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suggestion, Kathryn found that if she took the time to explain things to her mother, she didn’t get so upset if Kathryn couldn’t be with them.
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œI’m taking a teenager home to her family in Bozeman. Her name is Allie Brenner. She came down with the H1N1 virus, but it’s a light case. Maggie’s going to fly us there in a little while.”
    â€œWas she a kidnap victim?”
    â€œNo. She came to Salt Lake for a reason, but didn’t tell her father where she was going. He thought she was at school.”
    â€œOh, dear.”
    â€œWhen she got off the Greyhound bus she became dizzy. Someone called the police and she was taken to the hospital without any ID or money. She wouldn’t tell anyone anything. That’s why I was called in.”
    â€œThe poor child.”
    â€œMy feeling exactly. Something’s going on with her, Mom. I have no idea why she came here, but she finally trusted me enough to let me contact her father.”
    â€œHe must have been out of his mind with grief.”
    Kathryn would never forget the way he’d answered the phone. Talk about a terrified parent. “He was…and so grateful for the call.”
    â€œOf course. No one knows better than I what that phone call was like when Maggie told us she’d found you! ” Her mother broke down weeping.
    Afraid it would get her started, Kathryn said, “Allie’s frightened, too, and for some reason is clinging to me. Since she needs watching, I decided to see her back safely.”
    â€œWell—” her mother sniffed “—you and Maggie take care. Call us when you get there.”
    â€œI promise. Love you, Mom.”

Chapter Three
    The gleaming white-and-blue Cessna with gold striping stood out from the overcast sky as it descended and made seamless contact with the runway. Colt had been given permission to drive his Xterra as close as the rules allowed to pick up his daughter.
    Matt whistled. “Sweet. How would it be to own one of those?”
    Colt agreed, but right now he’d focused his gaze on the door, waiting for it to open. The second there was movement, he started forward.
    â€œAllie!” he cried when he saw her in the aperture wearing her parka.
    â€œHi, Dad!”
    He took the last steps to reach her and pulled her into his arms. She gave him a squeeze that almost knocked his hat off. “Do you have any idea how happy I am to see you?” Without letting her go, he carried her the small distance to the car. Matt opened the rear door so Colt could help her into the seat. He kissed her forehead.
    â€œAre you all right?”
    â€œYes, but I’m glad to be home.”
    â€œAmen to that.” In a second he had her strapped in. “I’ll be right back.”
    When he started for the plane again, his breath caught at the sight of the stunning blonde woman who’d just stepped out on the tarmac. Impressions of caramel swirls among vanilla cream flew at him like reflections off a glacier sparkling in the sun.
    She was the epitome of feminine elegance, the kind of trait a few women were born with that had nothing to do with what they wore. Although what she was wearing was perfect down to the shape of her slim waist shown off in a suede jacket. It drew his attention to her womanly hips and long legs. A white parka lay over one arm. She held a small suitcase in her other hand.
    â€œWhoa,” his son murmured behind him. Matt was old enough to appreciate the sight of a truly gorgeous woman.
    His comment said it all, jerking Colt back to his senses. He reached for her suitcase. “Welcome to Montana, Ms. McFarland. I’m Colton Brenner. This is Allie’s brother, Matt.”
    Her startling blue eyes shifted to his son. “How are you, Matt?” She shook his hand. “Did anyone ever tell you that you and Allie look a lot alike? Except you’re the handsome one.”
    While Colt