Dark Secrets

By Jessica Reynolds

Dark Secrets is about getting caught up in living a double life.

On the outside, Jo and Gail look like a couple who are living their dreams to the fullest.

One mistake leads to a twisted tale of lies, deception, and betrayal. One woman who refuses to take no for an answer refuses to be left behind and will go to any length to keep her dream alive--no matter the cost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887313108

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was a gorgeous day; the sun was shining, and there was a gentle breeze blowing.

I unlocked my car and pushed the button to start the engine and hit another that folded the top down and enjoyed the wind in my hair as I sped off to the ocean to meet Grace.

My strawberry blonde hair had natural blond highlights that were taking over today. Some days it was more strawberry than others, but today it looked mostly blond. My eyes, as Jo would say, are blue as a Maine blueberry and never change. Thankfully, my metabolism keeps my curves in place and helps the rest of me stay in shape without the need of a gym. Blessed in that department, or so I have been told, but not so blessed in others.

Grace and I meet once a week for our beach therapy session. We take a little longer lunch one day a week, meet at the beach, and chat while we walk. Then we both go back to work. It was a great stress reliever for us. I always left a little early to enjoy the ocean and reflect until Grace got there.

Our love for the ocean was not the only thing we have in common. My partner Jo, also known as Joanne Buckley, works for Grace’s husband, Jack’s, landscaping company. She used to work on the lobster boats, but Grace was actually the one who got Jo the job working for her husband. They worked together perfectly. Over time, Grace and I had become the best of friends.

I sat and watched the surf until I heard the familiar sound of little feet coming up behind me; Daisy was trying to suppress a little giggle. I pretended to be startled. Daisy! You scared me! I said with my hand on my heart and wide eyes.

Little Daisy couldn’t hold her giggles any longer and went into a full-on belly laugh as I scooped her up in my arms. Daisy was just a few months over a year old now. She had chubby cheeks, green eyes like her momma’s, and her face was framed with a mess of blond curls. No matter how much Grace tied it back, the curls still bounced free.

She couldn’t wait to get down here to see Auntie Gail, Grace said, breathless from running after her little one, the child carrier around her waist dangling as she caught up. Daisy never got into the carrier when they first got there, but on the walk back, she normally got sick of walking, and Grace put her in the carrier.

Grace’s long blond hair was up in a mess of a bun, and her long legs just could keep up with Daisy when she was on a mission.

Of course she couldn’t! She couldn’t wait to scare me! I said, kissing Daisy’s little face all over. The belly laughs started all over and made my heart sing. I loved this little girl so much. I was beyond grateful when Grace and Jack asked Jo and me to be her godparents.

Oh look, Days, look at that pretty shell, I said to her, putting her down for her to wander along with us.

Pretty! Daisy said, collecting the shell and sliding it into the pocket of her overalls as she flashed a smile at me.

I took out my cell so I could get a couple of pictures of her at the beach.

Now if I can just remember to check her pockets before I throw them into the washing machine. Grace laughed.

How have you been? I asked Grace. They had been through a lot lately.

Hanging in there… I told you that Doris admitted to the police about killing Deidra Jackson, Cassidy Smith, and Jane Davenport.

Yes, you told me that. I nodded. Doris, Jack’s mother, who you would have never known, but had major issues. We always thought that she just had issues with boundaries…but this lady took that to a whole new level.

Well…she is going to be serving life in prison, but since last week, she has also admitted to killing Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Clair Kelly. She told police where she hid the remains, so they are looking into that. Also admitted that she was going to kill me, but not the baby… She wanted to keep the baby for herself and Jack to raise.

Wow! was the only thing I could say. This woman has left me speechless on more than one occasion.

Yes, so four counts of murder and one attempted murder charge, Grace continued, bending to look at a rock her daughter was showing her. Pretty, she told Daisy. Guess where she hid the remains of Jack’s ex? Grace said to me as her daughter found another shell, and I snapped another picture.

Do I dare even guess? I said, bending to grab a shell for Daisy.

In her flower garden out back of her house! Grace exclaimed.

Really!?

Honest, Grace said, nodding her head.

Well… I guess she could keep a good eye on it there, I said with a little chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief.

I guess. Scary part is, she wanted to put me in the ground as well. Probably right beside her, Grace said, looking absolutely sick about it. Who could blame her?

Yeah, that’s so twisted! Is she getting any medical attention in the prison? I asked.

Yes, she is, as well as she is on suicide watch. I just feel so bad for Jack.

How is he holding up? I asked, bending down to admire a few more of Daisy’s finds. Wow, you are the best rock hunter!

"Yes!" Daisy exclaimed and was off again.

Oh, he is so disgusted that he has pretty much just said she is dead to him. He does take the calls from her lawyer and the police to hear updates, but that is all. Make sure she hasn’t escaped or something, Grace replied.

Grace had gone to see Doris herself a few months back. Doris seemed to know exactly what she was planning on doing. She had told Grace when she went there that she had planned first to make her think she lost her mind and drive her away, then when she found out the baby was on the way, she knew she had to kill her and keep the baby for her and Jack.

Can’t really blame him, I said.

Ester and James have kind of become his adoptive parents, Grace said with a smile. Gail, they really are the sweetest. They are amazing with Daisy.

Can’t have too much of that in life. She is one lucky little lady. You all are very blessed, I agreed.

Ester used to go to Grace’s shop to stock up on the homemade canned goods that Grace makes and sells in her cute little primitive shop. James sold chairs he caned by hand and sold to her to sell at the shop as well. Over time, those two got together and made a cute couple.

After the accident, Ester came around more, and it was a godsend to Grace. She helped her at the shop then basically became a full-time employee and a part of the family. She had actually been close to Jack’s ex, Clair, and always had a sneaking suspicion that Doris played a part in her disappearance.

She always said, You have to trust your gut. She always had a feeling that Doris was up to no good as far as Grace was concerned, so she made a point of just being around more. As luck would have it, in the past whenever Ester was around, Doris didn’t stick around long. Ester always seemed to just know things and had no idea how; anyway, it seemed to repel Doris.

It turned out the accident that Grace was in was a Doris crime as well. She took the brakes out of Grace’s car. She had planned on the accident killing Grace, but it didn’t. It did send her to the hospital, and Doris went there to kill her. That’s when Jack found the setup in the basement where his mother was actually planning on delivering a baby, killing Grace. Died in labor was going to be her story on how Grace died.

We sure are, Grace agreed, looking at Daisy.

I scooped Days up and kissed her face. What’s not to love? I said just as my phone alarm went off. Well, there’s my cue.

Yup, there’s the alarm. Daisy, let’s head back so Auntie Gail can get back to work.

I handed a sleepy Daisy back to her momma with a heavy heart and helped Grace get her buckled into the carrier. She is getting awfully big to fit into this carrier. We should look into a little beach buggy for her.

She sure is…but she is only a little for a tiny bit, so I think I’ll carry her a bit longer, she said with a smile, kissing Daisy’s head.

I don’t blame you, I said, trying to hide my own desire.

It’s ironic that I was a nurse for a living, a doctor now. Still seems unbelievable to me that I completed it, and it was official.

My job is to help people become parents, yet I want a child more than anything in this world, and I cannot seem to make my own dreams come true. A wave of familiar sadness washed over me, and I was lost in thought the whole way back to the hospital.

Chapter 2

Once I was back at the hospital, I checked all my messages that I had silenced while I was having my beach session. I had three more patients for the day, and then I would be able to head home as well. I pushed all my thoughts and feelings aside and got back inside and focused on work.

It is a pretty rewarding job; I love making other people’s dreams come true. The one patient I just finished seeing struggled for years with infertility, and through lots of trial and error, she finally had a positive test. I was excited to see her. I had a few more new patients who went by rather quickly.

I went out to the receptionist, April. She was always great about fitting in with my patients and keeping me on track and on time. She ran the whole office with incredible ease and looked good doing it. She always had perfectly manicured nails with french tips, her hair was always trimmed nicely into a bob cut and looked shiny, and I think all her clothes were perfectly pressed and fitted just for her; she never seemed to have a wrinkle or a stain. Even on jeans day, she still rocked her look. I have never seen her come into work looking less than perfect.

Hey, April, I think that is all I have for today, so I am going to head home. Do I have any messages?

Not quite. I slipped your friend Lilly in due to a cancellation you had, and no messages, April answered me, and just as I was about to ask about Lilly’s need for an appointment, the other line rang, and April grabbed that.

Hey, girl! Lilly came through the door. You all ready for me?

Sure am, I answered.

Her husband put in a lot of work through Jack’s company. Jo and Jack had a lot to do with Steve. Lilly has calmed down a lot and is more likable than she used to be. She used to have an insufferable crush on Jack. She even made it known to Jack, Grace, and even Steve. She idolized Grace and even changed her look to replicate Grace.

When Grace found out she was pregnant with Daisy, Lilly pretty much manifested her own little girl. The whole thing! She was remodeling her house and putting in basically a kid’s park in her backyard before the test even turned positive. She also did her nursery all girl before she even found out the gender. Luckily for Steve’s wallet, she did have a girl, so they did not have to redecorate again. She was crazy, but being a mom has taken the edge off a little, and she has calmed down…a little. She still idolized Grace and Jack, but not as bad as it once was.

How have you been, Lilly? How is baby Rose doing? I asked.

Once she found out Daisy’s name, she thought they named Daisy (Days for short) after her because it was in the flower family, and so she named her daughter Rose to keep family tradition. She was funny, but Lilly truly believed it! In all actuality, they never even thought of that when naming Daisy. It was the little things like that, which made Lilly who she was though.

She is brilliant! Such a great baby! She is just perfect! Lilly gushed.

What brings you in today? I asked.

Well, I had been thinking about possibly having another baby… I think it is good to have kids close in age, and I know Grace does too, she said, looking at her nails, then back to me. However, I don’t know if they have started to try again or not. After a