Sarah's Secret by Catherine George

one day you’ll be able to tell me about it. When you know me better. Which I’m determined you will. Better than anyone else in the world, infact. But for now I’m going to let you get some rest and take myself off home.’
    ‘Thank you, Jake,’ she said huskily.
    ‘What for, exactly?’
    Sarah’s eyes were luminous in her flushed face. ‘Everything.’

CHAPTER SEVEN
    M ARGARET P ARKER left for Pisa with a group of friends next day. And without her formidable presence the atmosphere in the house seemed lighter. Far from feeling lonely or nervous, Sarah was happy to have the place to herself, her spirits rising even further when Jake rang.
    ‘Just thought I’d report in, check that all was well with you, Sarah.’
    ‘How nice of you.’
    ‘I am nice.’ He chuckled. ‘My day has been incredibly boring, so tell me about yours.’
    ‘Much the same as usual, except for a shopping spree after work. And I’ve been chatting to Nick, the amazingly jittery bridegroom. He rang earlier to make sure I was coming.’
    ‘Did you mention me?’
    ‘I certainly did. He told me to say he’s looking forward to meeting you, then went on at enormous length about the virtues of his Delphine. The man’s head over heels in love at last!’
    ‘You don’t mind that?’
    ‘Of course not. Nick and I have always been the best of friends. But there was never anything else between us.’
    ‘So I’ve no reason to feel jealous?’
    ‘None at all.’ Sarah paused. ‘ Are you the jealous type, Jake?’
    ‘Only when you’re concerned, it seems,’ he said lightly. ‘So tell me about your shopping spree.’
    ‘I hired a hat for the occasion.’
    ‘One of those big cartwheel affairs?’
    ‘No. Small and frivolous.’
    ‘Can’t wait to see you in it. What else did you buy?’
    ‘The wedding gift—’
    ‘I’m glad you mentioned that. As well as the pleasure of talking to you, Miss Tracy, I rang to pick your brains. What shall I buy the happy pair?’
    ‘Since you’ve never met them, you don’t need to buy them anything.’
    ‘What did you choose?’
    Sarah described the hand-carved wooden fruit bowl she’d chosen, but glossed over the fact that its price tag had put paid to new shoes. ‘We can both sign the card,’ she suggested.
    ‘Then I insist on paying half—I won’t ruffle your feathers by offering to foot the entire bill!’
    ‘Wise man,’ she said, laughing. ‘Half will do nicely.’ So nicely she might search through the sales for shoes next day after all.
    ‘I’ll be home latish tomorrow evening, Sarah, but I’ll be with you bright and early on Wednesday.’
    ‘I’ll be ready. Goodnight, Jake. Thanks for ringing.’
    ‘My pleasure.’
    Her pleasure too, Sarah acknowledged as she got ready for bed. Added to the sexual attraction which grew stronger every time they met, she liked every last thing about Jake Hogan. His smile, his voice, his looks. His touch. The mere thought of his hands on her skin and his mouth on hers, and— Her mind veered away sharply. She knew she was a frustrating puzzle to Jake, but there were some vital missing pieces to put in place before she could even begin to consider the kind of relationshiphe wanted. And which she was beginning to want just as much.
    Sarah was in the middle of packing the following evening when Jake rang her doorbell, demanding entry.
    She let him in, her delight undisguised at the sight of him. Then her eyes widened in dismay. Something had happened. He couldn’t take her to the wedding after all. ‘Something wrong, Jake?’
    ‘I just needed to see you,’ he said simply, and kissed her briefly.
    Sarah was so pleased to hear it she kissed him back. ‘I thought you’d come to say you couldn’t make it tomorrow,’ she said, as they went into the sitting room.
    ‘Not a bit of it,’ he assured her, and sank down on the sofa, stifling a yawn. ‘I’ve spent the last two days working my socks off to make sure I can leave Pentiles to its own