Free Cowboy Fever by Joanne Kennedy Page A

off.
    It’s only because she cares, she told herself.
    â€œIf you want to do one thing for me, stay away from Teague.” Her mother held up a hand to stop Jodi’s protests. “I know he can’t help who his parents are, but you have to remember one thing: his father wasn’t just a drunk, he was a wife-beater. And that kind of thing runs in families.”
    â€œNot all the time.”
    â€œMost of the time. Look at your friend Cissy.”
    â€œWhat does that have to do with Teague?” Jodi said. “And you would have loved it if I’d dated Cal.”
    â€œNo, I wouldn’t have. Did you know Cal’s mother?”
    Jodi thought back to high school football games. “I must have met her, but I don’t really remember.”
    â€œThat’s because she was the mousiest, scaredest woman you ever wanted to meet. Cal takes after his dad. Ask Cissy. She’ll tell you.”
    â€œBut Teague wouldn’t…”
    â€œDid you ever think Cal would?”
    Jodi reluctantly shook her head. “Not really. He always seemed so—together. So in control of everything.” She thought a moment. “Cissy said things didn’t go so well for him after high school. I guess when things got out of control…”
    Her mother nodded. “And Teague always has been one to settle things with his fists. He’s been in trouble over and over.” She reached out and put a hand on Jodi’s arm. “I know you’ve always liked him, honey. But use your head first and your heart second. Just think .”
    Jodi sighed. “I guess you have a point. But Mom, you worry too much.”
    â€œOh, I know,” her mother said. “Besides, he’s found some greener pastures, anyway. Everyone says that Skelton girl’s fallen for him.”
    â€œReally?” Jodi narrowed her eyes. Teague hadn’t mentioned any Skelton girl. In fact, he’d said he didn’t have a girlfriend. “The what girl?”
    â€œSkelton. Her father’s some financier or something from back East, bought up a bunch of land north of town.” She patted Jodi’s shoulder. “I hear they’re a serious item, so I guess you’re safe. I’m sorry, hon. I just worry. But I know you’ve got more sense than to fall for a Treadwell.”
    â€œSure,” Jodi muttered. “Right.”
    She regretted her tone when her mother turned quickly and gave her a questioning look.
    â€œNo, really, Mom. I’ll stay away from him.”
    She was too late. Her mother reached across the counter and took both her hands.
    â€œPromise me,” she said, staring earnestly into Jodi’s eyes. “Promise me you won’t get involved with him.”
    Jodi started to protest, then slumped against the counter. She’d come back to Purvis to make things right with her mother. Ever since realizing how unfair she’d been to the one person who loved her unconditionally, she felt uncomfortably off-balance. She had to make it right.
    And besides, her mother had a point. How much evidence did she need to see that Teague was trouble? His father was an abuser, and he himself had a history of solving his troubles by fighting, to the point where he’d gone to prison for it. Well, to juvie, anyway. And when she’d seen how nervous Troy was about returning home, what had her first thought been?
    That Teague might be abusing him.
    Even she’d thought it was possible.
    Then there was their own personal history. He’d treated her like crap all those years ago. So what had she done? She’d fooled herself into forgiving him, then hopped back into bed with him the first chance she got.
    At least she’d had the sense to walk away this time without saying anything stupid. She’d evened the score. They were one and one.
    And that was where it needed to end.
    â€œOkay, Mom,” she said. She drew an enormous imaginary “X”