Santa In Montana (Calder Saga 11)

“Put a quick end to the nagging, wouldn’t it?” Chase countered, eyes twinkling, then pulled in a deep breath and released it in a satisfied sigh. “It’s been a full morning…and a busy one. Think I might stretch out and close my eyes for a bit.” He retrieved the cane propped against the arm of his chair, and dipped his head toward the kitchen. “If she wonders where I am, let her know I’ll be in my room.”

Jake stared at him in amazement. “Are you really going to take a nap, Greypa?”

“Yes, Jake, I really am.” Chase pushed out of his chair and headed for the west wing, the end of his cane thumping the floor with each stride.

Worried, Jake risked a sideways glance at his mother. “I don’t have to take a nap before I go sledding, do I? ’Cause Luke—he’s ’specting me right after lunch.”

“If you finish your milk, you can skip the nap.”

Jake didn’t give her a chance to reconsider, grabbing the milk glass and downing its contents in two long gulps. “All done,” he announced, pushing the glass on the table and sliding off his chair in one continuous motion. “Let’s go.”

With an amused shake of her head, Sloan stood up and tossed a glance at Jessy. “I guess I didn’t really want that second cup of coffee.”

“Good thing.” Jessy smiled back at her. The small smile stayed in place while she listened to the run of conversation between Sloan and Jake when she joined him in the entry. Jake was still chattering away when they went out the front door. The silence was instant. “It’s amazing how quiet the house seems after Jake leaves,” she remarked to Laredo.

His only response was an agreeing sound as he continued to contemplate the dark surface of his coffee. Jessy made a sideways study of him, noting the expression of deep thought.

Curious, she asked, “What’s those wheels of yours turning?”

It was a moment before he answered. “That Rogers guy.” He raised his cup to his mouth and took a long sip from it.

“What about him?”

His shoulders shifted in an idle shrug. “Out of the blue, this guy calls Chase and invites himself here. Claims he wanted to see the ranch.”

“What’s so unusual about that?”

“Nothing,” Laredo agreed, then met her glance. “It’s funny though, the whole time he was here, he never budged from the house.”

“How could he with all the snow we have?”

He dismissed that excuse with a quick shake of his head. “No. Something tells me he had another reason for coming here.”

“You don’t really think he wants to cause us trouble,” Jessy said with open skepticism.

“Even you have to admit something doesn’t smell right.”

“Not to your nose,” she countered.

“Have it your way.” As usual, Laredo didn’t argue and simply pushed his chair back from the table. “But I’ll take odds that we haven’t seen the last of him.”

Jessy stood up. “I think you’re forgetting that he’s the son of a long-time family friend.”

“That’s what Chase said, too.” But he remained unswayed by the fact.

She started to remind him that Chase wouldn’t lie, then caught back the words. It was Laredo’s nature to be suspicious of anyone he didn’t personally know. His instincts were usually right, but this was one case where time would prove him wrong. Jessy was sure of it.

Chapter 4

Moonlight glistened on the snow pack that edged the ranch yard and turned the exposed and rutted ground a deep black. Bundled against the night’s chill, Sloan emerged from the Homestead and crossed to the steps. There, she paused to scan the yard for any movement that might indicate Trey was on his way back.

All was still. She focused her attention on the old barn and the light that showed in one of its small windows. Down the steps she went and struck out for the old heavy timbered barn. The cold air nipped at her skin and turned each exhalation of breath into a steamy vapor. Automatically Sloan quickened her steps to reach the barn’s promised warmth.

The temperature inside the barn was a good ten degrees warmer. Sloan noticed the change the instant she stepped inside. At almost the same instant she spotted Trey’s familiar tall frame as he stepped out of a stall halfway down the wide alleyway.

“Hey, there,” she called out softly when he swung back to close the door behind him.

His head turned her way, the brim of his hat shadowing his eyes, but his smile of welcome was clear to see. “This is a nice surprise.”