The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery) by Debra Burroughs

have tanned my hide, then he would have lectured me every day for the rest of my life.”
    “My dad built a wall instead.”
    “A wall?” His eyebrows wrinkled into a quizzical expression.
    “Like I wasn’t even there. I might as well have been dead to him.” She busied her hands with the paper napkin in her lap, mindlessly folding it into a tiny square. Her eyes were lowered as she spoke. “My father rarely said two words to me. He couldn’t even stand to look at me.”
    “You mean at first?”
    She raised her tearful gaze to him and threw the folded napkin on the table. “No, I mean until the day he died.”
    They sat on the bench, neither saying a word, for a prolonged moment. Then Michael draped an arm around her shoulders. “I am so sorry.”
    Jenessa leaned her head against his broad shoulder and felt safe.
    After a minute or two of silence, she finally sat up and ran a finger across her cheek to wipe away a tear that had fallen there. “I miss my mom.”
    “I remember reading about her car crash when it happened. I was already back in Hidden Valley by then. I assume you were in town for her funeral.”
    “Of course, but that was the last time I was here.”
    “I can’t even imagine—”
    “It was horrible.” Jenessa dabbed at her cheeks with a napkin. “My dad blamed me.”
    “I don’t understand. Why would he blame you?”
    She explained how Thanksgiving that year had been torturous and she had refused to come home again for Christmas, so her mother drove up to see her. “The wreck happened while she was driving back to Hidden Valley.”
    “That’s crazy, it was an accident.”
    “Didn’t matter. Dad seemed to blame me for everything after I got pregnant. He liked his world all nice and neat—no drama, no embarrassment. The community’s perception of him was what he cared about most.”
    “I didn’t know things had gotten so bad between you.” His voice was deeper than she remembered it, laced with sincere concern. “It’s got to be hard living in your old house again.”
    “Lot of memories there—good and bad.” Her gaze fell to her lap again. “At least it’s free rent for now.” She gave a half-hearted laugh.
    “How long do you think you’ll stick around?”
    She looked up and an impish smile curled on her lips. “You haven’t heard? I got a job at the Hidden Valley Herald. I’m here for a while.”
    His eyes lit up at the news, and his face gave away his delight before his words did. “I think that’s great. It’ll be fun to have you back.” Before she knew what was happening, both of his arms were around her and he pulled her into an enthusiastic embrace.

Chapter 14
    “Sorry.” As quickly as Michael’s arms surrounded her, they dropped to his sides, like he had done something wrong. She wondered if he had sensed her tense up in his arms and draw back.
    “I think I’ve spilled my guts to you enough for one day,” she said, trying to cover for the awkward moment. “What about you? What do you see in your future?”
    “Well…I didn’t want to say anything…” He playfully looked around for dramatic effect, pretending he was searching for someone who might overhear. “I don’t want to jinx it, but I’ve applied for the position of Detective. I got through the assessment, and the board review is coming up tomorrow. So, wish me luck.”
    It was obvious the move up meant a lot to him. A gleeful smile swept over her face. “I wish you all the luck in the world.”
    Jenessa was happy for him, hopeful he would get what he wanted. It sounded like he had experienced his own brand of heartache since they had been high school friends.
    She didn’t want to take advantage of Michael, but she couldn’t help but wonder if having a police detective as a good friend might come in handy for her as a reporter. Maybe he’d be more forthcoming than old George Provenza.
    ~*~
    The rest of the day was rather uneventful. Jenessa spent most of her time at Aunt Renee’s,