She recognized me immediately, her eyes narrowing. “Back again?”
“Can’t stay away. The coffee’s too good.”
She poured me a cup and set it down without a word. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about a man named Mateo, would you?”
She suddenly stopped in her tracks. Without turning, she clenched her jaw. “Why are you asking about him?” she whispered.
“I’ve heard his name around town. People seem protective of him.”
She finally faced me with her eyes narrowing. “You’d do well to leave him alone. Mateo’s a good man. And he doesn’t need someone like you snooping around.”
“Someone like me?” I echoed as I raised an eyebrow. “I’m just trying to get to the bottom of what’s been happening here. If he’s got nothing to hide, then why all the secrecy?”
Her expression hardened. She lowered her voice to a growl. “You don’t know anything about this town or Mateo. If you were smart, you’d pack up and leave before you get yourself into something you can’t handle.”
I met her gaze. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m not going anywhere. I’m determined to find out what’s happening here.”
She stared at me for a long moment before she straightened and walked away.