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She turned on the ignition and drove them home. Teddie was wired like a lamp the whole way home, enthusing about the sweet wolf.
When they got home, Katy put on her roast while Teddie looked at animal videos on her cell phone.
“I miss Parker,” Teddie said sadly.
Katy drew in a long breath. “I know.”
Teddie looked up. “You could call him.”
Katy bit her lip as she put the cover on the Crockpot and set the timer. “I tried,” she said huskily. “He blocked my number.”
Teddie winced. “Oh.”
“Sometimes, we just have to accept that things and people change, and there’s not a lot we can do about it,” Katy told her daughter. She sat down beside her. “We have a roof over our heads, and some cattle, and we’re going to have Bartholomew back when Mr. Denton gets through having his lawyers trounce Mr. Dealy in court.”
“I hope they trounce Mr. Dealy from head to toe,” Teddie said angrily.
“Me, too.”
“Can you take me over to Mr. Denton’s place to see Bartholomew sometime?” she asked her mother. “I really miss him.”
“Of course, I can. I’ll text Cassie and see if it would be convenient to go tomorrow, if you like.”
Teddie smiled. “That would be great! Thanks, Mom!” She hugged her mother.
Katy hugged her back, thanking God for second chances. “I don’t say it much. But I do love you.”
Teddie hugged her harder. “I love you, too, Mom.”
“I’ll bet Bartholomew doesn’t miss us much, where he’s living,” Katy teased. “It’s like a luxury hotel for horses.”
Teddie laughed. “Yes, but it’s the people you miss, not the place.”
Katy only nodded. It was a wise comment, from a young girl. Wiser than her age denoted.
* * *
Cassie said it was all right, so Katy loaded up Teddie and they drove over to the Denton ranch, both wearing jeans and red checked shirts and down-filled jackets, because it had turned cold. In fact, snow flurries were coming down around them and heavy snow was predicted for the next two days.
“I hope it doesn’t become a blizzard,” Katy murmured as they got out of the SUV at the barn. “I hate driving in snow.”
“They’ll close the schools, won’t they?” Teddie asked hopefully. “If they do, you and I could make a snowman!”
“We’ll build one of Ron, with a hay mustache, and we’ll pelt it with mud balls,” Katy muttered.
Teddie burst out laughing.
* * *
Bartholomew was in his own spacious stall, chowing down on a mix of corn and additives to make him healthy.
Drum, J.L.’s foreman, smiled at their approach. “Missing your horse?” he teased Teddie. “He’s been miserable.”
“He lives in luxury,” Katy pointed out.
He chuckled. “Even living in squalor where you’re loved beats living in luxury where you’re not,” he said philosophically. “Not that you guys live in squalor. It’s a good little ranch.”
“Thanks,” Katy said with a smile.
