Secrets, Lies & Love Read online

  Secrets, Lies, & Love

  by

  Roseanne Dowell

  ISBN: 978-1-927111-59-8

  PUBLISHED BY:

  Books We Love Ltd.

  (Electronic Book Publishers)

  192 Lakeside Greens Drive

  Chestermere, Alberta, T1X 1C2

  Canada

  http://bookswelove.net

  Copyright 2012 by Roseanne Dowell

  Cover art Copyright 2012 by Michelle Lee

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  * * * * *

  Dedication and Acknowledgements

  This book is dedicated to my family for their love and encouragement to keep writing. Without your support, I never would have finished this book.

  A very special thank you to my author friends, Ginger Simpson, Judy Winn, and Gail Brannan for taking their time to read and edit this book.

  Chapter One

  "My gracious, Meghan Shelby is that you?" Aunt Clara grabbed Meghan's hands and spun her around. "Let me look at you, child. I heard you were coming back."

  Meghan smiled. Aunt Clara would never change. Still the same nasally voice, as if she had a clothespin on her nose. Still looked the same too. Same slight build, same gray hair pulled into a bun on top of her head. Even the same wrinkles on her tanned face. Meghan stopped in front of the old woman. "Yep, it's me, Aunt Clara. How are you?"

  "Gracious me, look at you, all grown up and all. Pretty young thing too. You look just like your mother."

  Heat burned Meghan's face, and she looked away. She hated when people complimented her. Didn't like attention drawn to her. "I'd like a room for a couple of nights if you have one available." Why people made a fuss over her she'd never know. Nothing extraordinary about her looks. Plenty of prettier girls than her. Probably had to do with her red hair. Although what difference that made was beyond her. Okay, so it was a tad redder than some she'd seen, but still.

  "Sure do." Aunt Clara took a key from a hook behind her. "Number four, top of the stairs. Bath's down the hall. You won't have to share it since you're the only one staying here. Come to settle the estate?"

  "Thanks." Meghan ignored the question, took the key, signed the guest register, and handed Aunt Clara her credit card.

  "Dinner's at six like always. Unless you have other plans." Aunt Clara ran the credit card and pushed the receipt toward Meghan.

  "Actually, I don't. I'll see you then." Meghan signed the receipt, picked up her luggage and headed toward the stairs. "Oh, do you have a newspaper I can buy?"

  Aunt Clara slid the newspaper across the desk. "No charge, I read it already."

  "Thanks." Meghan smiled and went upstairs. May as well check the classified right away, the sooner she found a job the better.

  After setting her bags on the luggage rack, she looked around the spacious room. Nothing different here either. Antique furniture filled the room, and the faded pink wallpaper showed its age. Unpacking could wait, finding a job held top priority.

  Meghan sighed and opened the paper. One ad caught her eye immediately. School Secretary – no experience necessary – good head for figures. Must love children. Apply in person – Monday 9:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M. 149 Gilmore Street Room 24. See Mr. Duncan.

  Hmm, sounded like something she might like. She loved kids, was a whiz at math. Would have taught it if she hadn't dropped out of college. Too bad circumstances hadn't allowed her to finish. Not that Meghan regretted it, she'd do the same thing all over again.

  After circling the ad, she looked at the rest. Nothing else appealing. Waitress, factory worker, dental receptionist, nope, not for her. Though what had she expected in a small town? She'd be lucky to get any kind of job. She hadn't really thought this out. Once the letter came from Mr. Blake informing her Aunt Beth had passed away and left her the family home, there wasn't any reason not to come back. Part of her always wanted to return. All she needed was an excuse.

  Meghan looked at her watch and hurried out to her car. Still time to apply.

  Who knew, maybe she'd run into Patrick along the way. Yeah, like that was going to happen. What was wrong with her lately? Patrick hadn't entered her mind for years. At least not until that letter came. All of a sudden, he became an obsession. Better shake these feelings and darn quick, or set herself up for a big disappointment. If Patrick was still in town, chances are he was married. Probably had half a dozen kids by now. Meghan giggled at the thought. Although it wouldn't really surprise her. Kids loved him, even back then.

  Why was she so anxious to see him? What made her think he'd want anything to do with her, if he was single? Silly school-girl crush, that's all it was. So why couldn't she get him out of her mind? Why, after all these years, was she still pining after him?

  Meghan paused at the intersection. Already her insides quivered. Just the thought of Patrick did things to her, things she'd never felt with anyone else. Patrick Michael MacShaunessy, Lord, how she loved that boy. Would he remember her? She shook her head. He never paid much attention to her. Besides, he was probably married or moved away. Maybe both. Ten years was a long time.

  Heck, when he started college, she was only a freshman in high school. Ran with a different crowd. More than likely, if he thought of her at all, he thought of her as a pest. Dumb kid down the block who showed up at the most unlikely places. Time to put him out of her mind. She pulled into a parking space in front of the City administration building.

  Now, to get that job.

  Chapter Two

  Meghan pushed open the door and looked for room 24.

  "Excuse me. I'm here to see Mr. Duncan," she said to the elderly receptionist. Ethel Hawley, the nameplate said.

  The woman looked up. "Do you have an appointment?"

  "No, I'm here about the secretarial position in the paper."

  "Name?"

  "Meghan, uh, Meghan Shelby."

  "Have a seat." The woman motioned to a chair at the far end of the room and picked up the phone.

  Meghan sat and looked around. Spacious room - left a lot to be desired as far as décor though. Could use some pictures on the wall. Hmm, maybe they'd be interested in buying some of her photos. Once she got her computer and printer set up, she'd see about showing them her portfolio. The extra money would come in handy.

  "Miss Shelby, Mr. Duncan will see you now." Ms Hawley interrupted her thoughts.

  Meghan stood and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. She followed the woman to an office around the corner and went inside.

  Mr. Duncan held up one finger and motioned her to sit down, while he continued to pace and talk on the phone.

  Butterflies flittered in Meghan's stomach. It had been a long time since she had a job interview. A very long time. But how bad could it be. They'd discuss her qualifications and either he hired her, or he didn't. Meghan tried to look elsewhere while Mr. Duncan talked. Lord, she hoped he didn't think she was eavesdropping, but it was difficult not to. He kept walking into her line of vision and certainly wasn't speaking quietly. Not at all what she'd expected. Small man, slight build. Bet he didn't stand 5'4" in his stocking feet. His shiny bald head, with just a wispy strand of hair on top and a halo of dark hair around it, bobbed while he talked.

  "Now, Martha..." He sighed and held the phone away from his ear. "I have an appointment. I have to go."

  The way he rolled his eyes almost made her giggle. Meghan looked away quickly, before he sa
w her grin. Apparently, Mr. Duncan wasn't enjoying the conversation.

  Strange, she hadn't been asked to fill out an application? Guess they did things different here in Littleton. After all, almost everyone knew everyone else and their business. The name Duncan sounded vaguely familiar. Something connected to the school, but darned if she could remember what. Hadn't really paid that much attention back then.

  Mr. Duncan finally hung up the phone. "Sorry about that." He sat down and moved the pencils around on his desk. "So you're here for the secretarial position. Have you ever been a secretary?"

  "Uh, no, not actually. But I can type. I know the computer. I'm a whiz at math, and I love children."

  "I see. So, Miss Shelby, what kind of work have you done?" Mr. Duncan leaned back in his chair.

  "I worked in a newspaper office for a year." He sure wasn't making this easy. "Actually, I haven't worked at all the last five years. I went to college for two years but dropped out to take care of my mother. She had cancer. After my father passed away, there was no one to care for her. She died six months ago." Meghan didn't know why she felt the need to explain, but something about Mr. Duncan prompted it. Hopefully, she didn't sound like a blubbering idiot. Babbling was a nervous habit she'd never been able to control. Meghan bit her lip to keep from going on.

  "I see. I'm sorry. About your mother I mean." Mr. Duncan ran his fingers along the inside of his collar and squirmed.

  "Thank you." Meghan leaned back and relaxed a little. He was just a man like any other. Okay, so he had the power to hire her or not, but still.

  "So you went to college for two years. What was your major?"

  "Math, I wanted to be a teacher."

  "So why didn't you go back to school after your mother died? I mean why come back here?"

  "My aunt passed away and left me the family home."

  Mr. Duncan nodded. "I heard about that. But still – why not continue your education?"

  So he had heard about her. Couldn't get away with anything in a small town. Meghan shrugged. "I guess I figured I was too old. Besides I wanted to come back to Littleton. I always loved this town."

  "You're never too old for an education. Littleton can use some good teachers too."

  Okay, he had her there. "Maybe I will go back someday. Just not now."

  "I see. So you can type, work the computer and you love children. You seem pretty good with people skills. How much accounting knowledge do you have?"

  "Enough to do my household bills. I took care of my mother's accounts, settled her estate. I took some accounting classes in high school."

  "Do you know anything about running an office?"

  "I know how to answer the phone and make appointments. Anything else I can learn."

  Mr. Duncan stood up. "Okay, as far as I'm concerned you're hired. But you'll have to talk to Mr. Mac. He's the principal and has the final say. Until you, the only applicants have been parents. Mac didn't like that idea. So I think you'll do just fine."

  Meghan stood, prepared to leave. "Thank you."

  Mr. Duncan looked at his watch. "Don't see any reason why you can't go over to the school now. The sooner the better. School starts in three weeks, and I'm sure your services are needed. You can start right away, can't you?"

  "Sure. Nothing to hold me back. I mean, I do have to get settled in my house. But Mr. Blake can't see me until Friday, and I understand it needs some work."

  "Okay then. Go over to Littleton Elementary and talk to Mr. Mac. I'll call him and let him know you're on the way."

  "Thank you." Meghan left, relieved the interview was over. Still one hurdle to go. Somehow she had to convince Mr. Mac that she was right for the job.

  Chapter Three

  Meghan loved this time of year, though a little too hot to start school in her opinion. Why they felt the need to go back in August was beyond her. She remembered her mother complaining about it years ago. "What was wrong with starting after Labor Day like they did in my day?" Her mother used to rant and rave for weeks before school started. Even got on the School Board. Not that it changed anything. School still started the last week in August. Meghan smiled at the memory.

  Now that she thought about it, it was silly. Like they took the last week of vacation away from the kids. Bet the teachers didn't like it either.

  Meghan pulled into the school parking lot. Not much had changed here either. New landscaping, new windows, but that was about it. The old building looked pretty much the same.

  Her footsteps echoed in the empty hall. She'd never been in the school when it was empty before. The strong odor of wax and other cleaning products prickled her nostrils. The clean smell lingered through the first few days of school.

  It had been a long time since she'd been to the principal's office and she stopped outside, took a deep breath and held it. Here goes nothing. Mr. Duncan said look for Mr. Mac. He must be new in town. It wasn't a name she remembered. So, what was the worse he could say? Letting out her breath, she hurried inside, before her nerve left her. A man stood with his back to her, unpacking a box of books.

  "Excuse me. I'm looking for Mr. Mac."

  "I'm Mr. Mac." He turned toward her.

  Meghan's breath caught in her throat. "Patrick!" The word slipped out of her mouth, before she could stop it. The love of her life stood in front of her, even better looking and sexier than she remembered. Her heart skipped a beat, her legs turned to jelly, and she grabbed the edge of the desk to steady herself.

  Patrick smiled at her. That easy smile she remembered from long ago. The smile she used to love. It lit up his eyes.

  "Little Meghan Shelby. Not so little anymore I see."

  Heat burned her cheeks as Patrick looked her up and down, apparently taking in every inch of her. He remembered her. After all this time he knew who she was. Would wonders never cease?

  "Uh, um..." Oh, crap. Now wasn't the time to get tongue tied. "You're the principal here?" Lord, could she work for him. See him every day?

  "Yes, I am. I heard you were back in town. Are you staying then? Do you want to register your child?"

  "Huh?" Her child, was he nuts? "Uh, no, I'm here about the secretarial position. Mr. Duncan was supposed to call you."

  "Really? You want the job?"

  "Yes, didn't Mr. Duncan call? He told me to come right over."

  "If he did I didn't hear the phone. I've been in and out of the office." He nodded toward the stack of books. "Too busy around here this time of year." Patrick grinned and motioned her into his office. "So tell me about yourself. What qualifies you for the job?"

  Qualifications? Think, damn it. What was the matter with her? She'd lost all train of thought. "Well, I'm computer proficient. I'm good with math. And I love children." What more could he want?

  "I see. So why do you want the position? Tell me about your education."

  His deep voice sent shivers down her spine. Meghan couldn't take her gaze from him. All sense of reason flew out the window. She had the most God awful urge to reach up and push his dark hair out of his eyes. "I'm a former math major, have two years of college. I'm a quick learner." Finally, she looked away.

  The phone rang.

  * * *

  "Excuse me," Patrick turned to answer it. "Littleton Elementary." He stood and walked across the office while he spoke. His gaze wandered back to Meghan. Even prettier than he remembered. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Hunt, the teachers won't be back until next week. You can call back then. Okay, goodbye." He went back to his desk, hung up the phone and looked at Meghan.

  "I see," Patrick said as if the conversation hadn't been interrupted. He leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. "And you want this job, why?" He'd already decided to hire her. Not because of her looks, but because he needed a secretary and quick. Work was piling up, and school started in three weeks. He needed to get organized. The only other applicants were parents. Not that they weren't qualified, but he didn't like the idea. Could get sticky. Nope, an outsider with no direct co
ntact to any of the students or teachers was what he needed. For Meghan to walk in here right now was a godsend. He liked her confidence, the way she sat poised. Sure of herself. A take control kind of a woman. Just what he was looking for.

  "I just moved back, and I need a job. This one appealed to me."

  Patrick leaned forward. "Can you start tomorrow?"

  She seemed to hesitate for just a second, as if to make a decision. Then she shrugged and smiled. "Sure, what time?"

  Patrick stood, ending the interview. "Be here at eight."

  Meghan stood and walked toward the door. "Eight it is. See you tomorrow."

  "Oh, and, Meghan, wear comfortable, casual clothes, jeans, tennis shoes. We have a lot of books to unpack." Damn, she looked good.

  "Okay, see you tomorrow."

  Patrick sat, leaned back and watched her walk out of his office. Pretty little Meghan Shelby, who would've thought she'd walk through those doors. He couldn't help but smile. Nice, very, very nice. Her thin hips swung with just the right movement. Her curly red hair bounced. Would be a pleasure having her in the office. Not just because she was sexy, but she seemed to have brains too. He'd better get himself together and get those thoughts out of his head. This was a professional relationship. Besides, she was probably engaged or had a boyfriend or something. But, if she was looking for a job in Littleton, maybe not. Surely a fiancé or boyfriend wouldn't want a long distance relationship.

  Memory of her hanging around years ago came to mind. He knew she had a crush on him, but was too young for him. Cute little thing back then. Turned into quite a beauty. He leaned so far back in his chair, it toppled over. Hell. He stood and brushed himself off. Time to get a grip. He didn't need another woman in his life.

  Patrick looked at the clock. Four o'clock, may as well pack it in. Tomorrow promised to be a better day. Besides, he promised to take Olivia to dinner tonight.

  * * *

  After the interview, Meghan got in her car. Patrick hired her! Just like that, she had a job. And he remembered her. She circled the block and headed toward town, looking for the library. The pizza shop was still there. Probably not owned by the same people, but one never knew.