We'll Never Tell (Secrets of Ravenswood) by Jannine Gallant Read Free Book Online

“It’s Juliette. She wouldn’t call if it wasn’t
important.”
    “Then answer it.”
    Pushing the talk button,
she held the phone to her ear. “What’s wrong?”
    “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I
know you’re on a date, but I thought you’d want to know.”
    A chill crept over her.
“Tell me.”
    “Darby was hit by a car.
She’s in the hospital.”

Chapter Five
     
    Sam’s whole body shook
as she pushed up on one elbow to sit, shoulders hunched. She clutched the phone
so hard her knuckles gleamed white in the moonlight.
    “Is Darby okay?” Dashing
a hand across her cheek, she wiped away tears. “Oh, thank God. You don’t think
it has anything to do with…” Her voice trailed off, and her throat worked as
she swallowed.
    Ethan rested his hand on
the back of her neck and rubbed. The tendons strained beneath his fingers, so
tight he was amazed they didn’t snap.
    “Do you want to drive
down tonight?” She leaned against his chest while she listened to her friend’s
response. “You’re sure?” Another pause, and a hint of a smile curved her lips.
“I think the mood’s shot. I’ll call you in the morning.” She clicked off the
phone and stuffed it in her pocket.
    “What happened?”
    She pressed shaking
fingers against her eyes, not answering for a long moment. Finally she turned
and looked up at him. “My friend, Darby Kincade, was hit by a car in a
crosswalk. She has scrapes and bruises and a mild concussion.”
    “I’m sorry, Sam.” He
stroked her silky hair. “Darby doesn’t live in Ravenswood, does she? I haven’t
seen her around in years.”
    “No, she moved to San
Francisco after she finished college.”
    “Are you driving down
tonight?”
    “She told Juliette not
to. Darby’s mom still lives in town. We’ll talk to her in the morning, see what
her plans are.”
    “Do you want to head
home?”
    “If you don’t mind.” She
pushed a lock of hair behind her ear with trembling fingers.
    “Of course not.” When
she rose to her feet, he captured her hand. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    Looking away, she bit
her lip. “I’m fine.”
    Though she was anything but fine, he didn’t push. Trust obviously didn’t come easy for her. Lips pressed
together, he picked up the blanket. He was patient with his dogs. He could be
patient with Sam.
    They walked back to the
pickup and drove over the bumpy track to the main road. The headlight beams
speared through the darkness, illuminating a dense wall of trees. Much like the
protective barrier around Sam’s heart. He’d chipped away at it before the phone
call, but now the wall was firmly back in place if the clenched fists resting
in her lap were any indication.
    He turned onto her
driveway and drove around the imposing three story house that sat vacant for a
majority of the year. Sam’s parents shared their time between half a dozen
residences. As little as they used it, he was surprised they hadn’t sold the place,
but figured they held onto it for Sam’s sake. Ravenswood was home to her, or as
close as she came to having one.
    Stopping in front of her
cabin—originally the caretaker’s residence—he turned off the engine. When she
opened her mouth, he reached over and squeezed her knee. “I’ll walk you to the
door. No farther.”
    Sam met his gaze for a
long moment and then got out of the truck. He hurried around and took her hand.
Her skin was smooth and soft, the bones delicate in his grasp. He stopped
beneath the porch light and ran his thumb lightly over the back of her hand.
Above them, moths fluttered and bumped against the light.
    “I’ll call you.”
    She nodded. “Thanks for
dinner.”
    “You bet.” He cupped her
face in his palms and looked into her eyes. The passion from earlier was gone.
In their emerald depths, uncertainty and worry vied with a more elusive
emotion. He kissed her, drinking in her sweetness. When his body hardened, he
pulled away.
    “I’d ask you in, but…”
Her voice was breathless.
    He