Amy Knupp - The Secret She Kept (Harlequin Superromance)

Amy Knupp lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons and four cats. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism and feels lucky to use very little of either in her writing career. Shes a member of Romance Writers of America, as well as the Published Authors Special Interest Chapter (PASIC) of RWA, and shares a blog called Writeminded with four other authors (www.writemindedblog.com). In her spare time she enjoys reading, buying books in excess, traveling, kickboxing, watching college basketball and playing addictive computer games. For more about Amys books and writing life, visit her Web site at www.amyknupp.com.

HARLEQUIN SUPERROMANCE

1342UNEXPECTED COMPLICATION

1402THE BOY NEXT DOOR

1463DOCTOR IN HER HOUSE

S AVANNAH S ALINGER DIDNT like surprises.

Especially when the surprise was Jake Barnes, living, breathing, looking far too goodand standing four feet in front of her. In her office. Where she was supposed to be in control.

Jake, she said, damning the waver in her voice. She stood and walked out from behind her desk toward him. Her heart jackhammered with a suffocating fear she couldnt take time to either rationalize or dismiss. All she knew was she couldnt let him see how his reappearance affected her. Could not let him notice her hands were shaking and sweating.

Savannah. His frown disappeared as he eyed her with blatant approval. What a surprise. He eased his mouth into the grin she remembered wellsixty percent cocky, forty percent pure sexy. Fortunately, Savannah was one hundred percent immune to male charmhis and everyone elsesthese days.

What in the world are you doing here? she asked.

I have a meeting with Zach Rundle, Jake said. Two oclock.

He has She stepped over to Zachs desk, which lay along the back wall, and glanced at the oversize October calendar where he jotted down his appointments. A two oclock with the owner of the Levine land.

She peered up at Jake, eager to determine his reaction to being wrong about his meeting. Anxious to get him out of there.

Thatd be me.

She tilted her head in confusion. I thought the owner wasOdessa Levine.

Im here on her behalf. Shes my grandmother.

Savannah opened her mouth, then closed it again. So were working with you.

For now.

Youre the one whos going to sell us the land? She watched his face for a clue to his plans.

Well see how it goes, Jake said, shrugging one shoulder and gazing around the room.

Crossing her arms and leaning against the front of her desk, Savannah perused him, refusing to be intimidated by his nonchalance. Or his good looks.

His dark hair was just long enough to be messy on top, in a fresh-out-of-somebodys-bed way that could pique a womans imagination. Eyes the color of melted chocolate followed her, missing nothing. He was all angles and tautness and confidence.

Does Zach realize hes meeting with you instead of your grandmother?

I do. At that moment Zach, Savannahs boss and brother-in-law, entered the undersized, overfurnished construction office from the back shop area. He wiped off his hands on his jeans, brushed his brown hair off his face and extended a hand to Jake. Zach Rundle. You must be Jacob Barnes.

Call me Jake. Pleasure.

You never mentioned his name, Savannah said stupidly to Zach.

You two know each other? he asked.

We grew up together. Her chin rose a notch as she met Jakes eyes.

Its been awhile, Jake said in that deep, husky voice of his, returning her stare, their past hanging heavily between them.

What are you doing back in town? she inquired, striving for friendliness.

Family stuff. Researching land options for my grandma, for one thing.

Zach switched into business mode at the reminder, and the two men headed into the adjacent conference room and shut the door. Savannah slumped into her chair, relieved that Zach hadnt invited her to join them, as he often did.

She closed her eyes, wondering what to do about Jake, and about the way her heart was pounding. Keeping him out of her personal life was of the utmost importance. Yet buying that land from Jakes grandmother was vital to Zach and the company, which of course meant it was vital to her. She had to play nice and focus on their business goal until Jake got the heck out of town. And hope like crazy hed leave none the wiser.