The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery) by Debra Burroughs Read Free Book Online Page A

learned and to spend some time with her family. Sitting around the breakfast table, Sara and Aunt Renee were anxious to get the ball rolling on the arrangements.
    Jenessa took a seat beside her aunt. After she explained what she had found out, Aunt Renee’s shoulders dropped and her face seemed to relax, obviously relieved that her brother had left what was tantamount to step-by-step instructions.
    “You haven’t mentioned a word about your job interview, dear,” Aunt Renee noted. “How did it go?”
    “It went terrifically,” she beamed. “I start on Monday.”
    “Oh, Jenessa, I knew you could do it,” Aunt Renee gushed.
    Jenessa rested a hand on her aunt’s forearm. “You didn’t warn me you were going to call ahead and lay the groundwork for me.”
    “I knew you’d tell me not to, and I wanted to help.”
    “I appreciate it, really,” she said, pulling her hand back. “But I would like to think I could have gotten the job on my own.”
    “Of course you could have, dear, but there’s nothing wrong with a little nudge from the right person. Nepotism goes a long way in this town.”
    “What do you mean?” Jenessa asked.
    “You don’t think Logan Alexander would be doing as well as he is without his father opening doors for him, do you?”
    Jenessa thought about Grey Alexander, unquestionably the most powerful man in this town. Besides having been the mayor not long ago, he was the president of one of the town’s banks, as well as owning a real estate company, a mortgage company, and the Hidden Valley Herald. He had become her father’s biggest client shortly after they moved to town, and now he was her employer. That last fact caught in her throat and made her cough.
    “Are you okay, dear?”
    Jenessa swallowed hard and crossed her arms. “I’m trying not to think of Logan Alexander—if I can help it.”
    “I’ll bet.” Sara rolled her eyes, her voice bordering on accusatory.
    Jenessa fixed her eyes on her sister. “What does that mean?”
    “I know you chatted with him at the café yesterday. Spark any old feelings?” Sara pressed, narrowing her eyes.
    What was Sara’s attitude about? Regardless, Jenessa wasn’t about to admit what running into that man had sparked in her. “Logan and I are old news. Just leave it at that.” Jenessa raised her eyebrows and cocked her head, hoping Sara would catch the hint.
    Lifting her wrist, Jenessa peeked at her watch. “We should head down to the coroner’s office and pick up Dad’s effects before it gets too late.”
    “I’ll drive,” Sara snapped. “I don’t trust that rattle-trap you’re driving.”
    Jenessa shot her sister a sideways frown. Sara was right, of course, but that was her rattle-trap, thank you very much. Not wanting to argue, Jenessa shifted her attention to her aunt. “Dad’s keys should be among his personal effects, don’t you think?”
    “Should be,” Aunt Renee replied. “Why?”
    “Because his car needs to be picked up from the office. Plus, I’m hoping the key to the lap drawer of his desk at home will be on his key ring.”
    “Why don’t you girls go take care of that, and I’ll call the funeral home to start making the arrangements,” Aunt Renee suggested. “I think I’ll feel better getting the plans nailed down.”
    “Okay,” Jenessa agreed, “and I’ll write the obituary when I get back and send it in to the newspaper. By then maybe you’ll have an idea of when and where the funeral will be and I can include it.”
    The girls waved good-bye as they stepped out the front door.
    ~*~
    As suspected, their father’s keys were among the personal effects the girls picked up from the coroner’s office. After they retrieved everything, Sara drove to the parking lot of their father’s office and Jenessa climbed out.
    “I’m going to take Dad’s car home and hang around there for a while. I have another drawer I want to go through. I’ll see you and Aunt Renee for dinner.”
    “Fine,” Sara