When Shirley convinces her husband Claude to help fulfill their adopted daughter's dream of a visit from Santa, she doesn't reckon on the real Santa Claus showing up at their place in Texas.

Beats Me, Claude

by Joan Lowery Nixon

Published 28 May 1987
Shirley and Claude have finally found peace and quiet in their Texas cabin--until Shirley attempts to make an apple pie and ends up using it to capture bank robbers. Full-color illustration.

Shirley and Claude lead a settled life with their adopted son, Tom, until Shirley goes to town to retrieve Tom's sister, Bessie, and the two run into more than their share of trouble with criminals.