Page 19 of Mistletoe Cowboy

He nodded. “Strong and black, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“I’m grading papers,” she replied. “Strong and black is how I take it, too.”

He smiled. “Okay. I’ll be back in a few.”

“Sounds good.”

“Is Parker coming back?” Teddie asked excitedly when her mother came inside.

“Yes, he is. He doesn’t really want to reheat the oatmeal he left to go find his sergeant’s wolf.” She laughed.

“He’s so nice.”

Katy nodded. “And smart,” she added with a wink.

Teddie smiled back.

* * *

Later, Parker knocked at the door and Teddie let him in.

“Your hair’s down,” Teddie said. “I didn’t notice before. Gosh, it’s long!”

“Warrior hair,” he teased. “It’s my ‘medicine.’ I’ve never cut it, except once.”

Teddie’s eyes asked the question.

“When my mother died,” he said softly. “It’s an old way of expressing grief.”

“Gosh,” she said, fascinated. “Well, I’m glad it grew back. It’s beautiful!”

He chuckled and ruffled her hair. “You’re good for my ego.”

She made a face at him.

“Sandwiches and coffee,” Katy said, bringing out a platter of them and going back for the coffeepot. The small table was already set. “Teddie, want a sandwich?”

“No, thanks. I have to finish my homework,” she moaned.

“Feel okay now?” Katy asked gently.

She nodded. “I was just a little scared. He’s a very big wolf.”

“He’s a big baby,” Parker said as he took off his jacket and sat down at the table. “Sarge loves him to death.”

“I guess he’s just scary to people who don’t know him,” Teddie amended.

He smiled. “I’ll take you over to Sarge’s one day and you can get acquainted. He likes people. Loves girls.”

She laughed. “That’s a deal. I’ll go do that horrible math.”

“Math is not horrible,” Parker pointed out. “It’s the basis of all engineering.”

“I don’t want to be an engineer. I want to fly jet planes. Fighter planes!”

He rolled his eyes. “And here I’m teaching you to ride horses!”

“One step at a time,” Teddie said with a grin. She turned and went down the hall to her room.