Page 22 of A Reaper's Secret

“Never,” he said.

She stopped biting that lip, and he was ableto think but not for much longer, because she drove him crazy.

“Never, ever?”

“Never. You’re the first woman I’ve donethis with and you willbe the last.” He leaned in close and brushed his lips against herear. “And I don’t want you to get on the pill either. If you getpregnant, we’ll handle it together.”

Chapter Seven

The café was closed for the afternoon. Thedeliveries had been a little later than planned, and after goingthrough the produce, she had no choice but to call and complain about the quality.She sent Penelope home, who didn’t seem to mind at only being atwork half a day, but she did mention having found another guy. Ofcourse, it was another tourist, and there was no way she was goingto get involved, even though a part of her really, really wantedto. This was Penelope’s business and not her own.

Martha was sitting, enjoying a cup of coffee. It was rare forher to see the older woman with a hot beverage. She was usuallydrinking a can of soda or water.

With the café sparkling clean, Amy waswaiting for the produce to arrive. She didn’t like that this was the first time inyears her order had not only been incorrect, but also had spoiledfood in the order. Even when she was talking with the assistantover the phone, none of what she had ordered matched up with theorder the assistant had. Something had gone seriously wrong, butshe was now waiting in the shop for her order to arrive. If itdidn’t, then tomorrow she would have no choice but toclose.

“Are you okay?” Martha asked.

“Yeah, just wondering if we’ll be closedtomorrow, or something.” Amy took a seat opposite Martha. Shedidn’t have leftovers or a way to make up anything. The stock was depleted and sheliked to do this regularly, so there was never a risk of usingout-of-date products.

“What are the chances of the same orderbeing incorrect twice in one day?” Martha asked.

“It’s not right for it to be incorrect oncein one day. I don’t know, something doesn’t feel right about this.”She shrugged.

“Maybe they were just having a bad day.”

Amy smiled. “You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right. You cannot give me atime when I’ve ever been wrong.”

She couldn’t help but think about it, andtrying to wrack her brain over when Martha was wrong was actuallyhard to do. “You know, you’re right.” Amy laughed. “I guess you arealways right.”

Martha nodded her head as if it went withoutsaying. She adored this woman so much.

Amy tried to stifle a yawn, but that wasimpossible. She had been spending most of her spare time withDaniel, and seeing as the bar was always open quite late,that also meant a fewearly mornings for her because of the café. She didn’t mind.Falling asleep in his arms was a dream come true.

“Do you think we should do anything forPenelope?” she asked, concerned for her friend.

“What would you like to do?” Martha closedher paper, folded her arms, and sat back.

“I don’t know. Find her a man, or asoul mate, or apuppy?”

Martha chuckled. “Penelope will stop whenshe is ready.”

“Do you think she will be able to take more heartache?” Amyasked.

“Let me ask you something. You and Daniel have been dancing aroundeach other for well over five years, do you think he is going tocause you any level of heartache?” Martha asked.

The question was so unexpected, but at thesame time it wasn’t. If this didn’t go right with Daniel, thenit was going tocause her heartache. She already felt … close to him.

“What’s your point?” she asked.

Martha shrugged. “Penelope is dancingaround men, thinking she is in love, and the truth is, she loveswhat she’s doing. Sheenjoys the chase of each new man, because if she didn’t, she wouldhave stopped by now. Instead, she lives in the same town she claimsto hate, having random hookups with men she doesn’t know. Thetourists. Why?”

“Because she wants to find a way out oftown.”

“If she wanted to be out of town thatdesperately, nothing would have kept her. The tourists are easytargets for her. She doesn’t want to settle down. She doesn’t wantto find someone. Penelope is an amazing woman. You and I both knowthat, but the moment she settles down, has children, a husband, anda life here, do you knowwhat that means?” Martha asked.

“She’s happy?”

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