Read Online Secrets by Jude Deveraux - Free Book Online

“Cassie, you can tell me if something’s bothering you.”
    â€œNothing,” she said. “I’m just not used to running, that’s all. You guys start without me. I may take a quick shower.”
    Jeff was frowning slightly and watching her. “We’ll wait. Hurry and join us.”
    â€œI’m sure Skylar—”
    â€œShe’s not here,” he said quickly. “And she won’t be here tonight. I sent her off with Roger. They’re old friends, and since I came into the picture, they don’t get to see each other enough.”
    â€œRight,” Cassie said. “Roger and Skylar. And Roger’s boat.”
    Jeff frowned deeper, but before he could say anything else, Cassie ran up the stairs to her room. By the time she took a shower and pulled on clean clothes, she was calmer. What did it matter if someone told a famous star the gossip of a small, gated community? Didn’t they all sit around the pool and watch the kids swim while they told everything they knew about everyone else? Gossip was as common as SUVs in the community.
    But everything she knew and had been told had been harmless. No one was talking about Dana’s desire for a child, which was so strong that she’d spent years maneuvering a neighbor’s life so she could have his child. But Dana’s husband had told that to a stranger. And the stranger had thrown that knowledge in Dana’s face.
    When Cassie went downstairs, Jeff, Elsbeth, and Thomas were sitting at the table, waiting for her. Elsbeth and Thomas made a great show of digging in just as Cassie appeared. She got extra napkins from the kitchen, and when she returned, Jeff was looking at her intently.
    She smiled at him. “So tell me about every second of the day,” she said as she heaped her plate full of Chinese food. Immediately, Elsbeth started talking so fast that her grandfather could hardly get a word in.
    â€œDid Mr. Craig have a good time?” Cassie asked after ten minutes of Elsbeth’s chattering about the boat and the water and every shell she’d seen.
    â€œHe caught two fish,” Elsbeth said. “And he cleaned them himself. But he had to clean Skylar’s fish for her. She’s a silly chicken and afraid of everything.”
    Cassie waited for Jeff to defend his girlfriend, but he said nothing. In fact, he’d been silent since they sat down.
    â€œBut Mr. Craig wasn’t afraid?” Cassie asked. “He’s good on a boat? No seasickness?”
    Thomas looked at her. “What’s all this concern for Roger?”
    â€œI saw his wife on the beach today and she wasn’t very happy. She didn’t say so, but I think it hurt her that her husband went without her.”
    Jeff frowned. “But Dana throws up if she so much as steps onto a boat. I’ve seen it. Roger’s done everything to get her to go, but she refuses.”
    â€œIsn’t it interesting that a man would buy a boat when he knows that his wife can’t get on it? Sure does allow him lots of private time, doesn’t it?”
    â€œAre you implying that Roger is doing something he shouldn’t? Like having an affair?” Jeff asked, incredulous.
    â€œWhat’s an affair?” Elsbeth asked.
    â€œIt’s something that your father has no idea how to conduct,” Thomas said. “Ellie, darling, how about if you and I go brush our teeth and get into our jammies?”
    â€œSo Daddy and Cassie can talk in private?” Elsbeth whispered loudly.
    â€œExactly.” Thomas took Elsbeth’s hand and led her out of the room.
    Cassie stood up and began clearing the table.
    â€œYou want to tell me what’s made you so sulky?” Jeff asked as he closed the tops of the food containers.
    â€œI am not sulky.”
    â€œRight, and I don’t want a Maserati for my birthday. Okay, so you saw Dana today. I thought you didn’t like her.”
    â€œWhat gave