Promise Kept (12 page)

“I remember,” he said, squatting to get one of Donovan as he wrestled a steer to the ground.

“You’d better,” she mumbled, as she went in the opposite direction. If she stayed at his back, he couldn’t focus on her. But she knew that once engrossed in her work, she’d forget to keep an eye on him.

After an hour or so, Mateo headed for his car. Every so often, he’d stop, get out and position his camera for more photographs. “He’s a fake,” she mumbled. Pretending to be something he’s not. She’d stake her next paycheck on it.

“Did you say something?” Donovan asked, handing her a bottle of water.

“Don’t like the guy.”

“Seems innocuous enough.”

Phyl took the water, drank deeply, put the bottle in her saddlebag. “Can’t help how I feel.”

“The heat is oppressive. How are you holding up?”

“Fine,” she snapped, wishing he and Nellie would stop hovering. She had a job to do, intended to do it, hundred-degree heat notwithstanding.

“Just asking.” He chuckled and went to the next calf.

An hour later, he called a halt. “Let’s wrap it up and go to the house.”

“Are you making it a short day on my account? I can work as long as you can.” Longer if she had to, even though she was sweating right through her undies.

“Don’t argue, Phyl,” he said tiredly. “Let’s call it a day.”

Within thirty minutes they were back in the saddle, and heading to the barn.

Donovan cleared his throat. “I want to apologize again for yesterday. I’m sorry about Cal.”

“You couldn’t find him, could you?”

Donovan shook his head. “He was long gone.”

“Figured.”

Her mind went to her own problems. It was past time to tell Donovan the truth. He should know why strangers spooked her. He and Nellie should both know why it was so important for her and Mark to stay hidden. If they didn’t want her here under those circumstances she’d understand and leave. Mark would be hurt, but he was young and would recover quickly. Would she?

She more than liked the man riding beside her. No, she didn’t like the way he’d pushed Cal around, but did like the reason for the action. He was a good, hard-working man—one whose touch ignited her senses. No man had ever done that to her. Not even her ex.

If they left, it could take her longer to get over the loss than it would take Mark.

She looked at Donovan. Even tired and sweaty he looked good. What would he think when she told him about herself and the real reason she was here? Would he think she’d taken advantage of his mother? Giving him a sidelong look, his Stetson pulled low against the sun, his body relaxed in the saddle, an unexpected wave of longing sliced through her so fast it made her loins clench.

She took a deep breath. Thank God Donovan couldn’t read her thoughts.

She put her mount into a trot and moved away.

When distance separated them she could think again.

Her decision made, she walked her mount into the barn.

Weary now, she unstrapped the cinch, slid the saddle off. Taking a water hose, she rinsed Skye, talking all the while. “Does that feel good? I’ll just bet it does. You’ve had a rough day, haven’t you?” By the time she’d finished, Donovan had taken care of Stormy and was waiting for her.

“I called a friend—a private investigator. He’s going to try to find Cal.”

“So you can do what? Say you’re sorry? Is that enough?”

“Probably not,” he said, his voice so low and rough it made her shiver. “But I have to do something to make it right.”

She opened the back door to the house, went in. Donovan was right behind her. The cool air against her wet clothes felt like ice.

Mark ran to them. “Freckles ate rat poison. She could have died.” He looked up at Donovan. “How did she get it? We checked real good. We can’t let her get sick again.” Tears formed in his eyes.

Phyl grabbed her stomach. Was her first thought right? Had they been found? No. If they had, she would be dead. So would Mark. They wouldn’t bother messing with a dog.

She relaxed some and looked from Mark to Nellie. Their eyes were dark with concern.

Nellie turned to Donovan. “The vet called. I thought you accounted for all the poison.”

“I did. I have no idea how she got it.”

“The vet said if you hadn’t gotten her in when you did, she’d be gone. We can’t let this happen again,” Nellie said.

“Did he say anything about the poison being in the dog food? Remember the big splash not too long ago when animals were dying and getting sick because rat poison had gotten into the food as it was being processed?”

“He asked what brand of food we gave them,” Nellie said. “I’d forgotten about that scare. He’s probably checking it out now.”

Phyl went to her son, wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “The dogs are fine now, Mark, that’s what’s important.”

“What if it happens again?” he wailed.

She looked at Donovan. His shoulders gave a nearly imperceptible shrug. “Just to be sure, I’ll change brands.”

“In the meanwhile, I’ll cook their food myself,” Nellie volunteered.

Mark pulled on Donovan’s sleeve. “We need to look for the poison again. Maybe we missed it.”

“Do I have time for a quick shower first?” Donovan asked with a grin.

“Hurry,” Mark urged. “I’m going to the barn and see what I can find.”

“Why don’t you wait for me?” Donovan called after him.

But Mark was halfway out the door. “I can do it!”

“Mark! You heard Donovan. Wait!” Phyl didn’t want him in the barn or anywhere else by himself.

It was past time to tell Donovan everything.

As soon as she showered and dressed, she took Mark to the barn and waited for Donovan.

****

It didn’t take long for Donovan to shower and get to the barn. He seriously doubted the poison came from dog food. At least the topic forced thoughts of Phyl from his mind. It was a wonder anything was accomplished today with his mind centered on the woman working by his side and the fool he’d made of himself yesterday.

When had admiration turned into more? When had his thoughts turned from concern over whether she could keep up with the work to how she’d feel in bed?

He knew the answer.

That seductive ride back to the house the day she’d fainted from the heat had sent desire spiraling though him at warp speed. It wasn’t what she’d done. She’d been anything but seductive. She kept that glorious blond hair tucked up in a ponytail and hidden under a worn baseball cap. She wore no makeup, and dressed like a cowboy. None of that kept his thoughts from wandering.

As he neared the barn, he heard Mark and Phyl. The sound of their voices made him stop and listen.

“I don’t see where Freckles got the poison,” Mark said.

“Wait for Donovan, he’ll help you look.”

He liked the way she said his name. Liked the way it made him feel. Why was he so entranced with this woman? Did he want to pursue it? If he did, there were things she needed to know.

He walked into the barn; saw Phyl playing with the dogs. Mark was earnestly searching for poison Donovan was sure wasn’t there. But the serious look on the boy’s face made Donovan see things about himself he couldn’t see earlier.

“Donovan!” Mark cried out. “I can’t find anything.”

“Why don’t we call it a day? Maybe something else made Freckles sick.”

“But the vet said…”

Donovan waved a hand. “Dinner is ready. Go to the house and wash up.”

Scowling, Mark did as he was told.

Phyl locked the gate on the dogs, came toward him. His throat closed.

“Donovan, would you have a little time after dinner? There are some things we need to discuss.”

Yes they did. He didn’t know what she wanted to tell him, but he definitely knew what he wanted to say to her. How much should he tell her? “Has Mom told you how Max and TJ saved the ranch?”

“No.”

“Have you been to Rock Mountain?”

“Rock Mountain?”

He chuckled. “That clump of rocks at the west end of the property. Have you been in there?”

She shook her head. “I’ve seen it, of course, but never been close.”

“There’s an interesting story out there if you want to hear it.”

“Sure. After dinner, then.”

Donovan ate faster than usual.

Finally, dishes done, Mark and Nellie settled down over a half-finished puzzle.

Donovan smiled when Phyl cautioned Mark to stay in the house, and made his mom promise to keep him there. Phyl was definitely an over protective mom.

Donovan led the way on Stormy to the rock formation. From a distance it looked like a small mountain. Closer, they didn’t quite reach the sky as they had thought as kids. It was just a clump of boulders that took up space.

He stole a glance at Phyl. Without her baseball cap, her ponytail bounced with every step Skye took. She sat tall and straight in the saddle, as if she were born to ride. His heart kicked up a notch.

She glanced over at him. His heart did that familiar flip.

“So, tell me,” she said, as they reined their horses side by side.

“Our neighbor, Bart Adams, wanted the ranch. A couple of years ago, he did everything he could to ruin us.”

Phyl stared. “How?”

“He planted a sick cow in the pasture. Our regular vet was unavailable so we called in the new one. Only the new vet was working with Bart and somehow convinced the authorities that the herd had to be destroyed.”

“How awful! That must have been devastating.”

“You have no idea. We were this close,” he held up two fingers and pressed them close together, “To being foreclosed on when TJ got a hare-brained idea to save the place.”

By now they were at the rocks. He rode Stormy into the formation. Phyl followed.

“What’s in here?” she asked.

“You’ll see,” he answered as they rounded a large rock and came to a natural spring.

She gasped. “Would you look at that?” She got off Skye, went to the edge, and put a hand in the water. “It’s cold.”

“It’s continually fed by an underground spring.”

“I’ll bet this was a favorite spot when you were kids.”

“It was. But that was before Max, TJ’s husband, discovered the springs.”

“I met Max when he and TJ came to the ranch. He’s a nice man.”

Donovan swung off Stormy’s back, and came to stand beside her. “He’s part of the story. Why don’t we sit over there?” He pointed to a rock formation that jutted out over the water.

“Perfect.”

“Absolutely,” he agreed, but he wasn’t looking at the rocks or the water. He was devouring Phyl with his eyes, feasting on her slim body, her beautiful hair and tantalizing backside as she climbed up ahead of him. He wanted to touch her but she had to know the truth about him before he carried this to the next level. If there was a next level.

When they were comfortable, she turned toward him. “So tell me. How did Max find the springs? How did Max and TJ save the ranch?”

“Bart found the springs before Max did. Water is precious in the Hill Country. Whoever has it has a big advantage. Allen’s place is next door. He wanted the water and our ranch.”

“How did he plan on getting it? You would never sell.”

“That’s why he planted the sick cow.”

“And TJ?”

“She saw a wanted flyer with a reward for Maxwell Thomas, accused of stealing a hundred million dollars from his employer, Foster Enterprises. Foster set up a million-dollar reward. TJ went after Max to get it.”

“But…they’re married? They have a baby!”

“Happily married.” Donovan agreed. “But that’s getting ahead of the story. TJ found Max all right. But they fell for each other. Before they could find what they needed to clear Max, someone started shooting at them. They had to stay hidden. What TJ didn’t know was Max was working undercover with the FBI to prove Foster was going to steal the money his clients had invested with his company. Foster stole the money all right, but he managed to make Max look guilty before he had enough evidence to make an arrest.”

“Goodness.”

Donovan chuckled. “There’s more. You’ll have to get TJ to tell you the whole story.”

“I will. So what happened to Bart Adams?”

“He’s in jail. Probably be out in a couple years.”

Silence.

If only he could find the right words to tell her the truth about his paternity. But what would it matter? He had no future with Phyl. Someday she’d go back where she came from—of that he was certain. There’d be no happy ending for him like there was with Max and TJ. Hell, he didn’t even know who he really was!

The wind blew wisps of hair around Phyl’s face. Donovan couldn’t resist the urge, and found himself tucking strands behind an ear. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

She laughed. “My hands are as rough as yours, my skin is too dark from the sun, and I can’t do a thing with my hair.”

“That’s what makes you so beautiful.”

She looked at him in silence. He had to tell her.

“I have another story for you.”

Her smile trembled. “Is it as exciting as the last one?”

His voice grew gruff when he answered. “It’s more personal.” He wanted to put his arms around her. Instead they sat apart. Phyl looked across the water to the horses, then to the rocks above their heads, then at him.

“I’m not a Callahan.”

She didn’t say a word, just continued to look, those golden eyes looking right into his soul.

He ran a hand over his face. This was harder than he thought. “I’m here because Mom was raped.”

Phyl gasped.

Donovan felt the horror anew. And the rage. With effort, he clamped down on the rage. It had no place here, on this outcropping, on this evening.

“Mom was engaged to Duncan Callahan at the time. She told him about it. He wanted to find the guy and beat him to a pulp. Mom stopped him. She wouldn’t even report it. The creep took off. When Mom found out she was pregnant, she broke off the engagement.”

“Only Duncan wouldn’t hear of it,” Phyl whispered.

“How did you know?”

“He loved her.”

“Yes, he did. And he convinced her to marry him. So here I am. The first of five children; all of whom have the same father except me.”

Phyl’s heart ached. How long had it taken him to accept his paternity? How long to realize that regardless of that, he was every inch a Callahan? Or had he?