Promise Kept

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  Nellie led Phyl upstairs, ignoring her protests as easily as her son had.

  “Is Mom going to be all right?” Mark asked, his eyes as big as saucers.

  Donovan had forgotten how little boys could worry just as much, sometimes more, than big ones. “She’ll be fine as soon as she rests awhile. She just got a little too much sun.”

  “It is hot today,” Mark agreed.

  “It’s a good day to stay indoors. I should have listened to my mom.”

  “Does your mom make you do things you don’t want to do?”

  That was a trick question if there ever was one. “Sometimes.”

  “Do you always mind her?”

  Donovan took a deep breath. “When I was young, I tried to be good, and do what I was told. Now that I’m a grown man, I make my own decisions. Sometimes they’re right and sometimes wrong.”

  “How did you learn?”

  “From my mom and dad. That’s what your mom is doing. Teaching you, so that when you’re an adult you can make wise decisions on your own.”

  Mark nodded solemnly.

  Donovan let out a sigh of relief.

  When the last of the groceries were out of the car and put away, they headed toward the barn with the horses.

  Queenie ran toward them, barking fiercely.

  “What’s wrong, girl?” Mark asked as he bent down to pet her. Queenie wanted none of it. Barking harder, she ran in circles. “Where’s Freckles?”

  They looked toward the barn, around the yard. No Freckles. The dogs were always together. Queenie ran toward the barn. Mark ran after her. Donovan took Stormy’s reins in one hand, Skye’s in another, and followed. Seconds later, Mark screamed for Donovan.

  Donovan dropped the reins and ran.

  What he saw when he walked into the dim interior of the barn made his heartbeat kick into overdrive. Mark was bent over Freckles, crying.

  “She’s dead.”

  Donovan felt for a pulse. “Not dead, Mark. But very sick.”

  Carrying Freckles, Donovan ran for the Jeep. “I’ll take her to the vet.”

  “I’m going with you,” Mark said.

  Cal rode into the barn just as Donovan started the motor.

  “Tell Mom Freckles is sick, and I’m taking her to the vet. Tell her Mark is with me.”

  He backed up. Stopped. “Take care of the horses.”

  Cal stared after them in astonishment as the Jeep roared away.

  Chapter Seven

  “Freckles is sick, Mom.” Mark shook Phyl’s shoulder. “Mom…wake up.”

  His voice came from a distance. Something was wrong. She sat up so fast her head swirled in a kaleidoscope of sound and light. She fell back, put a hand to her head, focused until she saw Mark standing beside the bed with tears in his eyes. “What’s wrong?” Panic sent her to her feet so quickly that she had to grab the bedpost to keep from falling.

  “What happened?”

  He was sobbing, his face scrunched up “I don’t know. Neither does Donovan. But it looks like someone poisoned Freckles. We took her to the vet. He said she might die.”

  He said it all in one long sentence without taking a breath, distress flooding his voice.

  “Did Freckles get into the rat poison?”

  Mark shook his head. “Donovan checked. I helped. It was away from the animals where it was supposed to be.”

  Her head ached. Panic made it hard to think. If it wasn’t an accident, then what? And why? Her stomach curled. Could it be a warning directed at her?

  She had to talk to Donovan. “Go downstairs and stay with Nellie. I’ll be down shortly.”

  She made her way into the bathroom on unsteady feet then splashed cold water on her face. She’d have to watch it. This was the first summer in years she’d worked outside. Coming from Southern California she wasn’t accustomed to this intense heat. Nor was she accustomed to the feelings she’d had when Donovan held her next to him.

  It had taken every ounce of willpower she possessed to keep her body as far from his as possible. Even that wasn’t enough. Stormy’s every sway seemed to throw her against his hard body. What she hated most was that she liked it.

  Did he feel it, too?

  Brushing aside thoughts of the sensual ride, she went downstairs.

  There were more 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 second, she felt that same heat that had swept through her when they’d ridden in on Stormy.

  She tamped down the feeling. “What are you guys doing?”

  “We’re trying to find where Freckles got the poison,” Mark said.

  “Any luck?”

  “Not a bit,” Donovan growled, as he turned to the stall behind him.

  He looked worried. That didn’t surprise her. Donovan was the kind of man who took every detail on the ranch to heart.

  “Is the vet sure Freckles was poisoned?” Phyl asked.

  “That’s what he said. He pumped her stomach so he could have the contents analyzed. At least we’ll know what type of poison it was,” Donovan told her.

  “I know I’m the new guy on the block,” Cal said as he rounded the corner. “But I wouldn’t hurt those dogs in a million years. I love animals.”

  “I know you do,” Donovan said. “So does everyone else here on the ranch.” His brow wrinkled in concern. “I’d hate to think someone did this intentionally.”

  Phyl’s heart gave a sharp leap. That was her fear, too. “Surely not. Freckles probably just got into something that made her sick.”

  “Hope so.” He studied Phyl so long it made her nervous. “Are you sure you’re all right? You could have ended up in the hospital.”

  “I’m fine. Really. And I didn’t pass out.”

  Donovan chuckled. “Of course you didn’t.”

  Cal looked at them with distress. “We know you wouldn’t hurt the animals, Cal.”

  “Cal likes to play with Freckles and Queenie as much as I do,” Mark piped up, defending his newfound friend.

  “How long were you and my mom gone today, Mark?” Donovan asked.

  Mark shrugged. “I dunno. A while.”

  Phyl thought how strange it was that time to a child was different than an adult. What seemed like hours to a kid might be only thirty minutes. Or it could be the other way around, depending on how involved they were.

  “Nellie has dinner ready,” Phyl reminded them.

  “I’m starved,” Cal said. “Race you to the house,” he challenged Mark.

  They took off running with a whoop. To his credit, Cal allowed Mark to almost catch him before he sprinted to the door. If only life was that simple. Watching the two kids eased her concerns about Cal. Surely, he was who he said he was.

  Phyl watched them push through the door with a smile on her lips. Thinking of Freckles made the smile fade.

  Though Nellie had made a cool dinner of romaine lettuce, with chicken strips, macaroni salad, and ice cream for dessert, Phyl’s appetite was gone. She didn’t know whether it was from too much sun, Freckles being poisoned, or a stranger who made her skin crawl stepping into the picture.

  The guys didn’t seem to have any of her concerns. They ate as if it was their last meal. Mark, not to be outdone, ate as heartily as Donovan. The fact that the vet called to tell them to pick up Freckles tomorrow helped.

  “What do you think, Donovan?” Nellie asked over dinner. “Should we give Mr. Mateo our approval? Frankly, I don’t see what harm it would be, and it might be fun to have pictures of the ranch in a book.”

  Phyl put down her fork.

  Donovan shrugged. Glancing over at Phyl, he stopped eating, leaned forward. “What?”

  “I don’t have a vote,” she reminded him. “I just didn’t get a positive feeling about the man when Mark and I met him at the book store the other day.”

  He leaned closer. “Why, exactly?”

  She waved his question aside. “No specific reason.” What credence would he give to a feeling?

  “The book man is a creep,” Mark said, his mouth full of chicken.

  Cal laughed.

  “That’s two for and two against.” Donovan turned to Cal. “What’s your vote?’

  “No you don’t. This is your decision.”

  “I agree,” Phyl said as she stood and took her plate to the sink. “It’s for you and Nellie to decide. Leave us out.”

  Donovan joined her at the sink, his plate in his hand. “Then I see no reason why he can’t take a few pictures as long as he doesn’t get in the way. It sounds like an interesting project. Like Mom said, professional pictures of the ranch would be nice. If he becomes a problem, he leaves.”

  “I’ll call him tomorrow and tell him,” Nellie said.

  Phyl’s stomach plummeted.

  ****

  The next morning, Mark couldn’t contain his excitement. “When are you going to pick up Freckles? Can I go with you?”

  Nellie smiled at his enthusiasm.

  Donovan gave Mark a noogie. “Five minutes, Squirt. We’ll pick up Freckles then I have to get back to work.”

  “I’ll get started,” Phyl promised.

  “You’re going to take the day off,” Donovan insisted. “Cal can handle the chores for now and I’ll be back soon.”

  “Sure can,” Cal piped up. “You stay put.”

  “When we get back, I’ll help, too,” Mark said.

  “Sounds like you’ll be with me today.” Nellie said. “Having you here all day will be a welcome change.”

  “Ridiculous. I’m fine. I’ll do my work just as I always have.” She ignored Donovan’s scowl.

  “Not today you won’t.”

  Donovan headed outside, squaring his cowboy hat on his head. Mark was behind him, doing the same with his baseball cap.

  “I’ll take up where we left off yesterday,” Cal said.

  Then they were gone.

  Phyl made a helpless gesture before pouring her second cup of coffee. “I’m not accustomed to being pampered.”

  “It isn’t pampering, Phyl. It’s good sense. This heat is a killer. A day’s rest will be good for you.”

  Tears sprang to Phyl’s eyes. She didn’t know how to accept such kindness. She didn’t remember her mother. She did remember the trauma after she died. By the time Phyl was twelve, her dad had expected her to work like a man. And she had. She’d become the perfect foil for her demanding and needy ex-husband.

  When she’d first met Victor, he’d been attentive and loving. At that time, she’d thought he’d make a good husband and father for their children. How wrong she’d been.

  To have the Callahans want to take care of her was unexpected and humbling. How lucky she’d been to land here on this ranch with such caring people. Knowing she and Mark were here on a temporary basis made her sad.

  By mid-morning, she was bored. Donovan and Mark returned with Freckles, who acted only a little less like herself. Relenting to Mark’s incessant pleading, she allowed him to go with Donovan if he promised to stay out of the way. Then she cautioned Donovan to make sure he did so.

  Donovan smiled that smile that said she was being overly protective, saddled up and the two of them went to join Cal.

  The vet hadn’t received word from the lab on the poison so there wasn’t much they could do other than tell Dugan what had happened, and ask if there had been reports of poisoning in the area. He said there were none, but he’d keep his ears open just in case.

  A knock at the door was a welcome distraction. Probably Dugan, who dropped by at odd hours. Except Dugan didn’t knock.

  When she opened the door, she froze. Gregory Mateo stood there, camera bag in hand. “I didn’t know you were coming today.”

  “Ms. Callahan gave the go-ahead a while ago. What is that saying you country folks have—you should make hay while the sun shines?”

  “Is photography your profession?”

  He laughed. “Hardly. I sent a proposal to an editor, got the okay to take the next step, an
d took some time off from work.”

  “How exciting,” she mumbled. She didn’t want him taking pictures that everyone in the world could see. What if the wrong person saw them? What if they came here? Not only would she and her son be at risk, so would the Callahans. She couldn’t allow that to happen.

  Against the voices screaming in her head to send him away, she opened the door. “Ms. Callahan’s in the kitchen.”

  Phyl was going to her room to make herself scarce. Halfway up the stairs Nellie called out to her.

  Reluctantly, she turned and went back to the kitchen.

  “There you are. Good. Do you feel up to showing Mr. Mateo the barn? No need to saddle up and take him over the ranch.”

  Not only did she have to show him around, but they would be alone. A quick glance in his direction told her nothing. He was busy adjusting his camera. “One stipulation. He can’t take pictures of me or of Mark.”

  “But you’d give the book a new twist. Female ranch hands aren’t that common,” Mateo coaxed.

  “Sorry. That’s the deal.”

  “Can you talk to her, Ms. Callahan? A picture with Ms. Phyl in it would set your ranch apart from the rest. In fact, it’s one of the reasons why I chose this ranch to start.”

  “Sounds like her mind’s made up.”

  Mateo bobbed his head unconvincingly.

  “Phyl, wear a hat. We don’t want a repeat of yesterday,” Nellie ordered as Phyl went to the door.

  Heat hit them like a blast from a furnace. Phyl pulled her cap down to shade her eyes. She’d get this over with, and send Mateo on his way.

  “What happened yesterday?”

  She kept walking as if she hadn’t heard.

  As they entered the welcoming shade of the barn, Queenie came to greet them. Donovan had put Freckles in a stall by herself with some blankets and plenty of food and water. Seeing Mateo, she crouched menacingly, let out a low growl.

  Queenie moved between Phyl and Mateo, nudged his leg, pushing him away. Phyl squelched a burst of laughter. What could they sense about him? For that matter, what did she?

  Mateo set up his gear, and spent an hour snapping photographs of the barn, the dogs, and the horses in the corral, even the house. Whenever his camera turned her way, Phyl reminded him of his promise. He growled something she couldn’t hear and kept snapping.