Santa in a Stetson Read online

  A ringing phone interrupted her thoughts. “Dr. Morrow? Thank you for calling me. I have to talk to you.”

  “My last appointment will be over at ten to five. You come in at five.”

  “I can’t thank you enough.”

  Kathryn hung up and checked her watch. It was ten to four. The walls were already closing in on her. She had to get out of the condo and made the decision to leave for his office in Olympus Cove now.

  Grabbing her red cable-knit cardigan, she rode the elevator down to the car park, not having bothered to change out of her sweats. The trip would only take her twenty minutes. She’d wait in the Jeep until it was time.

  On the dot of five, Dr. Morrow opened the door and told her to come in.

  “I did what you advised,” she said the minute she sat down. “I went to Bozeman on Friday, not only to do business but to have fun. I felt Colt and I were getting closer. In fact I know we were, but then today everything changed.”

  “How?”

  “He flew here. I was speaking at a conference and he slipped in with Jake. Afterward he treated me like an…acquaintance. When he left my condo, he made no overture to see me again. I don’t know what I did wrong. I—I think it’s over and I can’t bear it.”

  Dr. Morrow sat back in his chair and studied her until she felt like squirming. “You didn’t do anything wrong, but you are Utah’s Joan of Arc celebrity on what appears to be a lifetime mission. Remember our last session. You’ve been modeling your life after your parents.

  “This Colt on the other hand is a born and bred Montana cattle rancher, raising teenagers no less. Try to separate yourself from the facts for a moment. How do you see these two people getting together in a significant relationship? Honestly.”

  She didn’t have to think long about it. “I don’t.”

  He pressed his fingers together. “Neither does Colt. Worse, you’re the Anne Frank of our nation who survived. Everyone wants a piece of you. There’s the answer to your first question.”

  Kathryn frowned. “My first?”

  “That’s right. The second and more important question is, what do you want to do about it?” He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “That’s all the time I can give you for now. I’ll see you at your regular appointment next week.”

  COLT SHONE HIS POWER flashlight around the shed. The place was a mess. It had been the catchall since his grandparents had died. Before that, his grandmother had kept everything organized.

  He moved between the clutter until he came to the boxes he’d stacked on top of his rodeo stuff. With only five days to go until Christmas, he realized he’d better sort through it if he wanted to give his son a meaningful present.

  Allie had been easier to buy for. A private chat with Jen had produced a long list of items his daughter wanted. He’d already taken care of her gifts and those for his sister and her family.

  For Noreen and Ed, he’d ordered a Winnebago. They’d always talked about going sightseeing in a camper but never did anything about it. Colt was always encouraging them to take more vacations. Somehow they never did. It was long past time they enjoyed more of life. The camper would provide the incentive and was being delivered Christmas Eve.

  As for Matt, he needed something special.

  Colt made space in order to set the offending boxes on the floor. In a minute, he pulled a hammer from his hip pocket and pried open the big crate. Using his flashlight he peered inside. It was like finding buried treasure.

  “Well, would you look at that,” Ed spoke, startling the daylights out of Colt.

  His head reared back. “Where did you come from?”

  “I was locking up the house when I thought I saw a light coming from the shed, so I came out to investigate. It’s after midnight! You sure pick a hell of a time to rummage.”

  “I only got the idea tonight, but I had to be sure the twins were asleep before I sneaked out. Think he’ll like any of this junk?”

  Ed snorted. “There’s junk, and then there’s junk. Are you daft?”

  “I was only asking. If I wrap up this stuff, I hope it’ll give him some fun opening it. I think I’m ready for Christmas now.” He glanced at his foreman. “What about you?”

  “Noreen has everything under control. What did you get Kathryn?”

  Colt’s eyes slid away. “Who in the hell is that?”

  “That bad, huh?”

  His jaw hardened. “Don’t start in, Ed. The twins do enough of it.”

  “Somebody needs to get to you. Since you flew back from Salt Lake ten days ago, you’ve been ornerier than Lightning before you broke him in. The hands around here have been forced to keep wide berth. That’s something that’s never happened before.”

  Shut up, Ed.

  “What did that sensational woman ever do to you except transform your kids and remind you that you were once a great champion?”

  “You said it first,” Colt snapped. “Sensational puts her outside the realm of possibility.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You weren’t there when she learned that the body the volunteers from the McFarland Foundation found was that of the missing girl. Kathryn has a need to comfort others that goes beyond the normal person’s capacity. It’s what drives her.

  “At that kidnapping conference, she was such an inspiration the FBI has years of speaking engagements and commitments lined up for her all over the West.” The veins stood out in Colt’s neck. “You didn’t see how she reacted when she thought her father might be dying. Hell, Ed, he’s her life!”

  “I hear you, Colt.”

  He shuddered. “Being kidnapped did things to her I can’t fight. You didn’t hear her tell Allie how at her age, she swore that if she were ever united with her parents, she’d never leave their sight again.”

  Silence filled the shed. His outburst left him with nothing but a gnawing hunger that would haunt him to the grave.

  “Funny how with all that going on in her life, she left their sight several times to fly to Montana.”

  “On business for Allie and me!” Colt thundered. “But you haven’t seen her pop up around here lately because that business is over.”

  “If you say so. Why don’t I help you take all this junk into my house where it will be hidden? Noreen and I will wrap it for you so Matt doesn’t suspect anything.”

  Colt wheeled around and clasped his best friend on the shoulder. “Thanks for putting up with me.”

  Ed’s expression grew solemn. “You know I’d do anything for you if I could.”

  “I do. But the truth is, Kathryn McFarland is destined to belong to the world.” He looked down at the things in the crate. “Shall we get started?”

  KATHRYN WROTE DOWN the number of Colt’s ranch house phone before coaching the poor salesgirl on what to say. It was Christmas Eve and all the clerks looked frazzled. But Kathryn had bought enough things to make it worth the college girl’s time.

  “No matter who answers, just identify yourself and ask for Mrs. Walters. If she’s on the phone, tell her just a minute and hand the phone to me. If she’s not available, give them your extension number and ask that she phone you back ASAP. Got it?”

  The redhead nodded and pressed the digits of the store phone. “Hello. This is Julie at Macy’s Gallatin Valley Mall. I need to speak to Mrs. Walters. Oh, good. Just a minute please.” She passed the phone to Kathryn, who clutched it in nervous excitement.

  “Noreen? It’s Kathryn.” She heard the woman’s slight gasp. “Please don’t give me away. Are you alone?”

  “For the moment. Colt’s sister and family arrived a few minutes ago. We’ll be eating at six-thirty.”

  It was four o’clock now. “Will anyone else be there?”

  “Just us.”

  Perfect.

  “I’m in Bozeman and I’ve brought gifts for everyone, but I want my presence to be a secret for now. When it gets dark, could I come to your house first?”

  “I was just going to sugg
est it. Park around back. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”

  “Bless you.”

  She handed the phone to the clerk. “Thank you so much. Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

  Kathryn left the department store with her packages and headed for the rental car. Earlier, after flying into Bozeman on a charter, she’d driven straight to the Silver Spur with her load. Now that her shopping was done, she had to finish wrapping presents.

  On the way back to the motel she stopped at a drive-through for a hamburger and fries. She needed fortification for what lay ahead. Since talking to Dr. Morrow, she’d suffered agony hoping Colt would call or fly to Salt Lake to see her. It didn’t happen.

  Deep down, she knew nothing would happen if she didn’t act on her feelings. Maybe nothing would even if she did act, but she loved him too desperately not to prove it to him in the only way she knew how.

  At six-fifteen, she stepped out of her motel room and felt snowflakes on her nose and eyelashes. Hastened by a gusting wind, the predicted storm had moved in.

  By the time she reached the ranch entrance, she could hardly see a foot in front of her. Luckily she’d come here enough that she knew where to drive and anticipated the wide curve up the mountain.

  Needing the momentum so she wouldn’t get mired, she kept on going when she reached the vale. Ed and Noreen’s house stood nestled in a stand of pines near the new ranch house. She could see a glimmer of light and headed in that direction, not daring to stop until she’d driven as close to the back door as possible.

  Grateful to have arrived in one piece, she dashed inside the kitchen of the comfortable 1940s vintage home toting two heavy laundry bags. She thanked Noreen silently for leaving the lights on.

  Aware that everyone was at the other house enjoying their Christmas Eve dinner, she took a calming breath and undressed down to her underwear. Laying everything aside in a pile, she opened the red laundry bags with their rope drawstrings and started getting into the padded red Santa suit.

  The costume was made of beautiful red velvet with white fur trim. She’d bought the full works! It took forever to put everything on, especially the wig and beard, but finally she was ready.

  When she went back outside with the two empty bags, more snow had built up on the car. If she couldn’t make it over to Colt’s house, she would have to call Noreen for help and it would ruin her surprise.

  Luckily the ground was level and inch by inch she managed to make progress, but there was no way she’d manage the slight rise around the side of his house. At one point, the car just couldn’t go any further, which meant she’d have to use the front door.

  That was okay. In fact it was probably better because she could ring the front doorbell. She got this fluttery feeling in her stomach wondering what kind of reaction she’d get from Colt.

  Please don’t be too angry.

  All her gifts were in two big bags. She had to get out of the car and stand there in the snow while she put them into the red laundry bags. The car clock said quarter to eight. Their meal would be over by now.

  Once her red hat with its white fur trim was in place, she was ready and started trudging through the snow with her packs. This experience gave her a whole new appreciation for department-store Santas.

  The going was slow because she felt clumsy in the big black boots. She’d practiced wearing everything at home, but doing this in a Montana blizzard was something else again.

  Kathryn finally reached the front porch and tugged the bags up the steps to the door. She hesitated for a moment. Maybe it was unlocked. That would be much better. Then she could make her big entrance and really shock everyone.

  When she tried the handle and pressed the lever, it gave. More of Noreen’s work?

  Please understand why I’m doing this, Colt. Please.

  With as much stealth as she could muster, she eased her way into the foyer with the bags. She could hear voices coming from the dining room. Someone had arranged a garland around the entry to the living room. The magic of Christmas filled the house.

  To her left she saw a beautifully decorated tree standing in front of the tall living-room windows. Beneath it were a ton of presents. The smell of pine and Christmas scented candles filled her nostrils. A nativity scene had been set up on the coffee table. Emotion brought tears to her eyes.

  Before she did another thing, she opened the pack and pulled out her cowboy hat. If everything went off the way she hoped, Colt would think Santa was a neighbor. But to give him a hint, she purposely walked over to the staircase and left the calling card of her Stetson on the end of the banister where he wouldn’t be able to miss it.

  What he wanted to do about it after discovering it would decide her fate. Fearing the worst, she almost lost her nerve. But when she considered what she could gain, she fought off her demons and reached in the pack for the last item to complete her outfit.

  Once she’d fastened the belt around her fat belly, she grabbed the necks of the bags with her padded gloves and moved into the living room. Too late to back out now.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Dad?” Allie cut in on Colt, who’d been talking to Tom. “Listen! That sounds like sleigh bells.”

  No sooner had his daughter spoken than he heard “Ho! Ho! Ho!” It was coming from the living room.

  “It’s Santa!” the kids all cried at once.

  “I think they’re right,” Sherry murmured in surprise.

  Colt couldn’t believe it. His gaze flicked to Ed’s, who shook his head in bewilderment. Noreen looked equally stunned.

  The kids leaped out of their chairs and ran into the other room with Matt leading the way.

  “Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!” sounded the booming voice.

  Colt brought up the rear in time to see the jolly fat man in red standing in front of the tree pulling out presents from his packs. One of his neighbors had gone to a lot of trouble for this unprecedented visit and looked the personification of Santa. Incredible.

  This year, the joy of Christmas wasn’t in his soul. Colt wished he weren’t so empty inside, but the knowledge that Kathryn could never be a part of his life had darkened his world. He honestly didn’t know how he was going to get through it.

  “Have you all been good?”

  “Yes!” the kids answered.

  “Then there’s plenty for all!” Santa boomed as he motioned with his arms for the adults to come all the way in. Colt ran a list of all his friends through his mind, but he didn’t recognize one of their voices.

  When he lumbered over to the children, his body jingled. He handed each one a present. The kid’s noisy excitement turned to oohs as they opened their gifts and discovered a large, hand-painted nutcracker.

  Amazed by such extravagant generosity, Colt almost forgot to open his gift. It was a chocolate ball arranged in sections and smelled like an orange. He turned to Sherry just as she put a chocolate-covered strawberry in her mouth.

  “I’ll come back next year if you kids promise to be good!” Santa grabbed his packs and headed for the foyer.

  “We will.” They followed him to the foyer. “Thanks for the presents, Santa!”

  “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Colt heard him call out. “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!” When the front door closed, you could still hear his sleigh bells.

  Allie came back in to show Colt her splendid-looking nutcracker prince. “I love this! You planned it, didn’t you, Dad?”

  He shook his head. “I wish I could take the credit.”

  “That was fun!” Sherry’s kids ran to their parents to show them their nutcrackers.

  “This is so cool.” Matt wandered over to Colt while he opened and shut the mouth of his mouse king. Colt handed him a wedge of chocolate. “Umm. That’s good. I bet it was Roger’s dad. He likes to do stuff like that.”

  “His father isn’t that tall,” Allie argued. “I’ve always wanted one of these.” She looked at the bottom. “They’re made in Ge
rmany. Thanks, Dad.” She kissed his cheek. “I know you did it.”

  There was no convincing her otherwise. Colt couldn’t imagine who’d played the part—maybe one of the hands—but he knew it was the work of Ed and Noreen. Tomorrow he’d get them to admit it.

  He glanced at Sherry. “As long as we’re in here already, shall we let the kids open one present before bed?” She nodded. “Who wants to go first?”

  Tom suggested they start with the youngest.

  “Go on,” Colt encouraged Sarah.

  While the children took turns, he exchanged a glance with Ed, who was munching happily on chocolate truffles. He held one up. “Mint.” So far, he hadn’t given anything away.

  After the kids opened another gift, Colt went to the kitchen for a plastic bag and came back to the living room to help Noreen clean up.

  He found himself counting the minutes until everyone went to bed. Tonight he intended to hibernate in his room and find forgetfulness with some of the Jack Daniels Tom had brought him.

  “Dad? Paul and I are going to listen to our new CDs in my room.”

  Good. “Have fun. We’ll see you guys in the morning when more fun stuff begins.”

  “Yeah.” They high-fived each other.

  Colt walked over to Allie. “I think it’s time you and Sarah went up, too.”

  “We’re going.” They gathered up their things.

  “Thanks for my nutcracker,” Sarah told Colt. “It says on the bottom she’s the sugar plum fairy.”

  Noreen’s choice of gift for the kids was a huge hit. Hopefully the new Winnebago would be a hit, too. “Good night, girls.”

  “Hey, Dad!”

  The level of excitement in Matt’s voice caused him to turn. His son came running back in the living room sounding out of breath. He was carrying something else in his other hand. The instant Colt saw the chocolate-brown Stetson, everything became crystal clear. His heart gave a resounding clap.

  Forgetting everything, he made a dash for the front door and hurried into the snow. It had fallen continually since dinner. His eyes made out faint track marks in the drive. Without a moment to lose, he raced around to his truck and followed them. They led to Ed and Noreen’s.