The Cowboy's Christmas Plan

by Shanna Hatfield

  “I thought we could go down past the pond and over on the north ridge. You can see one of the herds really well from there.”

  “Yeah,” Cass said, wrapping her hands around the saddle horn.

  They rode out to where they could see the herd, got off and watched the cattle for a while. On their way back to the house, they circled around the other direction and came up on the back side of the pond.

  Along the way, Trey pointed out a small herd of deer, three wild turkeys, and a hawk flying overhead.

  Cass seemed to love being outside every bit as much as Cadence. After spending most of her life indoors at a desk, Cadence hadn’t realized how wonderful it was to be outside in the sunshine. To be in a place where she could breathe in gloriously clean air and feel a tug toward heaven in the peacefulness of nature.

  She smiled to see Cass look so at ease in the saddle, so happy and carefree. Nothing like the neglected little girl who had come to them such a short time ago.

  “What do you think, Cass?” Cadence asked. “Is this pretty cool?”

  “It’s wicked!” Cass declared, causing both Trey and Cadence to laugh.

  Trey looked over his shoulder at Cadence and mouthed “Wicked?”

  Cadence shrugged and smiled.

  They’d been gone almost two hours when they rode up to the barn. Trent and Travis sauntered up as they stopped outside the barn door. Bob and Bonnie ran out and chased each other around, waiting for Cass to get down and play. She and the two dogs had become fast friends.

  Trent picked up Cass and set her down while Trey dismounted. Travis offered his hand to Cadence.

  Whistling, he admired Cadence’s boots. “Those are some real nice boots, Cady. Very sharp.”

  “Thanks, Travis. I’m still getting used to them, but I love them.”

  “You mean you didn’t have them before you moved out here?” Travis asked, loosening the cinch on Sasha’s saddle.

  “No. They were a gift.” Cadence glanced at Trey as she rubbed Sasha’s nose.

  “Or a bribe,” Trent said in a stage whisper.

  Cadence blushed.

  Trey glared at Trent, and Travis laughed.

  “Did you know how to ride before you came out here?” Travis asked, searching for a safe topic. “You ride like a natural.”

  “Before your brothers hired me, the closest I’d been to a horse was seeing some for rent at the beach when I was on vacation. I don’t remember ever petting a dog before, either. I do enjoy riding and the animals, though. At least the animals around here don’t have hidden agendas, aren’t out to stab you in the back and they let you know exactly what they are thinking, which is more than I can say for many of the two-legged variety I’ve worked around over the years.”

  All three men laughed as they finished combing the horses and turned them loose in the small pasture behind the barn. Bonnie thoroughly licked Cass’ face while the child tried to pet Bob.

  Trey picked up the little girl and walked to the house along with Cadence, Trent and Travis.

  After eating a lunch of leftovers, they decided to stay inside for the afternoon and play games.

  It didn’t take long for the Thompson brothers to construct a fort in the gathering room out of couch cushions, pillows, blankets and chairs. Trey, Travis, and Cass were the good guys and Trent and Cadence were supposed to be the bad guys. They play acted and teased and ended up in a laughing heap in the middle of the floor when the “fort” collapsed.

  “I haven’t laughed this much in years,” Travis said, wiping tears from his eyes as Trey tried to disentangle himself from one of the blankets that had been a fort wall.

  “It’s a regular riot around here,” Trent said, pulling his long legs out from between two chairs. Reaching over, he tweaked Cass’s nose. “This little goofball keeps things lively.”

  “She does at that,” Cadence said, standing up and surveying the mess. “I vote for the four of you to set this room back to rights while I make dinner.”

  Although moans of protest followed her to the kitchen, she could hear Cass giggling and the men laughing. Soon they settled in to watch a Christmas movie. Cadence listened with one ear while she made what she hoped would be a fun meal for Cass.

  When the hands trooped in the door, they were more subdued than usual. As they took their places at the table, they were surprised to be greeted with smiley faces on their plates made from ketchup and mustard.

  Cass ran up to the table followed by Trey, Trent and Travis. They all sat down and smiled right at their plates.

  As she sat next to Trey, Cass could hardly keep from bouncing in her chair as she waited to eat miniature hamburger sliders, homemade corn dogs, wedge-cut French fries, and veggie sticks as well as macaroni and cheese. A small dish next to each plate held pear halves festooned with cottage cheese, almonds, and raisins to look like bunny rabbits nestled on a leaf of lettuce.

  “Look at the bunnies.” Cass glanced at the plates lined in a row down the table. “Cady, I love bunnies!”

  “I know, sweetie-pie,” Cadence said, giving Cass a motherly smile. Trey said grace and they all dove in to the fun, albeit kid-themed meal. Conversation was lively around the table.

  As it wound down, Cadence asked the hands if they had plans for the evening.

  “No, Cady,” Henry said. “Are we making more candy?”

  “No, but I thought it might be fun to make S’mores around the fire pit. What do you all think?”

  “What’s snores?” Cass asked, finishing her bunny salad.

  “S’mores,” Travis corrected. “Are one of the best things ever and I haven’t had one for years. I don’t care what the rest of you want to do but count me in.”

  Cadence smiled at Travis and nodded her head.

  “Maybe a few of you could get the fire going. By the time the dishes are cleaned up, we’ll be ready to roast some marshmallows.”

  Tommy and Rex volunteered to help with the dinner dishes while the rest of the men ambled outside, built a roaring fire in the pit, and swept off the benches that surrounded the fire.

  Cadence bundled Cass in warm clothes, picked up a stack of blankets, and went outside. The fire popped merrily and the men all seemed in good spirits. Although chilly, the air was sharp and crisp.

  The sky boasted her best finery; a gown of navy velvet sprinkled with thousands of sparkling diamond stars.

  Tommy helped Cadence bring out the makings for the treat as well as a large pot of hot mulled cider and mugs. The men produced an assortment of sticks to toast the marshmallows. Travis and Trey had a contest to see who could make the first S’more. Travis barely beat Trey, then devoured his while Trey let his treat cool before handing it to Cass.

  The little girl’s eyes grew wide when she bit into the crisp cracker, warm marshmallow and oozing chocolate. “This is yummy,” she said, finishing the rest of the treat in just a few bites. “Can I have more, please?”

  “More S’mores?” Trent teased.

  Sitting outside long after they had eaten their fill, no one seemed to be in a hurry to go back inside. Trey and Trent kept the fire burning while Cadence held Cass on her lap with a blanket draped over them both.

  Danny brought out his harmonica and started to play Up On The Rooftop. Everyone joined in the singing. They sang every Christmas carol they could think of, finishing with Silent Night.

  The song was a fitting end to their pleasant evening.

  As she glanced up at the sky, Cadence saw a shooting star and pointed it out to Cass. The others followed her finger as she gestured to the streak of light.

  “Thanks for a great evening, everyone,” Cadence said. She set Cass on her feet and stood.

  “Thank you, Cady. This was one of the nicest evenings I’ve had in a long while,” Travis said, glad to be home. Although he’d been surprised to return to the ranch to find Trey in love with the housekeeper and trying to gain custody of an orphan, Travis wouldn’t trade Cass or Cady for anything. After a few days spent with
them, they felt like part of his family.

  The hands helped put out the fire, carried dishes and blankets back into the house, and bid everyone good night. Trey helped Cass take off her outerwear, wiped her nose, and sent her to brush her teeth and put on her pajamas.

  It was going to be really hard saying good night when it could be their last.

  Finally, Cass was ready for bed. Trent and Travis both stopped by her room, kissed her cheek and wished her sweet dreams. Cass said her prayers and climbed into bed. Trey stayed in the room, sitting on one side of the bed, listening as Cadence read Cass a story. When she finished, Cass was already sleeping, looking just like a little princess with her curly mop of hair, pink cheeks, and rosebud mouth.

  Trey sent another prayer heavenward that everything would work out for the best and they would have the strength to accept it, whatever it might be.

  Chapter Twenty

  A wise man fights to win,

  but he is twice a fool who has no plan

  for possible defeat.

  Louis L’Amour

  Trey and Cadence arrived at the courthouse at nine-thirty the next morning. They were due to appear before the judge at ten-thirty.

  Sitting on a bench in the foyer, they had just removed their coats when Peter came in, wearing a jaunty red silk tie and a friendly smile. Leading them to a quiet corner, they went over details and waited for their turn in the courtroom.

  Trent and Travis arrived with Cass at a quarter past ten. Trey introduced them and Peter warmly shook their hands. Squatting down, Peter got on eye-level with Cass and shook her little hand.

  Cass looked adorable and sweet, dressed in the sailor dress Aunt Viv bought for her for Thanksgiving along with white stockings and black patent Mary Jane shoes. Cadence styled Cass’s gleaming hair in ringlets of curls with one side pulled back and held secure with a little white bow.

  “Cass, it is nice to meet you. Trey and Cady have told me all about you,” Peter said, offering a friendly smile. “I bet you are the same age as my little girl.”

  “I am?” Cass said, her eyes getting big. “Is she five?”

  “She sure is. Her name is Emily and she likes to read, especially about princesses. Do you like princesses?”

  “Oh, yes,” Cass said. “I think Cady is a princess.”

  Peter laughed. “I think you might be right.”

  Standing up, Peter pulled a few children’s books out of the leather satchel in his hand and handed them to Cass.

  “Emily and I want you to have these. I hope you enjoy them as much as she does.”

  Taking the books in one hand and clutching them to her little chest, Cass threw her other arm around Peter’s leg and gave him a hug. Looking up she beamed at him. “Thank you, Mr. Peter. Will you tell Emily thank you for me.”

  “You bet I will,” Peter said, smiling warmly as he patted her back.

  Before anyone could say anything further, they were called into the courtroom. Aunt Viv and Uncle Joe were there along with the sheriff and Barbara, their caseworker from DHS. Denni kept Cass entertained in the foyer.

  Marcy had yet to arrive, so they sat waiting for her several minutes. She finally came bustling in the door followed by her attorney who looked like he probably moonlighted in some sort of enterprise of questionable legality. His suit was cheap and shabby, his scuffed shoes squeaked across the floor and his hair looked like he’d survived an unfortunate encounter with a bottle of oil.

  Walking in and sitting across from Peter, his hard eyes narrowed and he threw out a “hey” with a short nod of his head.

  Marcy looked nothing like she had the day at Barbara’s office. Her hair was pulled back into a tight and mostly tidy bun. She wore a button up, conservative blouse, a pair of slacks and flats. The way she continuously tugged at the sleeves and collar led Cadence to believe she had not worn the shirt or anything similar for a very long time, if ever.

  Someone had coached Marcy and that fact now settled over Cadence and Trey like a dark cloud. Why else had she temporarily changed except in an effort to get custody of Cass?

  “Since everyone is here and accounted for, I’d like to get moving along,” the judge said, annoyed at the delay.

  Listening to the details presented by both sides, the witnesses and testimony from the three adults filing for custody, the judge sat without showing a flicker of emotion. When all the information had been presented, he considered it for a while before he spoke.

  “Based on what has been presented, I still have a few questions I need answered before I grant custody. First, Marcy Gianotti, no one has been able to confirm your place of employment. You’ve provided a name and address, but according to the records, no such place exists. Second, I’m not sure I understand the relationship between Mr. Thompson and Miss Greer, his housekeeper, since they are filing for joint custody. Third, I want to be perfectly clear as to why two strangers would want to provide a home for a child who is no blood relation to them when she has an aunt willing to take her in.

  “You people have already tested my patience and gone over your allotted time today, so be back here at ten tomorrow with the answers I want. And I’ll want to meet with Cass tomorrow before I make a decision so Miss Greer and Mr. Thompson, please make sure she is here promptly at nine-forty-five. She will remain in your care until a further decision is reached.”

  With that, the judge dismissed them and they all left the courtroom. Walking into the foyer, Denni, who sat with Cass, watched them come out the door and saw Trey shake his head as he held tight to Cadence’s hand.

  Mindful of the fact there was an audience Marcy rushed over to Cass and wrapped her in a painfully tight hug. Cass struggled to pull away. When Marcy wouldn’t let her go, she started to whimper. “Leave me alone,” she cried, trying to twist free. “You aren’t my mommy. Leave me alone.”

  Trey swooped in and picked up Cass, holding her close and murmuring to her softly. “It’s okay, honey. It’s fine. You’re not hurt. Everything is just fine.”

  Cadence placed a loving hand on Cass’s back and kissed her cheek.

  “Miss Gianotti, I think it best if you leave the child alone for the time being,” Barbara said, stepping between her and Cass. “And I need you to give me your employer’s name and address again.”

  Marcy rattled it off then shot a look full of loathing at Cadence before she turned and walked down the hall with her attorney. They sat down on a bench and spoke for a few moments, not noticing Travis standing nearby, pretending to get a pop out of the vending machine.

  “You said dressing like Miss Uptight would win me custody in nothing flat. Obviously, that isn’t going to work. And what happens when they find out where I really work. That isn’t going to fly. I want that social security money, but I’m starting to think this kid isn’t worth the fuss and bother. Do you think the hot cowboys would just pay me off?”

  “Just shut up Marcy and let me think. First thing we’ve got to do is keep the nosy caseworker from finding out what you really do. Did you have to go and give her the real address?”

  “It slipped out,” Marcy pouted, as they got up and walked toward the door. “Quit worrying, Jonesy, you said yourself the judges always place kids with family before strangers.”

  As Marcy and Jonesy walked out the door, Travis began to form a plan. Pulling Trent aside, he asked him to accompany him on an errand and the two of them drove off in Travis’s pickup.

  The rest of the group decided to go to Denni’s for lunch and regroup before driving back home. After eating take-out pizza, the adults sat around the table drinking hot coffee while Cass watched an afternoon cartoon and snacked on milk and cookies.

  Peter led the conversation, going over the responses Trey and Cady would offer the judge. Everything they planned to share was true and sincere and he told them that sticking to the facts and presenting the truth would go a lot farther than Marcy’s lies and falsehoods.

  “Think positive,” Peter said, getting up to leave. “T
he judge is a fair man, even if he seems a little stern. I’m going to head back to Portland and see if I can’t dig up a little dirt on Marcy and her attorney. I’ll be at the courthouse no later than nine-thirty in the morning.”

  Trey and Cadence walked him to the door and shook his hand. “Thank you for helping us with this. We just want to see Cass somewhere she can continue to thrive and be happy.”

  “I’m fairly certain that place is with you two. As soon as you receive custody, we’ll see about speeding through those adoption papers.

  Giving Peter a hug, Cadence stepped back wearing a sincere smile. “Thank you again, Peter. We truly appreciate it.”

  “That’s what I’m here for. Now get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Buckling Cass into her booster seat in Trey’s pickup, they waved goodbye to Denni and made the long drive home, wondering where Travis and Trent had disappeared.

  ><><

  Filling in Trent on the conversation he overheard between Marcy and Jonesy, Travis wanted to go to Portland and see for himself where Marcy worked. From snatches of conversation he heard, he already knew she lived in a seedier part of Portland.

  Programming in the address Marcy had given Barbara into the pickup’s GPS system, Travis and Trent weren’t all that surprised to be pulling up in front of a business in a somewhat dicey area a few blocks from Lloyd Center Mall. The sign on the outside wall said “Jones Imports and Specialties.”

  A neon sign wasn’t plugged in and it certainly didn’t look open for business. Trent ran over and tried the door, finding it locked.

  “Isn’t that an interesting development?” Trent said, as he got back in the pickup. “I think we should go hang out for a few hours, eat some dinner, and then come back to see what we can find out. What do you think?”

  “Great idea,” Travis said. “Since we are close to the mall, I’ve got a bit more Christmas shopping I’d like to finish.”

  “Let’s go then” Trent said, as they pulled back out into traffic.