Denni laid her hand on his cheek and smiled. “You bet, son.”
Trent gave her a bear hug before the two brothers jumped in the truck and headed toward Grass Valley.
Driving home, the roads started to get slick, but nothing like the ice storm they had the day before. Trent drove while Trey got lost in his own thoughts.
“How’s Cady like Sasha?” Trent asked as they turned off the freeway onto Highway 97.
“Just fine,” Trey said, moving his attention from the window to his brother. “They seem to hit it off well and Sasha is so gentle, Cady is safe riding her.”
“Even during midnight rides in the snow?” Trent asked with a devilish grin. He’d waited years to be able to find a sore spot he could tease Trey about and Cady was it.
“Excuse me?” Trey felt his irritation rise. Was there anything that happened at the ranch that wasn’t open for discussion or speculation? Did his brother know everything he did?
“You heard me, man. Fess up. You bought Cady those boots and took her on a ride in the snow, didn’t you?”
“Well, what if I did? No harm in that.” The temperature in the truck seemed to be uncomfortably toasty. Trey shrugged out of his coat.
“Nope, no harm in that at all. Or kissing her silly out in the mudroom,” Trent goaded him. “Not a bit of harm in that.”
“What! How… How could you possibly know that?” The vein in Trey’s neck started to throb. He might just have a stroke before they got home.
Trent laughed and playfully punched his arm.
“I was up getting a drink and saw you two by the back door. I was trying to be quiet and unnoticed. I didn’t intend to see anything, but you put her in a lip lock before I could sneak back to my room.”
“Is nothing sacred around you?” Trey asked, fuming and embarrassed.
“Not that involves you,” Trent said, still grinning. “You know, I get the distinct feeling that Cady might like you back, just a little bit. Why don’t you marry the girl and make both of you happy?”
“Who said anything about marriage?” Trey ground out. “No one said anything about marriage.”
“Let me spell it out for you, bro. Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Girl falls in love with boy. Boy asks girl to marry him. Girl says yes. Happily ever after. The end.”
“It isn’t that simple.” Trey released a deep sigh.
“Why not?” Trent asked.
“It just isn’t,” Trey said, staring out the window again. “It’s complicated.”
“The only thing I see that is complicated is the amount of time and effort you both put into pretending you don’t have feelings for each other,” Trent said, as he slowed down to drive through Moro. “Maybe you could take her on a real date and then go from there. What do you think of that idea?”
“That might be one of your better ones,” Trey said, showing the faintest hint of a smile.
“There you go, then. Plan something for Friday night, take her out, and see how you feel after that,” Trent said. “And don’t forget to ask her out. Don’t demand a date - ask nicely.”
Trey laughed. “When did you get so wise in the ways of courting women?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Chapter Ten
A good plan violently executed now
is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
George S. Patton
By Wednesday evening, Trey was grouchy, on edge, and ready to punch his brother right in the nose. He still hadn’t gotten around to asking Cady for a date, and wasn’t exactly sure how to go about it. They’d been busy on the ranch so he hadn’t had any time to spend alone with her. He hadn’t even had time to give her riding lessons that week.
Cady worked equally hard, making candy and holiday treats, and carefully hiding them away. Trey and Trent decided to wait until the next time she went to visit Viv and see if they could find the stash. She nearly had a revolt when she set out a small plate last night after dinner with just enough fudge each of them could have two pieces.
“Miss Cady, can’t we please have another piece?” Tommy pleaded. “I ain’t ever had something that melted in my mouth like that before. Please.”
Cadence laughed and patted Tommy on the back as she walked past his chair.
“Nope, I don’t want you to over indulge.”
Groans followed her into the kitchen with more pleading for just one more taste.
She promised them if they all behaved, she’d have something special for them tonight as well.
Trey stepped into the mudroom and hung up his hat and coat before taking off his boots. AS he walked into the kitchen, the delicious smells of roasted meat mixed with the scent of cinnamon and apples. Light twinkled from the candles Cady placed on the table as well as the white lights that danced among the greenery draped over the top of the big china cupboard.
The house looked, smelled and felt like a home. When Cady turned from the sink where she rinsed vegetables and smiled at him, Trey felt warmth fill his insides. He could get used to this in a hurry, especially if Cady was part of the package.
“Evening, Cady,” he said, coming to stand beside her where he inhaled her fresh scent. With her hair pulled into a ponytail, he longed to press his lips along the column of her slender neck. Instead, he looked over her shoulder at the broccoli in her hand. “You’re not going to make me eat broccoli are you?”
“I can’t make you eat or do anything,” Cadence said with a grin. “But I am making a broccoli salad for dinner tonight.”
Purposefully leaning closer to her, he inhaled her scent again then leaned against the sink. “Something sure smells good in here.”
Cadence gave him a sideways glance and took a step away as she cut up broccoli and cauliflower into a big bowl. Adding roasted pecans and dried cranberries, she poured on some ranch dressing and gave everything a good stir to mix it up.
Walking to the big dining table, she set down the bowl and looked back at Trey. He continued to lean against the sink, watching her. Cadence thought it was completely unfair that he could look so good after a hard day of work.
Trey’s bright blue eyes glimmered; his bronzed skin glowed from being outdoors, his short hair curled into finger-tempting waves around his forehead, and that square jaw practically begged for her kisses. As he stood with his legs crossed in front of him and his elbows resting behind him on the edge of the counter, the pose accentuated the breadth of his shoulders, the definition of his chest and the fact that his perfect fitting Wranglers outlined every muscle in his thighs.
How was she supposed to be able to focus on serving dinner with him in the kitchen?
“I left the mail on your desk,” she said, coming back around the counter and peeking in the oven door. “It looks like you and Trent got quite a stack of Christmas cards. Do you plan to send any?”
Trey didn’t answer her immediately. He’d been too lost in his thoughts of asking her out on a date. He was going to have to bite the bullet and do it tonight or Friday would be there and gone.
“Pardon?” he finally asked.
“You received a bunch of Christmas cards today. Do you plan to send any in return?” Cadence brought two pans of popovers out of the oven and poked the tops with a fork, letting the steam escape.
“I hadn’t given it any thought. Mom usually sends out cards, but if they are coming here to us, then we probably need to send some in return.”
“Would you like some help?”
“That would be great. Could you help me pick out some cards, maybe write a letter from both Trent and I that we could stick inside?”
“Sure.” Cadence placed a large covered dish on the counter. “I’d be happy to help.”
Trey walked over to the round dish and started to touch it. It looked like a squatty-shaped flowerpot with a lid.
“Don’t touch that!” Cadence yelled when she saw Trey’s hand hovering near the handle.
Trey jerked his hand back and looked
at her in surprise.
“It’s hot, you’ll burn your fingers,” she said, stepping next to him with a platter and a serving fork. Using a potholder, she lifted the lid and revealed a pork roast, cooked to perfection. After lifting out the roast, she slid it on the platter.
“What is that thing?” Trey said, studying the dish. Made of terra cotta, the bottom half was glazed while the top was not.
“It’s a special baker,” Cadence explained, turning to pick up a carving knife and expertly slicing the roast. “You soak the lid in water for about fifteen minutes. You set the meat inside, season it, put on the lid, stuff it in a cold oven, turn on the heat and bake for a couple of hours until the meat is done. The lid releases the water while it bakes, steaming the meat as it cooks.”
“Where did you get it?” Trey asking, knowing his mom or Lois never used it.
“It’s mine. I’ve had it for a while. I always use it when I make pork roast.” Suddenly, she laughed as a memory came to her.
“What’s so funny?” Trey carried the platter of meat to the table while she scooped up the contents of a saucepan into a bowl and dropped in a big dollop of butter, stirring until it melted.
“The first time I used this baker, I was so excited to try it out. I got in too big of a hurry and forgot to remove the plastic pad they stick in the meat packages to absorb all the blood and juice. When I took it out of the oven, the entire thing was black, the meat was black, and I thought I had just ruined my new baking dish. I cut the outside off the meat and the juice just ran out. I was going to throw it away, but my dad insisted on eating it. It was the best pork roast we’d ever had. I just knew I’d have to throw the dish out, but I put it in the sink to soak with a little soapy water while we ate dinner. When I got around to doing the dishes, the black soaked off and the pan looked almost as good as new.”
“I can’t believe Miss Greer would do something like that,” Trey laughed. “So the meat is really that good?”
“You’ll soon have an opportunity to find out for yourself,” Cadence said, setting a bowl of what looked like deformed pasta on the table. “Why don’t you go ring the bell for dinner?”
The hands soon gathered around the table, filling up on pork, fried apples, popovers, broccoli salad, and spaetzle.
“What did you say this stuff was again, Cady?” Trent asked as he dished up a second helping.
“Spaetzle,” Cady said. “It’s German, kind of like pasta made with milk, eggs and flour. Then I add a little butter and salt.”
“It’s pretty good for fancy-pants food,” Trey teased, taking his third helping of pork roast. The meat was so tender and juicy, he thought it could rival a prime steak.
Henry leaned back in his chair, patted his expanding middle, and sighed. “Another great meal, Miss Cady. You sure know your way around the kitchen.”
“Thank you, Henry. I enjoy cooking and baking.”
“Speaking of baking, do we get our special treat tonight like you promised,” Larry asked, snatching the last popover.
“Have I ever let you boys down yet?” Cadence asked with a saucy grin.
“No, ma’am,” Rex said, cleaning up the last of the fried apples.
Cadence cleared the table and the men brought their dirty dishes into the kitchen. Tommy helped her load the dishwasher and wash what wouldn’t fit. This gave everyone time for their dinner to settle while they anticipated dessert.
After drying her hands, Cadence approached the table and set down a cake plate holding a huge popcorn cake.
“That’s your big surprise?” Trey said, looking at the popcorn in disappointment. He was hoping for something chocolate and gooey, like more fudge.
“Have you ever had popcorn cake?” Cadence asked as she started cutting slices.
“Can’t say that I have,” Trey said, still not convinced it was going to be that good. After all, it was popcorn.
Cadence passed around the plates of the sticky treat. Popcorn, melted marshmallows, peanuts and gumdrops, stirred together and pressed into an angel-food cake pan created a special treat her mother made during the holidays. Cadence fondly recalled how much they all enjoyed eating it and sharing it with friends.
After a few bites, the men licked marshmallow off their fingers and asked for more.
“That wasn’t too bad,” Trey said with a grin. “What’s up for tomorrow’s treat?”
“Who says you get a treat every night?” Cadence asked, looking at Trey with a motherly scowl on her face. “I don’t think you fully appreciate my culinary efforts so tomorrow I might just make you tuna sandwiches and leave you with a bag of chips.”
Seven heads shot up to see if she was serious or teasing. When she winked at Tommy, they released a collective sigh of relief. Cadence’s cooking was always good, but it was exceptional with the extra effort she put in the closer the Christmas holiday approached.
When the hired hands passed by the house in the middle of the day, the delicious, homey smells of something baking made them wish they could knock at the back door, begging for a taste. However, they all knew that would not be tolerated.
Trey made it perfectly clear the day Cadence came to the ranch that unless there was an emergency, other than at meals, they were to stay away from Cadence. No one was to get any funny ideas regarding romance or courting. She was there to cook and clean, and that was it. Even Danny seemed to heed Trey’s warning. Now, after a couple months of her good food and friendly welcome each morning and evening, there wasn’t a man among them that wouldn’t do anything for her. Especially if she kept making Christmas treats.
Going into the kitchen and coming back with a notepad and a pen, Cadence handed it to Tommy, who sat next to her.
“What’s this for?” Tommy asked.
“I want each one of you to write down your favorite meal and your favorite dessert. If it is possible, I’ll rotate them into the menu. How does that sound?”
“Like heaven,” Henry said, already deciding what he would write down.
By the time they were done passing the list around, the men grinned from ear to ear, envisioning a future meal with all their favorite foods.
As they filed out the door for the evening, Henry stopped to pat Cadence on the shoulder and kiss her cheek.
“I’m done convinced you’re an angel, Miss Cady. Thank you.”
Henry made her blush, but she gave him a quick hug before he left.
Trent got up and announced he was going to the bunkhouse to play cards with Rex and Danny for a while.
Trey went into his office and Cadence, tired after a busy day, decided to sit in the gathering room and put her feet up a while. She watched a Christmas movie, then turned off the TV and admired the twinkle of the holiday lights along with the crackling fire. Scooting off the couch, she knelt by the coffee table and wound her Christmas music box. She listened to it play through once and started to turn the key on it again when she felt a warm presence sink down on the floor beside her. From the electricity shooting through her where his arm and leg brushed hers, she knew without looking it was Trey.
“Is that yours?” Trey asked as she finished winding the box. It featured a couple skating on a pond on a decorative stand. Although it wasn’t anything overly fancy, the fact the piece was a family heirloom made it extra special to Cadence.
“Yes. The family lore is that my great-grandfather bought it for my great-grandmother as a wedding gift. They married on New Year’s Day in 1927. They had one son who survived past infancy. My grandfather inherited this music box and passed it down to my father, his only child, who gave it to me,” Cadence explained, watching the figures twirl across the ice in a close embrace.
“It must be really special to you.” Trey took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. Glad he investigated the faint music he could hear from the office, he would have missed this opportunity to ask Cady on a date. He had a hard time pushing the words through his lips, though, distracted by the way the firelight danced through her da
rk hair and cast shadows on her smooth cheeks. “What song does it play?” he finally asked when the song ended and the figures came to a halt.
“The Merry Widow Waltz. There are a few different versions of the lyrics, but my grandpa used to sing one that I liked better than the others.”
“Would you sing it for me?” Trey asked. In rapt pleasure, he had listened to her singing Christmas carols when she thought no one was around. She possessed a good singing voice that he greatly enjoyed hearing.
“Oh, I don’t think so.” Her cheeks flushed red in the firelight. “I’m not that good of a singer.”
“Please?” Trey coaxed, rubbing his thumb in circles on the back of her hand.
Cadence released her breath and wound the music box one more time. As the tinny music started, she added her sultry alto to the tune.
“Lovers often hum this soft and sweet refrain,
Even after youth and laughter cease to reign -
It recalls a night
When hearts were unrestrained -
With the dawn the night was gone but love remained.”
Trey sat spellbound as Cadence sang the last notes. He wanted to be the figurine on the ice, holding Cady in a lover’s embrace as they skated around a pond without a care in the world. Unhurried, he leaned over and softly kissed her warm lips, once again amazed by the sweetness he found there.
Pulling back, he studied her, watching the gold flecks in her eyes spark in the muted light.
“That is quite a song, Cady.” Trey considered the words she just sang. He longed for a night of unrestrained love with the beautiful girl sitting next to him. He wouldn’t go that far, especially knowing one night would never be enough when he wanted a thousand of them.
Trey couldn’t have said when he pulled Cady onto his lap. Or when he tugged the band from her braid, loosened the strands, and buried his hands in the thick waves. Or when he began kissing her with a fervor that knocked all rational thought from his head. All he knew was that having Cady in his arms felt so right. There had never been, and would never be, anyone who could fill them so completely and perfectly as his Cady.
The Cowboy's Christmas Plan Page 14