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“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.”
Katy flushed. “Something I didn’t do.”
Teddie put her arms around her mother, feeling the woman stiffen. She drew back at once, but Katy caught her and pulled her close, rocking her.
“My parents never touched me,” she whispered to Teddie. “It’s . . . hard for me to show affection. But I’ll try. Really.”
Teddie hugged her back. “That’s okay. I can do all the hugging. I’m good at it.”
Katy laughed and fought back tears. At least one good thing had come out of the misery of the day before.
* * *
A truck pulled up in her driveway the next day when she got home from work. Her heart jumped because she thought it might be Parker. But it was the man who had the wolf. What was his name . . .? Matthews, that was it. Butch Matthews.
“Mrs. Blake,” the man said, tipping his hat. “Mr. Denton sent me over with these papers about custody of your horse.”
“If you’ll come in for a minute, Mr. Matthews, I’ll sign them, and you can take them right back.”
“That would be fine.”
“Come on in,” she invited.
Teddie was waiting in the living room. “You have the wolf!”
He chuckled. “Yes. I have the wolf. Sorry he scared you that time.”
