The Cowboy's Christmas Plan

by Shanna Hatfield

  He promised to drop it off at the cleaners in The Dalles when he ran into town later that day to help Nana with some errands. If all went well, he could bring it home with him that afternoon. If not, Denni agreed to bring it with her when she came Sunday.

  Cadence kept incredibly busy with her regular cooking and cleaning duties as well as making a special treat every day for the men. She also worked on Christmas projects. She finished the quilt she was making Cass along with a matching pillow sham that afternoon. Featuring pink, white and green fabric, the quilt was soft, pretty and definitely made for a little girl.

  In particularly high spirits, Cadence decided to make Trent’s requested dinner of choice.

  When the men walked in that evening, they were surprised to see a red and white picnic cloth covering the table and the smell of barbecue filling the air.

  “Miss Cady, what’s on the menu tonight?” Rex asked as he stood next to his chair at the table.

  “You’ll soon see,” she said, bringing heaping bowls and platters to the table. The men enjoyed a feast of barbecued ribs, baked beans, potato salad, and cornbread. While Trent had included watermelon on the list, it was impossible to get anything that tasted good this time of year, so she substituted a mixed fruit salad. Dessert was a raspberry cream cake. When Trent took a bite, he closed his eyes in rapture and sighed.

  “This may be the best thing I’ve ever eaten, Cady.”

  Cadence blushed, although she sent him a warm smile. “You say that at least once a week, Trent.”

  Everyone laughed, but Trent begged a second piece of cake and when only one remained, he hoarded it, as well.

  “Are you sure you had enough cake, bro?” Trey asked with a teasing smile. He had eaten two pieces himself, thoroughly enjoying the treat.

  As the men brought their plates to the sink and prepared to leave, Cadence asked them to all come back in an hour.

  She quickly finished the dishes then started cooking something on the stovetop. When the guys returned, she had a pan of taffy ready for pulling. She inspected each set of hands, made them slather butter over their fingers and palms, then set all seven cowboys to pulling taffy. As they pulled, she added red and green food coloring. The men laughed and tried to snitch bites of the hot candy, making it a fun evening wrapped up in good cheer and good company.

  The men had just left for a second time that night when the phone rang. Cadence answered to discover Aunt Viv on the other end of the line.

  “Cady, there is a PTA meeting tomorrow night to discuss the Christmas program at the school. If Trey is going to play Santa, I really think he should attend. Can you let him know to be there at seven? You can come, too, if you want. They need some volunteers to help get the treat bags ready and what not.”

  “Sure, Aunt Viv, I’ll let him know. Thanks for the call.” Cadence disconnected and turned back to the mess in the kitchen.

  “What did Viv need, Cady?” Trey sucked on a piece of the candy, still trying to scrub the red food coloring from the taffy off his hands.

  “She said the PTA meeting tomorrow is to discuss the Christmas program and Santa. She thought you should probably attend.”

  “I think all three of us should go,” Trent said, helping Cadence pack the candy into two containers, one for red and one for green. “That way Trey can’t back out on us.”

  “I still haven’t said I’ll be Santa. You two are getting way ahead of things,” Trey said, leaning against the counter and drying his hands.

  Cadence just smiled at him and shook her head.

  ><><

  After a quick dinner, Cadence, Trey and Trent drove to the school just in time for the PTA meeting. Held in one of the classrooms, the adults looked silly sitting on the tiny chairs. Trent, especially, was having a time of it with his extra long legs.

  He didn’t seem to mind when Lindsay Pierce sat next to him and smiled.

  Trey nudged Cadence with his elbow and nodded his head at Trent before giving her a wink. Cadence smiled back and wished there was a way she could push Trent’s chair closer to Lindsay’s. From what she had heard and observed, Trent had been carrying a torch for the teacher since she arrived in the community three years ago. She didn’t know if it was a lack of interest on Lindsay’s part or a lack of effort on Trent’s, but they just didn’t seem to be able to take the first step of going out on a date.

  It was a pity. Cadence didn’t think Trent would come across too many lovely girls who were close to his height living in Sherman County.

  As the meeting began, she sat up and paid attention to the information shared. Before the meeting wrapped up, she volunteered to help Viv fill treat bags. It had been unanimously agreed that Trey should play Santa.

  Trey was unusually quiet on the drive back home while Trent and Cadence discussed the meeting, the school, the teachers and the upcoming program. Trent was roped into agreeing to help a couple of the other men construct a winter scene for the play that would be performed the night of the Christmas program. Cadence and Trent came up with some fun ideas before Trey pulled up at the back door.

  Once they were inside, Trent went to the office to Google ideas for holiday sets, leaving Trey and Cadence in the kitchen. She made herself a cup of spicy tea and sat down at the counter. Trey poured a glass of milk and sat beside her, oddly quiet.

  “You’re going to have to be a lot more jovial if you are going to be a proper Santa.” Cadence offered Trey a teasing smile.

  When he didn’t respond, she placed her hand on top of his and gave it a squeeze. “Something wrong, Trey? You’ve been awfully quiet this evening.”

  Trey kissed the back of her hand and let out a sigh.

  “I’m not convinced I’ll be the best Santa for the kids, Cady. I want them to have fun and enjoy their time with Santa. I’m just not sure I’m the right person for the job.”

  Cadence took a sip of her tea. “From what everyone says, you look and sound the most like your father and all the kids, including you and your brothers, thought he was the real deal.”

  “I know, but it’s more than that.”

  “Like what?”

  “For lack of a better way to describe it, my dad just seemed to have that special holiday magic. He could make each and every kid feel special. I don’t think I can live up to that kind of reputation or expectation.”

  “If the job you’ve done making Cass feel special is any indication of what you are capable of doing, I think you’ll be just fine.”

  “Really? You don’t think I’ll send the kids home in tears, crying for the real Santa?”

  “Nope,” Cadence said, sending Trey a mischievous grin. “But you better practice your ‘ho ho hos’ and being jolly.”

  “I can think of something else I need to practice.”

  “What’s that?”

  Trey grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap, tickling her sides.

  “Letting sweet little girls sit on my lap and whisper their wishes in my ear.”

  ><><

  After driving into The Dalles for groceries and household supplies, Cadence stopped at her aunt’s café to enjoy a cup of coffee while they discussed the upcoming Christmas program.

  They were deciding if they should stick with the traditional orange and peanuts in the treat sacks or go with something more updated when Cass ran in the door, sobbing.

  She flung her little body at Cadence, gasping for breath.

  “Cass, what’s wrong, sweetheart?” Cadence asked pulling the little girl onto her lap.

  “My mommy won’t wake up. I shook her and shook her and she won’t wake up,” Cass said. A haunted look filled the blue eyes she turned trustingly to Cadence. “She sleeped all day yesterday and last night and today and she won’t wake up. Please, make her wake up.”

  Viv ran to the phone and called Joe to run up to Micki’s house while she pulled on her coat.

  “Stay here with Cass, Cady.”

  Cass continued to sob so Cadence held her, rocki
ng her back and forth and humming softly.

  “It’s okay, sweetie. Everything will be okay.”

  “But what if Mommy doesn’t ever wake up? What if she stays asleep like she said my daddy is sleeping? She said she wanted to sleep forever, just like him.”

  “Oh, baby.” As Cadence held Cass close, she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying.

  Viv hurried inside, looked at Cadence, and sadly shook her head. Quickly removing her coat, she sank into the booth across from Cadence and took a deep breath.

  “Cass, your mommy did go to sleep and, honey, she isn’t going to wake up again. I’m so sorry, sweetie, but I promise we’ll take good care of you, so don’t you worry.”

  “No!” Cass screamed and struggled to get out of Cadence’s arms. Cadence knew if she let her go, the child would run back up the street to her mother’s dead body and cry over the woman who couldn’t bring herself to love her daughter more than her shattered dreams.

  Cadence held her tight, even when Cass kicked and hit at her, crying huge racking sobs that shook her little body. Finally spent, Cass slumped against Cadence and held on to her sweater with both tiny hands tightly fisted. Her sobs turned to hiccups and she finally fell into an exhausted sleep.

  Gently brushing the hair back from her face, Cadence stared at the fragile child in her arms and felt a part of her heartbreak for this poor girl who had never really known a mother’s love.

  “What are we going to do?” Cadence asked softly. “Trey said both Micki and her boyfriend were foster kids. Did either of them have any family?”

  “Not that anyone can find. Believe me, if there had been a suitable relative to send Cass to, DHS would have done it a long time ago. Joe called the sheriff. He’ll be out as quick as he can. They’ll probably want to talk to Cass and then they’ll pack her up and ship her off to a foster home.”

  “No,” Cadence blurted out. “I won’t let them.”

  Surprised by her outburst, Viv stared at her. “Well, what exactly do you propose to do?”

  “I don’t know, but she’s too sweet and good to be dumped into a cycle of more neglect and abuse. She needs a real home, with people who love her.”

  “Then take her home yourself,” Viv said, looking Cadence square in the face. “If you feel that strongly about this, take care of her, Cady. It’s been plain from the start she loves you.”

  “I don’t know anything about raising a child. I don’t even have a home. I’m nothing more than a cook and housekeeper at the Triple T.” Maternal feelings that had been dormant deep inside her suddenly burst into full bloom. Cadence didn’t know anything about raising a child, didn’t have a clue where to begin, but she knew she loved the one asleep in her arms like she was her own. “Who in their right mind would let me keep her?”

  “Anyone with eyes in their head can see how much you care for the child. Besides, I think Trey is mighty attached to this little girl as well.”

  “But Aunt Viv, we aren’t an approved foster home. They’ll never let her stay with us. Two bachelors and a single woman? How unconventional is that?”

  “I’d say it’s a whole lot better than what she’s had for the first five years of her life.”

  “But I can’t just waltz in the door and announce to Trey and Trent that they’ve got a little house guest for an unknown amount of time. I can’t possibly do that.”

  “You’re right. You can’t. But I can.” Viv picked up the phone and dialed the ranch. When she didn’t get an answer, she tried Trey’s cell phone. From the one-sided conversation, Cadence assumed he must have answered.

  Viv didn’t give him any information, just saying that Cass needed a place to sleep and Cadence would fill him in on the details later. After hanging up, she turned to Cadence and smiled.

  Cadence was considering what Trey said to her aunt when the sheriff walked inside the cafe. Politely tipping his hat, he stood beside the booth where they were seated.

  “Thanks for the call, Viv. The coroner will give us a report, but I’d guess she died sometime in the last twelve hours. That her girl?” the sheriff asked, pointing to Cass.

  “Yes, sir,” Cadence answered, feeling oddly protective. Those maternal instincts kicked into over drive, sending her on the defensive to keep Cass safe and secure.

  “We’ll have to take her to a foster home, have DHS come run the drill. From what I hear, she’s a sweet little thing. Hate to see her get lost in the system.”

  Cadence turned to Viv and raised an eyebrow.

  Viv got to her feet and looked at the officer. “Now, sheriff, don’t you think it would be a better idea to send her home with someone she knows, someone who cares about her? We don’t want to traumatize the poor child any more than what has already been done. Don’t you think you could bend the rules a tad, just this once?”

  The sheriff looked at Viv as if she’d lost her mind.

  “Cadence, my niece here, has struck up a special relationship with Cass, along with her boss, Trey Thompson. She’d take Cass out to the ranch and keep her for a few days, until we can figure out what would be best for the little girl. Doesn’t that sound like a great plan?”

  “I don’t know, Viv, there are rules and regulations and …”

  “Oh, hogwash! You know the only certified foster homes in the county are both full to the brim with wild juveniles. Would you really want to send this little angel into the midst of that, knowing what she’d have to deal with?”

  “Viv, I don’t like it any more than you do, but I have reports I have to file, regulations that stipulate…” The sheriff took a deep breath and ran his hand through his already mussed hair. He glanced at Cadence then nodded toward the door. “Go on, take her home. I’ll be out later to talk to her and we’ll decide what to do from there.”

  Cadence shot the sheriff a beaming smile that tugged a grin from the corners of his mouth. Swiftly scooting out of the booth, the sheriff took Cass from her, carrying her outside while Cadence put on her coat and hurried out the door.

  “Take her home, Cady,” Viv said, giving Cadence a warm hug. “Feed her a good dinner, give her a bath, and let her know how much you love her. That’s what she needs most right now.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Viv.” Cadence kissed her aunt’s cheek as the sheriff carefully placed the still sleeping girl on the backseat of Trent’s pickup. Trey and Trent both had insisted Cadence leave her car in the garage until winter had come and gone. Trey taught her how to drive a manual transmission.

  Starting the truck, she waved to both Viv and the sheriff before pulling out on the highway and heading toward the ranch with Cass.

  After parking near the mudroom door, Cadence lifted a sleeping Cass and carried her inside, laying her gently on the couch in the gathering room. She pulled a fleece blanket off the end of a chair, covered the little girl, brushed her hair back from her face, and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

  Quietly going to the kitchen, Cadence slumped onto a bar stool, put her head down on the counter, and wept.

  She heard the kitchen door open and close but didn’t lift her head. When strong arms lifted her up and pulled her close, she buried her face against Trey’s chest and cried out all the pain and anger she had been feeling on behalf of little Cass.

  “It’s okay, darlin’. It’s going to be okay,” Trey said soothingly as he rubbed his hands across her back. “It will all be okay, Cady, girl. Everything will be just fine.”

  Trey let her cry until she didn’t have any tears left, continuing to hold her. When she finally lifted her head, he handed her a napkin from the basket on the counter and she wiped at her face, noticing his soaked shirtfront.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, picking up a dishtowel and dabbing at his shirt. “I didn’t mean to get you all wet.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Trey said, keeping her in his arms. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  Drawing in a deep breath, Cadence shared with Trey what she knew.

  “I’m sorry
to bring her out here, Trey, but I didn’t know what else to do. Aunt Viv can’t keep her with the café to run and I just couldn’t let them take her to foster care right now.”

  “It's fine, Cady. I’m pretty fond of the little sweetheart myself. I’d hate to see her get lost in the system, but do you think they’ll let us keep her for any length of time?”

  Cadence didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but she couldn’t help but smile with love and admiration in her eyes when Trey asked if she thought they would let “us” keep her. She was so grateful that he wanted to help shelter and protect Cass.

  “What will Trent say? Will he mind her being here for a while if we can work it out for her to stay?”

  “After the trip to see the reindeer, I think he’d do anything he can for Cass. She’s got us both wrapped around her little finger.” Trey took Cadence’s hand and kissed her fingers. “She’s not the only female with that particular talent.”

  Leaning into Trey, Cadence wrapped her arms around him and gave him a warm hug.

  “Thank you,” she said, kissing his cheek and looking at him with deep affection.

  “For what, darlin’?” he asked, watching the gold flecks in her eyes glow brightly.

  “For being you.”

  ><><

  When the sheriff arrived that evening, Cadence had a game plan in place. She drew on what legal knowledge she had and hoped she could convince the sheriff to leave Cass with them, at least for a while.

  “Hello, sheriff,” Trey said, shaking the hand of the man he had known his entire life. They had gone to school together, played sports alongside one another, fought over Bree Lynn Bates when they were in high school, and remained good friends.

  “Trey,” the sheriff said, walking inside and sitting down at the counter. “Sorry to be making a visit under these circumstances.”

  Trent and Cass watched a Christmas special in the gathering room. He kept her interested in the show and oblivious to anything going on in the kitchen.