Chapter Thirty-Nine
ROUGH HANDSPhoenix pulled her face from her pillow at the knock on her door. The swelling on the back of her head sent an ache radiating down her neck. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, acknowledging the tightness in her chest at the thought of interacting with anyone else trying to be helpful. Matua had phoned earlier to speak to her and his gentle probing had felt like a trial. Mikaere had kicked the innards out of his horse box, not understanding the old man and his son’s generosity in transporting him to the hotel. Matua had still asked her if she wanted to sell the gelding, offering cash for the feisty beast if she changed her mind.
“Phoe?” Her mother’s voice sounded tentative, as though she’d read her daughter’s thoughts from beyond the solid wood. She knocked aga
