“I had to pass her,” Bodine added. “Almost had to.”
“What do you mean?”
“I read what time they said she’d left her mother’s. She’d gone to see her mother, and was driving back to Missoula to meet some friends, some of her college friends. She goes to U of M. Jessie and I almost had to pass her, her going, us coming from town that evening. I went right by where they found her car. I have to wonder how much I missed her by.”
She shook it off.
“But I think what happened to Billy Jean was somebody from outside did it. It could have even been a guest, though I hate to think it. I think somebody snatched that girl, and that’s a terrible thing, but it’s not the same. She was only eighteen—a lot younger—and Billy Jean drove home the way she did most every night. This Karyn Allison hadn’t been home for a visit, I heard, for a couple weeks.”
He understood why she needed to believe that—and maybe she had it right. But believing that wouldn’t push her to take precautions. So he firmly stomped on her theory.
“It could be two different people went after two women having car trouble inside of a month within about twenty miles of each other.”
Bodine hissed out a breath. “That’s what I tell Sal when she gets worked up about it, and what I tell myself because I want to sleep at night.”
Since that satisfied him, he nodded. “No harm in that, as long as you stay smart and keep your eyes open. I’ve never known you to do otherwise.”
“I don’t even know why I’m talking about it on my favorite night of the year. Except I was thinking how your mother must be so happy to have you home for Christmas, and that other mother doesn’t know where her girl is, or if she’s all right.”
To comfort herself, she leaned forward to stroke Leo, then straightened. “Wait. Keep my eyes open? Is that why either you or Rory ends up hitching a ride to and from with me if I’m not on Leo?”
Callen rode easy. “Just saving fuel.”
Her sarcasm dripped like melting ice. “Just thinking about the environment?”
“More should.”
She couldn’t argue that. And found, when she broke it all down, she couldn’t be insulted, either. Very much. “I appreciate the concern. Though I can handle myself just fine, I appreciate the sly, manly lookout all the same.”
She smiled, overbright, when Callen sent her a slow, careful look.
“Is that so?”
“It is. I don’t appreciate the big, strong men not just coming out and saying so in order to spare my little female sensibilities, but I appreciate the concern.”
“It wasn’t about your female sensibilities. It was more about your stubborn streak and temper.”
“Why is it men are called strong or tough, and women stubborn?”
“I’m not touching that.” He clucked his tongue instead and took Sundown into a trot.
“Coward,” Bodine accused, but she laughed as she came up beside him.
“About some areas.”
They rode companionably into the ranch yard.
“I’ve got to get something from the shack.”
When Callen veered off, Bodine shrugged and led Leo into the stables.
“That was a nice ride,” she said as she unsaddled and unbridled him. “You deserve a good rubdown, and maybe a little something special after.”
She grabbed a hoof pick, tended to his feet before giving him a good rub with a towel. As she picked up a soft brush, she heard Callen come in with Sundown.
Since she had a jump on him, she finished first, carted her saddle to the tack room, then came back for Callen’s.
“I’ll get that in a minute.”
“I’ve got it now.” But she paused outside the stall. “I’ve also got a jar of peppermint treats—”
As Callen said, “Don’t!” Sundown let out a long, high whinny, gave Callen an enthusiastic butt with his head before sticking it over the door. The horse aimed a wildly bright-eyed look at Bodine.
“Next time spell it. I expect he’ll figure that out before long, but for now don’t say either of those words out loud. Out of the way, you.”
Callen managed to nudge Sundown back, get out of the stall, before the horse stuck out his head again.
Testing—she couldn’t help it—Bodine said, “Peppermint treats.”
“Oh, for Christ’s—” With a shake of his head, Callen hefted the saddle from Bodine as Sundown danced and whinnied.
“Is he … like … cheering?”
“You could say that’s his version of yippee. Just hold on a minute.”
Fascinated, Bodine went back into Leo’s stall as Callen carried his tack away. She pulled the jar of peppermints from the stall box—she’d bought them especially, and sentimentally, for Leo for Christmas.
Digging in her pocket, she cut off the seal with her pocketknife.
She gave Leo two, which he gobbled with pleasure, then kissed his cheek. “Merry Christmas, Leo.”
She took two more out of the jar, and stepped out of the stall. Spotting them, Sundown did an excellent mimic of smacking his lips.
“He beats all,” she said as Callen came back. “Is it all right to give them to him?”
“Not until he says please.”
In response, Sundown made a sound in his throat, and his eyes said please as clearly as the word.
She held them out, and he nibbled them off her palm. Seemed to sigh, then blew his lips against her cheek.
“You’re welcome. Leo’s pleased to share his Christmas—the word I’m not saying—with you. If I’d known he was that fond of them, I’d have picked up another jar.”
“I keep one at the shack. If I kept one anywhere near him, he’d find a way to get to it, even if I put it in a damn vault. Speaking of Christmas.”
Callen opened the stall again, lifted a gift bag from inside.
“Oh.” Flustered, Bodine stared at it, then up at Callen. “I didn’t— You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Who says it’s for you? Try to remember, the spirit of Christmas is about giving, not getting, Bodine. It’s for Leo, from Sundown here.”
“It’s … Your horse got a present for my horse?”
“They’ve gotten to be good pals. Are you going to give it to him?”
“Of course. I think I’ll need to take it out, if that’s all right with Sundown.”
“Is that a yes?” Callen asked his horse, and got a quick nod.
“Well, let’s see what we’ve got here, Leo.” She stepped across to Leo’s stall, dug in the tissue, felt leather.
“Look here, Leo, you’ve got a new head collar. A fancy one, too. Oh, it’s got his name and the Bodine brand on it. Callen, this is so nice, so thoughtful. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me.” Leaning back against the stall door, Callen wagged his thumb behind him. “Sundown picked it out.”
“Of course he did. Thank you, Sundown. It’s the nicest head collar Leo’s ever had. We’re going to try it on right now. Let’s try it,” she murmured to the horse as she slipped it on. “It fits just right, and look how handsome.”