A Secret in the Attic (Mystery/Suspense/Romance) Read online

  She knew that the family owned several of the manufacturing plants in the area, and she understood that Jake probably was responsible for some of that now.

  “Do Connor and Noah work in the family business too?”

  “My father runs the two main plants, but Noah runs the smaller plant over in Fort Wayne, and Connor works in the factory area learning the business until he graduates. Noah and I had to do the same thing. I run the plant just a few miles from your bookstore. I’m surprised I’ve never run into you. I usually eat downtown.”

  “I’ve never seen you in the coffee shop. But of course, we only serve coffee and pastries.”

  “I usually eat at the diner across the street—sometimes at the deli around the corner. I can’t believe I’ve never run into you.”

  Amy sighed. “It’s been a rough couple of months getting my bearings as the new owner. That’s why I can’t wait for Emma to get here next week. During the slow time, Cindy can take over while I grab a late lunch, but the rest of the day there is a steady stream of customers.”

  Jake placed his hand on hers. “That’s good that business is steady. A lot of shops are closing their doors from lack of business.”

  Amy flashed him a serious look. “I hope that doesn’t happen to me.”

  “Now that we’re friends, I couldn’t let that happen to you. I would buy books from your store to keep you afloat.”

  Amy giggled at the thought. “What if you have to buy every book in the store in order to keep me out of the red?”

  Jake grinned at her. “Then I will be reading until the day I die.”

  She looked into his serious face. He wasn’t kidding. He leaned in close to her, closing the space between them.

  She scooted back. “I have a boyfriend.”

  What great timing! Now he probably thinks you’re a tease.

  Jake looked confused. Even though they just met, he felt an instant chemistry between them. She’d been flirting back with him; sending him signals even.

  “I was only trying to see the color of your eyes,” he stammered.

  Great save.

  He was fibbing, and he could see it in her eyes that she wasn’t buying it.

  “I’m sorry, Jake. I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that. Jonathon and I have known each other since we were in grade school. We planned to marry from the time we were in high school. It’s where my life is headed.”

  Jake’s eyes brightened a little. “That sounds more like an arranged marriage. Do you even love him? Because I didn’t hear you mention anything about love.”

  He was overstepping his ground, and he knew it, but he was interested in her. Besides, wasn’t it better to set things straight with a person from the beginning to avoid misunderstandings?

  “Of course I love him. He’s been my best friend since we were little kids.”

  Jake raised an eyebrow. “You love him as a friend?”

  Amy looked at him impatiently. “That’s what I just said.”

  Jake closed the space between them again, making her feel very warm despite the chilly breeze that blew right through her. “Don’t you want to be madly and passionately in love with the man you marry?”

  Amy didn’t budge. She was challenging him.

  “Jonathon and I have a very strong friendship and that is very important in a relationship.”

  Jake was so close, she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. “Friendship is all good, but what about passion?”

  Her spine tingled from his closeness. “Passion will come in time, I think. Won’t it?”

  “You tell me. Do you feel sparks when you’re with him?” His whispering tone sent shivers through her.

  Is he challenging me? Inviting me to be closer?

  Amy closed the gap between them, feeling dangerously close to Jake. His woodsy aftershave drawing her so near to him, she couldn’t help but press her cheek to his as she buried her face in his neck and took in a deep breath of his woodsy scent. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, placing gentle whispers of kisses on her neck. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of being in his arms. Amy was caught up in Jake’s passion for her, as she pressed even closer to him, placing one hand on his muscular chest; the other in his wavy hair. Suddenly, his lips touched hers, sending arousing waves of passion through her.

  She’d never felt like this when Jonathon held her or kissed her.

  Remember Jonathon? Your boyfriend?

  What am I doing kissing a man I barely know? This ruggedly handsome man who smells so wonderful and stirs up my emotions when his lips touch mine…

  Amy pushed Jake with the same hand that was just enjoying the feel of his chest. “I have a boyfriend.”

  Jake flashed her a cockeyed grin. “You said that already.”

  She grabbed the front of his shirt in her fist and pulled him to her again, kissing his lips like she was parched and his mouth was a drink of water she couldn’t live without.

  Without warning, she pushed him away again and stood up on wobbly legs.

  “I can’t do this. I have to go. Tell your family that I said it was lovely meeting them.”

  She ran through the garden maze before Jake had time to process what had just happened.

  He ran after her, calling her name, but she didn’t want to be caught. She wanted to leave, and it was his fault. Maybe he shouldn’t have let his grandfather set them up without her knowing it was a setup. Why had he pushed her the way he did? He couldn’t help himself. His attraction for her was set the moment he laid eyes on her.

  CHAPTER THREE

  By the time Amy reached the bookstore, it was beginning to rain. She disliked rainy October days. She felt it washed away the smell of the changing leaves, and caused them to fall to the ground too quickly. She loved walking under the canopy of fall colored leaves from the trees that lined the path through the park.

  Pulling into the alley behind the bookstore, Amy parked in front of the back door. Pausing to watch the rain pelt her windshield, she chided herself for giving in to Jake’s passion and for being taken in by his good looks and good manners. She was a sensible person, and kissing Jake was not sensible. Planning a life with sensible Jonathon was the path she had walked ever since she could remember. So why did she want more from Jake? She would have to force herself to stay away from him because that was the sensible thing to do. And she would have to find a way to turn down his invitation to the Halloween party.

  ****

  Amy stocked the new arrivals while Cindy waited on customers. She felt she was losing potential business with the new best sellers vacant from her shelves. She stacked as quickly as she could, trying to keep her mind occupied—trying to keep her mind from wandering to thoughts of Jake and the way his lips felt on hers. She was already exhausted from tossing around in her bed all night trying to sleep with him on her mind.

  I just have to avoid him and keep him out of my mind until Jonathon gets here on Friday. I only kissed him because I’m lonely and I miss Jonathon.

  Oh, who am I kidding? I kissed him because he’s beautiful and sweet, and his kiss takes my breath away.

  Focus Amy. You never have to see him again. You don’t even have to show up at his party. But that would be rude, and he’s so sweet. And hot. And he smells wonderful. And he tastes even better.

  Focus Amy.

  The jingling of the bells from the front door startled her from her thoughts. But when she looked up and saw Jake entering the bookstore, the thoughts came rushing back. He walked toward her, his crisp dress shirt matching his blue eyes. Sporting a dark grey suit and silk tie, Amy watched him walk toward her with a confidence she’d never seen in a man. It wasn’t arrogant like most men. It was a gentler, hopeful sort of confidence that she admired.

  Why did he have to come into the bookstore looking all GQ?

  As he approached, he held up two bags with the diner logo on them.

  “I brought a peace offering and I was hoping I coul
d convince you to join me for a quick bite. Besides, everyone loves the diner’s cheeseburgers and chili.”

  She smiled in surrender. She couldn’t deny him the opportunity to hear him out. A good enough argument for having lunch with him, she supposed. Besides, the diner did make a good bowl of chili. And she had to admit…she was happy to see him, especially since she was always a sucker for a handsome man in a suit.

  “Go ahead and set things up outside at one of the tables on the sidewalk, and give me a minute to wash the dust off my hands.”

  She watched him exit the store and set the bags down on her favorite table in front of the coffee shop before heading to the storage room to wash up. She took her time, trying to battle the inner tug of war that plagued her mind.

  He’s only here to have lunch. How much trouble can we get into sitting on the sidewalk having lunch in public? Hopefully none.

  Amy paused before joining Jake out front, hoping to gather her wits.

  You can do this. He’s only here to have lunch. But if he wasn’t so cute, this would be a lot easier.

  When she stepped out onto the sidewalk and took one look at him, she was glad she’d worn her tweed jacket with dress pants or she would have felt underdressed.

  If he looks this good every day when he’s working, I could never work with him. I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off him.

  She squinted her eyes against the sun that highlighted the blue in Jake’s. He’d propped his Ray Bans on his head, and Amy plucked them off and put them on as she sat across from him in the direct sun.

  He smirked. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you would have the sun in your eyes. I’d be happy to switch with you.”

  Amy shook her head and opened the diner bag in front of her. Truth be told, she was shocked by her own bravery when she took his sunglasses and put them on, but she was enjoying the feel of them on her face.

  She flicked them up to look him directly in the eye.

  “As long as you don’t mind if borrow your shades, I don’t mind sitting on this side.”

  He smiled. “They look cuter on you anyway.”

  She smiled back, but she thought they made him look pretty hot when he entered the store a few minutes ago. Of course she wasn’t bold enough to tell him that.

  From the music store two doors down; a soft ballad played, carrying along a romantic mood on every note. Amy tried to ignore it, not wanting Jake to get the impression he was on a date with her. Thankfully, he was too engrossed in the container of chili in front of him to notice.

  He put down his spoon and wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I hope we can still be friends. I really enjoy your company, and I’d hate to get between you and Jonathon.”

  Amy swallowed hard. It’s the way she wanted it. So why did she feel disappointed with his offer of friendship?

  “Friends is good.”

  Is that the best you’ve got? What you meant to say was that you want to be friends, but you still want to kiss him. Except that would be wrong. For Jonathon’s sake, anyway.

  Jake smiled. “Well then it’s settled. Can I talk you into helping me carve the pumpkins for the party? I usually do the carving on Saturday morning so they’re fresh for the party.”

  I forgot about the party. How am I going to get out of this? Maybe a last-minute excuse would be better.

  “I’ll ask Jonathon and Emma if they want to help.”

  That’s right…use them as an excuse. Now I can tell him on Saturday that they have other plans. I have to keep Jake and Jonathon away from each other.

  Jake smiled, then, popped the last bite of his cheeseburger in his mouth. He slurped the bottom of his soda and set the empty cup on the table.

  “I don’t know about you, but that chili hit the spot.”

  Amy nodded, not quite finished with her food. She’d always been a slow eater, and especially now, it was taking her forever to eat because she didn’t dare take anything but small bites in front of Jake.

  She swallowed. “Thank you very much for lunch. I’m full.”

  She was lying, but she didn’t want to keep Jake any longer while she finished. The conversation had been kept light, and she was relieved they could get through a meal without pawing all over one another.

  Maybe they could be just friends.

  Jake pushed back in his chair and stood up.

  “How does chili-cheese-dogs and root beer sound for tomorrow?”

  He didn’t give her a chance to say a word. He bent down and brushed her cheek with his lips.

  Amy drank in his momentary closeness.

  Oh that woodsy smell…I could just swim in it.

  “See you tomorrow.”

  He smiled and stepped off the curb toward the square. She watched him cross traffic at the main intersection, and didn’t take her eyes off him until he hopped into a black Mercedes parked at a meter.

  Amy placed her fingers on her cheek where he kissed her, and bumped Jake’s sunglasses that still rested on her face. His woodsy smell lingered on them, and she closed her eyes, thinking about the kiss in his garden; the memory of it still shaking her to her very core.

  Cindy stepped outside. “Who was that gorgeous hunk of man that brought you lunch?”

  Amy pushed up Jake’s sunglasses from her eyes and rested them on her head.

  “Just a friend.” She couldn’t help but smile.

  Cindy put her hands on her hips. “A girl doesn’t smile like that over just a friend. I saw him kiss you. Does Jonathon know about him?”

  Amy gathered the remnants of her lunch and closed it up in the bags.

  “His name is Jake, and he invited me and Jonathon to his Halloween party on Saturday night.”

  Cindy gave her a stern look. “How is Jonathon going to feel if Mr. Beautiful kisses you on the cheek at the party?”

  “He won’t do that. We’re just friends and he accepted that after I told him about Jonathon.”

  She knew she wasn’t telling the whole story, but she didn’t want Cindy to think any less of her after what she’d done.

  ****

  The following afternoon, Amy was pleased to see Jake in a smoky grey suit and a pink dress shirt, his grey silk tie shimmering in the sun. When he walked into the store, he was wearing another pair of Ray Bans.

  Oh how that man can dress.

  The chili-cheese-dog and root beer was a welcome site, for she’d been in a hurry and skipped breakfast.

  “I hope you didn’t buy another pair of sunglasses because you left your other pair here with me yesterday.”

  Jake propped them up on his head. “I have a few pairs, but you can keep the other ones. I told you they look cuter on you.”

  Amy grabbed them from under the counter at the bookstore, placed them on her face and followed Jake outside so they could eat.

  “Well thank you. But aren’t these pretty expensive?”

  “Nah. We have a vendor that visits the plant in Fort Wayne, and he gives them to the executives as a perk.”

  “In that case, I’d be happy to keep them.”

  She didn’t tell him she wanted them because they smelled like him, or that having them on her face would make her feel close to him. He might think she was a silly schoolgirl.

  Jake pulled up a chair at the same table they’d used the day before, and offered it to Amy.

  Why does he have to be such a gentleman?

  As he sat, he unpacked the bags of food.

  “Kendallville’s Fall Festival is Friday night. Would you and your friends like to go with me?”

  Friends?

  “I can ask Jonathon and Emma if they would be interested in going.”

  She didn’t tell him that Jonathon had sent her a text earlier complaining their trip may be postponed until Saturday afternoon. At least now she would have a legitimate excuse for not showing up at the party. But what if he asked her to go without Jonathon?

  “The festival begins at 4:00 and ends around midnight,
so you can show up any time. They have all sorts of activities from pie-eating contests and hay-rides to haunted houses, and everything in-between. They even have square-dancing and line-dancing.”

  Amy tried to imagine Jake square-dancing, but it was a tough image to force when he looked too much like a big-city executive. She wasn’t a big fan of square-dancing, but line-dancing was something she was fairly good at.

  “Somehow I can’t imagine you in a cowboy hat and boots square-dancing around bales of hay.”

  “Well then you’re in for a real treat. Because it just so happens I am an excellent square-dancer.”

  Amy chuckled. “Well this, I’ve got to see. Because I just don’t see it when I look at you.”

  “Does that mean you’ll go with me?”

  Amy smiled. “I guess it does.”

  Jake took the last bite of his hot dog and packed up his wrappers. Sipping the last of his root beer, he stood up to go.

  “As much as I enjoy your company, I have a meeting I’m about to be late for. Lady’s choice for lunch tomorrow. What will it be?”

  Amy thought for a moment. “How about chicken fingers and onion rings, with chocolate shakes? My treat.”

  “I’ll be here at noon, and I’ll bring my appetite.”

  Just as he had the day before, he bent down and kissed her lightly on the cheek and smiled before working his way across the square to his car.