of pie. “Where did she get peaches for this pie? It tastes just like summer in a flaky crust.”

  “I know,” Trent said, eating faster so Trey wouldn’t get more than his fair share. “She’s like some sort of magical kitchen fairy.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Choose your friends with caution;

  plan your future with purpose,

  and frame your life with faith.

  Thomas S. Monson

  The next morning as Cadence pulled cinnamon muffins out of the oven, Trey walked into the kitchen wearing a huge smile.

  Snaking his hands out to span her waist, he spun Cadence around and planted a searing kiss on her lips before she had time to blink.

  As he stepped back, he noticed she wore a smudge of flour on one cheek and cinnamon smeared her apron, but she looked and smelled wonderful.

  “What have you got planned today, darlin’?” Trey asked, picking up a potholder and taking the pan of muffins from her hand before she dropped them. She blinked at him, left speechless by his sizzling kiss.

  Taken completely by surprise by Trey’s amorous attention, she couldn’t quite pull her thoughts together. Although she knew they were progressing in their relationship, she had no idea he would greet her like that this morning. She entirely liked the idea of it happening every morning.

  “Huh, what?” she finally asked, coming back down to earth.

  “Don’t you sound all courtroom professional?” Trey teased. “I asked what you have planned today.”

  “I was going to wash all the sheets today and I thought maybe I should clean Travis’ room. Didn’t you say you thought he would be home in a week or so?”

  “So you’ve got nothing planned that can’t wait until next week to worry about. Perfect.”

  “Perfect for what?” Cadence asked, placing the muffins into a cloth-lined basket and folding the cloth over the top of the pile to keep them warm.

  “For what I have planned today. After breakfast, put on your hiking boots and bundle up. You might want to pack a bag with some water bottles and snacks, since we’ve got about a two hour drive.”

  “Drive? Drive where?” Cadence set butter on the table and poured orange juice in glasses.

  “That is for me to know and you to find out. The roads are clear, the sun is supposed to shine today and I’m in the mood for a little holiday fun. So what do you say?”

  She gave him a dubious look, wanting to say yes but not sure it was the best idea.

  Trey stepped behind her, putting his arms around her waist, gently tugging Cadence back against him. “Say yes, Cady,” he whispered in her ear. His breath blew warm against her neck, causing her insides to heat and turn molten. “You know you want to.”

  “Yes,” she whispered, unable to make the word “no” form on her lips.

  “Be ready to go by eight-thirty. Just so you know we will be around other people, but you don’t need to dress up.”

  “Well, isn’t that informative,” Cadence muttered as she pulled a potato and ham casserole from the oven.

  Trey disappeared shortly after breakfast in his pickup. Cadence didn’t have time to give his vague itinerary too much thought. She hurried to do the dishes, clean up the kitchen, and put a roast in the slow cooker, which she set on low. Whatever they did today, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about dinner. It would be ready when they arrived home.

  She hustled into her room, braided her hair, letting a few tendrils curl around her face. She layered on another coat of mascara, changed into a whit
e turtleneck with a dark red sweater, put on her heavy socks and hiking boots, spritzed on perfume, and grabbed her purse.

  Cadence rushed back to the kitchen, just before eight-thirty. She glanced outside to see Trey pull up at the back door, leaving the truck running. Before he could walk in, Trent rushed into the kitchen, dressed in what the guys called their “town clothes.”

  “Ready for some fun, Cady?” he asked, taking the bag with the snacks from her and setting it on a stool in the mudroom. He held her coat for her then slipped on his coat and hat before grabbing the snack bag.

  “Are you going, too?” Curious, she gave him a speculative look.

  Trent grinned. “You bet. I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

  “And what would ‘this’ be, exactly?” Cadence asked as she pulled on her gloves and preceded him out the back door.

  “Wait and see,” Trent teased, holding open the pickup door for her.

  Looking into the pickup’s backseat, Cadence smiled in surprise. Cass sat on the other side, buckled into a booster seat.

  Cadence reached across the seat and squeezed Cass’ hand. “Well, sweetie-pie, what a wonderful surprise to see you.”

  “Hi, Cady! Trey said he was taking us on a Christmas adventure today. Isn’t it awesome?” Cass was so excited, she couldn’t hold her feet still.

  “It is awesome, Cass.” Cadence said as she climbed in and buckled her seat belt. When Trey looked back at her, she mouthed “thank you” to him and smiled. He winked and put the pickup in gear.

  “All aboard the Polar Express bound for Redmond,” Trey called out as they drove down the driveway.

  Cass and Cadence kept up a conversation in the back seat while Trent and Trey talked ranching and farming from the front.

  Cadence passed around water bottles and granola bars part way there. Cass asked to stop at the rest area, but other than the one pit stop, they made good time. It wasn’t mid-morning when they rolled into Redmond. Trey drove out of town heading east then turned in at a farm set back off the highway. Cadence gaped at a sign that read “Reindeer Ranch.”

  Hardly able to contain her own excitement, she turned to help Cass out of her booster seat. “Miss Cass, I do believe Trey and Trent have planned an extra special surprise for us.”

  Cass tried not to wiggle but she was so excited to get to go somewhere new and see something different. She could barely hold herself still long enough for Cadence to unfasten the buckle on her seat. When she did, Cass flew out the door Trey had opened and looked around in wide-eyed surprise.

  “Are those Santa’s reindeer?” she asked, as Trey held her hand and walked toward the reindeer pen. Trent opened Cadence’s door and gave her an arm as they strolled around the pickup, following Cass and Trey.

  “What a wonderful treat for her you two planned,” Cadence whispered to Trent. “She’ll remember this day as long as she lives.”

  “Well, the story I heard was that Cass wasn’t the only one who’d never seen a live reindeer. You don’t think Trey and I could just let that go by, do you?” Trent grinned at her as they stood at the fence and watched the reindeer.

  An hour later, they drove back into Redmond and headed south to Bend where Trey pulled up at a popular restaurant. They wandered inside and soon sat in a booth.

  Cass didn’t know what to think. “I’ve never been in a fancy place like this before,” Cass said, looking around as she sipped her milk.

  Trey, Trent, and Cadence looked at each other, their hearts hurting for Cass. The little girl was so sweet and well behaved, despite her questionable upbringing. All three adults enjoyed her enthusiasm and excitement as she studied the reindeer and listened to their funny grunts.

  After placing their orders, Cadence took Cass to the restroom to freshen up, where the little girl talked about how clean and pretty everything was. Cadence had all she could do not to cry, but focused on keeping a happy smile plastered on her face.

  When they returned to the table, Trent and Trey both teased Cass and made her laugh. She picked up crayons and colored on her placemat then looked around again, trying to take in everything at once. Trey reached under the table and gave Cadence’s hand a squeeze, letting her know how Cass got to him, too.

  Cass cleaned up her hamburger and fries then finished off part of Cadence’s fries as well.

  After paying for lunch, Trey suggested they check out the mall, since they were already in town. Once they were inside, all the sights and sounds overwhelmed the little girl.

  As they walked over to the area where a mall Santa was stationed, Trent asked if Cass wanted to sit on Santa’s lap. She cocked her head and watched a few of the kids in line taking turns, then decided she was a little scared.

  “If you want to go, Cass, I’ll hold your hand and stand with you the whole time,” Cadence said, smiling warmly at the little girl.

  “Promise?” Cass asked, taking a tentative step toward the line.

  “I promise.” Cadence nodded her head to Trent and Trey. She dropped her voice and leaned close to Trey. “This could take a while, why don’t you two go wander instead of standing here.”

  The men walked off with promises to be back soon and Cadence waited with Cass in the slowly moving line.

  Cadence was surprised when she got in the pickup at the ranch to not only find Cass in the back seat, but also see her dressed in clothes that weren’t rags. Trey said he called Viv early that morning with his plan and she hustled over to the church’s donation closet to round up some decent clothes for the little girl.

  When Trey picked her up, Cass was clean, dressed in new-to-her clothes that fit reasonably well and holding a note written by her mother giving her permission to spend the day with them. Cadence wondered if Micki was finally coming around. She’d let the little girl spend a considerable amount of time with them recently.

  Quietly inching forward in the line, Cass watched the other kids sit on Santa’s lap. Cadence bent down and asked Cass if she knew what she wanted Santa to bring her for Christmas.

  “Yep. But it’s a secret,” Cass said, wiggling off one foot to the other, holding tight to Cadence’s hand.

  “You can tell me, can’t you?” Cadence asked.

  “Nope. Not Trey or Trent or Miss Viv. If I tell, then it won’t come true.”

  “I see.” Cadence wondered what the little girl could possibly want that was such a big secret she couldn’t tell any of them.

  They were next in line to see Santa when Cadence saw Trey and Trent return. She gave them a small wave then turned her attention back to Cass who fidgeted so much it made Cadence think of the saying “ants in your pants.” Cass certainly seemed to have half an anthill in hers.

  When Santa’s helper said it was her turn, Cass squeezed Cadence’s fingers so tight, she was sure she would lose all circulation in them.

  She walked Cass up to Santa before the child let go of her hand and climbed up on his lap. Santa handed the little girl a candy cane and asked what she wanted for Christmas. She whispered something in the direction of his ear. Santa turned and pointed to Cadence and Cass nodded her head. With a reassuring pat on the back, Santa set her on her feet before sending her on her way.

  Cass grabbed Cadence’s hand and tugged her toward Trey and Trent.

  “Did you see me on Santa’s lap?” she asked, nearly dancing a jig as she ran up to the men.

  Trey picked her up and gave her a hug. “We sure did. Did you have fun talking to Santa?”

  “Yep. He’s going to bring me the present I asked for.”

  “Is that right,” Trent asked. “What did you ask for?”

  “Can’t tell,” Cass said, shaking her head.

  “She won’t tell me either,” Cadence said, joining the conversation.

  “Well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Santa Claus brings, won’t we?” Trey wondered how in the world they would find out what the little girl wanted and get it for her. Perhaps Viv would have an idea.

  Trey took them to
a few more shopping spots before deciding they better hit the road. When they stopped in Madras for gas, he bought everyone peppermint ice cream cones for the trip home.

  Cass fell asleep as soon as she gobbled up the last of her cone, her rosebud mouth opened slightly with soft little puffs of breath escaping.

  A thoughtful silence fell over the group as they drove to Grass Valley.

  They all rode with Trey to take Cass home. Cadence unbuckled her and helped her pull on her gloves and scarf before Trey picked her up and carried her to the door.

  He set her on the step and Cass waved and smiled before going inside. They could hear Micki screaming as Cass shut the door.

  Brushing at the tears she couldn’t keep from falling, Cadence stared out the window on the way back out to the ranch. As they parked near the back door, they all seemed lost in their thoughts. Quietly gathering up their purchases, the threesome walked inside the house, quiet and somber.

  Cadence finally went over to Trent and stood on tiptoe to pull his head down enough she could kiss his cheek. She turned to Trey and kissed his as well.

  “Thank you both for a lovely, wonderful day. You gave Cass and me a day of special memories.”

  “Our pleasure, Cady,” Trey said, putting his hand around her waist and pulling her back against him. “Sorry it didn’t end on a better note.”

  “Nothing we can do about that, but pray,” Trent said, wandering off to his room with his purchases in hand.

  Cadence gave Trey a warm hug and another kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for what you did, today, Trey. I just wish I could think of something more I could do to help Cass,” Cadence said.

  Trey held her close, his eyes full of sadness. “As Nana always says, hem your thoughts in faith and finish them with prayer.”

  Chapter Twelve

  To wear your heart on your sleeve

  isn't a very good plan; you should wear it inside,

  where it functions best.

  Margaret Thatcher

  Trent walked inside the kitchen carrying the plastic storage tub containing the Santa Claus suit. He and Cadence took all the pieces out, checking for anything that needed repaired. It all looked to be in good shape.