Read Online Secrets by Debbie Viggiano - Free Book Online

her chest. Her expression was defiant. She felt thoroughly put out. ‘Commitments to Carbon Vendetta ended long ago. And you certainly don’t need to go all the way up there to earn extra money. You earn well down here. We both do.’
    ‘Don’t get angry.’ Jake attempted to sooth Janey. ‘I’m working on the situation.’
    ‘Well I don’t see any evidence of it,’ Janey snapped. Her eyes flashed with anger. ‘Why can’t you wrap up that side of your life?’
    ‘Look, come here.’ Jake attempted taking one of Janey’s hands. ‘C’mon. Don’t fight me. I have something to tell you.’ Jake reached for Janey’s hand again and this time succeeded. He pulled her towards the sofa. ‘Sit down.’
    Janey sat. Now that the whole thorny subject of Manchester was out in the open she felt moody and sulky.
    ‘As far as Manchester is concerned, I need to keep my work going for a bit longer. I want to. You see, a little bird told me–’
    Janey groaned. ‘And which little bird was this? Mrs Jones, Mrs Gager or Mrs Fosdyke?’
    ‘Mrs Jones.’
    ‘Of course, who else!’ Janey threw her hands up in exasperation. ‘And what exactly has Mrs Jones told you?’
    ‘That shortly Rose Cottage is going to be for sale.’
    Janey’s jaw dropped. For a moment she couldn’t think what to say. ‘What?’ she croaked. ‘That can’t be true. The landlord hasn’t even been in touch.’
    ‘But he will be getting in touch at some point. Mrs Jones knows the cleaner of the landlord who overheard him talking to his wife about it. Realising their investment , were the words used according to Mrs Jones.’
    ‘But I don’t want to move,’ Janey wailed. ‘We’re settled here. I love this place!’
    ‘That is why I want to keep my Manchester work going for the foreseeable future.’
    Janey regarded Jake blankly. ‘Sorry, you’ve lost me. What has Manchester got to do with Rose Cottage?’
    ‘Because my earnings from the Manchester side of things means we’ll collectively have enough money to put down a deposit on this place. I love it here too, Janey. I don’t want to move either. I’m thinking of us. Our future.’
    For a moment Janey was speechless. ‘Oh,’ was all she managed to finally say. Suddenly her eyes began to well. Oh dear. She’d just gone off in the deep end sounding like a fishwife, when all the time Jake’s reasons had been honourable – wanting to buy the cottage.
    ‘Don’t cry, you silly goose.’ Jake kissed the top of her head. ‘And talking of next steps, I rather think it’s time we sorted out our wedding too.’
    Janey swiped the back of one hand across her eyes and sniffed. ‘Are you serious?’ she asked, half laughing, half crying.
    ‘Definitely. What about February, half-term week?’
    Janey looked at her fiancé in astonishment. ‘We’ve been engaged for nearly four years and suddenly you want to get married in four weeks?’
    ‘Why not?’ Jake laughed.
    ‘Well I hope you can get a Saturday off!’ Janey quipped.
    ‘Of course,’ Jake assured. ‘And whilst we’re on the subject, come the long school summer holidays I’d like to switch things round. I’ll be in Manchester during the week and home at the weekend. It means I’ll be able to reimburse the wedding coffers. Is that okay with you?’
    ‘Oh, Jake! I don’t know what to say. You’re a total workaholic, but you have the best intentions. You really do. Have I told you lately that I love you?’
    ‘You sound like that slushy song,’ Jake grinned.
    ‘I like slushy songs.’
    ‘Me too. I love you, Janey Richardson.’
    ‘I love you too.’
    ‘And please,’ Jake pulled a face. ‘Don’t ask Susie to be your bridesmaid.’
    ‘Of course she’s going to be my bridesmaid!’ Janey rolled her eyes.
    Jake pretended to give an exasperated sigh. ‘Fine. But just remember it’s your wedding. Not hers. Don’t take any nonsense from her. I suppose I’d better ask your brother to be my Best Man. Perhaps we can have