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Marsha stopped by their table again. “Is everything all right? Did you want to order dinner yet?”
“I think I’d better look at the menu first.” Wade removed two from their table holder and passed one of them to Cat.
“Take your time. Don’t let me rush you,” Marsha told them. “Whenever you’re ready to order, just flag me down.”
“Will do,” Cat promised and went through the motion of glancing at the menu choices even though she already knew what she would find.
“Anything you would recommend?”
“Well, they serve Calder beef, so the steaks here are excellent.”
“Naturally.” Wade grinned.
The old barn with its massive timbers was alive with laughter and chattering voices. This was the strictly social time that all the ranch families looked forward to, coming after the children’s program, Santa’s visit, and the assault on the long buffet tables that had been laden with platters and bowls of food. A few continued to graze on the pickings that remained at the buffet, something that was likely to go on the rest of the night. The remnants of a piñata, a Texas tradition that had traveled north to Montana along with the Longhorns, still hung from a low rafter, its contents long ago spilled to the delight of the children.
For most, this was the shank of the evening with a lot of partying yet to be done and stories to be swapped. Only the very young showed any signs of tiring. And one in particular, Sloan noted, spotting her son sitting Indian-fashion on the floor next to Chase’s chair, seemingly content merely to watch the goings-on rather than tear around with his friends like a hooligan. Sloan observed the way he was leaning against the chair leg.
She nudged a shoulder against Trey and nodded in Jake’s direction. “I think it’s a certain little boy’s bedtime.”
Trey glanced his son’s way just as Jake let his head loll back against the chair. “Give him another minute and he’ll be asleep.”
“It’s a thought. Except he’s twice as heavy to carry when he’s asleep. I’d better go put him to bed,” Sloan decided and started forward.
“Tell him I’ll be up directly to tuck him in.”
Sloan responded with an acknowledging wave and made her way to Chase’s chair. His head was bent toward Stumpy Niles as if to better hear what Stumpy was saying. Chase gave her a questioning look when she paused in front of his chair.
“I decided it was time to claim this sleepy boy at your feet,” she told him and bent down to pick up Jake.
“Are you taking him up to the house?” Chase asked.
Sloan nodded and shifted the boy in her arms so more of his weight rode on her hip. “It’s time he was in bed.”
Her statement roused a protest from Jake. “I’m not tired, Mom.”
“Just the same, you’re going to bed.”
“Aww, I don’t want to.” His head dipped onto her shoulder, belying his words.
“Mind if I ride along with you?” Chase asked, gripping his cane and preparing to stand. “It’s time I called it a night, too.”
“Of course you can ride with us. Can’t he, Jake?” She looked down at her son, who managed a tired nod, then stood back to wait for Chase.
Stumpy Niles stood up when Chase did. “I guess I’ll try to find the old lady. We need to be headin’ home, too. Good visitin’ with you, Chase.”
“Same here,” Chase replied and struck out for the exit, not seeming to notice how readily a path was made for him.
Outside, Sloan settled Jake in his car seat, then slid behind the wheel. As she reached to pull the door shut, she glanced to make sure Chase was safely in. With the brightness of the overhead light fully illuminating his craggy features, she noticed for the first time how haggard and worn-out he looked. The discovery brought a sudden attack of conscience.
“I’m sorry, Chase. I should have checked to see if you wanted to leave earlier.” She had grown too used to Cat being the one who kept an eye on him.
“No problem. In fact it was a bit of welcome change not to have Cat worrying over me all evening.” When Sloan started to speak, Chase waved off her words. “I know. She means well.”
Sloan chose to lightly chide him. “A man who doesn’t mind a woman fussing over him? Now that is a surprise.”
Chase grunted an amused response, then said in all seriousness, “She has too many good years left to waste them on me.”
“I’m sure Cat doesn’t think they’re wasted.”
