Read Online Amelia by Bernadette Marie - Free Book Online Page A

broke, no job, two kids, debt. You’re her saving grace. You’re mine too.”
    Amelia’s chest grew warm. She certainly hadn’t planned on saving anyone but herself.
    Penelope looked toward Sam who had been sitting quietly at the head of the table. “You don’t by chance know of anyone who needs a temp? I can answer phones, file, email, fax—all that stuff.”
    Amelia tucked in her grin. Penelope was young, but she couldn’t help but really like her.
    Sam sat forward and rested his arms on the table. “Have you ever heard of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida?”
    Penelope frowned and shook her head.
    “There is a retirement community there. And in exactly three weeks my secretary will be returning there.”
    Her brows came together causing a crease in her forehead. “Your mother is your secretary, right? That’s what Amelia said.”
    His eyes met Amelia’s. “Yes. My regular secretary is on maternity leave.”
    “Imagine that,” Amelia laughed.
    “Something must be in the water,” he added as he sat back in his chair. “She won’t be back for another two months.”
    “You must have one helluva maternity plan,” Amelia grinned, making sure he felt the heat from her eyes.
    “She asked for a year off. We’re almost through that year.”
    Penelope looked between them and then focused back on Sam. “So you need help? Mr. Jackson, I really can do the job.”
    Her curls bobbed as she spoke and her voice had gone down in pitch as she grew more serious.
    Sam nodded. “Some of my clients can be…well…”
    “Assholes? Oh, I can deal with that.”
    Sam laughed now. “Penelope, as long as you call me Sam when we’re not with clients, I’d love to give you a chance.”
    Penelope stood from her seat and hurried to a very unprepared Sam. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “You don’t know what this means!”
    Amelia felt the moment tug at her and she wasn’t used to feeling such joy for someone else.
    Penelope backed away. “I should find an apartment. I have just enough saved for something little.”
    She bit down on her lip and her brows furrowed.
    Amelia stood. “I can afford the room for a few more days. Just stay with me and we will find a place.”
    “Together?”
    Amelia now had shocked herself. Was that what she’d meant? Would it matter? “We can think about that.”
    Penelope’s eyes widened. “I think that would be fun.” She turned toward Sam. “Can I go talk to your mother? Can I have her show me around?”
    Sam chuckled. “Yes. That would be fine.”
    A squeal erupted from Penelope as she ran out of the board room and down the hall. Amelia shook her head.
    “You didn’t have to do that.”
    He shrugged. “I’ll need someone anyway.”
    “And you think she will be the right person to fill that void?”
    He leaned in. “Don’t tell my mother this,” he whispered. “But anything is better than my mother.”
    Amelia covered her mouth with her hand since it had dropped open. “I can’t believe you said that.”
    Sam sat back in his seat. “Sometimes the truth hurts.”
    He stood and moved to the seat Penelope had vacated. With a gentle stroke he moved his hand down Amelia’s hair. “I was going to ask you to dinner tonight.”
    “Seems like I have plans.”
    “So it does.” He moved in closer. “The logical part of me says I should lie low for a while. I’ve already crossed so many lines of ethics…”
    Amelia moved in closer yet. “I was hoping we’d get a chance to cross a few more of them.”
    Sam lifted his hand to her cheek and pulled her in. The moment his mouth moved against hers she knew she was walking a tightrope wire hung from the highest point, but she just didn’t care. Adam had screwed her over and she’d long ago lost feeling for him. But Sam…well he was a wonder.
    The moment was short and not fulfilling at all when the sound of a gasp was heard from the doorway.
    They both looked up to see a very surprised