Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy - Diana Palmer Page 0,35

good night,” Parker told them. “I’ve got an old army buddy coming to visit for a while. We were in Iraq together.”

Ron looked uncomfortable. He’d managed to keep out of the military. He didn’t really like being around men who’d served. They made him look bad.

“Then we’ll see you next Saturday, right?” Teddie asked.

He smiled. “Of course.” He glanced at Katy, who looked uneasy. “See you.”

“See you,” she said, and forced a smile. Because even though Parker was polite and courteous, she sensed that he was drawing away from her because of Ron. She didn’t understand why. At least, not then.

Chapter Seven

Katy had thought that Ron would start right away to interview people who knew the horse’s owner, his neighbors and relations. But mostly what Ron did was drive around to see the sights and take Katy out to eat. He allowed Teddie to go with them, but the invitation was reluctant at best. He didn’t like the child around, and it was painfully obvious.

A week after Ron’s arrival, Katy came in with the mail and her expression was one of abject misery.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Teddie asked. “You haven’t been yourself all the way home from school.”

Katy put up her purse and car keys. She pulled out an opened envelope. “It’s a legal document insisting that Bartholomew be returned to his rightful owner.”

“But he can’t! He just can’t make us give Bart back!” she exclaimed.

“I’ll discuss it with Ron as soon as possible.”

“He won’t do anything,” Teddie said shortly. “He hasn’t even asked anybody about how that man treated Bart.”

“How do you know that?”

“My friend Edie told me,” she said belligerently. “She says her mother and father are furious. They know at least two of the man’s neighbors who would be willing to go to court to testify against him, but neither of them has even been asked.”

Katy made a face. She was feeling worse by the day about her idea to have Ron come and do them this favor. He was pleasant company, but he spent their time together talking up Washington society and her gift for putting people at ease. She’d make a proper hostess for a politician, he insisted, and instead she was burying herself out here in the boondocks with filthy cattle and wild people.

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