Page 45 of Two Hearts Reunited

“All these years, I didn’t want to think back to the past, Jake.” Anya bit her lip. “But lately, I’ve been having flashbacks. When my mom was alive, there were a lot of arguments, and a lot of threats from my father. I hate to admit this, but he could have been involved. He’d do anything but work a real job to make money after he was fired from his county assessor’s position.”

Jake heaved a sigh, becoming thoughtful as he tapped his fingers restlessly on the table.

“Would anyone like more coffee?” Eric asked.

“Sure,” Jake and Anya answered in unison.

Eric nodded, looking grim as he reached for their cups, pouring them coffee and resting their cups back on the table.

Finally, Jake continued, “Okay, Anya. Would you have any objections to showing me the original notebooks?”

“You’re not going to try to stop me from investigating?” she asked, preparing to be defensive.

“To the contrary,” Jake replied. “You’re already into this too deeply, and a lot of people know it. I’d just like to see the notebooks, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to have copies of all of them.”

“Good. Although the copies I made don’t always show everything in the notebook, because some of the writing is pretty faded.” She stood, glancing at Eric. “I’ll be right back.”

“Anya, maybe you should at least let me know where they are, in case there’s trouble,” Eric suggested.

“I think that’s a good idea, Anya,” Jake admitted. “I’m also going to set this place up with some kind of security, including cameras, whether you like it or not.”

“I guess it’s pointless to argue,” she agreed, motioning for Eric to follow her as she unlocked the door that led into the other rooms of the cabin.

“You know, Anya,” Eric said, glancing around. “This place looks great.”

“I did a lot of decluttering this past summer. I really do want to turn this place into a home. I have a lot of great memories of visiting here with my grandparents. Shanna loved it here too.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to celebrate Christmas here someday with our kids?” he asked softly. “I can see the tree right there in front of the big window with a fire roaring in that monstrous stone fireplace.”

She smiled. “I can too.”

But heaving a sigh, she walked toward the wide-open staircase leading upstairs to the bedrooms. She tugged at the end of one of the footboards. Apparently, it was hinged because it popped open, revealing a deep storage space inside.

Anya stuck her arm into the hideaway, pulling out a worn leather bag.

“Here are all the originals. Let’s stop by the study and I’ll grab all my copies of the notebooks. I worked from there most of the summer since Mom had everything already set up. I miss the space.”

Anya walked into the study, suddenly frowning as she glanced around the room.

“What?” Eric asked.

“Maybe Jake is right to be worried. I think there might be a few things missing that were pinned to the wall.”

“Damn it. Maybe I should move you in with Ashley and Brian,” Eric growled.

She shook her head no. “Not with the baby, Eric. I might be putting them in danger.” She looked around again. “I don’t know. I don’t think anything major is missing. If someone washere, they obviously weren’t interested in harming me. Let’s just leave it and let Jake handle security. Okay?”

“I don’t like it,” Eric growled.

“Well, you’re not the one who has to. Right now, I’m the one who lives here.”

It was comical, the look of indignance on his face.

“Does anyone say no to you?” she asked, grinning.

“Not if they’re under my command,” he muttered, suddenly smiling as they walked back into the kitchen. “I guess I’d better not try and boss you around.”

“You’d guess right,” she muttered, walking over to Jake, who was looking back and forth at the two of them, smiling, despite the grim circumstances.

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