Santa in a Stetson Read Online Free PDF Page A

won’t pretend I’m not disappointed. I’d rather ski with you than anybody.”
    â€œI feel the same way about you. But since Kit’s expecting again, she’ll be thrilled to have you all to herself. Give her my love.”
    â€œI will. When you get a chance, I want to hear about your case.”
    â€œOf course, but not tonight. Get a good sleep.”
    Kathryn rang off, then made a call to Maggie. The moment she answered Kathryn said, “Forgive me for calling you so late. I’d like to ask a favor of you, but first I need to know your plans for tomorrow afternoon.”
    â€œJake and I were going to stay home and play with Robbie. Kamila might come over with Jared. Why?”
    â€œI need to take a missing teen back to her family. She’s in the hospital getting over the flu and can probably go home tomorrow. But she lives in Bozeman, Montana, and—”
    â€œYou’d like me to fly you there?” she finished for Kathryn. “That’s not a long flight. I’d love to do it. Meet me at the hangar at twelve-thirty. I’ll have you there by two. Robbie will nap while I’m gone.”
    â€œYou’re the best, Maggie,” Kathryn said. “I’ll call you in the morning if the doctor decides she should stay in the hospital another day. Otherwise, plan on it.”
    â€œSounds good. Do you know something?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’ve become a workaholic. That’s how I used to be before I met Jake.”
    â€œYeah, well, we all can’t be as lucky as you.”
    â€œYou could have married Steve.”
    â€œI could have, but he only proposed to me because he couldn’t have you.”
    After a long silence, Maggie said, “What are you talking about?”
    The time for honesty had come. How strange that this was the moment. “Kit’s brother was already clerking for you when I arrived on the scene. It was you he loved. You were the reason he left California. When he asked me to marry him, I told him I was flattered, but I didn’t want to be your substitute. He got all red in the face, but he didn’t deny it.”
    â€œI had no idea.” Her sister sounded shocked.
    â€œOf course not. That’s because you were so in love with Jake, you didn’t know if you were coming or going. I can’t say I blame you. Jake Halsey’s the kind of man who is so attractive he gives every woman a heart attack. Unfortunately, there’s only one of him. If I didn’t love you so much, I’d scratch your eyes out.”
    Maggie laughed, then sobered. “Honestly, Kathryn, I love him so much, it scares me.”
    â€œSteve saw it, too. That’s why I told him that until he went back to California to get away from you, he’d never be happy.”
    â€œSo that’s the reason he suddenly left.”
    â€œNow you know the whole truth. When I told the family I couldn’t marry him because I loved him like a brother, I meant it.”
    She heard Maggie clear her throat. “Your turn’s coming, Kathryn.”
    â€œNo. I’ve had plenty of possible turns, but I’ve discovered I’m not the marrying kind. I crave my freedom too much. Maybe being a captive at Skwars Farm for twenty-six years made me claustrophobic over the whole institution. My psychiatrist says we need to explore it, but that’s for another day. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you.”
    After she hung up, she left the empty isolation room and crossed the hall to check on Allie. The teen was asleep. Her long bus ride and the flu had left Allie on the verge of exhaustion when she’d left the depot.
    Whatever had caused Allie to leave home had worn her out, physically and emotionally, but her vital signs looked good. She could be released tomorrow, but would have to stay in bed at home for another night at least till the flu had left her system.
    Without wasting any more time, Kathryn slipped back