All those special times with Uncle Mark rolled through KodyAnne’s mind. He’d been a wonderful man. As often as he could, he’d take turns with the three of them, taking one at a time to the pond for a picnic and time to play. She missed him so much. Why’d he have to be an outlaw?
“Kody?” Charlotte and Tyler were watching her.
She blinked. “Oh, he mostly told me stories about the family. His twin brother, Luke, who was our grandfather. He told me about his grandparents, mostly his grandfather. Then there was his father who was prone to gambling and liquor. So many stories, they would make an exciting book to read. I wonder if any of them were true?”
Tyler gave a short laugh. “Probably were. From what little I know, the family tree held some skeletons.”
He reached into the box and took out a small fish made of rubber. A wire came from its mouth with a fishhook hanging from that. “I haven’t seen this for—well—probably since your bracelet disappeared. My times with Uncle Mark were for fishing. We had our own spot near the willow tree. He said the fish liked to swim in the shade. I don’t know, but we caught a lot of fish in the pond. Why did Uncle Mark give these to us then take them away?”
KodyAnne looked up from hooking her bracelet on her wrist. “I don’t know. Uncle Mark was a unique man. He was always full of fun, but he had his serious side, too. Maybe there’s a message here for us. He liked puzzles. Maybe we’re supposed to figure something out.”
“What else is in the box?” Charlotte dipped her hand in and took an envelope and a padded book out. “Looks like this is all there is.” She handed them to her older brother. “Here, Ty, open them.”
Tyler lifted the cover of the book. “It’s a photo album.” His voice dropped to barely above a whisper as he turned a page. “Look at this. A picture of us when we were little. I remember when this was taken. Uncle Mark took us to the photographer. Do you remember that day?”
“Yes, I’d never had ice cream before.” KodyAnne fingered the gold bowl on her bracelet, a symbol of that time she’d never forget. Her heart ached for their uncle and for their father.
Tyler turned the page. “Here’s Pop and Mom. Must be their wedding picture. I’ve seen this before. Then here’s Grandfather and Uncle Mark together.” He gave a short laugh. “They looked just alike, didn’t they?”
“KodyAnne shrank from her memories of her grandfather. “They may have looked alike, but they weren’t. Grandfather didn’t want Charlotte and me in the family. He threw a fit when he found out. I heard him yelling at Papa when he came to set things straight. I was so scared. I thought Papa and Mama would make me leave.”
Tyler covered her hand with his. “They never would have done that. They fell in love with a feisty, little girl the first time they saw you.” He turned toward Charlotte. “The same thing happened when they saw you. They never stopped loving either of you.”
He closed the album and set it back in the box. “Let’s see what’s in this envelope.”
He broke the wax seal, slid a folded paper out, and opened it.
KodyAnne pressed close to him while Charlotte leaned in from the other side. Written in a bold, strong hand, the ink covered one sheet. KodyAnne skimmed over it, but couldn’t make enough sense of it to know what it said. She sat back. “Go ahead and read it aloud, Tyler.”
“Okay, it says, ‘I, Mark Jonas Delmont, being of sound mind, do solemnly swear this to be my last will and testament, superseding any previous wills. To my nephew, Jeremiah Jonas Delmont and/or his children, Tyler Mark Delmont, KodyAnne Delmont, and Charlotte Rose Delmont, I bequeath the inheritance given to my twin brother, Matthew Jacob Delmont, by our grandfather, Adam Elijah Delmont, consisting of railroad stocks, bonds, and cash gained from his investments in various ventures including the railroad.
If any want the story of how I obtained this inheritance, ask KodyAnne. She knows.
I borrowed some of the kids’ belongings to give you clues. They’ll know and understand with a little thought.
My family, I give to you my love and bequeath to you—a treasure hunt.
Witness my hand and seal this Dec. 25, 1890.
Mark Jonas Delmont
Witnesses:
C. A. Coontz
K. M. Jones
At County Court in Reno County, Kansas on Jan 03, 1891. This last will and testament of Mark Jonas Delmont was this day produced in Court and proved by the oaths of C. A. Coontz and K. M. Jones, the two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Testament: H.H. Johnson C.C.’”
Tyler lifted his head and looked at KodyAnne. “What do you know about this? He said you know.”
She stared back at him, barely hearing his voice. A treasure hunt? How like Uncle Mark, and that meant those stories he told were true. Excitement bubbled within KodyAnne.
Chapter 19
KodyAnne’s eyes focused on her brother’s face. He and Charlotte seemed to be waiting for something. “What? I was thinking about Uncle Mark. He’s still playing a game with us, isn’t he?”
Tyler nodded. “He always liked a challenge. Too bad he didn’t take up something legal. So what do you know about all of this? Do you think there’s really a treasure to find?”
“Yes, because Uncle Mark says there is. I only know the stories he told me. I thought he made them up, but maybe not. He told about brothers—twins—whose grandfather gave each two thousand dollars and sent them out into the world to make their fortunes. He said one brother was good and honest. He doubled Grandfather’s money, married the beautiful princess, and built a successful business. The other twin squandered his money, got in with other men of ill repute, and lived from day to day on what he took from others. Their grandfather gave the good twin a fortune, but he cut the bad twin off without a dime.”
“Uncle Mark and Grandfather Matthew.” Tyler whistled under his breath. “They were as different as night and day. Grandfather was so stern, so set in his ways while Uncle Mark was fun-loving and generous. I always dreaded Grandfather’s visits. I used to wonder how they could be so different when they looked so much alike.”
Charlotte nodded. “I loved Uncle Mark.”
“Grandfather never approved of us.” KodyAnne twisted the bracelet on her wrist. “Uncle Mark loved us.”
Tyler slipped an arm around each of his sisters. “That’s true, and you’re my sisters the same as if you’d been born a Delmont. You know that, don’t you?”
KodyAnne nodded as she laid her head against his shoulder then pulled back. “Okay, enough of this. We need to decide what to do. It’s getting late. Where are you sleeping tonight?”
“Your husband offered me a bed at his place.” Tyler grinned at her. “He’s not bad for a preacher. I never had a brother before.”
KodyAnne smacked his shoulder. “He isn’t my husband. I don’t think he even wants to be. But I’m glad you have a place to sleep. Maybe we can get together tomorrow and figure out where this treasure is.”
Tyler held his fishing lure in his hand. “I know what my clue means.”
“You do?” Charlotte peered into his face. “What?”
He laughed. “Fishing at the pond with Uncle Mark. He’s saying the treasure is somewhere around the water. He always took me fishing there.”
“Oh, that’s what my gold means, too.” Charlotte opened her fist to reveal the twenty-dollar gold piece still clutched in her hand. “That’s where I found the other coin. He had it buried at the foot of the willow tree.” She sighed. “That was so much fun. For the longest time, I thought it was real pirate’s gold. Maybe more of these coins are buried. Is that what the treasure is? You said stocks and bonds. Are they worth anything?”
“Maybe.” Tyler shrugged. “I guess it depends.”
“His will said cash, too.” KodyAnne murmured. “Maybe a couple of thousand like the money his grandfather gave him and our grandfather. You could get your furniture business started with that much, couldn’t you, Tyler?”
�
�It’d go a long way, sure, but I wouldn’t take it all. If we find anything, we’ll divide three ways.”
KodyAnne lifted her wrist and fingered the new key. “You understand your clues, but what’s this key for? I never saw it before. It has nothing to do with the pond.”
“Oh, yes, it does.” Charlotte clapped her hands and laughed. “Kody, you’re silly. You’re the one who opens things, and Uncle Mark knew that. He gave you the key to the treasure box.”
The key did look real, but it wasn’t all that big. Would it open a treasure box?
KodyAnne looked up with a half-smile. “I am silly. I’ve been thinking of a big pirate chest, but it’s probably a small box like that one.” She nodded toward the one Tyler still held.
He stood and set the box on their dresser. “It’s late. We’ll worry about pirate gold and railroad stock tomorrow. I’m going to the preacher’s house. Imagine, in one day I go from being a wanted man to the parson’s guest.”
“I’ll walk you to the door downstairs.” KodyAnne stood and stretched. “She really was tired. So much had happened today. It was enough to wear out her emotions completely. Charlotte should be asleep already after all she’d gone through. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, Char. Why don’t you go on to bed?”
“Okay, but please, can we look for the treasure tomorrow? Mrs. Clemmons told me to take off work. She said after being abducted by bad men, I deserved it. Only, I’m not tired at all.” Charlotte opened her eyes wide in a hopeful look and clasped her hand in front. “Please, as soon as you get off work? I promise I’ll sleep until noon if you want me to.”
Tyler and KodyAnne shared a smile. “I think we can, don’t you, Ty? I only work through the noon meal tomorrow.”
“Sure. I’d like to see what Uncle Mark’s buried. We may not do more than take a look around, though. That’s city property out there. The sheriff might change his mind about letting us go free if we start digging up the grounds. A lot of people like to fish in the pond.” He opened the door. “We’ll plan to go right after Kody finishes for the day.”
KodyAnne followed Tyler out the door and downstairs. Soft lights allowed them to find their way across the deserted sitting room. Darkness of night had taken over outside, but KodyAnne’s heart felt lighter than it had for a long time. She grinned at her brother. “If you don’t go on, Mike may come looking for you.”
He didn’t smile. “He seems like a decent sort, Kody. What’s going on between you two? I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and you act as if he’s just beyond your reach, but you’d grab him if you could.”
KodyAnne jerked back at his words. “How could you know all that in one afternoon?”
“It’s in your eyes. Something inside you ignites, and the sparks fly every time you look at Michael Wellington. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a couple so in tune with each other as you two are. So what is it? Are you going to be married? You said he asked you.”
She nodded, but couldn’t meet his eyes for fear he’d see the hurt in hers. “He asked.”
“And you turned him down.” Tyler shook his head. “Oh, KodyAnne, I hope you aren’t making a mistake. Even Pop would’ve approved of Mike.”
She snorted. “He did. He asked Mike to marry me. That’s why I turned him down.”
“He what?” Tyler stared at her.
“The night he died, Mike prayed with him. Afterward, he asked Mike to marry me and take care of me.” KodyAnne crossed her arms. “He didn’t understand him. All he heard was the take care of part, so he said he would. Papa was so pleased. He died never knowing Mike didn’t know what he’d promised.”
Tyler frowned. “He didn’t know?”
She shook her head “No, but it didn’t take him long to figure it out. He asked me a few times to marry him, and I turned him down so now he’s quit asking.”
Tyler turned the door handle. “Don’t worry, he’ll ask again. He’s in love with you. Even I can see that. Don’t give up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She caught his arm as he started out. “Tyler, don’t you dare say anything to Mike about this. Do you hear me?”
He grinned. “I can hear fine, but why would I do that, anyway? It’s none of my business.”
“Okay, good.” She stepped back and let him close the door then watched through the window before running back upstairs as he headed toward Mike’s. She opened the door to their room and smiled at the soft, even breathing coming from the bed. Charlotte wasn’t at all tired, but she’d sure gone to sleep quickly enough.
~*~
KodyAnne woke with a stretch that brought a yawn before she slipped from bed. Charlotte didn’t stir, so she was probably still asleep. The thought brought a smile to KodyAnne’s lips. Her little sister was so excited about their treasure. Uncle Mark was a dreamer, a fun-loving man who built castles from log cabins. Maybe he’d buried a few of those coins, but she didn’t hold out for enough to count for much. The stocks and bonds would likely be worth more. If there was enough for Tyler to start his business, she’d be happy.
She picked up the box that had caused so much trouble and opened it. They’d scarcely looked at the picture album last night. She took it to the window where the early morning light filtered in and began turning pages, picking out the faces she knew. Mama and Papa, Grandfather and Grandmother. There was one of Uncle Mark with her grandfather. They looked so much alike, but she could easily tell the difference. What was that pressed beside the picture? She touched it with her finger. Some sort of seedpod. A flicker of recognition flashed through her mind. She’d seen those somewhere. At the pond with Uncle Mark. He’d pulled one from the willow tree and handed it to her.
Here, Kody, see this? There are seeds inside. This big tree came from only one seed like these. Now it’s big enough to shelter all manner of things.
He peeked under the branches and grinned at her. You never know what you might find under a weeping willow tree.
Her heart began a heavy pounding. Uncle Mark told her where the treasure was buried. They’d only have to dig under the tree. But which side?
She closed the album and put it away. She had to go to work. There’d be enough time to figure out exactly where to dig once they got a closer look. How like Uncle Mark to plan his treasure hunt so it’d be easy for them to find.
She didn’t take long to dress and run downstairs to the diner. Her work there was enjoyable, although she’d rather be at the pond today. She found Melanie in the back mixing batter for pancakes.
“Hey, hon, how’re you doing after your wild time yesterday?” Melanie’s smile brightened the diner.
“Fine.”
KodyAnne took a clean apron from the shelf and tied it around her waist. She looked like a Harvey Girl with her black dress and white apron. She chuckled. Strange, she’d never noticed that before. Maybe it was time to lay aside her mourning. Charlotte was always slipping color into her attire, and no one had spoken ill of her that she’d heard. Papa wouldn’t like them mourning. All at once, her black clothing seemed out of place. Why did people mourn for their loved ones who were enjoying a new life now, anyway?
She looked up. “Melanie, what would you think if I stop wearing black?”
If anything, Melanie’s grin widened. “I think your papa would be pleased. He knows you love him and miss him, but he isn’t in a dreary place of dark colors. Why should you be?”
“That’s true, isn’t it?” KodyAnne brushed her dark sleeve.
Melanie poured some batter on the hot griddle. “I think so. If you lived in a city somewhere, it might be different. Folks pay more attention to convention back East. But here, everyone understands if you wish to respect your father by wearing mourning or if you don’t. And some can’t. It’s good, it just isn’t as necessary as it might be someplace else.”
KodyAnne saw sincerity in her friend’s eyes. “You’re right. Maybe tomorrow I’ll wear something different to church.”
With a flick of her wrist, Melanie turned the pancakes. “
If you need help picking out fabric or ready-made, let me know. I’m always ready to look at clothing.”
KodyAnne laughed and turned toward the door as it opened. Tyler stepped in, followed by Michael. He caught her gaze and grinned, setting her heart racing. She grabbed a couple of glasses and filled them with water. “You’re up early this morning. Have a seat. Melanie’s fixing pancakes.”
Before she could set the water on their table, the door opened again letting in the man from the telegraph office. The only time she’d seen him in the diner was for the evening meal. “Hello, Mr. Dawes.” She motioned toward the tables. “Have a seat and I’ll be with you in just a moment.”
“No thanks.” He shook his head. “I’m here on business. Mrs. Melanie Landis has a telegram.”
“Oh.” KodyAnne set the glasses in front of her brother and Michael then turned to watch Melanie hurry from the back.
Her cheeks were flushed either from the stove or her excitement. Her hand trembled as she reached for the telegram. She tore it open, her eyes darting from side to side as she stared at the paper. A tear trickled down her cheek, followed by another.
“Melanie?” KodyAnne stepped close. “Has something happened?”
A smile blossomed on Melanie’s face. “Something wonderful. I’ve found Joseph. He’s coming here to me.”
“Joseph, your husband?Oh, Melanie.” KodyAnne squealed and opened her arms. Her eyes filled with tears as Melanie squeezed her tight. Finally, they stepped apart. “I’m so happy for you after all the prayers you’ve prayed to find him. Does he say what happened?”
“It’s from the investigator I hired. He says he’s talked to Joseph and that he’s coming here.” Melanie bounced as she started away. “He has a lot of explaining to do, but I’m ready to listen.”
“Melanie is married?” Michael’s eyebrows lifted. He looked at KodyAnne. “When did that happen?”
She laughed. “Before she came here. Her husband left for work and never came home. She’s been looking for him ever since. She still doesn’t know what happened to him, but I imagine she’ll tell us when she does.”
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