Page 53 of Mistletoe Cowboy

J.L. smiled at the child. “He’d need a tank at the least to get through my security, and he’s much too lazy to learn to drive one.”

Teddie laughed. “Okay. Thanks. And for letting me stay.”

“You’re always welcome,” Cassie told the little girl, and hugged her.

“Thanks, from both of us,” Katy said.

Cassie hugged her, too. “Don’t take life so seriously,” she said gently. “Things work out, if you just give them time.”

“Good advice,” Katy said warmly. “We’ll take it. Ready to go, Teddie?”

“I’m ready.”

They said their good-byes, stopping at the stable so that Teddie could say good-bye to Bartholomew, who had a huge stall and plenty of food and fresh water.

One of the cowboys grinned at them. “That your horse?” he asked Teddie. “He’s super nice.”

Teddie beamed. “Thanks!”

“I’ll look after him, no worries,” he assured her.

“Okay.”

“Thank you,” Katy added. She herded Teddie out of the stable and back to the SUV, putting her in before she got behind the wheel.

“You meant it?” Teddie asked at once. “About that lawyer?”

Katy nodded. “I meant it.” She drew in a breath. “I’m sorry. You were right. Daddy would have been ashamed of me.”

“I’m sorry I said that,” Teddie told her. “I’m sorry about it all. It’s just, I love Bart and I thought you were going to let that man talk you into having him put down. I was scared.”

“Nobody’s putting Bart down,” Katy said firmly as she started the car. “And Ron is going back home tomorrow, whether he wants to or not.”

Teddie didn’t say anything as she put on her seat belt. But she smiled.

Chapter Eight

It was after lunch before Ron drove up to the front porch. Katy let him in, but not with any sort of welcome. He glanced beyond her at Teddie sitting on the sofa, glaring, and he made a face.

“I thought you and I might go for a ride,” he said. “To talk about the horse.”

“How much did Mr. Dealy offer you, Ron?” she asked abruptly.

His lower jaw dropped. He stared at her while he searched for a reply that wouldn’t get him kicked out the front door. The man was extremely wealthy and he’d offered the lawyer a whopping fee if he could convince the woman to have the horse put down. If there was no evidence, he could get out of the abuse charge, just as he’d gotten out of similar charges in the past—with money.

But it looked as if Katy was wise to the deal. He wondered who’d been talking to her. He suspected the Indian, but how would that man . . . what was his name again, Parker? How would Parker know?

“So it’s true,” Katy continued, nodding. “I thought so.”

“It’s just a horse, honey,” he said softly. “An old horse. He could drop dead tomorrow.”

Teddie stared at him coldly.

Odd, how guilty that stare made him feel. He didn’t like kids, especially this one. He’d never wanted any, and he still didn’t.

“You could get a colt and raise it,” he told the child.

“That isn’t your decision,” Katy said quietly. “You have no place in this family except as my late husband’s attorney. I was wrong to trust you. I should never have asked you for help.”

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