Santa In Montana Read Free Page B

absolutely against ever marrying again?”
    â€œOf course not.” Her response was emphatic and quick. “Why would I be when I’ve seen two perfect examples. First there was you and Hattie…Regardless of how much you loved my mother, I know your second marriage to Hattie was very fulfilling, but in a different kind of way. And anyone can see how happy Jessy is with Laredo.” She paused, irritation flickering through her expression. “Although sometimes I get so mad at Laredo, I want to haul off and hit him!”
    â€œWhy?” Chase frowned in surprise.
    â€œBecause he obviously let’s his pride stand in the way of going to that next step and actually marrying her. And why? Just because Jessy runs this ranch and he’s only an ordinary cowboy. It’s ridiculous.”
    â€œI don’t think pride has anything to do with it, Cat.”
    â€œThen why doesn’t he marry her?” she challenged.
    â€œI suspect he has other reasons. Ones that don’t bother Jessy, so they shouldn’t bother us either.”
    Cat was quick to read between the lines, all her senses going on high alert. “Are you saying there’s some truth to the rumors that Laredo is a wanted man?”
    â€œI’ve never asked. And I never will.” Unspoken was the order that she shouldn’t either.
    â€œLogan always liked him a lot,” she recalled in an absent, musing fashion.
    â€œMaybe you should think about taking a trip after the first of the year,” Chase suggested in a deliberate change of subject.
    A small, breathy laugh of surprise slipped from her. “Where did that come from? First you accuse me of turning into a nag, and now you’re trying to get rid of me?”
    Chase smiled at her half playful taunt. “That thought hadn’t crossed my mind, but it is another good reason. Actually I was remembering that comment you made about the scarcity of eligible men around here. If you spend all your time here on the Triple C, you aren’t likely to meet anybody. A change of scenery would be good for you anyway.”
    â€œAnd where would I go?” she countered, unimpressed by his suggestion.
    â€œGo down to Texas. Spend a month or two with Quint and Dallas. It’s been quite a while since you spent some time with your son and his family.”
    â€œTrade one ranch for another? I don’t think so.”
    â€œThen fly over to England and stay with Laura. If it’s a social life you want, she’ll see that you get one. You know how full her calendar is all the time. I’m surprised she managed to work us in to come for Christmas this year.”
    Cat responded with a quick shake of her head. “The weather would be nasty at this time of year over there.”
    â€œThen go on a cruise somewhere warm,” Chase argued, growing a little irritated by her quick dismissals.
    â€œAlone? I don’t think so.” This time the shake of her head was firm and decisive. “Maybe I will fly back to Texas with Quint after Christmas. But if I do, it will be to spend some time with my new grandson, Josh.” Cat smiled just thinking about the nearly two-year-old toddler and his head of red hair. “Face it, Dad—not everyone gets a second chance at love.”
    â€œAnd you damned sure won’t if you sit around here waiting for it to come to you,” he informed her.
    This time she didn’t rise to his baiting tone. “Enough, Dad. Why don’t you come out to the kitchen and give me a hand with lunch? As you so succinctly put it—you’re old, not an invalid.”
    â€œDon’t get smart with me, girl,” he warned but with a half smile. “This time you take care of lunch by yourself. I’ve got some thinking to do.”
    Catching the serious note in his voice, Cat eyed him curiously. “About what?”
    â€œGuess you can blame Jake and all his talk about Christmas and