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The big man at the door broke into a huge smile as Karina put the sliders on her skates and ran to him. He scooped her up and kissed her enthusiastically, regardless of his audience. The three of them left very soon, Karina and Janey turning to wave goodbye to their new acquaintances.
“They’re terrific people,” Lucy said.
“Yes, they are,” Abby sighed. “I’ll never be able to skate like that. But I like gliding around, too, just like you!”
Lucy grinned at her.
ABBYSKATEDAROUNDthe rink slowly, her mind on her work. Mr. Owens had been unusually nervous all day. Concerned, Abby had asked if she could help.
He’d flushed and said that no, he was fine. He’d thanked her for her concern. But he didn’t say what was upsetting him. Abby wondered if it had anything to do with his nephew. The boy had been picked up on suspicion of theft several days earlier. Mr. Owens had bailed him out, all the time asserting his innocence. Abby wasn’t so certain that the boy was innocent. He had a shifty look about him, and he didn’t seem quite sober, although she never smelled alcohol on him. Poor Mr. Owens. He had such a nice family, except for this rude, belligerent nephew. But it was nothing to do with her. Somehow, Mr. Owens would work it out. She’d given him the piece of information he wanted, that she’d found a precedent for. It didn’t seem to relieve his nervousness. If anything, it added to it. She wondered how such a law-abiding, upstanding man could have such a scruffy, morose man for a nephew. The boy apparently didn’t work and was always in the office asking for a loan, which Mr. Owens always gave. But there again, it wasn’t her business.
SNOWWASGREATFUN. Lucy loved the pup, spending every free minute she had with her. Snow responded to all the love and petting by turning into a well-mannered, affectionate little animal.
Saturday evening, just before Cody Banks was due to eat dinner with them, Abby put on a clean pair of blue jeans and a loose blue patterned cotton shirt and combed her hair so that it fell long and soft around her shoulders. She put on just a little bit of lipstick and not much more.
“You look pretty,” Lucy said with a sigh.
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
“I think the sheriff likes you,” she said solemnly.
Abby smiled at her. “I like him, too.”
“So do I. He’s a nice man. I’ll bet he still misses his dog,” she added suddenly.
Abby nodded. “It’s hard to lose a pet that you’ve had for a long time,” she agreed, and her eyes were sad.
“We won’t lose Snow, will we?” the child asked worriedly.
Abby pulled her close and hugged her. “Not a chance. She’ll live inside with us, and whenever she has to go out, one of us will be with her, or one of the cowboys will. She won’t get the chance to run away. I promise.”
Lucy relaxed. “Okay. Thanks.”
CODYHADLOOKEDforward to having dinner with his girls. He didn’t dress up, but he did make sure he wore nice slacks and a trendy shirt when he slid on his coat and hat and started for the front door.
Sadly, he never made it that far. The phone rang and he answered it quickly.
“Sheriff?” It was Bill Harris, the assistant police chief.
“Yes. What is it, Bill?”
“We’ve got a wreck, a really bad one,” came the quiet reply. “Can you come and help out?”
He thought about the girls and dinner, but surely this wouldn’t take a long time. Besides, it was his job. “Sure thing. Where is it?”
The deputy gave directions and hung up.
ITSHOULDHAVEbeen simple, but it wasn’t. Several people were hurt, two critically, which meant Cody had to track down relatives and explain what had happened. There were other questions which had to be answered as well, and he had to call in investigators to do a re-creation of the accident, because one driver was definitely at fault and the insurance companies, and lawyers, would certainly be involved.
By the time he was through, it was dark. And just as he started for Abby’s ranch, there was yet another call with yet another wreck. Life, Cody thought as he drove to the scene of the second accident, was getting harder by the day.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ABBYHADHANNAHwait to put dinner on the table until Cody arrived. But one hour passed, and then another, and still he didn’t come.
“Are you sure you told him this Saturday night?” Hannah asked.
“I thought I said tonight,” Abby replied. She bit her lower lip. She was feeling let down. Cody had no obligation to them, of course, and he could do what he pleased. But usually when he gave his word, he kept it.
