Free Risky Secrets by Xondra Day

stirred sugar into
her coffee. “Tom’s still asleep?”
    “Tom’s
right here.” A sleepy looking Tom entered the kitchen. “The coffee smells
divine,” he muttered, heading for the pot. “Sorry, guys. I’m not a morning
person.” He filled a large cup and flopped into another chair at the table.
After taking a sip, he let out a sigh. “Heaven itself.”
    Jayne
shifted in her chair. “There’s lots of food so eat away.” She buttered a slice
of toast and added strawberry jam.
    “Be
careful, Jayne,” Tom taunted. “Or you’ll never get rid of us.”
    “I
can think of worst things than having you guys around.” Jayne smiled warmly.
“I’ve been alone for so long that I’ve forgotten how nice it is to have people
around.”
    ****
    Keith
and Tom left not long after breakfast. Jayne figured they both had things to do
and so did she. The book wasn’t going to finish itself, and it was time for her
to get down to business which was the intended reason for her trip up here.
    Armed
with a fresh cup of coffee in hand, and fully refreshed from her shower, Jayne
sat in front of her laptop. She paused for a moment to reread what she’d
written last like always. She pondered for a minute before her fingers started
clicking the keys. She felt inspired this morning, and the words came easily.
No doubt being with Keith and Tom had something to do with that. It was freeing
to open up and give way with her inhibitions. Stepping outside her comfort zone
took her to another place in her mind that she’d thought hadn’t existed.
    When
her cell rang, Jayne quickly reached for it and expected it to be Marilla on the other end. “Hello, this is Jayne,” she said,
her eyes still glued to her laptop screen, taking in what she’d just written.
No response.
    “Hello?”
Jayne repeated. She knew someone was there. She heard them breathing. “Who is
this?” she demanded. When they didn’t say anything, Jayne snapped her phone
shut, ending the call. She hadn’t time for foolishness like this. The caller ID
revealed that the name and number of the caller had been blocked. It was most
likely some pervert looking to get off. The world was filled with nuts of all
sorts.
    The
phone rang again, and this time Jayne jumped in her chair. She grabbed the
phone quickly and opened it, expecting it to be the same person calling.
“Listen here, I don’t appreciate being harassed. Stop calling me or I will call
the police,” she threatened.
    “Jayne?
What’s wrong?”
    It
was Debbie. She recognized her friend’s voice immediately. “I’m so sorry,” she
apologized. “Some idiot just called here before you did. They wouldn’t say
anything, and I could hear them breathing.”
    “Is
that all?” Debbie laughed. “I get those all the time.”
    The
call wasn’t it, but Jayne decided to not tell her that she thought it was
possible she’d had an intruder at the lake house. “I’m fine. It was just a
little creepy. I hung up on them.”
    “It’s
best to not pay them any attention. How are things? I bet it’s divine up there
this time of the year?”
    “You
should come up here with me sometime.”
    “I
definitely should. I could use some me time. How’s the book coming along?”
    “It’ll
be done soon enough, but there are some changes I’ll need to make before it’s
complete,” Jayne explained. She wondered if she should tell Debbie about Keith
and Tom. Most likely Debbie wouldn’t understand.
    “I
envy you to be able to get up and go like you do.” Debbie sighed on the other
end of the line. “I miss you already.”
    “I’ll
be back soon.” Jayne turned to look out the window behind her and admired the
view of the lake. “We’ll get together and do something special when I get
back.”
    “I’ll
hold you to that.”
    After
they finished their chat, Jayne went back to writing. After all, the book
wasn’t going to finish itself.
    ****
    Tom
needed a shower. He also needed sleep, which he wasn’t getting much