Page 58 of Mistletoe Cowboy

“I hope it doesn’t become a blizzard,” Katy murmured as they got out of the SUV at the barn. “I hate driving in snow.”

“They’ll close the schools, won’t they?” Teddie asked hopefully. “If they do, you and I could make a snowman!”

“We’ll build one of Ron, with a hay mustache, and we’ll pelt it with mud balls,” Katy muttered.

Teddie burst out laughing.

* * *

Bartholomew was in his own spacious stall, chowing down on a mix of corn and additives to make him healthy.

Drum, J.L.’s foreman, smiled at their approach. “Missing your horse?” he teased Teddie. “He’s been miserable.”

“He lives in luxury,” Katy pointed out.

He chuckled. “Even living in squalor where you’re loved beats living in luxury where you’re not,” he said philosophically. “Not that you guys live in squalor. It’s a good little ranch.”

“Thanks,” Katy said with a smile.

“Bart looks so nice!” Teddie enthused. “You guys have been brushing him!”

“Well, Parker has,” Drum replied, noting Katy’s sudden flush. “He comes over almost every day to check on him. He’s fond of the old fellow. We all are.”

“Bartholomew’s special,” Katy said in a subdued tone. She’d ruined everything with Parker. It was hard, remembering that.

“Have you heard about Dealy?” Drum asked, excitement in his tone.

She turned to him while Teddie petted her horse. “No. What about him?”

“He heard about J.L.’s lawyers from L.A. and ran for his life. He skipped town. Nobody knows where he went.” He chuckled. “So J.L.’s attorneys got their investigator out here. Wherever Dealy ran, it won’t be far enough.”

“Good,” Katy said shortly. “I hope they find him and convict him and put him in chains. A man who’ll beat a horse will beat a person.”

“You’re right about that,” came a deep, quiet voice from behind her.

She knew the voice. She couldn’t bear to turn and see the censure in his eyes.

But Teddie had no such reservations. “Parker!” she cried, and ran into his arms, to be picked up and hugged and swung around.

“Oh, Parker, I’ve missed you so much,” Teddie said, her voice muffled against his broad shoulder.

“I’ve missed you, too, tidbit,” he replied. There was a smile in his voice. “How are things going?”

“Fine.” She grimaced. “Sort of fine.”

He put her down. “Bart’s looking good, don’t you think?”

“He looks great. Doesn’t he, Mom?” she added.

Katy was standing with her face down, her arms folded, feeling alone and ashamed and vulnerable. “Yes. He looks . . . very good.”

“Oh, there’s a calf!” Teddie enthused as she glanced over a gate farther down while Bart was eating. “Could I pet him?” she asked Drum.

He chuckled. “You bet. Come along.”

They stranded Katy with Parker.

She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes, to see the accusation she knew would be in them.

---