Read The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery) for Free Online

The Sweet Spot. Her mouth watered just thinking about Ramey’s decadent cinnamon rolls.
    She found a place to park near the café and breezed through the door. An older woman, with her dark hair pulled back into a bun, stood behind the counter with Ramey, waiting on several customers.
    When Ramey caught sight of Jenessa, she smiled broadly and her eyes lit up. “Hey, you!” Her face reflected the joy at seeing her old friend again. “Be with you in a sec.”
    Jenessa took her place in line and waited her turn, watching as the two women expertly served their customers.
    “I’m glad you stopped in. What can I get for you?” Ramey asked when Jenessa got to the front of the line.
    “Busy place.” Jenessa glanced around the small shop.
    “Yes, it is—thankfully.”
    “Can I get a mocha-cappuccino and a cinnamon roll?”
    “Absolutely.” Ramey leaned forward and lowered her voice. “If you can wait for a bit, the crowd’ll die down and we can talk.”
    “Sure, I’ll grab a table if there’s one free.”
    Ramey gestured to the right. “Over in the corner. Grab it and I’ll bring your order out.” Then her gaze went to the next person in line. “Good morning, Officer.”
    Officer? Jenessa whirled around with a smile, wondering if Ramey was greeting their old friend, Michael. Hope dissolved when she saw it was a middle-aged uniformed patrolman she didn’t recognize. He met her gaze and her cheeks warmed. “I’ll just go sit down now.”
    As she stepped away, Michael walked through the door. “Jenessa?”
    “Michael.” Before she could help it, a grin spread across her face. “Nice to see you again. I was just about to grab a table. Would you like to join me?”
    “Can’t. My partner and I are only here to pick up some coffee and—”
    “Donuts?” She chuckled, arching a brow at him.
    “Stereotyping us cops?” He grinned back at her. “Actually, coffee and a breakfast cookie.”
    “Uh-huh.” She wasn’t convinced.
    “They’re amazing—healthy too. You should try one.”
    “I know. My mom used to make them for us when we were growing up.”
    “Oh, I forgot.” He looked a little embarrassed. “Your mom used to run this place.”
    She nodded. “She and Ramey.”
    “By the way,” he began, “I wanted to offer my condolences again. Your father was a good man.”
    “Thank you. Yes he was.”
    “After the funeral and all,” Michael continued, “if you’re sticking around town for a while, why don’t we get together? Have dinner or something. I’d love to catch up.”
    “Hey, Baxter!” his partner called from the doorway.
    Michael’s gaze shifted to the other officer.
    “I’ve got the stuff,” his partner said. “Now, we’ve got to get going.”
    Michael looked back at Jenessa and raised his eyebrows, apparently waiting for an answer.
    “Yeah, sure. I’d like that,” she said. “Give me a call.”
    He smiled and gave a casual wave as he strolled out the door.
    Through the window, she watched her old friend and his partner climb into their cruiser. Shoot, I never gave him my phone number!
    “Oh well.” Jenessa shrugged, hoping to run into him again as she watched as them drive away. She took a seat at the small table in the corner and waited for Ramey.
    “Here we are.” Ramey set the coffee and cinnamon roll down in front of her, then sank down on the chair opposite Jenessa. “Did you talk to Aunt Renee this morning?”
    “Yes, she phoned me.” Jenessa took a small sip of the hot coffee. She explained that she hadn’t found her father’s burial instructions yet and she was headed to his office, after stopping in at the newspaper to inquire about the reporter position.
    “Charles McAllister is the person you want to see at the paper,” Ramey said. “He was in here last week talking about the position being open, asking if I knew anyone who might be interested. I didn’t at the time, but now…” She gestured toward Jenessa.
    “Thanks for the tip. After I finish