The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery) (32 page)

Jenessa grabbed a platter of crudité and dip for the guests to munch on. She stepped through the french doors and stood for a moment, watching everyone enjoying themselves. Sara and Luke took seats on a couple of lounge chairs under the big blue umbrella near the pool. They were laughing and seemed pleasantly engaged in conversation.

Where did Aunt Renee and George go?

Jenessa scanned the backyard and found them in the rose garden. Her aunt was showing George her prize-winning roses. They were both smiling and appeared to be enjoying each other’s company.

A warm feeling of contentment settled on Jenessa. Finally, she was back in the family and loving it. Watching the men playing in the pool with their boys delighted her. Her thoughts briefly flashed to what her own son might be doing on that warm summer evening.

Jenessa set the platter down on the patio table and stepped back inside. She went to the refrigerator to stack the condiments for the hamburgers on another tray. After pulling a few items out, she bent over and reached toward the far back for the mayonnaise. Without warning, a pair of hands slipped around her waist and she flinched.

She whirled around to find Michael smiling down at her, a few drops of water dripping from his dark hair, falling onto the tile floor.

“Jake wants me to throw you in the pool. Are you game?” His toothy grin challenged her.

Her eyes widened. “Oh, my gosh, Michael—not now. But I promise, after dinner I’ll put on my bikini and you are welcome to throw me in—if you dare. Deal?”

“A bikini, huh?” He pulled her to him, sliding his hands around her again. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

“You can hold me to anything you like, Michael, just hold me close.”

He didn’t have to be asked twice. His arms encircled her and he kissed her deeply. She clung to him as her heart pounded and her legs began to go limp, overcome with desire.

“Daddy?” came Jake’s voice as the little boy stood in the open french doors, wrapped in a beach towel.

Michael and Jenessa quickly dropped their passionate embrace and each took an embarrassed step back.

“Hey, buddy,” Michael said as he rushed to his son.

“I have to go potty.”

Michael scooped Jake up in his arms and gave Jenessa a shrug and a grin. “Duty calls.”

Her lips curved into a smile as the aftereffect of his kiss lingered with her, and she grabbed onto the refrigerator handle to steady herself.

“Where’s the bathroom?” Michael asked.

Catching her breath, she replied. “Through the great room, down the hall, second door on the right.”

Michael dashed off with Jake and she went back to retrieving the condiments. The doorbell rang again.

Who could that be?
All of the guests were already there. She padded down the hallway and opened the door.

Logan stood before her, his hair aglow from the late afternoon sun behind him. “Hello, Jenessa.”

“I’m glad to see they let you out already.”

“I hear I have you to thank for that.”

“Well…not just me. How did you know I was here?”

“I was driving by and saw your car. It’s kind of hard to miss that little gem.” He smiled and his intensely blue eyes searched hers.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked.

“No.” He looked past her and into the house. “I can see your aunt is having a party, I don’t want to intrude. I just wanted to thank you for not giving up on me, for pushing the cops to keep working the case.”

“I only wanted to get to the truth, Logan.” It was the only reason she could give to him. She couldn’t tell him she had hoped with all her heart that the father of her child wasn’t a killer, or that every time she saw him her heart skipped a beat, or that she was forever inextricably connected to him because of their son, whether she liked it or not.

“You know, while Dad’s locked up, he left me in charge of his companies. Who would have thought?”

“I can see that.”

“I hope I can prove to him that I’m capable of taking over the reins of his empire one day.”

“Oh, I never doubted it, Logan.” In fact, she did have her doubts, but he seemed to need some encouragement and what would it hurt to give him a little?

“I meant what I said. I’ve never stopped loving you.” He took her hand. “I hope one day you can see I am worthy of you now.”

“Logan, please don’t say that.” She pulled her hand away.

“I’ve changed, Jenessa. I know now that I made a huge mistake letting you go.”

“Just me?”

“And our son.”

“I can’t do this, Logan.” She wanted to close the door, wanted him to leave. He must have seen it in her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I only wanted to thank you and to…well…ask for your forgiveness. Do you think you can ever forgive me for what I did to you?”

Forgive him? For all the years of pain and heartache he caused her?
She wanted to—to be set free of it—but could it really be that easy? To simply decide to forgive and then say it?

A noise behind her drew her attention and she glanced over her shoulder. Michael was taking little Jake back out to the pool. Her gaze drifted beyond them, to the others who were laughing and chatting and splashing about in the water.

She was part of a family again, a good family. It was like she had been given a second chance. That realization brought a sudden rush of warmth to her heart and it caused something hard inside of her to melt.

“Jenessa?” Logan was waiting for her answer.

She turned back to her old boyfriend and gave him a winsome smile. “Yes, Logan, I forgive you.”

The End

Afterword

I hope you were as excited and entertained reading
The Lake House Secret
as I was when writing it. If you did enjoy the romance and suspense of
The Lake House Secret
, I would like to ask you a favor to go back to Amazon and leave a review. We indie authors live and die by our reviews.

Want more romance/suspense? Just check out the next section!

~*~

Other Works by Debra Burroughs

The Scent of Lies, A Paradise Valley Mystery: Book One

An engaging, fast-paced murder mystery with a sensual, but sweet romance. Think “Sex and the City” meets “Nancy Drew.”

Praise for The Scent of Lies…

“The Scent of Lies caught my attention on the first page and kept me engaged until the last. Main character, Emily Parker, is a likable, vulnerable, sassy, hotheaded, smart woman surrounded by loving friends. This cleverly crafted story takes the reader on an engaging romp through hidden clues, romance, crime and murder.”

~ Janis McNutt

Amazon Reviewer

“Debra Burroughs has once again had me addicted to my kindle. I love the characters in this book. They are so real and so likable you want them for your own. Each time I thought I knew who the killer was, there would be some kind of twist to make me question myself. I was rooting for Emily from the beginning. Can she solve this murder and really become the private investigator that she truly wants to be? She proves herself to all of those who doubt her.”

~ Yvonne Havens

Amazon Reviewer

To purchase or sample
The Scent of Lies
, simply click
here
.

~*~

The Heart of Lies, A Paradise Valley Mystery: Book Two

Online dating can be murder.
The Heart of Lies
is a captivating and suspenseful mystery with a healthy dose of real romance.

What people are saying about
The Heart of Lies…

“I enjoyed every page of this book, The mystery draws you in but the relationship between Emily and Colin keeps you wanting more… I can’t wait to continue reading about these characters, and digging deeper into the mystery in Paradise Valley!!”

~ J Douglas

Amazon Reviewer

“This book has proven to be a five-star sequel to The Scent of Lies. Don’t let the author’s clean writing fool you, the passion and sexual tension between Private Investigator Emily and Detective Colin is delicious.”

~ jne2003

Amazon Reviewer

“I loved the characters and the intense story line. I am currently reading book 3. So far I love this author and will be reading more of her books. I can’t wait to find out the outcome of the mystery of Evan.”

~ Natalie Hardie

Amazon Reviewer

To purchase or sample
The Heart of Lies
, simply click
here
.

~*~

The Chain of Lies, A Paradise Valley Mystery: Book Three

A sensual and gripping story with murder, romance, mystery, and intrigue—think “
Sex and the City
” meets “
Women’s Murder Club
”.

Praise for The Chain of Lies…

“The book was great! I loved this book the best out of all three!! I sure hope you write another one so we can find out what happens to Collin and Emily and the others. You can’t leave us hanging. I love the characters in this book. You did such a wonderful job when you wrote these books, I felt like I was in the books. Thanks for being such a great writer. I couldn’t put the books down - some of them I read in one day!!”

~ Melinda Becker

Amazon Reviewer

“Psychological, mysterious, suspenseful and above all provocative and intriguing your mind. The mastery of the author is undeniable, style is enviable, narrative – awesome…”

~ Boyko Ovcharov

Amazon Reader

To purchase or sample
The Chain of Lies
, simply click
here
.

~*~

The Pursuit of Lies, A Paradise Valley Mystery: Book Four

A sassy, sexy small town private eye, Emily Parker’s world is flipped upside down when the man she loves is accused of murdering a female Assistant District Attorney, with whom the police believe he was having an affair. Emily must fight to prove him innocent, with the help of her friends, as she struggles against her own doubts.

Praise for
The Pursuit of Lies
…

“Wow, a real page turner! I had no idea in what direction it was going to go. The gang of Paradise Valley did it again. You will not be disappointed with yet again a thrilling book!

~ Jen Douglas

Amazon Reviewer

“Well written. Just the right amount of suspense and romance. Liked the characters, they each have unique personalities that combine to make a very unusual group of friends. Never a dull moment!”