Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy - Diana Palmer Page 0,42
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.”
“Now listen, let’s not be hasty,” Ron began.
“I’m signing over custody of Bartholomew to Mr. Denton tomorrow. His firm of attorneys is coming here from L.A. and they’ll handle the litigation. Mr. Dealy is going to find himself in more hot water than he ever dreamed, and this time he won’t walk away from the charges.” She smiled coolly. “You see, we have photographic proof of Bart’s injuries and at least two witnesses who can attest to them in court.”
“Dealy said there were none,” Ron blurted out.
“Amazing how you’re willing to believe the word of a man who’ll half kill a horse and lie about it. It must have been a big sum he offered you,” Katy added cynically.
Ron took a long breath. He glared at Teddie. “If it wasn’t for that kid, you’d have done what I asked.”
“That kid is the reason I asked you to come here, to help us save her horse. And you sold us out for a promise of money,” Katy added. “I’d like you to leave now, please. Don’t ever come back,” she added. “Don’t call, don’t write, don’t even try to text me. If you like, I’ll be happy to write you a check for all your expenses, including airfare and the rental car. Even your usual fee for representing a client,” she added with icy disdain.
He shifted uncomfortably. “That won’t be necessary,” he said stiffly. “I’m not a poor man.” He moved just a step closer, stopping when she moved a step away. “We could have good times together,” he tried one last time, forcing a smile. “You’d shine in Washington society.”
“I prefer living with the barbarians,” Katy said easily. “Sorry.”
He let out an angry breath. “It’s the Indian, of course,” he said icily. “What, you going to marry him and live on the reservation? The man is ignorant!”
“Really? What do you know about Schrodinger’s cat?” Teddie asked with faint contempt.
“Schrodinger’s cat?” he asked, surprised. “It’s an experiment in theoretical physics.”
“Parker has a degree from MIT in theoretical physics,” Katy said. “His father is an astrophysicist who works for NASA.”
Ron looked properly shocked. He started to speak and just gave it up. He sighed. “Okay, it’s your life.” He looked around the place. “It’s a shack, but if you want to live here, it’s your choice.”
“Why, that’s right,” Katy said with a smile. “It is, isn’t it?”
He shrugged. “If you ever change your mind, you know how to find me.”
“Piece of advice,” Katy said as she showed him out the door. “Don’t hold your breath. Have a nice trip home.”
She closed the door in his face.
Teddie let out the breath she’d been holding. She still hadn’t trusted her mother not to give in to the man’s persuasions.
“Thanks,” she said.
Katy looked at her daughter with regret. “I’ve failed as a mother,” she said. “I’d like to think it was someone else’s fault, but it’s mine. I never should have taken a stranger’s part against you. You’re my daughter, and you love that horse. I can’t believe I agreed with Ron about putting him down. I’m so sorry, honey. So very sorry.”
Teddie got up and went to her mother. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have run away. But I feel sorrier for Parker. He was only trying to help, and that lawyer treated him like an idiot.”
Katy sighed. “Parker won’t speak to me anymore,” she said. “I don’t blame him. I wish I’d made better decisions.”
“I thought you and Parker were getting close,” Teddie said.
Katy sat down on the edge of the sofa. “We were. But I got to thinking about your dad and that it was too soon. I felt guilty.”
“Daddy would want you to be happy,” Teddie told her. “He wouldn’t want you to be alone. He wasn’t that sort of person.”
Katy smiled. “You loved your dad.”
“Oh, yes, I did. I miss him awfully. But I love Parker,” she added. “He’s very like Daddy was. He’s strong and funny and gentle, and he fights for me.”