Dirty Secrets by Karen Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

have come. Recovering, she tapped her temples. “You’ve acquired some new colors yourself.”
    He lifted a broad shoulder. “Gray hair is distinguished on men.”
    “Which is so blatantly unfair.”
    His chuckle was deep and rich. It was his turn to inspect and he did so with a careful precision that sent her pulse scrambling anew. “Your glasses are gone.”
    “Contacts,” she said with a grimace. “Still blind as a bat without them.”
    He tilted his head to one side. “And you’re taller.”
    “Heels, I’m afraid.”
    He was quiet a moment, then his shoulders settled as if he’d been holding them rigid. “It’s good to see you again, Emma.”
    “It’s . . .” She cleared her throat. “It’s good to see you, too.”
    “I thought we could meet here because it’s easy to find, but you’re dressed for something nicer, I think.”
    She smiled up at him. “So are you. But is the food good?”
    “Best seafood platter on the beach.”
    “And is Bill really crabby?”
    He grinned again and her heart thumped. “Nah. Last time I was here it was some couple’s fiftieth anniversary and he treated the whole place to free beer.”
    “Now that’s a glowing endorsement,” Emma laughed. “We’re here, Christopher. Let’s just stay here. I didn’t come for the food or the ambiance, anyway.”
    He sobered at that. “Why did you come, Emma? And why the detective?”
    Emma sobered as well. “Let’s go grab a seat and get a drink. I may need one.”
    And with that she started down the stairs from the bar to the restaurant, leaving him to stare. At the swing of the blonder hair that fit her so well. At the rear of the black dress she wore, which fit even better. He used to love watching Emma taking her turn at the blackboard in high school, the way her round rear sashayed as she conjugated Spanish verbs. She’d only improved with age. He caught up with her and neither said a word as the waitress found them seats and took their drink order.
    She wasn’t looking at him now, her eyes fixed on the menu. He took the opportunity to study her the way he’d really wanted to. If anything, she was curvier than she’d been in high school. Regardless, the impact on his body had been exactly the same. One look at those big brown eyes and big round breasts and he’d been rock hard. Her face was the same, no matter what she’d said. Not a single wrinkle marred the skin he’d so often dreamed of caressing. He still did.
    The waitress came back with two ice-cold mugs of beer. “You ready to order?”
    Emma looked up at her with a smile. “I hear you have the best seafood platter on the beach.”
    “We do.”
    “That’s what I’ll have then.”
    Christopher handed the waitress his menu. “Make that two.” When the waitress was gone, he grabbed his courage and reached across the table and squeezed Emma’s hand. “Now, we’re sitting down and you have your drink. Talk to me, Emma.”
    She drew a very deep breath and huffed it upward, sending her bangs flying. “I got married in college,” she said, looking away.
    He felt an instant and searing jealousy for the lucky man. “I know.”
    “His name was Will Townsend. He was a good man. One of the best I’ve ever known.” She swallowed hard and pursed her lips, still looking away. “A little over a year ago I was in New York on business and I got a phone call. Will had been shot in a convenience store robbery about five miles from where we lived in Cincinnati. He . . . he died on the operating table. Before I was able to get home.”
    He still held her hand and squeezed again. Gently. “I’m so sorry, Emma.”
    “Thank you. Anyway, I was terribly foolish and cowardly and avoided my house. My job required I travel, but I traveled a lot more than I needed to. I just couldn’t go home and face his things. But to make a long story short, last weekend I did. I was in the attic packing his books to give to charity when my friend found my old yearbook.”