Santa In Montana Read Free Page A

She bristled a little at the suggestion.
    â€œNot 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.”
    â€œBut if he can bring somebody a puppy, why can’t he bring you a husband?” he reasoned.
    â€œA 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.
    â€œOf 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.
    â€œIf 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?”
    His question had Cat firing an exasperated glance at Chase. Sloan saw it and came to her rescue, grasping her young son by the shoulders, his folded-up headdress tucked under her arm.
    â€œEnough questions, Jake.” She turned him toward the living room. “Let’s go put your costume away.”
    â€œAnd then what?” He wanted to know even as she steered him in the direction of the wide oak staircase that led to the home’s expansive second floor. “Can we go down to the barn and feed the horses?”
    â€œWe’ll see.” Sloan’s murmured response drifted back to the den.
    Laredo gave a wry shake of his head. “That boy can’t slow down. If he’s awake, he has to be moving.”
    â€œTrey was just like him at that age,” Jessy recalled, then roused herself. “I need to get moving myself. It’s time I checked on things at the ranch office.”
    When she stood, Laredo pushed away from the desk. “I’ll tag along with you. I need to see if those parts for the generator were delivered. Catch you later.” He flipped a casual wave in Chase’s direction and followed Jessy out of the room.
    As the pair swung toward the front door, Cat hesitated, then re-entered the den and set about collecting the coffee cups and placing them on the tray. Chase watched while she picked up the now heavier tray and balanced it on her forearm.
    At the moment when she appeared ready to turn away from the desk, he said, “You mean you aren’t going to bring up that business again about me lying down before lunch?”
    â€œAnd be accused of nagging again? Not likely,” she shot back.
    â€œYou do nag sometimes, Cat,” Chase countered.
    â€œIf I do, it’s only for your own good,” she insisted, holding herself a little stiffly.
    Pride. His daughter had always had an abundance of that. But it was his awareness of her lightning quick temper that prompted Chase to overlook that proud and combative tilt of her chin. “I’m well aware of that, Cat,” he assured. “But you need to recognize that while I may be old, I’m not an invalid.”
    â€œI know that.” But there was a touch of sharpness in her voice.
    â€œYou have too much time on your hands and very little else to think about except me.”
    â€œOh, please.” Exasperation riddled her words. “You aren’t going to start talking about a husband again, are you?”
    â€œWhy is that such a sore subject?” He leaned back in his chair in a show of relaxation to mask his close study of her reaction. “Are you