Page 57 of Mistletoe Cowboy

She laughed. “Good luck to him. Anybody who supports that polecat is going to be in some really hot water. There are things that money can’t buy. A lot of them, in fact. Beating up a poor old horse is low on my list of desirable character traits.”

“Mine as well,” Butch agreed. “I love horses. I’m not good with them, like Parker is. But he’s got a gift. Some people have more of an affinity with animals than others do. Your daughter definitely has it,” he added, watching her climb into the SUV.

“Yes,” Katy said. “I was reluctant to let her adopt an abused horse. They can be problematic. But she solved that problem nicely by getting to know Parker.” Her eyes grew sad. “Ever wish you had a time machine?” she wondered.

“Lots,” he said.

She smiled at him. “Thanks for letting us visit Two Toes. He’s a celebrity in these parts.”

He grinned. “Maybe I should start hawking autographed photos of him. Dip his paw in ink and put it on a picture of him.”

She pursed her lips. “Lesser things have made people wealthy.”

He shrugged. “I’m like you. I can take money or leave it. If I can pay the bills, that’s all I want.”

She chuckled. “Me, too. See you.”

“See you.”

She turned on the ignition and drove them home. Teddie was wired like a lamp the whole way home, enthusing about the sweet wolf.

When they got home, Katy put on her roast while Teddie looked at animal videos on her cell phone.

“I miss Parker,” Teddie said sadly.

Katy drew in a long breath. “I know.”

Teddie looked up. “You could call him.”

Katy bit her lip as she put the cover on the Crock-Pot and set the timer. “I tried,” she said huskily. “He blocked my number.”

Teddie winced. “Oh.”

“Sometimes, we just have to accept that things and people change, and there’s not a lot we can do about it,” Katy told her daughter. She sat down beside her. “We have a roof over our heads, and some cattle, and we’re going to have Bartholomew back when Mr. Denton gets through having his lawyers trounce Mr. Dealy in court.”

“I hope they trounce Mr. Dealy from head to toe,” Teddie said angrily.

“Me, too.”

“Can you take me over to Mr. Denton’s place to see Bartholomew sometime?” she asked her mother. “I really miss him.”

“Of course, I can. I’ll text Cassie and see if it would be convenient to go tomorrow, if you like.”

Teddie smiled. “That would be great! Thanks, Mom!” She hugged her mother.

Katy hugged her back, thanking God for second chances. “I don’t say it much. But I do love you.”

Teddie hugged her harder. “I love you, too, Mom.”

“I’ll bet Bartholomew doesn’t miss us much, where he’s living,” Katy teased. “It’s like a luxury hotel for horses.”

Teddie laughed. “Yes, but it’s the people you miss, not the place.”

Katy only nodded. It was a wise comment, from a young girl. Wiser than her age denoted.

* * *

Cassie said it was all right, so Katy loaded up Teddie and they drove over to the Denton ranch, both wearing jeans and red checked shirts and down-filled jackets, because it had turned cold. In fact, snow flurries were coming down around them and heavy snow was predicted for the next two days.

---