Page 211 of Cowboy Daddies

“Hey, your name only just registered! Wyatt Wilder!” she said, smiling at Wyatt.

“It’s dumb,” Wyatt said.

“No way! That’s cool. I’d love a name with alliteration. Casey Cassidy. That would be awesome.”

Wyatt gave her a small grin.

“Excuse me,” the principal said. “If the two of you have finished, we have some other things to discuss. Important things.”

“I guess we have, huh, Wyatt?” Casey asked.

“Uh-huh,” Wyatt said around the candy in his mouth.

“Wyatt, spit that candy out,” the principal ordered.

“Mr. Steeple, do you want to explain what is going on?” Jeb asked. “Because we just walked in to find my son in shock, with a bruise on his cheek and no one looking after him. I came straight here so how did Billy’s parents get here before me?” He nodded at the man and woman who were flanking Billy the Bully.

His mom looked tired and pale and her husband appeared smug.

“Did you call them first? Well in advance of calling me?”

“I did not,” Mr. Steeples said haughtily. “I suppose it took a while for you to come from the ranch.”

“But we weren’t at the ranch. We were at Angel Motels,” Casey said.

“Were you?” Billy’s father said interestedly. “And what were you doing there in the middle of the day?”

“That is none of your business,” Jeb said stiffly.

What was wrong with him? Why was he upset?

Oh. Wait.

Motel. Together. Middle of the day.

Oops.

Luckily Wyatt just seemed confused by what was going on. Billy’s father just looked more smug. The jerk.

“I do not think it is appropriate to have sugar at school,” the principal said. “Especially when your son is in trouble for fighting.”

“Why is he in trouble for fighting?” Jeb asked.

“Well, I think that would be obvious,” Mr Steeples blustered. “He hit Billy.”

“Billy hit him first,” Casey said.

“I’m sorry, who are you?” Billy’s father asked.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Casey. Nice to meet you. I’m a good friend of Wyatt’s. I’m here to make sure he doesn’t get blamed for stuff he didn’t do.”

“I’m not sure you have a voice here,” Mr Steeples said.

“I always have a voice,” Casey told him.

“She’s here with me,” Jeb said firmly.

Jeb sticking up for her like that shouldn’t make her go all warm. But it did. She had some issues. Jordan was right, maybe she needed to get laid.