Free Promise Kept by Mitzi Pool Bridges Page B

important things to consider. Mainly, was she still safe here? Had they found her? She shook her head. Not possible.
    It didn’t seem likely that Freckles’ plight could be anything more than an accident. To think otherwise would send her running.
    Phyl followed voices to the kitchen. But it wasn’t Donovan. She couldn’t have been more surprised to see the stranger from the bookstore standing in the kitchen, a cookie in one hand, a glass of tea in the other. Why was he here? What did he want? Her anxiety kicked up several notches. “Where’s Mark?”
    Nellie answered, “He couldn’t wait to get back to the barn.”
    Phyl breathed a silent sigh of relief.
    “How do you feel?” Nellie asked.
    “Better,” she said, then turned to the stranger. “What are you doing here?” Though the question sounded rude, she didn’t care. She didn’t like the man. He made her nervous and uncomfortable.
    “Hi!” he said with a smile that showed white teeth, but left his eyes cold. “I don’t think Mary properly introduced us. I’m Gregory Mateo.”
    “Gregory says he’s met you and Mark.”
    That familiar creepy feeling crawled up Phyl’s back. “He was at the bookstore,” Phyl said, still watching him. “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you here?”
    Phyl ignored the questioning look Nellie gave her.
    “I didn’t get a chance to tell you the other day, but I’m working on a coffee-table book on Texas ranches. That’s why I’m in the area. I want to include pictures of the larger ranches.”
    “Who else have you contacted?” Phyl asked, her voice a little on the rude side. She didn’t care. Seeing this man in the house she felt safe in suddenly had her feeling insecure and nervous.
    Mateo shrugged. “I’m slowly getting acquainted with ranchers in the area, but you’re the first.” He went to the table, picked up a camera bag and tripod. “I’d like to take pictures if I could. You can help with the final selection,” he said to Nellie. “It would be great to have some action pictures. You know, herding the cattle, mending fences, all the cowboy things.”
    His eyes darted from Nellie to Phyl. “I have a publisher. She’s quite excited about it.”
    “Which is?”
    Mateo patted his shirt pockets, then reached for a wallet in his jeans pocket that wasn’t there, and shook his head. “A new outfit in New York. I could’ve sworn I had her card with me.”
    “I’ll ask Donovan,” Nellie said. “But I don’t see a problem.” She turned to Phyl. “Do you?”
    “We have work to do. It would be a big interruption.” Her voice was sharp and she didn’t bother to tame it. Her head pounded a beat that had nothing to do with too much sun.
    Pulling on her cap, she went to the door. “I’m going to the barn.”
    “Phyl,” Nellie called out. “If you see Donovan, ask him about Mr. Mateo’s proposal.”
    “I’ll do that.” She paused at the back door. “We’ll let you know.”
    It was a dismissal that should have come from Nellie, but the man didn’t quibble. As she shut the door, she heard him tell Nellie that he’d be in touch. Phyl breathed a little easier.
    ****
    I’m brilliant. Even if I had to buy a stupid camera and all the shit that goes with it. I don’t have to wait for orders or backup. I know what to do. Hell, I can even sound like a pro if I want to. Uncle thinks I’m a dumb-ass leech he has to put up with because of Mom. Wait until he finds out about this.
    He’ll be so proud.
    I’ll never be pushed to the back of the pack again. I’ll be “indispensable.” Just like his main man.
    The whole cartel thought he had no balls.
    I’ll show them.
    He started the motor and smiled all the way back to town.
    ****
    “What are you doing out of bed?” Donovan asked when Phyl entered the barn.
    “I know I still look a little flushed from the sun, but I’m fine.”
    There was a look in Donovan’s eyes she couldn’t define. Still, seeing him made her heart lift. For a