Read Online Secrets in the Shadows by T. L. Haddix - Free Book Online Page B

in the dining room, she washed up at the sink in the prep area. She dried her hands and asked Travis what he wanted to drink.
He shrugged. “I’m pretty open to anything. Surprise me.”
Lauren thought for a minute then decided to try a recipe she was thinking of adding to the menu. “You like sweet coffee?”
“I like sweet anything.” He strolled around the dining room. As she pulled their drinks together, he stopped to look at the collage of black and white photos arranged near the door.
“Nice pictures.”
“Thanks. One of my friends took those last year at the Independence Day celebration.” She reached into the bakery case and pulled out a couple slices of carrot cake, setting them on a tray next to their coffees. Collecting napkins and silverware, she picked up the tray and moved to where he stood, still looking at the pictures.
She shifted the tray to her left hand and pointed to a picture of Ava. “That’s my daughter.”
“She’s adorable.” He took the tray. “Where do you want to sit?”
Lauren directed him to a booth, and he asked how much he owed.
“Not a dime.” He started to protest, but she stopped him. “I’m trying out a new recipe on you, one that isn’t on the menu yet. You’re my guinea pig. I can’t charge you for that.”
“So, you’re the owner?”
“Yes.” Reaching for her coffee, she inhaled the aroma before taking a cautious sip of the spiced mocha latte. Approving it, she nodded, watching him pick up his glass mug and taste the drink.
“Wow, that’s good. What’s in it?”
“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”
“Well, you should definitely offer it on the menu, whatever it is. How long have you owned this place?”
“For five years now. I managed the diner that was here for a couple of years before we had a major fire. After that, I bought Corrine out and this café was born. What about you? I know you’re a developer, and pretty big from the sound of it, but what else have you been doing these past years?”
“That’s pretty much it. Got married, had two kids, got divorced. My ex moved them out of state, so I hardly ever get to see them, and my parents are off traveling the world. I’m pretty much alone. Work fills the void.”
“I can understand that. Having Ava and this place kept me sane when I got divorced. At the time I wondered how I would ever get through things, having a six-month-old and a diner to manage, but being so busy kept me from dwelling too much on things I wasn’t ready to deal with.” She stopped, looking at him with a self-conscious laugh. “Why is it so easy for me to talk to you?”
“Because we’re perfect strangers who only see each other every decade or so.” His prompt response made her chuckle. Turning serious, he asked about Margie. “Have you seen her recently?”
Lauren had been expecting the question, but actually hearing it unsettled her more than she thought it would. She reached for her mug, needing something to hold. “I’ve neither seen nor heard from Margie in thirteen years. How much do you know about what happened that summer?”
“She left in a hurry, without saying goodbye to a lot of people. I know there was a scandal of some sort, that the police were involved, and that half her family left not long after she did. That’s about all.”
Lauren agreed. “That’s a pretty neat summation. I’d rather not discuss the details, but it was a bad situation for everyone. Suffice it to say, she had good reason for leaving, but she didn’t choose the best way to do it.” She took in the shuttered look on his face. “I take it you haven’t heard from her?”
“Nope. The last time I saw her was the night of that party. Things weren’t exactly pleasant between us at the time. We’d had a big fight a couple of weeks before that, and we both said things we shouldn’t have.” He twirled his mug around on its base.
Hearing what he wasn’t saying, Lauren sat up and rested her arms on the table, astonished.