Page 19 of The Hermit on the Hill

He stalked over to me, making me tilt my head back to look up at him. "I own this restaurant." He placed his large hands on my shoulders and leaned in so close I could feel his breath on my lips. "Your turn. What's your secret?"

"Secret?"

His chuckle was rich and dark. "You didn't want to tell me in front of your sisters, so I have to assume they don't know. Tell me your secret."

Damn it.Damn it. I had to tell him. My heart pounded and my mouth went dry. I'd practiced this a thousand times, but with him in my space, I couldn't think, could barely breathe, and instinct kicked in.

Laying a hand over my belly, I told him the only safe secret I had. "I don't have a job at the university. I don't have a job at all."

He stepped back, brow furrowing. I smiled, relieved not to be the only one off balance. "Why in the hell would you move here without a job?"

"I want to be close to my family. Even Jared, my youngest brother, is planning to move here. My position at Atlanta College was cut because of budget issues, and I had to move somewhere. I mean, I thought I had an in with the university here. The dean of their school of arts and sciences assured me they'd find a place for me. I was packing when he called and told me he couldn't offer me a job after all." I forced a smile. "Budget cuts cut this bud right out of—"

"Don't do that." His voice was an angry rumble, his eyes flashing. Maybe he wanted to intimidate me, but all I could think was how good that rumble would feel against my bare skin.

"Do what?"

"Don't smile and make a silly joke and pretend like everything's wonderful when it's not. What the hell are you doing paying rent for an apartment when you don't even have a job?"

"I thought you didn't know where I live."

"I don't." He crossed his arms over his broad chest. "That was a guess, and you just confirmed it. Which apartment? You aren't staying in Mountain Towers."

I narrowed my eyes. "I don't see how it's any of your business where I live."

"It's my business if you're carrying my baby." He was so loud the entire world must have heard him.

I reached for the doorknob.

He grabbed my hand to stop me and bent his knees until his face was level with mine. "Are you?"

I'd planned to tell him, but I'd wanted to make sure he was a good man first. To be sure he wouldn't try to steal my child like he'd stolen my credentials. I'd run out of time and the desperate look in his eyes reminded me that this baby carried half his DNA. He deserved to know.

"Yes." I couldn't look at him, didn't want to see his reaction, so I spoke to his chest. "I need to get back to lunch with my sisters before they worry. Please don't tell them. Please don't tell anyone yet."

He let me walk out of that office without a word or a move to stop me.

"What was that about?" May asked when I sat at our table.

I did what I always did. I pasted on a bright smile and shook my head, scrambling for a believable story. "Um, it's… Well, it's kind of private."

May's eyes widened. "We're all sisters here. Spill." Her wicked smirk made it clear she thought Sam's visit had to do with something sexual. I wished he'd just wanted to arrange a booty call.

I glanced at Aubrey and Carrie, both of them looking equally intrigued. Crap. Why did my mind always go blank when someone put me on the spot? "Research." Okay, that had been way too loud. "He needed some information from me about… Well, you know…"

"Something to do with your research?" Carrie asked, clearly taking pity on me.

"Exactly." I relaxed. "Yes. He wants to learn more about his grandmother's practice of folk medicine."

Luckily, the server arrived with our food, saving me from further explanation. May tried to catch my eye, clearly not convinced by my story, but I ignored her.

I couldn't tell anyone about the baby until I had a solid plan and some idea of just how involved Sam Oakley wanted to be in our baby's life.

CHAPTER FIVE

Jenna

Ilet myself into my small apartment and sighed. It felt good to be back in my space, a closed door between me and the world. My cat hopped onto my lap as soon as I sat on my couch.

---