That caught him by surprise and despite his uneasiness, he burst out laughing. On top of all her wonderful traits Samantha Fox was a comedian. At the thought he laughed some more and soon she was laughing, too.
The tension broken, they both relaxed back into their chairs. Sam put up a hand to wipe her eye. “Seriously,” she said, “you are the ultimate suspense writer. I bet I’m the only one of your fans who’s actually seen what you look like.”
“You’re a fan?” he asked, still smiling.
“Of course,” she said. “I’ve got four of your books at home as we speak.”
“Thanks,” he said, feeling genuinely grateful. It was people like Sam who had made him the success he was.
She tilted her head to one side. “Your books simply state your author name as McKoy. A deliberate attempt to remain anonymous?”
His smile dissolved as his face turned serious. “Yes, and I want to keep it that way, Sam. I hope you understand.”
“But, of course,” she said quickly. She looked directly into his eyes and in her he saw an earnestness that banished any doubts he may have had. “I would never divulge your secret to anyone. I respect your right to privacy, Jake. You can trust me.”
And the strangest thing was, he knew he could. He’d known this woman for less than a month and yet he felt he could trust her with his greatest secret. A shock ran through him as another thought entered his mind. He actually felt he could trust Sam with his life.
“Jake,” Sam said, her voice gentle, “may I ask you a question?’
“Go ahead,” he said with a shrug.
“Don’t take this the wrong way but for a man who’s so wealthy, why would you want to live in a place like this?” She gave him a shy look, as if embarrassed by her own question.
“ When you say 'a place like this’ are you talking about the town,” he gave her a look of mischief, “or the house?”
“The house, of course,” she said with a laugh. “Or maybe both. This is sort of a sleepy town. Why’d you choose this one?”
“Well, you know me,” he said and cocked an eyebrow at her.
“Yes,” she said with a chuckle, “I do. The ultimate mystery man, staying out of sight. But you know you could have found nicer homes here, right?”
“I know,” he said, his voice casual, “but I didn’t buy this place for the house. I bought it for the bubbling stream, the beautiful bridge and this little haven at the bottom of the garden.”
She gave him a soft smile as she looked at him with eyes that seemed to twinkle in the subdued light of the studio. “That almost sounds poetic."
“Well, I am a writer.” His laughter echoed in the room. He got up from around the desk and stretched out a hand to her. “Come on. I’m sure you’re starving. I’ll make you some lunch.” When she rose he stepped back, leaving just enough space not to crowd her. “And then I can see whatever it was you wanted to show me.”
Her cheeks turned rosy in a girlish blush and as she turned to go out the door he touched her arm. “One second,” he said, as she paused. “If you don’t mind…” He lifted the newsboy cap from her head and her hair tumbled around her shoulders and down her back. “That’s better.”
She rolled her eyes at him and he put a hand to her back and gently prodded her through the door.
“Let’s get going,” he said, his mood suddenly very cheerful. “I’m starving.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“Down, Luther, down." Sam had to fight off the exuberant Russell Terrier as he bounced around her then threw up his paws, almost knocking her over. “I know, honey, I missed you, too, but let me come in, will you?”
Tail wagging, his body trembling with excitement, Luther moved aside just enough for Sam to finally push the door open and step in. This was their ritual every time she came by to visit her mother at the family home just outside of Niagara Falls. Anyone would think Luther would have been bored with her frequent visits, but no such luck. Every time he saw Sam, even if she’d been there just the day before, it was like a grand homecoming.
“Where’s Mom?” she asked as she strolled through the house toward the kitchen. She smiled as she saw the big round vase sitting in the middle of the table sporting a wild assortment of flowers, the vibrant colors bringing cheeriness and life to the room. Mary adored flowers and even from her childhood days in this house Sam couldn’t remember a day when this kitchen hadn’t had a fresh bouquet of flowers.
Luther was following behind her, still whimpering with joy, when a gray tabby with black pencil strips sauntered into the room.