Sarah's Secret Read Online Free PDF

handing her into his car. ‘But if not we could eat at that place near the Pump Rooms in town.’
    ‘I’ve been there just recently,’ she said quickly. For the farewell meal with Brian. ‘Eating al fresco sounds wonderful.’
    And it was. Jake drove her deep into the Gloucestershire countryside to the Trout Inn, a pretty, unpretentious pub with a stream actually flowing through the garden.
    ‘This is so lovely,’ said Sarah, looking round her with pleasure as he led her to the table he’d reserved. ‘You knew how I’d choose, then.’
    He gave her an outrageously smug smile. ‘I booked at the other restaurant, too. I’m a belt and braces kind of guy.’
    She laughed. ‘What happens when you don’t turn up there?’
    ‘I told them to free the table if we hadn’t made it by eight-thirty.’ He shrugged. ‘They were happy. I’m a good customer.’
    ‘You dine there a lot?’ she asked, picturing a succession of glamorous companions.
    ‘Lunch mainly, with clients.’
    Sarah sat back in her chair while Jake went off to get drinks, putting on mental brakes. She’d only just met the man. Who Jake Hogan entertained to lunch, dinner or breakfast—especially breakfast—was none of her business. Nevertheless, she liked the idea of business clients better than other women. She grinned at her own absurdity, the smile still in her eyes when Jake came back with drinks and a menu.
    ‘You look happy. I’m glad you like it here.’
    ‘It’s the kind of place Davy would love, too,’ she said, deliberately bringing her child into the conversation.
    Jake gave her a questioning look over his glass of beer. ‘Did you have to pay someone to stay with her this evening?’
    Well done, thought Sarah. Some men changed the subject the moment she mentioned Davy. ‘No. She’s a weekly boarder at Roedale.’
    ‘Your old school?’
    She shook her head. ‘At her age I went to the school in the village where I was born. How about you?’
    ‘Liam and I are also products of state education.’ He smiled wryly. ‘But with differing results. Liam’s were uniformly spectacular, mine less so. I joined the family business straight after fairly respectable A-levels. But Liam can boast an Oxford degree, plus an MBA from that high-powered place in France.’
    ‘Impressive,’ said Sarah, not sure she liked the sound of Liam Hogan and his credentials.
    ‘Would you mind if I took my jacket off?’ Jake asked.
    ‘Not in the least. I’m too warm in mine, too,’ she said, ignoring her promise to Margaret.
    Jake helped her out of her jacket, eyeing her bare brown shoulders with appreciation. ‘You’ve obviously been on holiday recently.’
    She shook her head, smiling. ‘Part of it is natural skin tone, the rest fresh air. We’ve had a heatwave, and I finish work at three. A short session in the garden after work every day is a lot cheaper than a foreign holiday.’
    ‘You obviously never burn.’
    ‘I keep under an umbrella and use sunscreen. After my day in the office I yearn for fresh air.’ She leaned back in her chair, relaxed. ‘Where do you get your tan? Golf?’
    ‘No, genetics. My mother’s Italian. We get our skin tone from her.’
    ‘Unusual with fair hair.’ And very, very appealing to Sarah.
    Jake waved a menu at her. ‘What do you fancy? Obviously the trout’s good.’
    ‘I’ll pass on that,’ she said hastily. ‘My father used to fish for trout when I was young. With far too much success for my liking.’
    He laughed. ‘Does he still do it?’
    ‘No.’ She hesitated. ‘Both my parents are dead.’
    ‘I’m sorry.’ Jake reached across to touch her hand fleetingly. ‘That must be doubly tough on you with a little girl to look after.’
    Not a man to shirk sensitive issues, approved Sarah. ‘It was at first. Davy was so inconsolable I had to bottle up my own grief to try and help her through it. But don’t let’s talk of sad things,’ she said briskly. ‘I don’t want to spoil your