Cathy McDavid - Rescuing the Cowboy

“Thanks again for setting this up, Summer.”

Hearing Quinn’s voice, she glanced up. “Glad to do it.”

“How’s Teddy?”

“Good. He’s in after-school daycare. I can’t always coerce him into going. Today I got lucky. You may see him this evening. He has his equine therapy class. He hasn’t actually ridden yet. Won’t let anyone help him up into the saddle or put the harness on him. But he loves to pet and groom the horses and lead them around.” She didn’t add that Quinn might see her, too. She usually accompanied Teddy.

“I’ll be sure to look for him.”

“How’s the new job going?” She should be working. Hadn’t she promised Alicia the packages would be ready before five?

“I’m learning the ropes,” he said. “Slowly but surely.”

“Do you like it? That’s the important part.”

“Yeah. I do.”

Quinn shifted nervously, his right boot softly tapping the floor. He didn’t look as though he’d spent a lot of hours in offices. Or, she suddenly realized, the hours he’d spent in them had been difficult to endure. Nothing fun about conferring with your defense attorney and fighting for your freedom.

“Cara’s lucky to have you. You arrived in Mustang Valley at the perfect time.”

“I did.”

She’d meant that Cara needed assistance because the demands of her personal life had increased. The thoughtful quality in Quinn’s tone implied something entirely different. She was even more curious about him than before.

Martin stepped in from the hall. “Mr. Crenshaw. It’s nice to meet you.”

Quinn stood. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

The two men shook hands, and Martin invited Quinn into his office.

With nothing more to distract her, Summer quickly finished assembling the packages and then updated Martin’s court calendar. She was more than a receptionist for the modest practice. In addition to managing the office, she handled all the billing and accounting. Martin was generous, allowing her to occasionally work from home by logging into her office computer remotely.

At about four forty-five, the office door abruptly opened. Summer stood at the lateral file and, hearing the sound, turned. Her heart immediately dropped to her knees.

“Hal. What are you doing here?” Her ex-husband was the last person she’d expected to see.

“I need to talk to you. It’s about Teddy.”

“You couldn’t have just called me at home? You needed to ambush me at work?”

“This isn’t an ambush.”

Yet that was how it felt to Summer. He liked having the advantage, which taking her by surprise gave him, and frequently pulled stunts like this.

“You’ll have to wait until I’m done.” She turned her back on him, ready to resume her search for the files while also sending him a clear message.

“Dennis called me the other day.”

The manager of the market? “Why would I care about that?”

“Because he told me Teddy had a tantrum and upset some of his customers.”

Summer didn’t take kindly to Hal’s use of the word tantrum. And were the two women really that upset? She refrained from commenting for the moment and walked to her desk. “I left the store right away. It’s not as if I enjoy making a scene.”

“That’s the point, Summer. According to Dennis, Teddy’s had a bunch of tantrums in the market.”

“A bunch? There’s been maybe three.”

“And how many has he had in other places you haven’t told me about?”

“Outbursts are part of his disorder. You know that.”

“Seems to me, he’s been having more and more lately.”

“That’s not true.” Summer’s defenses instantly rose and, rather than insist he leave, she continued to engage him. A tiny voice warned her that was just what he wanted. “Teddy’s been better behaved at home and the learning center than ever.”

“Apparently not in public.” Hal stood his ground. He was a handsome man, when he wasn’t scowling. At the moment he stared at her with glinting eyes and a jutting jaw.

“Dr. Hamilton says Teddy’s outbursts can be his way of exerting his independence or his frustration at communicating and not being understood.”

“I’m not buying one bit of that.”

“Right. Because you’re such an authority on autism.” Anger flared inside her. Hal could ignite it with a single remark. “You see Teddy barely more than a few hours a month. You’re in no position to lecture me.”

“It’s just like you to overreact.”

“Is that what I’m doing? You’ve refused to go with me to Teddy’s doctor appointments or family counseling sessions for the last four years. You’ve never read even one of the books I bought.”

“I’ve read plenty of books, Summer,” he said with scorn.

“Ones Loren bought? Is she behind your sudden interest in Teddy?”

It was unfair of her to blame Hal’s new wife, but ever since the two of them got married, Loren had been pushing him to take more of an interest in Teddy. They were trying to adopt, and it looked good on their application. Right thing, wrong reason, which was what bothered Summer. If not, she’d welcome Hal’s and even Loren’s interest in her son.

“Leave her out of this,” he said, his voice increasing in volume. “And you need to start shopping someplace other than the market where everyone in town goes.”

Where his buddy the manager worked, she almost spat out. Instead, she said, “I don’t always have time to drive into Scottsdale for a few items.”

“Obviously something about the market triggers Teddy’s tantrums.”

Summer had reached her boiling point. “You need to go, Hal. Now.”

Alicia emerged from around the corner, a stern expression on her face. She knew Hal, having met him once before. “What’s going on here?”

“Hal was just leaving.” Summer would rather not involve her coworker in her personal problems.

He sent her a dangerous look.

“Okay.” Alicia reluctantly retreated.

Summer had the feeling her coworker wouldn’t go far. “I wasn’t kidding, Hal.” She struggled to calm her anxious breathing. “Leave now. I won’t risk my job because of you.”

“We aren’t done with this.”

At the sound of footsteps, they both spun to see Quinn appear, his hat still held his hand. He stopped and locked eyes with Hal for a full three seconds before turning to Summer.

“You all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“You sure?” Quinn moved toward her, his stance protective.

“Who’s this?” Hal demanded.

Summer would have put him off. Unfortunately, Quinn stepped forward before she could insist Hal get out now.

“I’m Quinn Crenshaw. And you are?”

“None of your damn business.” Hal’s gaze left Quinn only to return, recognition visibly dawning in his eyes. “You the Dempseys’ ex-con cousin?”

“Hal!” Summer was aghast. He could be incredibly rude at times.

Quinn didn’t flinch or blink or move a single muscle except to talk. “I am Josh and Cole’s cousin.”

Hal’s stare intensified. “They hired you to work at the therapy program.”

Dennis, the market manager, must have told Hal. He gleaned a lot of local information, intentionally or unintentionally, by waiting on customers.

“They did,” Quinn confirmed.

Hal advanced. “You don’t go near my son, you hear me? You do, and I’ll call the police.”

“Oh, for crying out loud.” Summer couldn’t believe him. “What’s the matter with you?”

“He’s a criminal.”

“He was found innocent!”

Not only did Alicia return, Martin accompanied her. Being in his early sixties made no difference. He stood up to Hal like a man many years younger.