The Keeping(28)

Well, sitting here speculating wasn’t going to do her any good. Mel lifted her hand to the gearshift and was just about to put the car into drive, when she noticed someone walking down the road. She hesitated for a moment as a little stab of excitement shot through her. A friendly conversation with one of the neighbours might prove to be useful. Neighbours in small towns knew things about each other, didn’t they? Eagerly, she awaited the arrival of her possible information source.

It was soon evident that the approaching figure belonged to a man. He was tall, good looking and around her age, with sandy blonde hair and hazel eyes. His stride faltered when he saw that she was obviously waiting for him and she wondered momentarily if he was about to turn around and retreat. His hesitation was brief, however. Soon a wide grin spread across his face and he walked up to her jauntily.

She rolled down her window and called out a friendly greeting. “Hello. It’s a lovely morning, isn’t it?”

“Sure is.” The man stopped beside her car and looked down at her, his brows raised in inquiry. “I’m surprised to see you...I mean...someone out here. We don’t get too many visitors.”

“I imagine not, given how off-the-beaten-path it is. Actually, I’m interested in meeting Ryne Taylor. I’ve heard he lives here. Do you know him?”

The man seemed to be suppressing a chuckle and Mel quickly glanced at her face in the rear-view mirror. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d had something on her face accidentally. Nope, all was clear. Maybe the guy was just the cheerful type.

“Yeah, I know Ryne. He’s my Alph... Er...friend.”

“So you live around here?” Mel felt her spirits perk up. This man just might prove to be a fount of knowledge about her photographer.

“Uh-huh. I actually live with him. We’ve been together for about five months now.”

“Really?” Hopefully, her shock didn’t show on her face. The idea that Taylor might be gay had never crossed her mind. Darn, it was always the cute ones. She felt herself inexplicably wanting to pout over the fact, not that she’d really been interested in the man of course! But still...

Something niggled in her brain. No. That couldn’t be right. Taylor couldn’t be batting for the other team. From the way everyone spoke, he was a ladies’ man. A switch hitter? Nah... This fellow must mean something entirely different by the term ‘been together’ than the popular vernacular. Refocusing, she gently probed for more information. “So it’s just the two of you?”

“No, Daniel lives with us, too. I’m Bryan, by the way.”

She nodded her head, and shook the hand he extended towards her, and offered her name in return. Not quite sure what to make of the situation, she decided it wasn’t any of her business anyway. Her main focus should be on meeting Taylor and getting him to agree to an interview. Possibly this person was her way in. “Well, I’d really like to meet him. I’ve seen some of his pictures and he’s an amazing photographer. Do you think he’d be willing to see me and discuss his work?”

Bryan hesitated, then shrugged. “He’s not much of a talker, so I wouldn’t count on it, but you never know.”

“Could you give me his phone number so I could call him? I didn’t see a number in the phone book, but maybe it’s under your name?”

“No, it’s a private number. I suppose I could ask him for you. Do you have a phone number he could reach you at?”

Mel shook her head regretfully. “My cell is having some trouble picking up a signal, and the cabin I’m at doesn’t have a phone hooked up...oh, but he could leave a message for me with the Kennedys and I could get back to him!” She hoped Beth wouldn’t mind and made a mental note to ask her, as soon as she got back.

Bryan nodded. “The Kennedys? Sure. Everyone knows who they are. That should work.”

“Thanks. It’s been nice talking to you.” She started the car, gave a cheery wave, and drove off. Glancing back in her mirror as she went on her way, she was surprised that there was no sign of Bryan. Apparently, he moved just as fast as Taylor did!

*****

Back in town, Mel made her way to the diner, recalling from yesterday that it had a pay phone in the entrance way. She listened to the rings while twirling the cord around her finger and mentally rehearsing her report. Finally, the answering machine picked up. Aldrich wasn’t in the office. Relieved, Mel left a message, thanking her lucky stars at being able to avoid talking to the man. He really did give her the creeps.

Hanging up the pay-phone—she was surprised to find that they still existed in the cellular world—she turned to stare around the crowded diner. It had an ‘L’ shaped dining area. A row of small tables lined the windows that faced onto the main street. Next there was a row of stools by a counter, behind which you could get a glimpse into the kitchen through a serving window. Along the side, leading towards the back was a long narrow area with a row of booths on one side and various small tables on the other. It was mid-morning and it appeared many of the locals had stopped in for coffee after attending Sunday services at the local church. This, too, might be a good place to pick up some information on Taylor.