Although Denni offered the appropriate words of praise for Cadence’s decorations, she kept her attention focused on Travis. She hadn’t seen him in more than two years. While he hadn’t grown in height, his chest had broadened like Trey’s and he was more grown up than she remembered.
Denni didn’t know what to do with Travis when Drew died. He seemed to take his father’s death harder than the other two boys. Part of that was his age, but he acted out, got into trouble and she was at her wits end when he came home and announced he’d joined the army. Despite her fears of letting him go, she was glad he had because it turned the troubled boy into a responsible man.
As they sat in the front room with the fire crackling, the tree lights twinkling, and the sounds of her boys laughing, Denni’s cup nearly overflowed with blessings.
Cass played on the floor by the tree with a set of farm toys that belonged to her boys while Cadence carried out a tray with steaming mugs of cider and a plate of sweet treats.
The house, for the first time in years, felt like home. For that, Denni was grateful and knew much of the credit could be given to Cady. She was a hard worker, honest, strong, and just what Trey needed. If only her son would realize it and ask the woman to marry him.
With a child they wanted to keep, she thought he’d get a little more excited about proposing. Perhaps he needed a nudge in the right direction. Then she could get started on Trent. If he didn’t ask that pretty schoolteacher out on a date soon one of the other locals would scoop her up.
“You look like the cat that found the cream, Mama,” Travis said, giving his mother a boyish smile. “What’s got you looking so pleased?”
“Having all my boys together right here where they belong,” Denni said with a warm smile. She took Cadence’s hand as she walked by and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you, Cady, for making our old house feel like home again.”
Cadence blushed. “I didn’t do anything, Denni. Just cook and clean.”
“And decorate, and add homey touches, and cater to the men around here until they are spoiled so badly they won’t be fit for anything.” Denni’s teasing smile softened her words.
“Now just hold up there, Mom,” Trey said, sitting forward in his chair. “Let’s not get carried away. We like things just the way they are and we don’t want anyone messing with this deal. Unless, of course, you can find out all the places she hides the cookies and Christmas candy.”
“Not happening, cowboy.” Cadence turned back toward the kitchen with a saucy grin, making everyone laugh.
Travis got down on the floor and showed Cass how to hook the little pieces of farm equipment together. As he watched her push them around, he smiled. “You know, those used to be mine when I was about your age.”
“They were?” Cass asked, stopping to look at Travis. She hadn’t decided yet if she liked him or not. He was getting an awful lot of the attention and she had gotten used to most of it being focused on her. “Do you want them back?”
Travis laughed and ruffled her mop of curls. “Nope, Miss Cass, they are yours to keep. But if you ever need help playing with them, you let me know, okay?”
“Okay!” Cass quickly decided the third Thompson brother might not be so bad after all.
After dinner was over and the last dish dried, Denni declared she needed to go home. She had to open the store she managed in the morning and would have a busy week ahead of her. She planned to return Tuesday night in time for the Christmas program, and would also take time off later in the week so she could sit with Cass at the courthouse.
Travis walked his mother out to her car, earning himself another hug and kiss to his cheek.
><><
A light dusting of snow fell the day of the Christmas program. Cass was so excited about attending the festivities, Cadence thought the little girl might explode before it was time to leave.
She chattered all through dinner about the program. It seemed she had taken herself to it the year before and remembered the other kids having fun and there being treat bags and good things to eat.
The hands were all going as well. Programs at the school were events the entire community turned out to support. Cadence was glad they would all be there. They could help keep Cass occupied when she and Trey disappeared to get him into the Santa costume. Lindsay offered her classroom as a dressing room. Trey stashed the costume in Trent’s pickup and would get it out after everyone took their seats for the program.
Denni met them at the school and hooked her arm through Travis’, still surprised to have him home. Cass ran up to Denni and hugged her legs.
“Are you going to sit by me?” Cass asked, taking Denni’s free hand.
“Absolutely,” Denni said. She ended up sitting with Travis on one side and Cass on the other. Trent sat on the other side of Cass followed by the hands with Trey and Cadence on the end of the row. Aunt Viv and Uncle Joe sat in the row in front of them.
The lights dimmed and the first group of performers took the stage. A handful of kindergarten kids came out wearing paper wings and tinfoil halos. Cadence didn’t know how they could look any more angelic. Cass strained to see, so Trent picked her up and held her on his lap.
The tiny angels sang a rousing rendition of Away In A Manager. After the applause died down and they left the stage area, the entire student body joined in to put on a play.
The storyline featured a group of students trying to raise funds for the homeless shelter by wrapping gifts. Everyone was too busy to utilize their services until a kind and understanding Mr. Nicholas paid a visit to the booth. The wrapping paper he "accidentally" left behind turned out to be a magic roll that bestowed the spirit of loving kindness and generosity to all who touched it.
The children did a wonderful job performing while offering a gentle reminder to all attending about the true spirit of the season. Despite the teachers looking a bit harried, they made it through the entire production without incident and all the parents stood clapping at the end.
As a finale, the students sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas twice before rushing into the audience to find their families.
While the children took a bow at the end of the play, Cadence and Trey quietly slipped off to Lindsay’s classroom and hurried to get Trey into his costume. A big red velvet sack held the goody bags Cadence helped Viv fill the previous week. In addition to the traditional orange and peanuts, they added a few pieces of chocolate candy and a big jingle bell tied with a red ribbon.
After adjusting the tilt of his hat and fluffing his hair and beard, Cady brought out a tube of glittering lip-gloss and touched it to Trey’s cheeks before he could protest.
“You look perfect, Trey,” she said, standing back to admire how much he did look like Santa. “If you can just get a little redder in the face, they’ll think you are the real deal.”
“That won’t be hard.” Trey picked up the sack and tossed it over his shoulder. “Between the heat of this costume and the embarrassment, my face should look like a tomato by the time we walk in the door.”
The beginning strains of Here Comes Santa Claus floated to them so Trey started down the hall, as nervous as he’d ever been in his life.
He didn’t know a thing about being Santa Claus and he hated to be the center of attention. Thanks to Trent and Cady, he was dressed in a red suit about to walk into a room filled with kids expecting jolly ol’ Saint Nick.
When he glanced at Cady, she mouthed, “I love you,” and blew him a kiss as he turned and walked into the room.
Jiggling the red sack so the bells tinkled merrily, he let out a hearty, “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!”
Slowly walking down the middle of the room between the aisles of seats, he waved to the children and headed for the big chair that had been set up front just for him. As he settled into the seat, the children all clamored to get in line to see Santa and get their treats.
The teachers came to the rescue and lined them up by age, with the youngest getting in line first.
&nb
sp; Cass was practically jiggling off one foot to the other. She was ready to run down and get in line as soon as Santa walked past their seats, but Trent kept his arm around her and told her not to worry, she would get her turn.
Looking up at him with her big blue eyes and perfectly combed curly hair, she smiled and put a tiny hand on his leg. “Will you come with me? I don’t want to go by myself.”
“Sure he will, Cass,” Travis said, goading Trent. “Mom said that is the famous Miss Lindsay keeping the kids in line.”
Trent ignored his brother’s goading and stood with Cass in his arms. Cadence bought her a beautiful blue velvet dress that matched her eyes and made her red hair glisten with gold highlights. She was gaining weight and looking more like a normal little girl - cared for, well fed, and loved.
Trey was giving it his best as Santa, throwing out jolly laughter at all the appropriate times, passing out goody bags and listening to what all the kids wanted for Christmas. He hoped he could remember all the requests so he could let the parents know if they asked.
Cass was next in line and Trey was especially nervous that she would recognize him. He didn’t want to shatter her illusions of Santa Claus and put everything he had into playing up the part.
“Well, who do we have here all dressed up so pretty?” Trey said in a deep voice. “I bet you’re Cass. Is that right?”
Cass turned to Trent with huge eyes and said, “Santa knows my name!”
Trent laughed and set her down on Trey’s lap. “Of course he does. He’s Santa.”
Trey put his arm around Cass and admired her dress. Cadence had done a great job of dressing her up to look like a big doll complete with white stockings and black patent shoes. “Want to tell me what you want for Christmas, Cass?”
“Yes, but can I whisper it?” Cass asked, looking from Trent to Trey.
“You sure can.” Trey bent down so she could whisper in his ear. He felt her warm breath on the side of his face.
“I want to stay forever with Trey and Cady. That’s all I want this year, Santa. They feed me and take care of me, and tell me they love me, and are the bestest ever.”
Cass threw her arms around Trey and gave him a warm hug before pulling back. It took everything in Trey to swallow down the lump in his throat and pretend to be jolly. He told her she was a good girl and he’d try very hard to make her wish come true.
After handing her a treat bag, he helped her down and wished her a Merry Christmas. Trent took her hand and led her back to the row where they had been sitting. Cadence sat in Trent’s vacated chair and Cass ran to her, climbing on her lap.
“Cady, did you see me with Santa? He’s gonna bring me what I wished for. I just know it!”
“That’s wonderful, sweetie-pie,” Cadence said, smoothing Cass’s hair and kissing her on the head. “What did you wish for?”
“I can’t tell or it won’t come true.”
“I see.” Cadence winked at Trent as he continued to stand in the aisle. “We’ll just have to see what Santa leaves under the tree Christmas Eve, won’t we?”
“Yep,” Cass said with a giggle.
Trey wished Cass had been the last child in line instead of toward the front. Her innocent wish made his heart hurt. He wanted nothing more than to tell her they would keep her forever. But that was going to be up to a judge to decide, not them.
Returning his focus to the job at hand, Trey dug deep, brought out a jolly “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and continued in his role of Santa Claus.
When the last of the kids were through the line, Denni walked up to Trey and gave him a hug.
“Your dad would be so proud of you, honey,” Denni whispered, brushing at her tears. “So very proud. He couldn’t have done it better himself.”
Unable to speak, Trey nodded his head and gave his mom a warm hug. He took her hand, and they joined the group of adults and kids feasting on the after-program sweets. Many of those in attendance had brought in punch, cider, and trays of cookies to share after the program.
Cass finally noticed Trey was missing as the crowd began to disperse and people gathered up their coats, tired children, and leftover treats. Cadence helped the little girl put on her coat, took her hand and started toward the door.
Cass planted her feet and refused to budge. “We can’t leave. Trey’s lost.”
“Oh, he’s not lost, sweetie-pie. He had to go take care of something important and he’ll meet us at home,” Cadence assured Cass, picking her up and carrying her to the door. They all gave Denni a hug and kiss goodbye. Travis walked her to her car while Trent ran outside and pulled his pickup up to the door, so Cass wouldn’t notice Trey’s pickup still parked in the lot. Quickly fastening her into the booster seat, Cadence climbed in beside her while Travis and Trent told jokes and kept her occupied.
As soon as they arrived home, Cass ran into the house, calling for Trey. When he didn’t answer, she shuffled back to the kitchen and let Cadence help her out of her coat and boots.
“Are you sure he’s coming back?” Cass asked, her bottom lip starting to stick out.
“Absolutely.” Cadence tapped Cass on her button nose. “He’ll be here before you know it.”
“Who’ll be here?” Trey asked as he sauntered in the back door. Cass ran to him and he swooped her up in a hug. “Santa Claus?”
“No. You,” Cass said with a giggle as Trey tickled her sides. “I missed you.”
“You missed me? Where was I at?”
“Losted.”
“I was?” Trey kissed Cass on the cheek and carried her over to a barstool where he sat down with her on his lap.
“Yep. But Cady said you’d come back.” Cass wrapped her little arms around his neck and squeezed tight. “I’m glad.”
“I’m glad you’re glad.” Trey’s throat tightened as he thought about Cass’s Christmas wish.
He hoped and prayed he and Cady would be able to make it come true.
Chapter Nineteen
Some people are making such thorough plans
for rainy days that they aren't enjoying
today's sunshine.
William Feather
As she glanced out the kitchen window the next morning, Cadence watched Trey walk toward the house leading Powder and Sasha by the reins.
Wondering what he planned to do, she didn’t have to wait long to find out. He tied the reins to a post by the back door, stomped his boots, stepped into the mudroom, then opened the kitchen door.
She leaned back from the sink so he could see her while she finished the dishes. “What are you up to, Trey?”
He removed his cowboy hat and leaned farther around the door, offering her a loving smile that made heat pool in her mid-section. Delicious spurts of warmth curled out all the way to her fingers and toes.
“I want today to be special for us and Cass, so I thought we could take a ride together. What do you say?”
Cadence nodded as emotion filled her throat and cut off her ability to speak. Today could be the last day Cass would be with them, depending on what the judge decided tomorrow. She prayed that he would see they could provide Cass with all the love and shelter a child would need, but anything could happen at the hearing.
“Let me get Cass,” she said quietly, drying her hands on a dishtowel.
Breaking a cardinal rule of not walking inside with work boots on, Trey stepped into the kitchen with his spurs jingling, tossed his hat on the counter, and gathered Cady into his arms. She could smell his spicy aftershave, the combined scents of horse and hay on his chore coat. The canvas was rough against her cheek, but somehow soothing, too.
“It’s alright, darlin’. Everything will work out fine,” Trey said, rocking her in his arms and rubbing his hands comfortingly along her back. “No matter what happens, God knows the plan and we just have to follow. Right?”
“Right,” Cadence whispered. “But I so want the plan to be for her to stay with us. For Cass to be our little girl.”
“I know, Cady, I know. But le
t’s just make the most out of today. Let’s make memories that Cass will keep with her no matter what tomorrow brings.”
Cadence again nodded her head, drew a deep breath, and took a step back. As she looked up at Trey, staring into those beautiful aquamarine eyes, she saw love, strength and hope reflected there.
“Thank you,” she said, placing a warm hand on his cheek.
“For what?” Trey pressed a kiss to her palm.
“For being you. For loving me. For loving Cass.”
“Loving you and that sweet little gal is easy,” Trey said with a smile. He spun her around then popped her bottom with his gloved hand. “Now go get Cass and let’s have some fun.”
Cass sat the front room watching Sesame Street. Cadence turned off the TV and swung the little girl up in her arms.
“Guess what, Cass?”
“What?” Cass asked, giggling as Cady carried her into the kitchen where Trey waited.
“We’re going for a horseback ride. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
“Yipee! I love horsey rides.” Cass’s grin reached from ear to ear. She had ridden with both Trent and Trey on numerous occasions and chattered for what seemed like hours afterward about how much she enjoyed it.
Trey helped her pull on another pair of socks and her snow boots while Cadence helped Cass put on an extra sweater, her coat, scarf, stocking cap, and mittens.
Cadence ran into her room and pulled on a turtleneck and a warm sweatshirt then put on her thick socks. As she hurried back to the kitchen, Trey stood outside holding Cass up to pet the horses.
Cadence pulled on her cowboy boots, yanked on her coat, scarf, headband, and gloves then hustled out the door.
“Where are we going boss man?” Cadence asked as she ran a hand along Sasha’s nose.
Trey held Sasha still while Cadence mounted, handed her the reins then sat Cass in his saddle. Mounting behind her, he put his arms around the little girl and led them out of the yard.
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