Page 3 of Kindred Lies
Chapter 2
Amethyst wandered up the stairs heading to her room. Cooper couldn’t look away if he tried. He sent a silent thanks to his guardian angel for bringing her to his family's inn. Never had such a lovely female stepped into the inn before. Her familiar face had stunned him speechless at first and it had taken every ounce of his control to finally find words. When he’d first looked up and saw her he thought perhaps he may have imagined her. She had glorious midnight curls that spilled over her shoulders. Her piercing olive green eyes held him captive for a few brief seconds. Looking at her made him wonder if his inn was truly haunted as local lore claimed. It took him a few seconds to remember how to speak. It made him ecstatic to realize she truly stood in front of him as a living breathing female, and not a figment of his imagination. She looked too much like someone everyone believed had died many years ago. Amethyst Keane was an enigma and he intended to unravel all of her secrets. Lucky for him she would be in town for a few weeks and give him the time he needed to fully explore everything about her.
The door to the inn flew open. Cooper looked up as his best friend, Benjamin Anderson walked in. Both of them locals who lived in North Point all twenty-one years of their lives. They each inherited a part of their respective family's business. They didn't go off to college. Their families had expectations that didn’t require that extra expense. Still, Cooper had been taking some online business classes. How could he be expected to run the inn without any real knowledge on how to keep one open and making a profit? Their families relied too much on him to keep the day-to-day operations going. His friend was in a similar situation but he hadn’t shown any signs of wanting to further his education.
Ben strolled over to the counter and leaned on it. “Yo, Coop can you get away to go out on the boat with me?”
Cooper shook his head. “Wish I could, but I've got a lot to do here. Olivia has the day off so I'm on duty all night. Maybe we can go out tomorrow. You know my Dad doesn't come out to the inn much anymore.”
Benjamin frowned before he said, “Damn that's too bad. It would've been fun. I haven't had a chance to get out on the boat yet this year. Work has been a killer. I finally have a free night and here my best bud is flaking out on me.”
Ben's family owned the only construction company in town. Not a day went by that they didn't have a constant stream of jobs to be completed. The time of year or season didn't matter because they had that much work to be done in the surrounding area. They had so many contracts they often had difficulty keeping up with the demands. Luckily, Anderson Construction had several employees to help with the workload. Ben was the youngest of five brothers and each one of them played a role in running the construction company. However being the baby of the family he could act a tad bit spoiled at times.
Cooper and Ben had been friends when since kindergarten. Ben's narcissistic personality became so ingrained in Cooper's senses he didn't even notice it any more. He completely embodied the phrase,Me Perfect? Absolutely, deal with it.Ben always found time off work to unwind. Cooper couldn’t really blame him. They were young and should have some moments of pleasure. Ben must be in need of some free time at this point of the summer. It was their busiest time of the year…
Cooper, however, had responsibilities and he couldn't 'flake out' on them to hang as Ben so succinctly put it. There was no one to cover the slack if he left the inn. Some time on the lake with his best friend sounded wonderful, but it couldn't happen. No matter how much Ben cajoled there was no changing the fact that he happened to be the only one who could stay at the inn to see to the guests. He wasn’t sure he’d go even if he could. Not with Amethyst Keane being one of the inn’s newest guests. She was his newfound obsession and he wanted to be available if she decided to take him up on his offer. “I wish I could.” He flashed Ben his best apologetic smile. “I just have too much to do.
“When did we grow up and become our fathers?” Ben asked disgust reverberating through his voice.
“Right after high school—plunged in head first too.” Cooper chuckled. He had to laugh or he’d crumble. He didn’t hate his life. It was just that…sometimes he wished he’d had other choices.
Ben shook his head in revulsion. “We're twenty-one and I feel like we live and breathe this town and the expectations they throw at us. I'm thinking about leaving.”
“No, you can't. It wouldn't be the same around here without you.” A movement caught Cooper's eyes and he turned to see what it could be.
Amethyst walked down the stairs carrying a small tote bag. Her ebony curls were pulled up into a messy ponytail, a few strands escaping from where it was fastened back. Her sunglasses were on top of her head and she wore a pair of snow-white shorts and a green tank top the exact same shade as her eyes. She looked up at Ben and Cooper and smiled. Her alluring grin had Ben just as awestruck as Cooper's had been when he first laid eyes on her. Amethyst didn't know it but they were both putty in her hands. Cooper stood up straight next to the counter and asked her as she approached, “Heading out to explore our lovely town?”
“Oh, yes, I can't wait to find out all of its secrets.” Amethyst nodded enthusiastically.
Cooper grinned before saying, “That's all? Well then I should see you back in what five minutes. Right Ben?”
Ben's eyes were glazed over in surprise. If Cooper didn't know better he'd think his best friend had never seen a beautiful female before. He wanted to reach up and smack him in the head. Perhaps he should give in to the urge…
“What?” Ben's dumbstruck gaze never left Amethyst.
Cooper shook his head with disbelief. As soon as Amethyst left he planned on having a detailed chat with his best bud. No way was he going to allow him to step into what he considered his territory, best friend or not. He wanted to slam his fist on the counter and call dibs like a child. He really liked Amethyst and didn’t want Ben ruining any chance of getting to know her better. For now he'd just bring Ben back down from the clouds and explain the current topic of conversation.
“The town's secrets. It shouldn't take long to uncover them.” He enunciated this words slowly to penetrate his friends glazed over brain.
Ben pushed his eyebrows together and stared at him. Then he scratched his head, looking at him as if he'd lost his mind. “What secrets? Have you fallen and hit your head?
Amethyst laughed and explained, “Oh every town has secrets. You just need to know who to ask.”
“Well how are you supposed to know that when you're a stranger?” Cooper didn’t quite understand what she was insinuating.
Amethyst shrugged her shoulders. “I don't. At least not yet. I haven't met anyone but you—and well you’re friend I guess. Though I don’t actually know his name yet.” She stared at him waiting for him to start the introductions.
Cooper didn't really want to introduce her to Ben. He may be a horrible friend, but he knew Ben too well and it didn't bother him. As it was, he really wanted to have a private conversation with Ben and needed Amethyst to leave. It was past time to explain how things were going to go with his best friend. The sooner the better. He’d hate to murder his childhood friend for being intrustive. For now he would have to appear less rude than he was feeling.
“This is my best friend, Ben Anderson. Ben this is Amethyst Keane. She just arrived in town this afternoon.”
Ben finally appeared to wipe the cobwebs out of his brain as he smiled at Amethyst. He held his hand out for her to shake. “Nice to meet you. Where are you heading exactly? Perhaps I could be of assistance? After all, I happen to be the best person in town, for tours that is.”
Cooper had to restrain himself from strangling his best friend. His homicidal urge was becoming front and center. He gritted his teeth as his fingers clenched the edge of the counter. He prayed she didn't tell him she what she had planned.
“Oh well I don't want company, but thanks for the offer. The first time I get to a new town I like to discover it all by myself. Maybe another time—I might need a tour guide at some point while I'm here. “
A grin filled with sin expanded across Ben's features. It was as clear as day, what his intentions were. He bowed before Amethyst and replied, “I'm here for your entertainment. Ask and you shall receive. Let me know and I will make myself completely at your disposal. “
