Santa In Montana (Calder Saga 11)

“Scores,” Cat agreed. “But look at the twinkle in his eye. He enjoys it as much as all the other parents.”

They joined the enthusiastic applause that greeted the two small shepherds who clutched the edges of the curtains and ran to either side to reveal the stage.

The costumed children were positioned in a nativity scene, looking out at their audience with a mixture of expressions, from calm to jittery.

Babette read the opening narration and stepped aside to let the play begin. Dave came forward, unrolled his scroll, and announced the impending birth of Jesus to the shepherds watching by night.

When he finished, Jake confronted him. “Next time, ask God to have Jesus borned in Montana so I can wear my boots,” he blurted out.

The crowd erupted in laughter, even Chase. When the happy noise dwindled down, the play continued without a hitch. The children hit their marks and remembered their lines, telling the old, old story of the night in Bethlehem with no more adlibs or flubs. The great star, which looked suspiciously like a pierced tin pie-plate, blazed against the dark backdrop and Becky gazed tenderly into the straw-filled basket that cradled the unseen Christ Child.

There was a brief rustle of programs as the audience joined the children in singing “Silent Night.” As soon as the last note died away, the applause began and the young actors ran forward to take their bows, some proud, some self-conscious, but all pleased with themselves.

“That went well,” Babette said to Sloan. “Jake was the hit of the show, though.”

“He certainly got a laugh,” she answered with a wry smile.

“Arms up,” Babette ordered the kids waiting in line when they left the stage. She shucked the costumes over their heads with practiced speed and handed them to Sloan to fold and put into a big cardboard box. The children ran back to claim the praise from their parents. Dave didn’t bother to change and walked away in his angel’s costume, rocking to the music coming into his earbuds. Evidently wings were cool, Sloan decided.

As expected, Sloan found Jake half-draped across the arm of Chase’s chair, chattering away, dividing his attention between Chase and Jessy. While Sloan had been helping Babette, Jake had run back to the tack room and retrieved his boots.

The instant Jake saw her, he ran to meet her. “Greypa said the program was the bestest he ever seen.”

“I hope you thanked him for that.”

Nodding, Jake made an agreeing sound. “And Grandma said I did my lines perfect.”

“And what did she think of your ad-lib?” Sloan asked in a mildly teasing voice.

Jake screwed up his face in a puzzled frown. “What’s that?”

“Nothing.” She laughed and gave the brim of his cowboy hat a playful, downward tap. “Have you seen your dad?”

“He was here at first. He had to leave, though,” Jake explained. “He said he had something important to do, but he’d be back.”

“If he said he’ll be back, then he will,” Sloan declared, fully aware of where her husband had gone and why.

Jake caught hold of her hand and pulled her over to Chase’s chair. “I told Mom that you thought I did good.”

Suppressing a smile, Jessy asked, “And did you tell her what part you want to play in next year’s program?”

“I forgot,” he said in self-disgust then turned an earnest look on Sloan. “Next year I want to be the angel.”

Surprised by his choice, Sloan decided the wings were even cooler than she realized. “Why the angel?”

He propped one hand on his hip in a slightly challenging pose. “’Cause that boy got to wear his boots.”

Try as she might, Sloan couldn’t choke off the laugh that bubbled from her. Chase and Jessy chuckled along with her.

“You can take a lot of things away from a cowboy, but don’t touch his boots,” Chase declared.

“At least, not this cowboy’s,” Sloan agreed and gave his hat another downward tug.

“Quit, Mom.”

At that moment, Jake’s best friend Dan came running up and grabbed his arm. “Come on, Jake. Hurry. Santa’s here.”

Turning in place, Sloan spotted the tall figure dressed in the traditional stocking cap and red Santa suit, sporting a long white beard and toting a sack bulging with presents, making his way to the stage area, already surrounded by children. The costume fooled the children, but Sloan recognized Trey’s dark eyes and rugged features despite the masking beard.