He smiled. “Not my style,” he said gently. “I don’t want anything that isn’t freely given.”
“I think I knew that already. But it’s nice to hear.” She lowered her eyes. “I don’t seem to have much willpower when you’re around.”
“That works both ways, honey. Keep your doors locked, okay? We’ve got a pack of wolves roaming nearby. The feds don’t think they’ll pose a threat, but if we have severe weather and they get hungry enough . . .”
He let the words trail off. She knew what he meant. A wild animal was likely to look for food anywhere he could get it when he was starving. There were some horror stories about wolves and settlers, back in the early days of western settlement.
“We always lock the doors,” she assured him.
“Make sure you keep the stable doors closed as well,” he added.
She made a face. “That would be horrible, after all Bart’s been through, to have him fall prey to a wolf.”
“I agree. But if you take reasonable precautions, it shouldn’t be an issue. Just don’t let tidbit go out alone at night to see Bart, okay?” he said, meaning Teddie. “Not now, at least.”
“I won’t. Or I’ll go with her.”
“I know you don’t like guns; you’ve said so often enough. But do you have a weapon at all around here?”
She sighed worriedly. “Not really.”
“Then both of you stay inside and keep the doors locked. You’ve got my phone number. You can call me if you get afraid, for any reason, and I’ll be right over. Okay?”
She felt warm and cosseted. She smiled. “Okay.”
He moved closer. “I love the way you look when you smile,” he whispered. He bent and kissed her hungrily one last time. He drew back almost at once. “I’m leaving. You’re getting through my defenses. I fear for my honor.”
She burst out laughing. “I feel dangerous!”
He made a face. Then he winked. “Sleep well.”
“You, too.”
She watched him out the window until he drove away. She felt as if she could have walked on air.
* * *
Ron Woodley arrived several days before he was expected. He checked into the local motel, after being told firmly by Katy that he wasn’t living with her and Teddie while they fought for possession of Bartholomew. He showed up at her front door one Saturday morning in a fancy rented sedan while Parker was in the barn with Teddie, saddling the horse.
“Hello, you gorgeous woman,” he enthused, and hugged her before she could back away. “It’s so good to see you again!”
She drew back. “Good to see you, Ron. Thanks for coming. We may have to pay your fee on the installment plan—”
“Don’t insult me,” he interrupted. “I do some pro bono work. This will add to my curriculum vitae,” he added on a chuckle. “Got some tea?”
She was briefly disconcerted. “Hot or cold?”
“Hot.”
“Okay. Come on in,” she added with a glance at the stable. Parker and Teddie were looking in her direction, but they didn’t come out.
“Where’s your daughter?” Ron asked with barely concealed distaste.
“She’s out in the stable with Parker.”
His chin lifted. “Parker?”
She nodded as she boiled water and searched for a few scarce tea bags. “He’s a horse wrangler for J.L. Denton, who owns the big ranch property next door. His wife writes for television, thatWarriors and Warlocksseries.”