Santa In Montana (Calder Saga 11)

“Maybe it’s time you and I went out to dinner,” Laredo suggested after a thoughtful pause. “You haven’t been off this ranch in a long while. Just the two of us, un-chaperoned.”

“It does sound good,” Jessy conceded.

“Then what do you say we run into Blue Moon for dinner Friday night?”

“That’s a date.” Her eyes sparkled. “What time will you pick me up?”

“Seven o’clock,” Laredo added. “And I’ll be wearing my Sunday hat.”

“Guess that means I should wear mine.” Jessy reined her horse away and touched a spur to its flank. Laredo was quick to follow, lifting his horse into an easy lope.

In the dining room, Chase paused to survey the wide array of dishes and platters mounded with food that were spread on the long table.

“There’s enough here for an army,” Chase remarked. “Why so much?”

“I’m trying out some new recipes tonight. Not all of them might be to everybody’s taste.” Cat set down another steaming casserole.

“Looks damn good. And smells better. I might just help myself to extra servings,” he joked. “How about you, Laredo?”

The lanky cowboy had crossed behind Chase’s chair, but the old man didn’t miss his entrance.

“I might give it a try. My momma used to say I had a hollow leg.”

Jake played with the fork at his place setting. “Is your leg still hollow?” He stared at Laredo with new interest.

“That’s just a figure of speech, Jake,” Chase told him. “And don’t ask me to explain what it means right now.” He scanned the table. “Are we all here?”

Trey was the last to pull out a chair and take a seat. All bowed their heads while Chase offered a brief grace.

“Let’s eat,” he added after a heartfelt but quiet Amen.

Platters were passed and the food was dished onto plates. The eating and talking began. Seconds were offered, but when a platter of marinated roast beef came around to Laredo’s seat for the third time he leaned back in his chair.

“Thanks, but I’m full. That was a good meal, Cat. Better than any restaurant.”

“So why do you want to take me to one?” Jessy taunted lightly.

“Are you two going out somewhere?” Trey wondered.

“That’s right,” Jessy replied. “Laredo asked me out to dinner on Friday night, so don’t set a place for us.”

Trey looked over at Sloan. “Maybe we should plan a night out.”

“Miles City?” she asked.

“Wherever you want to go.”

Jake fiddled with a slice of beef on his plate. His mother leaned over to cut it into smaller pieces for him. “It’s delicious,” she told him. “Good Triple C beef, raised on the ranch.”

He forked up a bite

and nodded in agreement. After swallowing it, he wiped his mouth on his napkin and turned to Chase. “Greypa, how come none of our cattle have horns like the ones in your den?”

“Because that set came from a Longhorn steer,” he replied. “Old Captain, he was called, born in Texas and led every herd Benteen Calder trailed north to Montana back in the Triple C’s early years.”

“Before I was born?” Jake asked.

“Before your great-grandfather was born,” Trey said. “Can you believe that?”