Secrets Read Online Free PDF Page A

blow it off.”
    Sarah laughed and leaned forward in her chair, resting her hands on her desk. “It was my fault for naming my shop so suggestively. I didn’t really think I had, of course, but since its opening we’ve gotten such calls.”
    “Why that name?”
    “I don’t know. We wanted something snappy and memorable, to stand out more than the traditional, Beach Treasures or Sea Shells , or other beach-type gift shop names.”
    “We? You and Kelly Reeves?”
    “How do you know about Kelly?”
    He rolled his eyes. “You do realize your best friend is literally a household name? Her living here has made most every major magazine? Kelly being partners with you is quite well known.”
    “Of course, I know about Kelly. Anyways, we as in my family. My parents started the shop with me, a few years back, before Kelly came into the picture. She bought out my parents for half, and we now share it.”
    “Well, I wouldn’t be so callous about those calls. Don’t be stupid and totally ignore pranks.”
    Sarah rolled her eyes, surprised Scott took the pranks so to heart. “It’s Seaclusion, what the hell goes on here besides pranks? So do you want to try Angie working here?”
    Scott studied her. “You sure you trust her?”
    “I do. I think shoplifting was to bring her pregnancy to light.”
    Scott stood and seemed to be ending the conversation. “She’ll be here tomorrow after school.”
    “Don’t you need to check with her? Her mother?”
    Scott paused from putting an arm onto his coat. “No. I have final say with Angie. She’ll be here.”
    Sarah watched him leave, nearly shouting out “you’re welcome,” after him. He ran so hot and cold, one moment almost decent, the next rude. He was abrupt or just gone. What the hell had made her bring his niece to work for her? His shoplifting, pregnant, sixteen-year-old niece, who had the mother from hell? Was she looking for some kind of punishment?

Chapter Three
    Angie Peters came into the shop at precisely three o’clock the next afternoon. Sarah was helping an elderly lady decide between a beige or blue pants suit. She was always grateful for older ladies. They tended to like her merchandise and had the budget for backing up their tastes. There were no traditional malls or super shopping centers near Seaclusion. The only reason she stayed in business was ladies such as this who wanted to look nice but couldn’t drive the forty miles or more for the nearest urban shopping.
    She did a fair business to the younger crowds who wanted stylish clothes, as well as to tourists wanting souvenirs which weren’t seashells. Sarah’s Secrets also sold paintings and art work, all by local artists, for tourists who wanted more traditional ocean-like memorabilia.
    Sarah glanced at Angie gauging the teen’s mood. Angie’s shoulders were shrunk down, as if she was trying to fold in on herself, and the endless hair was draped over her face. Angie waited unassumingly off to the side of the cash register until Sarah was done ringing up the sale for the elderly lady. Sarah turned her full attention toward Angie.
    She smiled kindly at the nearly trembling girl. There wasn’t a spark of teenage rebellion in her. What had Angie’s night been like? “So, I see your uncle talked to you.”
    Angie blushed. “Yes, last night. He said you offered me a job working here after school. Are you for real?”
    “You want to do this?”
    “Are you kidding? This shop is like the place for buying clothes. Everyone who can afford to does, and those who can’t, want to. So yeah, it’s like, great.”
    “Well that’s a good start, you wanting to be here.”
    Angie traced a tile square with her toe. “I’m sorry I stole from you.”
    “Me too. But I believe it was a one-time mistake. Prove me right.”
    Angie jerked her gaze up to Sarah’s. “I will. And thank you, for, you know, noticing.”
    Sarah nodded getting the gist of what Angie was saying. So there had been some kind of