Santa in a Stetson (8 page)

For the next few minutes, he listened while Allie proceeded to enlighten him on the extraordinary way she'd carried on with her life since being reunited with her family. Each new revelation made him more shameful of his cynicism.

The McFarlands had lived through the horror of waking up to find their baby missing from her crib. Colt's panic when he'd first learned Allie had gone off and no one knew where she was had given him a small taste of their terror.

He reflected on Ms. McFarland's phone call to him and could only praise her for the calm way she'd let Colt know Allie was all right. That was because she knew how to talk to frantic parents.

She was no ordinary woman. Colt couldn't compare her to the other women he'd known over the years. In all fairness, probably some of them hadn't been out for all they could get from him, but he'd never let those relationships last long enough to prove him wrong. Allie hadn't been completely off in her assessment.

He rubbed the back of his neck, experiencing a new level of panic. All he had to do was look at his daughter. The telltale stars in her eyes when she talked about Katy bordered on hero worship. Allie could have searched the world over and not have found a more heroic person to idolize than the nurse who'd accompanied her to Bozeman.

Ms. McFarland needed to get back to her life. They needed to get back to theirs. Once Allie was better and
Colt was alone with his daughter again, he would confront her. He suspected why she'd gone to Salt Lake without telling him, but needed to hear it from her. When everything was out in the open and he could tell her he understood her reasons, then their lives could return to normal.

He handed Allie the brochure. “Keep this for your scrapbook. When you're old, you'll be able to tell your grandchildren that you were once taken care of by one of the most famous women in America, certainly the most altruistic.”

“Altruistic? I never heard that word before.”

“It means unselfish concern for the welfare of others. The McFarlands could have invented the word,” he murmured. “We've encroached on her generosity long enough. She needs to get back to her other responsibilities.”

“When is she leaving?” Allie cried out.

“If your temperature returns to normal by tomorrow, then I'll drive her to the airport.” That was a given. If Allie's temperature shot up again, he'd ask Dr. Rawson to make a house call.

“But she said a couple of days—”

“Today and tomorrow represent a couple of days, honey. I'm going downstairs to do some work. I would imagine she'll be up soon to get you ready for bed. I'll peek in on you later to kiss you good night.”

Her crushed expression was the last thing he saw before he almost bumped into Matt coming up the stairs. “Hey—where are you going so fast?”

“I'm getting the DVD they passed out at the football banquet from my room. Katy wants to watch it.”

“Maybe you could visit your sister for a little while first? If we take turns, she won't be so bored.”

Matt got that impatient look on his face, but he muttered, “Okay.”

“Thanks. Who knows? Before long it might be you lying in bed with the flu, wishing someone would keep you company.”

Colt found their guest seated on the couch in the great room. She was watching the national news while she talked to someone on her cell phone.

Illuminated by the fire, she made a riveting picture, Before her glance flicked to his, he'd picked up on the serious tone of her conversation. While he waited for her to hang up, he wandered over to the puzzle and fit in some pieces.

 

K
ATHRYN HAD EXPECTED
M
ATT
to come back into the room. The sight of his dark-haired father prompted her to tell her sister that unless something changed with Allie, she'd see her at the airport at noon tomorrow. She hung up and turned off the TV.

“Forgive me for ignoring you, Colt.”

He looked across at her with his keen gaze. “You didn't have to do that for me.”

No, but he'd brought a restless energy into the room that put her on edge. “There wasn't anything of interest to watch. I'm glad you came in so I could talk to you before I go upstairs. When you walked in on Allie and me earlier, she'd just told me something in confidence.

“For the sake of not upsetting her, I went along with her excuse about your birthday present. But I'm going
up now to say good night to her. When I do, I'll tell her she mustn't keep secrets from you. Not that she needs any encouragement from me. She loves you too terribly to hold back much longer. What I'm hoping is that it will be sooner than later so you can have some peace. Good night.”

More convinced than ever that he was only putting up with her presence for Allie's sake, she left the family room, anxious to separate herself from him. He probably wasn't aware he had that effect on her. The man was in hell with good reason.

Kathryn was so immersed in her troubled thoughts, she almost bumped into Matt at the top of the stairs with a DVD in his hand. She'd forgotten about that.

He slowed down. “I was just coming, but I had to talk to Allie first.”

“Of course. Your sister has top priority.” She looked at her watch. “I didn't realize how late it was getting and decided I'd better get my patient ready for bed. Tell you what. Leave the DVD downstairs and we'll watch it together in the morning. I really do want to see it.” If his father hadn't been down there, she wouldn't have come up yet.

“Sure.”

She felt his trail of disappointment as she went to her room to get her bag. Kathryn didn't like that her presence seemed to be creating a disturbance in Colt's household.

When she walked into Allie's room a moment later, the teen was listening to her iPod. She raised a sad face to Kathryn before removing the headset. “Hi.”

“Hi, yourself. Looks like your brother's been taking care of you. That's nice.”

Allie didn't say anything. “Let's check that temperature first.”

After the beep went off, Kathryn checked the numbers. “Ninety-eight point eight. That's in the normal range. Tomorrow you'll be able to get dressed and go downstairs.” She checked her lungs and blood pressure. Everything looked good.

“You're going home tomorrow, huh?”

Her mournful tone didn't escape Kathryn. She put everything back in her bag. “Unless you take a turn for the worse, which I don't believe will happen.” She handed her a glass of water and the pills.

Tears glazed her brown eyes as she swallowed them. “Have you decided you can't help me find my mom?”

Kathryn had been expecting that question. “There's no such a thing as
can't,
Allie, but this is something you have to discuss with your father. I wouldn't dream of going behind his back to help you with something so painful and private for both of you. He's been such a wonderful father to you all these years, he deserves to know what you're thinking and feeling.”

Allie bit her lip. “What if he gets mad at me?”

“You were grown up enough to go to Salt Lake on your own. At this point he realizes you're no longer a child incapable of relating to adult problems. Give him a chance and he'll surprise you with his understanding.”

“You think?” Her eyes had fastened on Kathryn, she wanted to believe her. “I
know.
” Kathryn couldn't say that about many things, but she'd felt Colt's deep love for Allie. So deep,
in fact, she had an idea he was still in shock over what his daughter had done.

“Can I call you after you get back to Salt Lake? I'll use the phone number printed on the brochure.”

Kathryn had to hang tough on this one. “Not unless you have his permission. You want to keep your father's trust, don't you?”

Allie's head was bowed. “Yes.”

“So do I. You're very blessed to have a dad like him. I'll see you in the morning. Good night.” She fought the impulse to hug her. Kathryn's strong compulsion to give in to Allie's wishes proved that this girl already meant more to her than she should.

After preparing for bed, she reached for her phone and got under the covers to call Donna. There was still no word on the abducted girl. Once they'd hung up, she phoned her parents and learned that her mother had been in contact with the missing girl's family.

The three of them commiserated over the tragic situation. Before she hung up, she told them that if she flew home tomorrow as planned, she expected them to come to her condo for dinner. They were always waiting on other people. Kathryn felt like waiting on them for a change.

This experience with Allie had made her more emotional than usual. Before falling asleep, she prayed that the little kidnapped girl would be found alive and that Allie would find the courage to confide in her father. She eventually fell asleep remembering the joy in Colt's voice and expression as he'd picked up his daughter and carried her to the car. Every parent should have such a happy reunion.

At eight the next morning, Kathryn showered and got ready for the day. She'd packed an oyster-colored silk blouse and dove-gray pants in fine wool, cinched with a wide leather belt. She caught her hair back with a tortoise shell clip and put pearl studs in her ears.

In a minute, she knocked on Allie's door and announced herself.

“Come in.” The teen had already showered and looked terrific in a long-sleeved, navy-blue cotton pullover teamed with Levi's and sneakers.

“Well, look at you. I don't think I need to take your vitals, but I'm going to anyway.”

“First will you do my hair like you wore yours yesterday?” Allie handed her the brush.

“Of course. Have you got a scarf?”

“No, but will this neckerchief do?”

“Let me see it.”

Allie pulled it out of her middle drawer. It was a Levi brand with a navy cowboy motif. She handed it to Kathryn.

“I think it's long enough to tie in a bow.”

Kathryn brushed her hair back and made short work of it. She studied the teen. Whoever her mother was had to have been a beautiful woman. “You look lovely.”

“Thanks.”

“Now if you'll indulge me while I check you, then we can go downstairs for breakfast.” A couple of minutes later and it was all over. “Your temperature is normal, Allie.”

“That's what I was afraid of,” she mumbled.

“You don't really mean that,” Kathryn said, trying to be cheerful. “Although you still have some head
congestion, your lungs are clear. Just take it easy for another day or two to get back your strength. Take your pills now, then we'll go.”

“Okay.”

Once that was accomplished, they left the bedroom and walked toward the staircase. Colt was coming up the steps two at a time, dressed in a plaid flannel shirt in reds and blues. He wore Levi's and cowboy boots.

By accident, his eyes lifted to Kathryn's, forcing her to swallow the cry in her throat. Beneath his inky-black hair and brows, those orbs had taken on the color of crystal green shards.

“Good morning, Ms. McFarland.”

Kathryn found him the most attractive man she'd ever met in her life. “Good morning,” she answered back, thankful she could speak.

Until she'd flown in yesterday, her brother-in-law Jake Halsey had been the only living male to merit that distinction. Considine lurked in her dreams. Who knew the day would come when a forbidding Montana cowboy who jealously guarded his mountain isolation would topple them both in an instant.

He switched his attention to Allie. “Hi, honey. Noreen has breakfast on the table. I was just coming up to get you. I guess I don't have to ask how you're feeling.”

“Her temperature is normal,” Kathryn volunteered when Allie only muttered something indistinct.

“That's the best news yet.” He reached for her and carried her the rest of the way.

“Dad, put me down. I'm not a baby.” But she said it with a giggle.

“Don't you know you'll always be my baby girl?” he teased before setting her on her feet with another hug.

When Kathryn imagined him hugging her like that, a shiver of delight raced through her body. She followed father and daughter through to the other side of their home, not having seen the vaulted living and dining room before. The same refined rustic decor and tall windows ran through the entire house.

So much daylight opened up the rooms to nature. The sight of new fallen snow from the night before was glorious. She almost blurted that this had to be one of the most beautiful spots on Earth, but she caught herself in time.

While Colt helped her and Allie to the table laden with scones and bacon, Matt came running in wearing a polo and jeans. He flashed Kathryn a smile before taking a seat next to their father. “I was hoping you guys would be up.”

“After we eat, I want to see your video, Matt.”

“Which one is that?” Allie wanted to know.

“My football banquet DVD.”

Kathryn turned to her. “Have you seen it?”

Allie rolled her eyes. “About a dozen times.”

“Then it must be good.”

“Except we lost in the playoffs,” he said.

“That doesn't matter, Matt. To think your team made it that far is terrific. Not every guy has the ability or the opportunity to even go out for football. Someday, you'll be able to show it to your children. Think how fun that will be for you and them.”

Colt shot her an enigmatic glance. “Do you have a favorite sport besides football?”

Matt must have told his father what she'd confided to him. “Yes. It's skiing.”

“We love it, too, don't we, Dad?”

“We do,” he answered.

“Are you really going back to Salt Lake today?”

“Yes. At noon.”

“Noon!”
Both teens moaned aloud.

“Since your sister is on the mend, I'm needed elsewhere.”