“I know. But Amy, this town, the people here, you’ve all become so important to me.”
“But how would you have found the treasure?”
Penelope looked out the window at a town wearing a thin coat of snow. She thought about Thanksgiving here, about the big community dinner. She thought about how they had all come together.
“Penelope?” Amy’s voice was soft.
“I saw the map you were showing someone.”
“Yeah, but seeing a map and then taking off on your own…”
“It was a crazy thing to do. But I have a photographic memory. I had taken a hike with one of the tours, and while we were walking, I thought I recognized something from the map.”
“Photographic?”
Penelope nodded. “Please don’t tell. It isn’t a big deal. I just remember things that I see. I saw the map and I wanted to do something.”
Amy reached for Penelope’s hands. “You have my word. And while we’re talking, I wanted to ask if you’re staying.”
“I plan on it. Why?”
“I wanted to ask if you’d help out with the Christmas pageant. We’re having, well, fun. Life is a little crazy right now, with all of the new people in town, and the ladies…”
The unfinished sentence said a lot. Women from the city. And quite a few were like Penelope; wealthy socialites looking for excitement. That had to be making life interesting for the locals.
“Sure, I’d be happy to help with the Christmas program,” Penelope said. “I can decorate, or even help get the word out.”
“You can sing.” Amy waited until Becca refilled her cup and walked away. The waitress stood there for a moment longer than necessary. With a sweet smile from Amy, the girl rushed off.
Amy laughed a little. “That girl loves to hear what’s going on. Anyway, I know you sing.”
“I’m okay.”
“I heard you sing in church. You’re more than okay. We really need someone who can sing. Joleen, well, God bless her, she can’t get the words right to ‘Silent Night.’ I don’t know what it is about that song, but she constantly has angels appearing to the Wise Men and worse.”
“Worse?”
“It’s been a long week.” Amy smiled. “So, what do you say?”
“I’ll help. I’ll do whatever you need.”
Amy pulled her phone out of her pocket and frowned. Penelope waited, hoping the text wasn’t bad news.
“Amy, are you okay?”
“Oh, yes, I’m fine. Penelope, Reed needs to talk to you. He wants me to walk you over to his office.”
Chapter Nine
If he could have picked anywhere to be at that moment, Tucker wouldn’t have picked sitting in Reed Truscott’s office at seven in the morning. When Penelope walked through the door and saw him, that feeling doubled.
“Chief Truscott, how can I help you?” Penelope shoved her hands into her jacket pocket. Trembling hands, Tucker noticed.
He watched as she approached the desk. Man, he felt for her. He imagined himself standing in front of the principal’s desk twenty years ago. She probably felt about the same way.
“Have a seat.” Reed nodded toward an empty chair on the other side of his desk. “I just want to ask a few questions.”
“Okay.” She sat down but she didn’t lean back. She didn’t relax.
“Penelope, is there anyone you can think of who would be following you?” Reed could have done a better job of asking that question. Tucker wanted to retract it, to start with something that gave her the opportunity to think about what happened. Not that she really even knew. He had kept the footprints from her because he didn’t wanted to scare her.
When he glanced her way she was staring at him. He smiled but she didn’t return the gesture. Instead her gaze shot back to Amy, who had accompanied her.
“I can’t think of anyone. It isn’t as if I run with a rough crowd.”
Reed smiled. He stretched and then he laced his fingers behind his head. “No, I didn’t figure you were hanging with a dangerous crowd.”
“So why would you even think that someone would be after me?” She scooted to the edge of her seat. “Why is Tucker here?”
She aimed the question at Tucker, not at Reed.
“I’m here because I went to Reed with some information.”
“Information?” She remained on the edge of the standard office chair, jeans tucked into the snow boots she’d hiked out in. Her jacket wasn’t the old down-filled coat she’d worn. The brown coat was knee length and she pulled it close around herself.
“Penelope, there was someone at the cabin.” Tucker scooted his chair so that he faced her. “I didn’t want you to worry, so I didn’t tell you that Clark and I found footprints and a campsite.”
“You think it had to do with me.”
“It happened the day after you showed up. I also think they followed us away from the cabin.”
She shivered a little. “I can’t imagine who it would have been.”
Reed cleared his throat. “Could I add to this conversation? You are Penelope Lear.”
“So?”
“Well, I think we have to consider the possibility that someone could take you for a ransom. This treasure map has brought people to town who aren’t the most trustworthy. They want a treasure, and I don’t think they care how they get it.”
“But no one knew that I was going for a drive that day.”
“No one?” Tucker found that hard to believe. He’d been around her and knew how she loved to talk.
She glanced at him. Or maybe it was more of a glare. An ice-cold, blue-eyed glare. “I bought a few supplies and rented a Jeep. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
A smile tugged on the corners of his mouth, but he fought it back by clearing his throat. “Of course.”
“Well, it obviously doesn’t matter. If someone wanted to snatch me, they would have done it by now.”
Reed returned to the conversation. Tucker watched the cop pull his gaze from Amy, back to Penelope. Four months changed things. It changed how people felt. It changed how Reed looked at Amy.
It hadn’t changed Tucker much. He didn’t feel as if he knew one thing more than when he’d left. Four months getting his head on straight should have done something more than have him thinking about Penelope Lear.
Last night he’d gone through his dad’s paperwork. Of course he’d left everything to Tucker. Not that there was much of anything to leave. An old fishing boat, a truck and the house. He was still going through paperwork, but he didn’t expect much more than that.
None of it really mattered. Saying goodbye would have mattered. He forced himself back into the conversation and listened as Reed explained to Penelope that she needed to stay close to town and not go off by herself. Tucker wondered how long she’d listen to the cop’s advice.
The office door opened, bringing a gust of cold air and Herman Lear. Tucker glanced from the man in the doorway to the woman sitting a few feet away from him. She froze and then her mouth dropped a little. He hated what he saw. By calling her father, Reed had put her squarely back in Herman’s control.
Obviously she thought he’d made the call, not Reed. She glared at him, her eyes tearing up for the first time since Reed had called her into his office. The idea of someone following her didn’t upset her. Her father’s presence did.
“What’s going on?” Herman Lear stood in the center of the room, a dominating force in a black overcoat, his hair steel gray and his face weathered but still hard and unbending.
“Mr. Lear, I called you here because we have reason to believe your daughter’s safety is in jeopardy.”
“What makes you believe that?”
Tucker stood up and indicated for the older man to sit, mainly because they’d all relax if Mr. Lear wasn’t looming over them. “Someone followed her into the woods.”
“Do you have proof?”
“Someone was snooping around the cabin while she was there and someone followed us b
ack to town.”
Herman Lear turned his back on Tucker, ignoring the chair, and stared at his daughter. “Did you notice anyone?”
“Not once. It could be anything.” Penelope’s chin jutted and her voice was strong.
“I don’t care. You’re going to pack your bags and head home.”
Penelope shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m staying in Treasure Creek.”
“I think this vacation of yours is over. I’m not going to leave you here and have something happen to you.”
“Nothing is going to happen.”
“Why in the world do you want to stay here?” Herman sat on the edge of Reed’s desk.
“I love this town, Dad. And I don’t think I’m in danger.”
“Well, I think you are. I know you’re an adult, but this is about your safety. We’re flying out this afternoon.”
“I’m not.” She picked up her purse and stood. “Chief Truscott, I appreciate the warning. Dad, I’m not leaving.”
She didn’t tell Tucker goodbye, just glanced his way and then smiled at Amy as she walked out the door. Tucker watched as she walked across the snow-covered street in the direction of the general store.
Joleen Jones grabbed Penelope as she walked through the door of the general store. Penelope stiffened and then relaxed, because it was Joleen. Exuberant, energetic Joleen. Poor Mr. Peterson. It seemed that he was still the target of the socialite in the fur coat, suede boots and overdone jewelry. As horrendous as it all was, Joleen was still easy to like.
“Well, honey, it is about time you made it back to town.”
Penelope smiled at the greeting. “It’s good to be back.”
She glanced in the direction of the police station and let out a quick sigh of relief because no one had followed her. So, now that she was here, what did she buy? How did she kill time in Treasure Creek’s general store?
She could be like the men who stood on the corner with their cups of coffee. It wasn’t good coffee. She’d tried it when she first came to town. And then she figured out that it was “guy” coffee. It was strong enough to cut through metal and was meant to keep women at bay.
The general store, she learned from Amy, was where the men of Treasure Creek came to hang out. Not to gossip, of course. Men don’t gossip. They talk about the weather and about politics. And sometimes about what their neighbors were up to. But it was never gossip. Penelope smiled and then turned her attention back to the perfume cloud that was Joleen.
“Are you going to church tonight?” Joleen asked a little loudly. Probably more for Harry than Penelope.
“I might, if I can get away.” From her parents.
But Joleen was going to church?
Penelope smiled, because she knew that people in town had prayed for Joleen. She was positive they’d prayed for her as well.
“Well, what about the Christmas pageant? My goodness, honey, you missed out on so much, and you weren’t gone long at all. And not only that, but I heard you came back to town with that hunky lawyer who has been missing since June. Is he off his rocker?”
“What?”
Joleen softened her smile. “I mean, he took off on his own and he’s been gone for months. That isn’t something a sane person would do. People in town are talking, wondering if maybe he had some kind of breakdown.”
“He seemed fine.” Penelope sifted through the rack of jeans. Normal, plain old jeans. She pulled off a couple of pairs that would fit her and then grabbed a couple of sweatshirts.
“You’re not going to wear that!?” Joleen covered her mouth with her hand and then turned a little pink because Harry cleared his throat. “Not that they aren’t lovely.”
“They’re warm. If you ever end up lost in the woods, you’ll appreciate warm. Hey, how is Delilah?”
“Who knows.”
“I thought the two of you were friends.”
“We were, until I realized she doesn’t have a loyal bone in her body. And who needs friends who aren’t loyal?”
Penelope nodded because she got that. Across the street at the police station, Tucker Lawson was telling people stories about her life. She supposed he thought he was protecting her, but he was really just signing his name on her fate. Her dad would claim her life for good, and all because Tucker came up with some crazy idea that people might follow her.
“I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding.” Penelope walked to the counter to pay for her items. The door opened and Delilah walked in. Joleen stalked out of the store.
Delilah, head down, walked to the back of the first aisle. Penelope smiled at Harry, his face red and his mouth in a grim line.
“It’s always interesting.” Penelope pulled out money for her purchases.
Harry glanced up and then back to his cash register. “I could do with a little less interesting, less excitement.”
“Oh, come on, Harry, would you really want us all gone?” Penelope laughed because his face turned a deeper shade of pink. “Imagine life if we hadn’t shown up.”
“Yes, I imagine it quiet again.”
“I know what you mean.” But Harry was watching out the window. Joleen sashayed across the street to a small boutique that had probably never seen so much traffic.
Harry counted her change back and handed her the bag with the jeans and sweatshirts. “Those will do you a lot better the next time you’re stranded in the cold.”
Penelope managed to laugh. “I don’t plan on letting that happen again.”
Her mother was waiting on the sidewalk outside the general store. Penelope stopped, bags from the store hitched over her shoulder. Snow fell softly from the gray sky. A few people walked past them, pardoning themselves.
Victoria Lear looked perfect. She always looked perfect. Her hair, makeup, clothes, it was all part of the package. And Penelope had always felt a little like the discount kid.
Penelope had always been the one causing problems by chasing off after some new experience. Her mother had once told her that charity was about giving money, not about getting caught up in other people’s problems.
“Your father told me we have a problem.”
Penelope shrugged and started walking. Her mother walked next to her. “Mom, I’m not going home.”
Victoria glanced at her, and then to her right. “I don’t blame you.”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t blame you. If you come home your father will take over. He doesn’t mean to, but he does it. He can’t help it. So you stay here and you find something that makes you happy.”
“Is this a trap?” They were close to the little courtyard that would have been green and flowering if it had been summer. Instead it was covered in a dusting of fresh snow and sprinkled with lights that would sparkle this evening. Someone had built a snowman. He looked a little thin because the snow was scant and powdery.
“It isn’t a trap. I want you safe. I also want you happy. That’s what I noticed last night. I noticed that for the first time in years, even after everything you’ve gone through, you looked content.”
“So you want me to stay?”
“Not forever.” Her mom shivered. “Seriously, this is a place to visit, not a place to live. There’s nowhere in this entire town to get a good manicure.”
Penelope looked down at her hands, fortunately gloved and out of sight. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Victoria kissed her cheek and Penelope breathed a deep sigh of relief. “I’m going back to our room. I think we’ll leave tomorrow.”
“I’ll be back shortly. I want to peek in at the church to see if they’ve finished decorating.”
“Penelope, please be cautious.”
“I’ll be cautious.”
“And come home for Thanksgiving. It’s a little over a week away.”
Home for Thanksgiving. Earlier she’d been thinking of Thanksgiving in Treasure Creek, not at home in a formal dining room with a catered meal. Her thoughts were still on the holiday when she walked out of the c
hurch a few minutes later. Halfway down the sidewalk a hand touched her shoulder. Before she could scream, another covered her mouth.
Chapter Ten
Tucker clamped his hand over Penelope’s mouth and waited for her eyes to connect with his before he moved his hand.
“An hour ago you were warned that you could be in danger, and now you’re traipsing around town like you don’t have a care in the world?”
Penelope’s eyes narrowed. “I was with my mother, and it seems that the only thing I have to be afraid of is you.”
Her heart still hammered her ribs, even though she knew she was safe, knew that it was Tucker and not some crazy person about to drag her away.
“I didn’t want you to scream and cause heart attacks all over town. I saw you in the church and thought I’d invite you to lunch.”
“Right.” She walked down the sidewalk and he had to rush after her.
“I know you’re upset, but you have to understand…”
“That you kept something from me and then, instead of telling me, you went to the local police. I understand completely. You thought I couldn’t take care of this myself. I’m an adult. I’m obviously capable of taking care of myself. Did you know that I have been to Africa three times with a program that feeds orphans? I’ve been to South America two times to help build homes.”
He opened his mouth, but what in the world was he supposed to say.
Perfect blond brows arched and she shot him a smug look before walking on.
“That’s impressive.” He finally got out the feeble compliment.
“It is, isn’t it? My parents have always assumed I was in Europe or on a beach somewhere. Everyone thinks this is my big adventure. It isn’t.”
Even more impressive. And he’d labeled her as just another spoiled socialite who couldn’t fight her way out of a wet paper bag. He’d fallen into the trap of stereotyping. The guy who hadn’t judged his clients, the man who had believed in giving the benefit of the doubt. He’d looked at her, at the whole package that was Penelope Lear, and he guessed who he thought she was. He’d been wrong.
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