Freelance Love Read Free Page A

Gutierrez and he’s excited about the
exposure the group could get. Then there’s the youth groups, and I’ll give you
that information in a few days. You’ll be talking to the Mesilla Valley Youth
Activity Center’s artistic director about the program she has established -
what attracts the youth of the Mesilla Valley and Dona Ana county to learn the
music? What makes them so passionate about it?
    “I need you to go to the Internet and do some research on the
history and culture of mariachi, the uniforms and the instruments. I’ll
interview Jose and some group members and find out what led them into
mariachi,” Morgan said.
    “Okay – what about other articles?” Mia asked.
    “I’m supposed to get those assignments in a day or so. Once I see
what the editors for each magazine need, I’ll flesh out a story and we’ll work
on them. Here’s your paycheck for the last set of articles.” Morgan pulled a
check out from a sheaf of papers on her desk, handing it to Mia.
    “Thank you! After turning in my financial aid paperwork, these
work-study checks really come in handy,” said Mia with an engaging grin.
    After Mia left with her latest assignment, Morgan checked her
voice mail. Seeing that she had one, she clicked the “play” button. John Mack’s
voice filled the room.
    “Morgan, I really need you here in the store! Please . . .”
    Morgan, swearing under her breath, smashed the “delete” button.
“John, I am not coming back to your store! What part of ‘no’ is so damned hard
to understand?” She decided the only thing she could do would be to ignore the
irritation that John’s calls represented. It’s
better for me to focus my energy on keeping my business on the right road and
moving up.
    Two weeks later, she was deep into her current assignments. Ian
called Morgan to schedule a meeting so they could work on her newest articles.
At the same time, John Mack called the managing editor of Las Cruces Lifestyles and, using his newly acquired knowledge, anonymously reported that Morgan had
ben giving portions of her writing assignments to other writers.

Chapter 3
    Lily, the managing editor of Las
Cruces Lifestyles , was shocked. She felt she had gotten to know Morgan
very well – to find out that she had potentially violated a portion of her
contract made her doubt what she thought she knew of one of her best freelance
writers. Asking several questions, she jotted down the answers. She was
confused when John could not answer some of her questions. Reading his
responses, she had her doubts and decided to call Morgan.
    Morgan met with Ian, feeling a strong sense of self-preservation.
Sitting across the table from him, she set her work bag and laptop in between
them, as a physical barrier.
    “Here’s my newest articles. I’m still getting responses back from
interview subjects, so it’s not complete yet,” said Morgan.
    “Okay . . .” Ian scanned through the copy, flipping article
pages. “I’ll go through this line by line and give you a call . . . by the way,
I’m sorry for that kiss a few weeks ago. It was uncalled for.”
    Morgan, taken by surprise, looked at Ian. “Well . . . it’s in the
past, anyway . . .” Hearing her cell phone ring, she pulled it out of her bag
and checked the caller I.D. readout.
    “Hmmm! That’s the managing editor for Las Cruces Lifestyles . I wasn’t
expecting any calls from her. Do you mind?”
    “Go right ahead. I’ll watch your laptop for you.”
    Morgan, nodding her thanks, walked quickly outside the
restaurant. “Hello, this is Morgan.”
    “Morgan, it’s Lily here. Are you available now?”
    “Actually, I’m in a meeting with Ian. We’re going over my current
set of articles. Do you have extra work for me or . . .” At a lengthy silence
that stretched out for several uncomfortable beats, Morgan felt a heavy
apprehension in her stomach.
    “Well . . . I got an anonymous phone call and the caller made allegations
that you’re outsourcing your