Page 126 of Colorado Country Omnibus

Over her head, Parker’s tormented eyes met J.L.’s.

“Nobody’s putting the horse down,” J.L. said firmly. He pulled his cell phone out of its holder and started making calls.

* * *

A horse trailer arrived, along with a redheaded woman in a luxury car, about the same time Katy Blake came driving up in front of Parker’s house.

She started toward Teddie, but Teddie, standing next to Parker, turned away.

J.L. Denton glared at Katy. “Nobody’s putting this horse down,” he said shortly. “I’m taking him home with me. Burt Dealy can get himself a damned good lawyer, because I’m going to put him behind bars and let him rot there if he doesn’t! As for that child”—he pointed at Teddie—“if you were my wife, I’d divorce you for the misery you’ve caused her tonight!”

“Now, J.L., that’s not helping,” the redheaded woman said gently. She smiled at Teddie and went to Katy. “I’m Cassie Denton, J.L.’s wife,” she said in her soft voice. “Apparently, there’s a little trouble here.”

Katy choked back tears. “I’ve been behind it all, I’m afraid,” she managed.

Cassie pulled the other woman into her arms and rocked her while she cried. Katy was stiff and unyielding, and Cassie let her go almost at once. “There, there,” she said gently. “We all have hard times. We usually live through them.”

Katy moved away, dashing tears from her eyes. “Thanks,” she said huskily. She turned toward Teddie. “Sweetheart . . .”

“I’m not going home with you,” Teddie said miserably. “You can marry that awful man and have kids that you love.”

Katy’s face contorted.

“I want to stay with Parker,” Teddie muttered. “He cares about me and Bart.”

Parker smiled at her. “That’s sweet, and I appreciate it. But it’s not practical. Brave girls don’t run away from trouble, you know. Your mother loves you.”

“Sure she does. That’s why she wants to kill my horse. Or, worse, let that horrible man take him back and beat him to death,” Teddie said angrily.

Katy wrapped her arms around herself. She felt thoroughly miserable and ashamed. J.L. Denton was absolutely glaring at her.

“I won’t let him take the horse,” she said after a minute.

“Who’ll stop him? That fancy lawyer?” Teddie asked.

“Not likely,” Parker said flatly.

“Burt Dealy buys people,” J.L. said icily. “He’s bought off public officials for years. This isn’t the first time he’s been brought up on charges. He always walks. Apparently he thinks he can buy your lawyer friend off, too.” He smiled coldly. “He won’t buy me off. I’ll have him drawn and quartered first. My attorneys are coming out here from L.A. on Monday. They’ll handle the case. All you have to do, if you think you can manage it, is give me legal custody of Bart. I’ll do the rest.”

“She won’t do it,” Teddie said, glaring at her mother. “Her friend won’t like it.”

“Teddie, I’m sorry,” Katy said miserably. “I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have listened to him. It was wrong.”

Teddie wasn’t budging.

“Why don’t you come home with us for tonight?” Cassie suggested gently to the child. “Then we’ll take you back home in the morning.”

Teddie looked up at Parker.

“Go,” he said quietly. “J.L. has a nice big stable, much nicer than mine. You can settle Bart for the night. If your mother approves,” he added. The look he gave Katy made her feel two inches tall.

“Yes, that would . . . that would be all right,” Katy stammered. “If you’re willing to fight for Bart, I’ll thank you. I’m not really sure that Ron would fight for him, or even try to.” She lowered her eyes.

“Everybody makes mistakes,” Cassie said softly.

Teddie hugged Parker and walked away with Cassie. She didn’t look back.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” J.L. told Parker. “Thanks for the coffee.”

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