“You the woman opening up the bookstore?”

Sensing a potential customer, she put on her best professional demeanor. “Yes, I am.” She offered her hand. “Amanda Barrington.”

He looked it, but didn’t take it. She reluctantly lowered it back to her side, her nerves returning.

“I’m Hector Baker. I own a shop on the far end of Main Street. It’s called the Buy and Sell. You might have heard of it.”

Bewildered, she shook her head. “No, I’m sorry I haven’t. I’ve just moved and haven’t settled in yet. I’ll be sure and stop by.” She was still no closer to knowing what he wanted from her. Was this just a social visit from another local business owner? She didn’t think so. Mr. Baker didn’t seem to be in a particularly social mood.

“I sell a lot of books.” He pulled back his shoulders and frowned at her. “A place this small doesn’t need another bookstore. You might want to rethink opening a shop here.”

Hector frowned at her. “Heard you had some trouble here last night.”

Amanda heard the underlying threat in his words. After last night, her nerves were on edge, but she stood her ground. Jonah was in the house. If she yelled, he’d come running.

There was no sound, no footsteps, but suddenly she felt Jonah behind her. He tugged the door wider so that Hector got a good view of him standing behind her. “You know anything about that, Hector?” Jonah’s voice was low, his tone mild, but it sent shivers down Amanda’s spine.

Hector took a step back. “No. No, I don’t know anything about it. Just what I heard down at the diner. Everyone is talking about it.” He squinted at her. “Someone tried to choke her. That’s what they’re saying. And she don’t sound so good.”

“Mr. Baker.” She waited until she had his attention, eager to nip this problem in the bud. “I don’t think my business will interfere with yours at all. Do you sell mostly popular novels and paperbacks?”

He nodded. “I do real well with them too. I trade with some folks and sell with others.”

“I deal primarily in collectables, not in paperback fiction. In fact, I’ll have to stop by your shop and pick up some reading material for myself.”

Hector stared at her hard, as if trying to assess if she was telling the truth. “You do that. In the meantime, I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

“That a threat, Hector?” Jonah tried to ease her to one side, but she held her ground.

This was her problem and she had to deal with it.

“No threat. Just a fact.” Turning, he ambled down the walkway and made his way to a dusty brown truck that was parked at the curb.

“Well, that was my first welcome from the local business community.” She frowned.

“If you don’t count Cyndi, which I don’t because she’s my friend.”

Knowing she was rambling, she shut the door. Jonah stood waiting patiently beside her. She really should lecture him about butting into her business. Instead, she went up on her toes and planted a kiss on his chin. “Thank you.”

Jonah looked slightly bemused as if she’d surprised him with her action. He’d obviously expected her to tell him off for butting in. She’d had her say to Mr. Hector Baker, but she suspected it wasn’t the last she’d hear of him. Amanda was smart enough to pick her battles and this one wasn’t worth squabbling over with Jonah.

“I’m going upstairs to straighten up a bit. If you need me for anything just give me a shout.” She could feel his eyes on her as she walked up the stairs. It wasn’t her fault that there was an extra bit of swing in her hips as she did so. No, it was his fault for making her feel so sexy.

She worked upstairs for an hour, unpacking her suitcases and putting away her belongings. She’d have to move the things in her closet to paint it later, but she needed to be able to find her clothes.

She also unpacked a box that contained several books she was reading. She stacked them on the shelf in the nightstand, promising herself she’d get back to them soon. It was then she remembered Cecilia Sutter’s journal. She’d meant to tell Jonah about it before they’d gotten distracted by the sheriff’s phone call.

Pulling open the drawer, she drew out the small volume. She debated and decided she could take a few minutes to read some more of it. What would it hurt? Scooting up on the bed, she leaned against the headboard and opened the book. Flipping past the first page, she began to read.


The wedding supper was fresh lamb that Henry’s father slaughtered just for the occasion. His mother baked a cake and just about everyone in the town showed up, everyone that is except Edwin Brown. He wanted me to marry him, but the only man for me is Henry Sutter. He was Henry’s best friend until we announced our engagement.

Then he just turned his back on us. I feel bad for Henry, but there is nothing we can do about it. Hopefully, Edwin will come around once he finds a wife of his own.

We received the most wonderful presents: a pie plate, a fancy serving dish, linens, a quilt and so much more. Henry and I danced the evening away. It was the best day of my life. My parents were so happy, but none was as happy as I.

When we left the reception, Henry carried me back to our new home. Mama had come to my room the night before and told me what to expect on my wedding night. She lied. It was so much more than she’d said. I blush even to think about the things that Henry did to me, and I to him. I love him more now than I did when I married him.


“I hear you,” Amanda mumbled as she turned the page. “These Sutter men can be lethal to a woman’s heart.” Sighing, she flipped through a few more pages. There was a recipe for biscuits along with a new remedy Cecilia had tried for removing stains from linens. But underlying all of the entries was her love for her husband.

She made a mental note to mention the journal to Jonah. If Elizabeth didn’t want it, maybe he did. In the meantime, she decided to leave it up here in her bedroom. If it got lost amongst the many books downstairs, she might forget to mention it to Jonah until she’d had a chance to organize the rest of the shop. Plus, she freely admitted that she wanted to read a bit more. The journal was a fascinating insight into Cecilia Sutter’s life.

She felt that she and the other woman had something in common—their fascination with a Sutter man.

Closing the journal, she tucked it safely away into the drawer of the bedside table.

She’d been here longer than she’d anticipated. Her stomach growled and she glanced at the clock radio. It was almost time to think about supper. She’d eaten one of Cyndi’s muffins and a banana for lunch, but she’d need something more substantial for supper.

After a full day and half a dozen cups of lemon and honey tea, her throat was feeling much better. Maybe she’d open a can of soup and make some biscuits for supper. She thought she had all the necessary ingredients to make them. If she didn’t, she had a can of ready-made ones in the refrigerator. Reading the recipe in the journal had given her a craving for them.

She’d just reached the bottom of the landing when a knock came on the front door.

This was certainly a busy place today. She opened the door and smiled. It was Jim Brown, the realtor who’d sold her the house. Dressed impeccably in a gray suit with a pale blue shirt and a slender silk tie, he looked every inch the successful businessman.

She wondered if he was related to the Edwin Brown that Cecilia talked about in the journal.

“Hi, Jim.”

“Amanda.” He smiled and took a step forward. It was either let him run into her or take a step back and let him in. She let him in. He was a good-looking man if you went for the classic blond with an athletic build. But he was a little too pushy for Amanda’s taste. The trait was probably good in his business, but it would be hard to take on a regular basis.

“To what do I owe this visit?” Jonah was still here somewhere and this man was his ex-brother-in-law. Amanda hoped to avoid an awkward meeting between the two.

“I heard you had some trouble.”

“The police are looking into it.” She had no intention of going into the particulars with him.

“The police are looking into your electrical problems?” He frowned. “I don’t understand. And do you have a cold? You’re very hoarse.”

Amanda laughed at herself. Seems not everyone in Jamesville was aware of her business. “I’m sorry. I thought you were referring to the break-in last night.”

“Break-in? Are you okay?” His frown deepened. “Do the police have any leads?”

“I’m fine, and no, they don’t have any leads. I’m sure it was a random thing.” She didn’t think that for a second, but really didn’t want to go into it with him.

Jim nodded and pushed his sleeve back, glancing at the expensive timepiece strapped to his wrist. “I heard you had some problems with the electrical system. It was all outlined in the papers I gave you.”

So that’s why he was here. He wasn’t concerned about her, but about her causing problems for him. “I know. I rechecked the inspector’s report. It was my fault for not reading it more closely.”

Jim nodded, a lock of his blond hair falling rakishly against his forehead. “I’m sorry for your trouble. Let me make it up to you.” He smiled and leaned closer. “Let me take you to dinner. There’s a nice Italian restaurant in town, or a steak house if that’s more your style.”

Amanda was taken aback by the offer. She stared at Jim, noting how the corners of his blue eyes crinkled when he smiled. There was no disputing that he was a handsome man, but she just wasn’t attracted. Any man, no matter how good looking, would pale beside Jonah. “Thank you for the invitation.” She summoned up her best professional smile. “But I have to decline. With everything that’s happened, I just don’t have the time right now.”