Daddy's Christmas Miracle: Santa in a Stetson

While there, she made more enquiries about what other memorabilia she might find on Colt. The manager directed her to a poster shop along the Strip where she found four priceless posters of Colt, all the same picture.

Except for his chaps, he wore black from his Stetson to his boots. He’d been caught in motion on a bull during a championship ride. Poetry in motion, in her opinion. It was a spectacular photo.

Kathryn bought all four. One for each twin, one for Noreen and Ed, and one for herself. She would hang it on the library wall next to the bookcase that housed her Louis L’Amour collection.

Almost sick to her stomach with excitement, she flew back to Salt Lake with her secret stash, then drove over to her parents’ home to have dinner. While they ate she told them her plans for the next few days. They ended up talking about Whitney’s family, who were still waiting to hear something definitive from the police.

Kathryn left their house for the condo feeling guilty that so much pain for the little girl’s parents didn’t squelch the longing inside her to see Colt again.

After she entered the kitchen, she called Maggie to make final arrangements. Her sister indicated it would be clear weather for flying. They’d be by for her in their car at quarter to six in the morning. “There’s no point in telling you to get a good sleep tonight because I know you won’t,” Maggie teased.

Since Kathryn knew she wouldn’t, either, she didn’t bother to argue with her sister. Once they said good-night, she pulled a poster from the tube and unfurled it against the fridge door. She used the French bread magnets one of her nieces had given her last Christmas to keep the corners in place.

Just looking at him sent a thrill through her body.

With her eyes glued on him, she phoned Donna so they could set up the schedule of volunteers at the foundation while Kathryn was away. Once that was accomplished, she called her psychiatrist and cancelled Monday’s appointment. She would have to phone later to set another date.

While she was at it, she arranged for a rental car to be waiting for them at the Bozeman airport so Colt wouldn’t see the presents she was bringing. Finally, she punched in his cell phone number, but this time she had to rein in her emotions to keep them from jumping all over the place.

Don’t let him know what the mere thought of him does to you, Kathryn.

Swallowing her disappointment because he didn’t pick up, she left a message on his voice mail. “Hi, Colt. I hope all is well with you. I just checked with Maggie. She said it will be good flying weather. One more thing. Jake asked me to let you know he’s already arranged a rental car for us, so we should be at the ranch between eighty-thirty and—”

“Kathryn? Don’t hang up!” Colt’s deep, live voice arced through her, quickening her body.

“You sound out of breath.” Would that he was in that condition because of her, but she knew it wasn’t the case.

“I was riding in on Lightning when my phone rang, but when I pulled it out of my pocket, it slipped from my hands and fell down a snowy embankment. I had to hunt for it.”

The image his words conjured made her smile. He’d made fast work to recover it before she’d clicked off. Colt wasn’t a champion bull rider for nothing. “I’m glad it wasn’t lost. You might have had to wait until next spring.”

He made a low sound in his throat. “My last phone drowned when Matt’s lemonade spilled into the cubbyhole of my dashboard.”

“Uh-oh.” It was her turn to chuckle. “Last summer I was leaning over a castle wall and mine fell into a moat. It’s lying somewhere on the bottom, rusting out with all the swords.”

A definite laugh rumbled out of him. “Neither of us seems to have had much luck.”

Kathryn was having too much fun. End it now. “In case yours should short out, I’ll make this fast. Maggie said it’s good flying weather so we’ll be there at eight-thirty, but just to let you know, Jake has arranged for a rental car. He likes to be independent.” Like you.

“I can relate.”

Yup. “We should be to the ranch by nine at the latest.”

“Kathryn?”

“Yes?” she answered too breathlessly and could have kicked herself.

“I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Since Maggie and Jake literally found me, I tell them that all the time. It’s a habit I can’t break.”

“I’m talking about you and what you did for Allie—what you and your family are prepared to do now to help find her mother.”

If ever a person was thankful, it was this man, but Kathryn feared she’d never wring anything but gratitude from him.

“This is what we like to do, so enough said. Good night. See you in the morning.”

“WHAT’S THIS?” Colt walked in the dining room and discovered Matt already seated at the table. That was a first on a school morning. There were only three places set. “Where are Noreen and Ed?”

“Since she’s fixing a special birthday dinner for you tonight, we gave them the morning off to sleep in. I set the table and Allie’s fixing your breakfast. We’re going to do presents tonight.”

On cue his daughter came through the door carrying two plates. “French toast and sausage coming up!” After she put his food in front of him, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Happy thirty-sixth, Dad.”

A frown marred his features. “Did you have to remind me?” Then Colt grabbed her and gave her a bear hug. She laughed before coming through a second time, bringing her own plate and a mug of coffee for him. They settled down to eat.

Matt’s brown eyes studied him. “You look nice, Dad.”

“Meaning I usually don’t?” he teased.

“Stop fishing for compliments,” Allie scolded him. “You’ve got on a new shirt.”

“It’s the one your aunt Sherry gave me last Christmas.”

“You look like a dude.”

“Thanks, Matt. If I’d known I’d get a reaction like this, I’d have worn it before now.”

“Black’s your best color,” his daughter informed him.

“Is that so?” He ate the last piece of toast.

“It makes your eyes look greener. They’re really green this morning, like you’re excited or something.”

Nothing got past Allie. He downed the rest of his coffee. “That’s because it’s my birthday.”

Matt scowled. “You’ve always said you wished we’d skip yours.”

“Did I say that?”

“Yes!” they both answered in unison, exchanging a private glance Colt couldn’t help but notice.

“Well, I take it all back. I’ve loved my surprise breakfast. It was delicious. Thank you both.”

“You’re welcome,” Allie muttered, still staring at him with a puzzled expression.

His son nodded. “There’ll be more surprises tonight.”

Colt averted his eyes. His children didn’t know the half of it. “Much as I hate to break this up, it’s time to get you two down to the bus.”