Read Online The Secret She Kept by Amy Knupp - Free Book Online Page B

passenger seat and Katie behind them in the middle row. “Jake wants to get to know Allie. And he wants to tell her the truth.”
    Lindsey shook her head, as though Jake’s idea wouldn’t work at all. “Did you tell him she’s still adjusting to your divorce?”
    Savannah nodded. “What am I going to do?”
    “I’m not sure. I think you have to prevent him from telling her for a while,” Lindsey said. “She’s not in the right frame of mind to hear that kind of news.”
    “How long will he be in town?” Katie inquired.
    “Another few days. And then he’ll be back on and off, he said. Enough to turn our lives upside down.”
    “You have to give him full access to Allie, as long as he promises not to tell her until you agree.” Katie was leaning forward between the two front seats.
    “Are you crazy?” Savannah said. “Allie’s already met him and considers him the coolest thing since Hannah Montana.”
    “That’s okay,” Katie replied. “Let him do things with her if he wants. You can’t afford to let this get ugly.”
    “Did he mention legal action?” Lindsey asked.
    “Not really. He did make it clear he’ll go as far as he has to.”
    “I feel being flexible with him is the only way. Don’t fight him. Give him what he wants as long as he won’t tell Allie he’s her father. How much will he really take you up on it when he’s hardly going to be in town?”
    “She has a valid point,” Lindsey said.
    “Jake is stubborn. He’ll take me up on it as much as he can.”
    “So what’s so bad about it, as long as Allie doesn’t learn who he really is? If she likes him…”
    “I know that’s gotta be scary to think about,” Katie said. “But if you’re nice and accommodating, he has no reason to push things.”
    “I don’t want them to be alone together. That would make me insane with worry.”
    “Then be sure to let him know you’ll always be with them.”
    Savannah stared straight ahead, tapping on the steering wheel. “I don’t like being around him.”
    She felt Lindsey studying her, which had always made her fidget. “How do you feel about Jake?”
    “I loathe him.”
    Lindsey had one eyebrow raised in complete doubt.
    “Mostly. He pushes my buttons. Makes me do stupid things, say stupid things. I basically morph into this out-of-control idiot whenever I’m with him.”
    “You want him,” Katie said.
    “Shut up.”
    “There she goes with that protesting-too-much thing,” Lindsey told Katie.
    “Make fun of me all you like, but it doesn’t matter if I want Jake or not. I’m not going to have a relationship with him.”
    “I don’t get it. You have a kid with him. You want him. He probably wants you. What’s the problem?” Katie asked.
    Savannah twisted to face her little sister. “ You’re asking me? Miss I’m-Not-Going-to-Fall-for-Noah?” She turned back around. “The problem is that I have tried marriage. Tried and failed. As my dear ex pointed out ad nauseam, I like control too much to be in a partnership of any kind. He’s absolutely correct. So while I might have once been dumb enough to believe I could make a marriage work, I won’t be making the same mistake twice.”
    They were all silent for a few seconds.
    “That’s really sad, Savannah.” Katie sat back and buckled her seat belt.
    “You guys don’t understand what it’s done to us. To the kids and me. I won’t do anything to put any of us in danger of going through that again.”
    Lindsey shook her head. “You have to do what you feel is best, but let me just say I believe you’re making a mistake. Maybe you’re meant to be with Jake.”
    Savannah scoffed and started the van. “You’ve never even met him.”
    “No, but he’s working closely with Zach. Besides, it sounds like I might, if he’s going to be in Allie’s life.”
    “Sounds like,” Savannah said. “I know you guys are right. I’ll make an effort to be nice. And accommodating. Even though that goes against every fiber