Free Misty Lake: Book One in the Misty Lake Series by Margaret Standafer Page A

make sense out of what just happened but for now, she needed to diffuse the situation. But looking at Jake seemed to turn her into a mindless bundle of desire and she had to clasp her hands tightly behind her back to keep from embarrassing herself further.
    “Look,” she finally managed, “that was my fault, I’m sorry. It shouldn’t have happened. I guess I just over-reacted to you finding my sketch. Stupid, really…”
    Jake studied her for a minute, oddly pleased at the blush rising in her cheeks. So, it had affected her, too, he thought. “You sure spend a lot of time apologizing. Why do you think that is?”
    It wasn’t the response she had expected and she didn’t know how to reply. If he had shot back with a smart comment about her only doing what she knew they both wanted or some such nonsense, she could have handled him. As it was, she just stared.
    “Listen, Sam, I’m more to blame than you are but you can’t deny there was…something there. It might take some time to figure out what, but we have plenty of time,” he said with a smile so sweet it almost had her throwing herself back into his arms.
    She had to get him out of there. Now. She decided to ignore the whole situation and act as though nothing had happened. “Well, I would imagine you need to get to work. Aren’t people wondering where the sheriff is?” she asked briskly.
    “My office knows where I am and that I’m working on a case. They can handle things without me.” He studied her and watched her fight the urge to squirm under his gaze. God, she was gorgeous. He gave himself a mental shake. “But, I should be getting back. I want you to give Mike Jameson over at the hardware store a call like we discussed. He’ll come out here and install some decent locks for you. You may want to consider a security system, too. Misty Lake’s a safe place but you’re pretty isolated out here and with you living alone…”
    Before he could finish, she straightened her spine and sputtered, “I’ve told you and everyone else who’s been out here that I can take care of myself. I’m not going to be scared off by some nut job who thinks it’s funny to damage what’s mine.”
    “I know, Sam. I don’t for a minute think you can’t take care of yourself but I also think it only makes sense to do what you can to stay safe. Get new locks and give some thought to a security system. I can give you a name of someone who will do a good job if you decide to go ahead with it. And, I’ve been meaning to ask you, do you have a phone?”
    “What do you mean, do I have a phone? I called the sheriff’s office, didn’t I?” she scoffed, still miffed at him for thinking she couldn’t handle herself.
    “I mean do you have a landline in the house? Cell phone reception can be spotty out here, it would be a good idea to have a backup phone.”
    “I guess you’re right about that. There have been a couple of times when I’ve been down by the lake or walking around the yard with Rigi when the reception has cut in and out,” she admitted. “I’ll look into it. I will!” she added when he raised a brow.
    “Good. Now, I really am going to go. Take it easy out here, you don’t need to get everything done today. And remember, I’ll be here around noon tomorrow to pick you up,” he added with a devilish grin.
    “I’ll remember. Thank you for your help, Jake, I really appreciate it,” she said sincerely.
    He nodded as he got in his car to leave. If she only knew he felt like the one who should be saying thank you. In spite of the circumstances, it was the best morning he had had in a very long time. He called out the window as he backed out, “Keep Rigi with you!” then sped away before she could tell him again she didn’t need anyone watching out for her.
    She stood and watched his car until it was out of sight then watched nothing for a good five minutes more. When she finally turned and went back inside the shop, she had convinced herself