By the Book

Chapter Ten

Amanda sat at her desk and stared out the window. Her life had changed so much in the past week. For a woman who’d grown up with nothing, she’d come a long way. Her childhood was filled with memories of upheaval and moves. Every time she’d start to settle, something would happen and she’d be relocated to a new home, a new family.

She’d hated the constant lack of security.

Even Seymour had taken her home away from her by selling the building she’d lived in. She didn’t blame him for that. After all, her inheritance from him was responsible for this new start in her life. Jamesville was beginning to feel more like home with each passing day and she was starting to make a place for herself in the community.

Because she was constantly buying supplies for the renovations, people were beginning to recognize and greet her wherever she went. She gave a rueful laugh. “I sure am good for the local economy.”

She’d spent the best part of one morning with Cyndi at the hardware store, the two of them picking out the paint for all the walls in the house. They’d capped off their morning with lunch at Jessie’s, the local diner. Cyndi had probed carefully about Amanda’s relationship with Jonah, but hadn’t pressed. She had, however, warned Amanda to be careful with her heart.

Amanda wasn’t quite certain about the state of her heart. She tried not to think too hard about what was happening with her and Jonah, but just to enjoy it. It was difficult though. She didn’t make attachments easily, but Jonah had slipped past her guard and into her life. It was amazing how fast she’d gotten into the habit of wondering what Jonah would think about this or that, or wanting to share some small tidbit of her day with him.

To a woman used to being on her own, it was somewhat unnerving.

Thankfully, the rest of her life was falling into place. The repairs to the house were on schedule. The electrical work was all but completed and drywall had been either repaired or replaced altogether. As promised, both Cyndi and Shamus had come over to help. Walls had been primed and painted and shelves built.

Leaning back in her chair, she watched a robin land on the porch railing just beyond the window. It perched for a moment before flying off again. The bird reminded her of Jonah’s sister—full of life, but unable to settle. She’d run into Elizabeth while out grocery shopping and had stopped to chat. The other woman was a little shy, a bit nervous, but very friendly. Amanda liked her.

That thought brought her back to the open file on her computer. The list for Elizabeth’s books had been finalized and prices agreed upon. With the go-ahead from her client, Amanda had listed the books on her website. She’d already had a nibble or two on several of the more collectable books in the grouping and hoped to soon have some good news for her very first local client.

Closing out the file, Amanda pushed her chair back from the desk and stared at her shop. Standing, she made a slow circle around the new home of By the Book, a sense of satisfaction filling her.

She’d painted the room a deep forest green, which contrasted nicely with the pale hardwood floors and the pine shelves Shamus had built for her. Three walls were covered from ceiling to floor with empty shelves just waiting to be filled. The fourth wall held several wood and glass cabinets that had belonged to Seymour. They had sturdy locks and she would use them to house some of her more collectable books. The more valuable books were kept locked in the safe.

Even the structure of the house had changed. It had been Jonah’s suggestion to take out one of the windows in the new shop and add a door. That way, By the Book had an entrance separate from the rest of the house. Amanda had painted the door red and planned to have a sign made to place just above it.

Running her finger over her desk, Amanda tried not to think about Jonah. It would be easier to make herself stop breathing than it would be for her to stop thinking about him.

After the first time they’d made love, she’d expected him to have supper and then leave. But he’d stayed that night and every night since. They’d fallen into a routine of sorts as the days progressed, both of them working around the house. Sometime during the day, Jonah went to his place for a couple of hours to pick up clothes and to see his sister and niece. But other than that, they’d spent every waking hour together. At night, after they made love, she’d fall asleep with his arm curled around her.

That surprised her. She hadn’t expected him to spend all his nights with her. After all, they were just having an affair. It wasn’t as if they were in love or anything. She ignored the way that thought made her stomach clench and her heart pound.

Turning away from the desk, she walked to the new door and peered out. Situated on the far end of the house, it opened out onto the front veranda. She stared out and watched a car drive down the street. Her life was moving on exactly as she wanted, except for one small detail.

She’d allowed herself to fall in love with Jonah.

It had happened so quickly she hadn’t had time to erect any barriers around her heart.

Jonah had settled there and there was no getting him out. For better or worse, she was in love with the man. And she would never tell him.

He had made it more than clear from the beginning he wasn’t in this for the long haul. He hadn’t misled her. She’d misled herself by thinking she’d be able to keep her emotions out of their relationship.

Sighing, she turned away from the door.

“That’s a heavy sigh.” Jonah stood in the doorway, leaning against the jamb.

She shrugged and wandered over to the four boxes she’d lugged in from the other room. It was time to get the shelves loaded and her business open.

Jonah pushed away from the doorway and sauntered across the room. “I just finished the last of the work and everything is operational and up to code. The panel box for the electrical system is now in the utility closet in the kitchen. It’s more convenient there.”

Leaning down, he brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I even added a light switch at the top of the basement stairs in case you have to go down there for any reason.”

She’d told him how much she hated going down into the basement and he’d moved the panel box and added the light switch without her even having to ask. He did things like that without thinking about it. It was no wonder she’d fallen in love with him. She reminded herself for the hundredth time that he wasn’t staying. “That’s great. Just leave me the bill and I’ll be sure you get paid immediately. I really appreciate you doing this so quickly.”

Jonah frowned, his brows drawing together. “You don’t think I’m going to charge you for this, do you? Not now.”

It was her turn to frown. “What do you mean? Of course I’m going to pay you. That was our deal.” Jonah had done so much more this past week than just the electrical work.

He’d helped Shamus repair the drywall, and had helped install the new door to her store.

Besides that, he’d painted and generally helped out, doing anything that needed doing.

“That deal was made before I was sharing your bed.” He stood with his hands on his hips, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

His glib answer made her see red and she took a deep breath to calm her temper before she replied. “One has nothing to do with the other. I don’t trade sex for work. I contracted you to do a job and I’ll pay the bill.” She might feel differently if they were an actual couple, but they were having an affair, not building a lasting relationship. Jonah had made it more than clear from the beginning that this was just about sex. Not to pay him for the work would cheapen their lovemaking and turn it into something else entirely.

“Damn it, Amanda. I didn’t say anything about trading sex for work.” He raked his hand through his hair. She tried not to notice how rugged and handsome he looked wearing work boots, jeans and a long-sleeved cotton T-shirt in a rich green that matched his eye color to perfection.

She crossed her arms over her chest to keep from reaching out to touch him. “Then there is no reason for you not to take the money, is there?” She had to remember that their relationship was purely a physical one and not a deep emotional connection. If she didn’t she was going to be hurt when it came to an end. She swallowed hard. Who was she kidding? It was going to break her heart when he finally left. All her life, she’d been the one to leave first. Since she already knew she wanted to be with him for as long as possible, she knew he’d be the one to call an end to this affair. This time, she would be the one left behind. Although she supposed it didn’t matter. The results were the same—

she’d be alone once again.

“You are one stubborn woman, you know that?” He put his hands on his hips and glared at her, his frustration palpable.

“Yeah, I know.” She tightened her arms around herself. Is this where he called it quits and decided he’d had enough of her? She wouldn’t beg him to stay. She had too much pride for that. But, oh, how she wanted their relationship to continue, even if it was just for a while longer.

And how sad was that? She straightened her spine. She was an independent woman and didn’t need a man to be happy. She didn’t need anyone. She had her business and a few good friends. Her life was full, with or without Jonah in it.

Huffing out a breath, he reached out and clamped his hands over her shoulders, pulling her close to him. “Come here.” His voice was gruff, but his touch was gentle as he pressed her head against his chest. “I’ll send you the damn bill.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah.” He pressed his lips against the top of her head and Amanda let out a sigh.

“Listen, I’ve got to go. I got a call about another job.” He pulled away and glanced down at his watch. “I should be back in time for supper.”

“You’re coming back?” He’d stayed with her all week, but there had been no new threats and the job here was done. She’d expected him to pack up the few belongings he had here and leave. Had been preparing herself for it.

His lips formed a thin line. “Of course I’m coming back.” He dropped his arms back by his sides and took a step away. “Unless you don’t want me to.”

Frustration filled her. She was no good at relationships. She couldn’t tell what Jonah wanted. Was he glad she was giving him an out or did he want to stay? Part of her wanted to push him away before she fell even more deeply in love with him than she already was. Another part of her wanted to hold on tight and hope he’d eventually come to love her back. Confusion filled her and she couldn’t think straight, so she threw his own words back at him. “You said this was just an affair. I thought you’d want to get back to your own life.”

“Yeah. Sure.” He turned and walked away. “I’ll be out of your way in a few minutes.”

Her chest ached and her stomach lurched. Had she hurt his feelings? Did he want to stay? Hope rose from a deep dark place inside her as she hurried after him. “You’re not in the way, Jonah. If anything, I’ve disrupted your life totally. You have a family. Friends.

Yet you spend all your time with me.”

He stopped and turned so abruptly, she plowed right into him. He caught her before she fell onto her butt. “You haven’t disrupted anything. I want to be here with you.”

Amanda didn’t even stop to question why her heart leapt with joy at his words. This relationship could only end in heartbreak, but she didn’t care. She wanted to be with Jonah for as long as it lasted. “I’m glad you’ve been here. And not just because of the break-in.” She stared at his chest until he caught her chin in his hand and raised it until she was looking at him.

“Supper?”

She knew that if he came back for supper, he’d stay the night. Maybe it was weak of her, but she wanted him. She loved spending time with him, making love with him and having his big body curl around hers late at night. The more she got to know Jonah, the more she found to love about him. “Somewhere between six and six-thirty. Just let me know if you’re going to be late.”

He leaned down and kissed her. There was an almost desperate edge to the kiss. She couldn’t tell if it was coming from her, from him, or from both of them.

He broke away and went back to the basement and gathered his tools. Amanda was still waiting in the hallway when he returned.

“I’ll see you in a few hours. Be sure and keep the doors locked and your cell phone with you at all times.”

“I’ll be fine, Jonah. It’s daytime and nothing else has happened since the first breakin. It was an isolated incident. Bad luck and nothing more.”

“Promise me.” He looked so fierce and protective she found herself nodding. He pressed a quick, hard kiss on her lips and headed for the front door. “I’ll see you at supper.”

Amanda stood in the hallway and listened as his truck pulled away. She touched her fingers to her lips and sighed. Giving herself a shake, she headed to the kitchen. She’d make herself a cup of tea and then she’d start to unpack boxes.

Two hours later, she stood back and admired the progress she’d made. One entire wall was filled with books and seven more boxes were waiting to be unpacked and displayed. She was pleased with her progress.

Her cell phone rang and she retrieved it from her back pocket. She glanced at the caller ID, but it came up as caller unknown. “Hello.”

There was dead silence on the other end, even though she could tell the line was open.

Cold chills raced down Amanda’s spine. “Who is this?”

“He won’t stay forever. I know you’re alone.”

The loud click in her ear made her flinch. What did the caller mean? Was it just a wrong number or was it her assailant? Amanda nervously glanced out the window. “Get a grip. It’s just a phone call. He can’t hurt you through the phone.” He might not be able to hurt her physically, but he could certainly disrupt her mental state.

She started to close her phone, but changed her mind. She dialed the sheriff’s office instead.

A well-modulated female voice answered her call. “Jamesville Sheriff’s Department, how may I help you?”

“May I please speak with Sheriff O’Rourke?”

“May I ask who’s calling?”

“Amanda Barrington.”

“One moment, Ms. Barrington. I’ll check and see if he’s available.”

She tapped her foot against the oak flooring and stared out the window. The room, which had seemed so cozy just moments before, now felt cold.

“Hey there, Amanda, what can I do for you?” Patrick’s deep voice came across the line and she breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, now that she had the sheriff on the line it seemed kind of foolish to even bother him with this.

“I’m not sure.” She gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. “I had a phone call and it spooked me.”

“What happened?” His voice was all business now.

She strolled away from the window and double-checked the lock on the door. “I was just working when my phone rang. It was a male voice, sort of muffled.”

“What did he say?” She heard a distinct rattling sound on the other end of the line. It sounded like he was shifting through papers on his desk. “Was the voice familiar at all?

Why would the caller muffle their voice unless they were afraid you might recognize them?”

Amanda left her shop and went to the front door to check the lock there as well. “I didn’t recognize it, but as I said, it was muffled. He said that he knew I was alone and that he wouldn’t stay forever.”

Patrick paused. “He wouldn’t stay forever?”

Amanda leaned against the front door and sighed. “Jonah’s been staying with me since the night of the attack.”

“I see.” Nothing in his tone gave away what Patrick thought of that arrangement.

“What about your caller ID?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“It could be just a crank call, but I don’t believe in coincidences. Did the caller say anything about a book?”

“No. That was the only thing he said. Then he hung up.”

“Okay. I’m going to send out a deputy to take a look around. In the meantime, we can contact your provider and look into your cell phone records and see if we can’t find out where the call came from.” She heard him call out to someone in the office and then he was back on the line with her.

Amanda breathed a sigh of relief. She felt like such a coward, but for the first time in her life, she was nervous about being alone. “That would be great.”

“You hang tight. I’ve got a man on the way out there.”

“Thanks, Patrick.”

“We’ll find out who it is.”

“I hope so,” she muttered under her breath.

“What was that?”

She saw the familiar vehicle pulling up in front of her house. “The deputy is here.”

“Good.”

She sensed his hesitation. “Is there anything else?”

“Are you going to be alone tonight?”

Amanda felt like sinking into the floor. She was a grown woman, but she’d never openly had an affair with a man before. She and Jonah were practically living together.

“No.” She cleared her throat and continued. “Jonah will be back around supper time. He went out on a job.”

“That’s fine. My deputy can stay until then.”

“Thanks, but there’s no need. I have my phone and all the doors are locked.”

“He’ll wait outside until Jonah shows up.” She sensed the finality in Patrick’s words and couldn’t deny the relief she felt.

“Okay.” A single loud knock came on the door. “I’ve got to go and let the deputy in.

I’ll talk to you later.” She ended the call and opened the door to the uniformed man.

“Please come in.”

Work had always been a balm for Amanda during the bad times and now was no different. The shelves of her shop were filled and the boxes had been broken down. She planned to store them down in the basement for now.

The cedar trunks were now empty and the books had been stored in either the safe or the glass cases behind her desk. The ones in the cases belonged to the store and were not on consignment for clients. They were books she’d personally picked up at yard sales and estate sales. They were listed with her online store, but she didn’t mind displaying them in her shop. The idea was to sell them, and Jamesville did a brisk tourist trade in the summer and well into the fall when they held their apple harvest festival.

The trunks themselves had been placed strategically in front of the shelves to be used as seats. All she had to do was buy some cushions to go on top of them.

Her store was ready for business even if she wasn’t. Her nerves were still on edge, waiting for the phone to ring again.

The deputy had taken her statement earlier and returned to his car out front. She thought another car had arrived a few hours ago and replaced the original one, but she wasn’t one hundred percent certain. She felt sorry for them. It couldn’t have been very exciting for them to have to sit and watch her house all day.

She glanced at her watch. It was just past six. “Damn.” She’d forgotten all about supper and had no idea what was in her refrigerator that she could cook for her and Jonah to eat.

She was just about to head to the kitchen to rummage through the cupboards when she heard a vehicle pulling up outside. Walking to the window, she looked out. Her heart gave a little jump. Jonah was home.

He climbed out of his truck and went straight to the deputy’s car. He leaned down and talked with him for several minutes before straightening. The deputy started his vehicle and pulled away, giving a little wave as he went.

Jonah turned away and stalked up the walkway. He was angry. She could see it in the set of his shoulders, the scowl on his face and the way he loped up the path, like some predator on the path of his latest prey.

She swallowed hard and headed to the front door. She had it unlocked and opened before he could knock. He stepped inside and shut the door tight behind him. “You want to tell me what the hell is going on?”

The massive stranger crouched in the woods just behind the house and watched the deputy throughout the long afternoon. It was no hardship. He was more at home here in the woods than he would be in the house. Besides, this certainly wasn’t the first time he’d pulled sentry duty.

He remained, unmoving, as a black truck pulled up in front of the house and a familiar man got out. He relaxed slightly, but continued to watch and wait until Jonah talked with the deputy and then strode up the walkway and into the house.

All was safe. He could leave now that Jonah was back.

Listening carefully to his surroundings, he didn’t move until he was certain he was still alone. He slipped out of his hiding spot and headed to his own vehicle, which he’d left in the parking lot of a grocery store several streets over.

He was done for now, but he’d be back. He pulled out his cell phone and checked for messages. There were none, but he knew that there would be one when he was needed again. It was time for him to get some sleep.