Page 47 of Mistletoe Cowboy

She was glad Parker hadn’t heard him say that. Sadly, Parker had kept his distance since Ron had shown up at Teddie’s home. He excused himself because of the pressure of work, he said, but this time of year, ranch work was more attuned to watching over the cattle and repair work than breaking new horses.

“Ron,” Katy began when they were briefly alone at the house, while Teddie was out in the stable grooming Bart, “we need to talk.”

“Oh, yes, we do,” he said.

He got up, pulled her up into his arms, and began kissing her hungrily.

She was too shocked to react, which was unfortunate, because just at that moment, an excited Teddie opened the door and came in with Parker.

Katy pulled back abruptly, feeling sick when she saw Parker’s expression. It wasn’t angry. It was disappointed. Sad. Resigned.

“Oh. Mom.” Teddie flushed when she saw the glare Ron sent in her direction. “Sorry. I needed to ask a question.”

Ron, furious, stuck his hands in his pockets and turned away to look out a window.

“What is it, Teddie?” Katy asked, almost shaking with indignation.

“Parker said Dr. Carr has a neighbor who actually saw Bart’s owner hitting him with the whip, and he’s willing to testify in court!”

Katy was still catching her breath. “He did?”

Parker’s dark eyes went from Ron’s back to Katy’s flushed face. “He said that the man would have his attorney contact your attorney. When you get one,” he added pleasantly.

Ron whirled around. “She’s got one,” he said tautly. “And just who are you?”

Parker lifted an eyebrow and smiled. “Forgotten me already? I’m just a horse wrangler. I’m helping Teddie learn to ride.”

Ron made a dismissive sound and turned to Katy. “If you want my advice, you’ll take the course of least resistance and let the man have his horse back.”

“Did you not understand what was done to the horse?” Parker asked.

Ron shrugged. “Animals are just animals. Some people are abusive, even to other people. Teddie can always get another horse.”

“You mean man!” Teddie burst out. “You don’t even care about what happens to Bart if that man gets him back. You haven’t done anything to help me save my horse! You only came here to try to get my mother to marry you. And if she does,” she added, glaring at Katy, “I’ll run away from home! I’d rather live at a shelter than have to live with you!” she cried, tears running down her face.

“Teddie, that’s enough,” Katy said quietly.

Teddie was sobbing. Parker pulled her close and held her. He stared at Katy with something akin to contempt.

She flushed.

“It’s going to be a hard case to prove in court,” Ron said breezily. “You have to call witnesses, it will tie you up in court, make you enemies in the community. The man is rich and he has powerful friends,” he added. “You won’t find a local attorney who’ll even consider the case.”

Katy turned to look at him, undecided.

“And it will cost an arm and a leg in legal fees,” Ron added. “You’ll face censure, your daughter will face it, and for what? An old, beat-up horse with hardly any time left to live anyway. It might be a mercy to just let the vet put him down. That’s the course the owner favors, anyway. I spoke to him. He said he’ll let the whole thing go, if you’ll agree to let the vet do what’s necessary.”

“Nobody is putting Bartholomew down,” Teddie said fiercely.

“You’re just a kid,” Ron said with faint contempt. “You don’t have a say about this.”

“She doesn’t. I do,” Parker replied.

“And you’re a nobody around here, horse wrangler. You work for wages,” Ron said with obvious distaste. “You’re Indian, too, aren’t you?” He smiled sarcastically. “That won’t go over big with the locals, will it?”

“Oh, I’ve never been one to curry favor,” Parker replied.

“Are you going to let them kill my horse?” Teddie asked her mother, with a dignity that sat oddly on such a young face.

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