We'll Never Tell (Secrets of Ravenswood) Read Online Free PDF

could be anywhere.”
    “I don’t want to talk
about it anymore. I have a class to teach in a little while, and the girls will
know if I’m upset.”
    Sam stood and threw the
sandwich bag into a nearby trash can. “There isn’t much point in speculating.
I’m sure Ken Reeves will be kept in the loop, and I can pump him for
information. As soon as I know anything for certain, I’ll call you.”
    Juliette nodded. They
left the park and headed back toward the dance studio. Ravenswood hadn’t
changed much since they were girls. Tucked into a valley high in the Sierras,
it was a haven for sports enthusiasts. Hikers, mountain bikers, fishermen, and
climbers filled the nearby campgrounds in the summer, and cross country skiers
flocked to the town in the winter. In the off season, only the locals remained.
Sam waved to Mrs. Hewett as they passed her house. Their old first grade
teacher leaned her broom against the porch railing and waved back.
    “Let’s hear it.”
    Sam glanced over at
Juliette. “Hear what?”
    “You and Ethan. Dish the
dirt. I know perfectly well you’ve avoided him for five years. I also know you
still have a thing for him.”
    Sam stopped walking. “I
do not!”
    “Liar. Whenever his name
comes up, you get this look in your eyes…”
    Heat crept up Sam’s
neck. “He asked me to dinner tomorrow night.”
    “Ah ha! I knew something
was up.”
    “It’s just dinner.” She
stepped over a crack in the sidewalk. “We had a one night stand. It’s stupid
for me to avoid him because of it.”
    Juliette snorted. “You
haven’t avoided him because you slept with him. You’ve avoided him because you
liked it so much.”
    “Sad to say, I’m not
brimming with bedroom experience, but it did rank right up at the top.” She
stuffed her hands in her pockets. “My lifestyle doesn’t exactly lend itself to
meaningful relationships. There isn’t much point in starting something I can’t
finish.”
    “Then maybe you should
make a few changes.” Juliette huffed out a breath. “I know you love your work, but
can’t you do it a little closer to home? Good God, Sam, don’t you think you’ve
punished yourself long enough?”
    They stopped in front of
the dance studio. The forest green trim around the large picture window was
peeling, and the petunias in the planter boxes by the door needed deadheading.
Sam snapped a wilted bloom off the closest flower.
    “You think my life is
about making up for not helping that woman?”
    Juliette rested her hand
between Sam’s shoulder blades and rubbed. “You do what you do because you’re
generous and dedicated—and you’d be bored senseless at a desk job. But I don’t
think you’ve ever forgiven yourself for not saving her that night. Irrational
but true.”
    The soothing motion
eased some of the tension she’d been carrying around. “Is that what Darby
thinks, too?”
    “You bet, and I don’t
know anyone smarter than Darby.”
    Staring up at the
cloudless sky, she drew in a breath. “Don’t you feel guilty about it, running
away and leaving her there?”
    “Sometimes after a
really bad day I do, but I know we weren’t to blame.”
    “I know it in my head.”
Sam pressed her hand to her chest. “But in my heart, I can’t let it go.”
    “Then maybe finding that
body was a good thing. Maybe it’ll finally give you closure.” Juliette dug a
key from the pocket of her jeans and unlocked the studio door. “You’ll let me
know how the date with Ethan turns out?”
    Sam rolled her eyes.
“Would you let me keep any juicy details to myself?”
    “Not a chance.” She
stepped through the doorway and turned. “Have fun tomorrow night. Let yourself
relax for a change. You deserve it.”
    Sam let out a breath.
“You’re right. I do deserve it.” Her lips curved in a slow smile. “Ethan had
better watch out. I might just surprise us both.”

Chapter Four
     
    Sam opened the door and
sucked in a breath. Ethan stood on the step. Jeans, neither