Santa In Montana (Calder Saga 11)

“Yes, tell us,” Cat urged.

“I’m already getting what I want—all my grandchildren are coming home for Christmas.”

Jake frowned. “That’s not a present.”

“Sometimes the best presents don’t come all wrapped up in a pretty package,” Chase told him.

Clearly not buying that, Jake switched his attention to Laredo. “What are you putting on your list?”

“I’m like your great-grandpa here,” Laredo replied. “I’ve already got just about everything a man could want.”

Chase ran a brief glance over the lanky cowboy, wondering if anyone else caught the small qualifying phrase Laredo had used. But with Jake in the room there was no time to mull over it as the young boy ran over to Jessy.

“You want a real present, don’t you, Grandma?”

Jessy made a show of giving his question serious thought. “I would like a new bathrobe. Mine’s getting a little old.” But she could tell her grandson didn’t think much of that as a gift. “And maybe a new set of spurs.”

His face lit up. “I want some spurs, too.”

“If your list gets any longer, Jake, Santa will think you’re getting greedy.” Sloan walked over to him and slipped off the crooked headdress. “Better let me have this before you get it dirty.”

“And I’d better go start lunch.” Cat half turned from the room, then paused to glance at Chase. “Did you want to lie down for a little bit before lunch?”

“No.” His reply was quick and firm.

“You should you know,” she countered.

The brief exchange swung Jake’s attention to Cat.

“What do you want for Christmas, Aunt Cat?”

“I can tell you what she needs,” Chase declared before Cat had a chance to answer. “A husband.”

“Dad.” His name came out in a shocked breath.

“Well, it’s the truth,” he insisted. “If you had yourself a husband, you wouldn’t be hovering around nagging me all the time.”

“I don’t nag.” She bristled a little at the suggestion.

“Not much,” Chase murmured.

All wide-eyed with wonder, Jake looked at her. “Can Santa bring you a husband?”

Cat threw her father an irritated see-what-you’ve-started look and forced a smile. “No, dear. Santa doesn’t bring those kind of gifts.”

“But if he can bring somebody a puppy, why can’t he bring you a husband?” he reasoned.

“A husband is something a woman likes to pick out for herself,” she explained with a great show of patience. “And, heaven knows, the pickings are very slim around here. Assuming I was looking, of course,” she added, shooting Chase another searing look.

“Of course.” Chase nodded, his expression softening. There was a wealth of understanding in his gaze.

Cat knew that he was fully aware of those moments of loneliness that crept up on a person after they had lost the one they love—not to mention all those unnamed longings that visited a person at nightfall.

“If you want, Aunt Cat, I can help you look for one,” Jake volunteered.

One look at his earnest expression and Cat had no difficulty maintaining a smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I prefer to do the looking myself.”

He cocked his head at a curious angle. “Where are you going to find one?”