Foul Play Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t…”
    â€œDon’t you remember?”
    â€œI remember being unbuttoned out of my blouse.”
    Jake helped himself to a corner of toast. “Don’t you remember anything else?”
    â€œI remember a conversation about…gardening.”
    â€œYou mean that stuff about flowers, deflowering?”
    Amy closed her eyes. She’d hoped it had been a nightmare. She’d told an acquaintance of only two hours her most intimate secret…and she was almost certain she’d then proceeded to attack him. “What happened after the conversation?”
    Jake sliced off another corner and fed it to Amy. “You tried to get me to go to bed with you.”
    â€œI didn’t!”
    â€œYou did, but I wouldn’t do it. I have my principles, you know. I didn’t want you to think I was easy.”
    If she could die from embarrassment, Amy was sure she’d be dead in a minute. She swallowed the piece of bread in one gulp and slumped back against the headboard. “I suppose I’m relieved. I was afraid I just didn’t remember it.”
    â€œIt? You mean the momentous occasion?”
    She detected a trace of laughter in his eyes, but his voice was low and purposefully seductive. It was a nice combination, she thought; it was playful. He was trying to ease them through an awkward morning after.
    She sipped her orange juice and studied Jacob Elliott, deciding he had to have been at the head of the line when God was giving out all the good stuff. Not just physical good stuff like broad shoulders and perfect teeth. Jacob Elliott had a bunch of intangible qualities that, even in her inexperienced state, Amy knew would make him an extraordinary lover and a good friend. There was a gentleness about him, a satisfaction with life, a generous sense of humor. And he was honorable. Thank goodness.
    She couldn’t imagine what had gotten into her last night. She’d indulged in a glass of wine from time to time—a nip of sherry at Christmas and champagne at weddings—but it had never affected her like that. It probably had to do with being fired. Yes, that had to be it: She’d been vulnerable. And depressed.
    She should explain to Jake. He probably thought she was a crazed sex fiend. “I don’t usually do things like this,” she said. “I’ve never picked up a veterinarian before. And I’ve certainly never tried to get one into my bed.”
    Jake nodded solicitously and tried not to smile.
    Amy nervously twisted her napkin. “I can’t imagine what you must think of me, but it’s wrong. Honestly, I’m really very nice. In fact, most men think I’m prudish.”
    Damn. This wasn’t coming out right, and if he didn’t stop smiling she was going to rearrange his nose. “What I mean to say is that I’d never go to bed with you!” Lord, now he looked insulted! “Not that it wouldn’t be…ah, pleasant.”
    â€œPleasant?”
    â€œIncredible?” Did she just say “incredible”? Was that her voice? That shamelessly husky whisper?
    She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in casual sex. I think the union between two people is very special and should bereserved for marriage. Besides, I could never, um, fool around with my employer.” She looked at him speculatively. “Do I still have a job?”
    â€œYou bet. And it starts today.” He glanced at his watch. “I have to get going. Mrs. Tobin is bringing her cat in at eight o’clock. Things slack off around noon. That would be a good time for you to come in to the office and meet my crew. The clinic is just around the corner from the supermarket…you can’t miss it. Oh, and Amy…”
    â€œYes?” She gulped, afraid of what he might say next.
    â€œWear something casual…something that won’t show dog hair.”
    Â 
    Amy