Stranger in My House (A Murder In Texas) by Mari Manning Read Free Book Online Page A

be left alone. You know that.”
    “Exactly. So let me get back to my job.”
    A derisive snort blew from her thin nostrils. “Just make sure you do. I’ve got to run down to Austin. I’ll be back after lunch.”
    She stomped away, arms folded, the top half of her body craning forward, her big bottom dragging behind. When she reached the Escalade, she hoisted herself in, ass first. That woman had ballast. Balls, too, the way she put herself in charge of everything. But when it came to Frankie, Miss Bea was right. She had to be watched.
    He strode across the barnyard and thrust the coffee at Frankie. “Here.”
    “Thanks.” With one hand, she slid her fingers through the handle of the mug. She looked up at him, and that same soft light was in her eyes. The one he’d noticed yesterday when she’d asked about her momma. “Did you burn your hand?” she asked.
    Desire scraped at his body, and he experienced an insane desire to touch her. Instead, he shook his head. “I’m fine.”
    She sipped her coffee and studied him. The deep concern in her eyes shook him more than Frankie’s crazy stunts. He tore his eyes away and zeroed in on Manny. “You having trouble keeping up with the chores?” He could feel Frankie’s interest as if it were alive and breathing on its own. By now Frankie should be complaining of boredom.
    “No, boss. I just…I mean, she just asked if she could help. I wasn’t sure what you wanted me to say.” Manny’s face reddened.
    Since when did Frankie start offering to help around the ranch?
    “This is all my fault,” Frankie said. “I didn’t mean to interfere.” But she looked more curious than contrite.
    He squeezed his eyes shut for a second and tried to get his bearings. Had he landed in a parallel universe where Frankie was nice ? “Miss Frances isn’t used to working with horses. She might get bitten. Please remember that in the future,” he said to Manny.
    Manny shrugged. “She said she worked at a stable.”
    He hated Frankie’s lies. He spun on her. “You told me you grew up in downtown Houston. In a fancy condo, wasn’t it?” More like rubbed it in his face.
    He expected a gotcha laugh or a snotty comeback, but instead he got nervousness.
    “I—I meant on my summer vacations. My granddaddy worked at a stable, and I would help him. Sorry.” She raised her mug and gulped at the coffee. “Great coffee. You saved my life. Honest.”
    Sorry? Honest? Either Frankie Swallow was giving an Oscar-worthy performance as the girl next door or… Or what? He studied her. Same hair, same eyes, same nose, same voice. But something was off. He pushed a Frankie hot button. “The horses need exercise. Care to ride with me?” He raised an eyebrow. “I mean, since you have all that stable experience.”
    Frankie tilted her head and studied him. “What are you up to, Seth?”
    “Just asking a civil question. It’s a nice day for a ride.” He struggled to keep his face neutral. Behind him, Manny shuffled, and it occurred to Seth that Manny’s face might be giving away the subterfuge. Seth twisted his head toward the boy, who looked confused. “Right, Manny?”
    The boy’s confusion turned to fear. He backed away from Seth. “I—I don’t know, boss.”
    Frankie’s expression sobered. She looked from Manny to Seth. Her eyes narrowed. “I think I’ll take a walk up to the ridge.”
    Seth felt his neutral expression slip away. Frankie didn’t walk. “Suit yourself. Of course, it’s a nice ride to the ridge. Beats walking in this heat.”
    “Does it?” When he didn’t respond, she added, “Besides, I don’t have boots.”
    He pushed his face into a jovial expression, an effort that made his face ache. “No problem. You can borrow Miss Bea’s boots. Come on. I thought you liked riding with me.”
    Manny let out a soft breath. It was a lie. Frankie hated the horses, and she refused to ride. As for wearing Miss Bea’s boots, no points for guessing how snotty little