The Secret She Kept by Amy Knupp Page B

might,” he finally said.
    “He’s just a friend.” She nearly choked then, because friend had never been a word she’d use to describe her relationship with Jake.
    “But he took care of you when you hurt yourself.”
    “He was just doing what he had to do, Logan. If Zach had still been in the office, he would’ve done the same thing.”
    Logan was quiet again, and she hoped she’d satisfied his questions and that he was drifting off. But no.
    “I like Jake.” Logan was wide awake and his voice was full of conviction.
    “Shh,” Savannah said, damning herself for attempting to avoid the topic. “Go to sleep.”
    She wished she could fall asleep herself, but now she was wide awake, and worried about Jake spending too much time with her and the kids. She had to put a stop to that before they asked any more questions.
     
    S AVANNAH SPOTTED HIM the second she got out of the van. Didn’t matter that they’d had to park halfway across the school parking lot or that he sat on a shaded bench near the entrance. She’d recognize that relaxed, almost smug pose anywhere. Neither she nor Jake had said a word about the art fair when they’d been together Monday evening, but she wasn’t surprised he’d remembered.
    “Jake’s here!” Allie hollered, and both kids ran toward him.
    Savannah swore to herself and glanced around to see if anyone was paying attention to them. No one appeared to care or even notice, but her heart raced anyway. She knew being so concerned about someone else figuring out Jake’s role in their lives was dumb, but her body didn’t appear to get the message.
    She walked slowly toward them, using every step to reel in her temper. He was going to stick out in the crowd. He didn’t belong to anyone else with ties to the school. Savannah would bet he’d get plenty of attention because there weren’t many thirty-something men in this town who looked as tempting as he did. He’d have mothers craning their necks wherever he went.
    “Can you believe it, Mom? Jake came for our art fair!” Logan high-fived Jake and bounced around as Savannah approached.
    “No. I can’t.” She eyed Jake pointedly, but he just smiled.
    “Couldn’t pass up such an offer, could I?” He spoke to the kids. “Let’s go see your stuff.”
    They were supposed to meet Lindsey and Zach and their boys, Owen and Billy, to view all four kids’ artwork together. Michael was supposed to show up at some point, as well. This had the potential to turn into one giant uncomfortable moment.
    “Can we go now, Mom?”
    The decision was simple. She nodded. “Let’s get started. We’ll find Owen and Billy soon. They probably aren’t here yet.”
    Allie and Logan hurried through the double doors to the main hall. Jake put an arm around Savannah to guide her in.
    “What do you think you’re doing?” She said the words softly enough that no one else could hear.
    “You’re uncomfortable.”
    “That surprises you?”
    “I figure we can either make it seem that I’m here because I’m interested in you, or because I’m interested in your children.”
    “Why are you here?”
    “Why wouldn’t I be? Allie invited me.” He opened the door for Savannah. “I notice Moser isn’t.”
    “He’ll be here sometime.” Unfortunately. All she needed was for him to find out Jake was in town, if he didn’t already know.
    They headed for the second grade halls first, and were treated to a narrated tour by Logan. Savannah hung back with Jake for the very reason he’d mentioned. He’d taken his arm off her, thankfully, because she could have easily gotten used to the way it felt, his fingers caressing her periodically, his heat enveloping her.
    She put an extra foot of space between them as she oohed and aahed over Logan’s last picture, an acrylic painting of a boat on the ocean. He hadn’t been gifted with Allie’s talent, but the piece made Savannah smile proudly and hug her boy. Clearly, he’d worked hard on it, from the