Stolen Legacy (Treasure Harbor Book 4)

by Angel Moore

“You’ve got it.” He was bagging her order as she went into the back.

  “Hello,” she called out over the volume of the commercial mixer.

  Victor turned it off. “Hi. That was quick.” He pulled the large bowl from the mixer and covered it before taking it into the walk-in cooler.

  “What’s in the mixing bowl? You know how I love cookie dough.” Mallory climbed onto a stool at the counter.

  “Why do you think I put it in the cooler? It’s not only to chill it so it will be easier to bake. When you’re here, it’s about making sure there is some left to bake.”

  Laughter bubbled up inside her. He had that effect on her. “Am I that bad?”

  “Yes.” He was matter of fact as he dipped spaghetti noodles into a pasta bowl. “How many meatballs?”

  “Two.” She slid off the stool, grabbed a spoon from the drain board, and headed into the cooler. “What do you have to drink?”

  “Tea. The pitcher is on the left.” His voice was muffled by the fan that kept the small room chilled.

  “I see it.” She dipped her spoon into the batter before grabbing the tea pitcher.

  Victor was standing right behind her when she turned around. “Hand it over.” He held out his hand.

  The smile she fought against threatened to cover her face as she backed away from him with the spoon behind her back. “No.”

  “Give it.” He advanced toward her, and she stuck the pitcher out for him. He clarified his statement. “The cookie dough.”

  She spun around and stuck the spoon in her mouth and turned back to him.

  “You little thief.” He laughed and took the pitcher. “I’d say you’re spoiling your lunch, but I know you’ll eat that, too.”

  “I am getting spoiled.” She followed him into the kitchen and closed the cooler door.

  “Today is a special treat.”

  She settled back onto the stool. “Why?”

  “Lara Callahan came to see me again.”

  “Again?”

  “She comes every week wanting to talk to me about the treasure.” He brought a platter of hot garlic toast and set it on the counter between them and sat on the stool across from her. “Today she told me you refused to tell her anything.”

  Mallory chose a piece of toast. “I knew you wouldn’t want me to share your personal business with anyone.”

  He covered her hand with his and met her gaze. “Thank you. That is all the evidence I needed to prove the value of our friendship.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “I’m sorry I resisted in the beginning. You are indeed a true friend.”

  She almost couldn’t breathe. His nearness was affecting her heart, and it concerned her. What if she began to like him in a way he would never like her? “Thank you.” The warmth of his touch on her hand was comforting and genuine. Not disrespectful or with a hidden motive. She needed to set a lighter tone or she wouldn’t be able to eat the delicious lunch he’d prepared. “I told you I would be.” She slid her hand from his and bowed her head. She prayed a blessing over their food and lifted her head to see him grinning.

  “You like to control the mood, too, don’t you?”

  “If I must.” She spun the pasta around her fork. “I’ll be nice to you tomorrow if you’ll cook again.”

  “I had a phone call from Mom this morning. She’s coming to visit soon.” He twirled his spaghetti.

  “That’ll be nice. Does she know you’ve made changes to her store?” She grinned, knowing he’d rise to the bait.

  “It’s my store now.”

  “I know. It’s so easy to stir you up that I couldn’t resist. And don’t worry. She’ll love the changes.”

  His brow drew together in a frown. “I’m not worried.”

  “As long as you don’t stop making doubloons, you’ll be good.”

  “Why doubloons?”

  “Isn’t that the first candy Swashbucklin' Sweets made that was unique to the store?”

  “Yes. And it’s the best seller.”

  “Who wouldn’t love a chocolate coin wrapped in gold foil made in honor of the pirate ancestors of Swashbucklin' Sweets? I can almost see Drake Burton returning from the sea and coming in the front door to be greeted by his dear Camilla offering handfuls of the treat to him.” She flipped her long tresses over one shoulder like an actress playing the lead in the local theatre. “Drake! You’ve come home! I’ve kept your treasure safe.”

  His laughter filled her ears. “You have the most active imagination. Is nothing ever dull to you? Or sad?”

  She sobered immediately. “It has been.” She looked into his eyes. “But not so much lately. Thanks to you.”

  Flirting. She was flirting. It was a new sensation for her. The answering twinkle in his eyes kept her from retreating to her store before their meal was finished.

  When she did leave a few minutes later, she carried her bag of doubloons in one hand and his smile in her heart.

  * * *

  In the week since his mother had called to say she was coming, Vic had finished his renovations. Everything old had been cleaned, repaired, or replaced. Swashbucklin' Sweets looked better than he’d imagined when he’d started the process.

  Mallory was the reason. Her keen eye for the potential of any piece of furniture and her ability to save something from the past for a good future amazed him.

  The selection of candies had changed dramatically, but for the better. The doubloons, seahorses and clams were all in their place, but added into the mix were raspberry-filled chocolates and caramel filled sand dollars.

  He finished his final inspection and went to grab the mail. Mallory was on the pew in front of her store reading the Daily Treasure. He sat beside her to leaf through his stack of envelopes.

  “Anything interesting?” he asked.

  “Oh, hi. I didn’t hear you come out.” She’d been concentrating on the paper, but she tucked it under her leg on the opposite side of her.

  “What had you so engrossed?” He held out his hand for the paper.

  At first she didn’t move, then she said, “You have to promise not to be mad.”

  “Why would I be mad?”

  She held the paper just out of his reach. “Promise.”

  Vic shook his head. Whatever it was had her worried. He couldn’t imagine anything in the paper that would bother him to the point of being angry with his closest friend. She had become that in the last few weeks. Closer than anyone else he knew.

  “I can’t make a blanket promise. Just let me see it.”

  She handed over the paper, and he read the front page headline: Treasure Hunt Brings Bounty of Tourists to Treasure Harbor.

  “Will it ever stop?”

  Mallory shook her head. “Probably not even if it’s found. The story will always be associated with this community.”

  He perused the collage of pictures that accompanied the article. Several shots of tourists and locals with metal detectors on the beach or walking through the dune grasses were scattered throughout the article. His father was in the center of the largest picture, probably featured because he was known in town to be among the most active Burtons seeking the gold.

  Then he saw it. The thing that troubled Mallory. She was beside his father holding the map Vic had given her. The caption jumped off the page at him. For weeks, Will Burton and son, Victor’s, close friend, Mallory Reed, have searched for gold. He lowered the paper slowly and handed it back to her.

  Without a word, he stood up and walked back into his store. He headed straight for the kitchen, not slowing his pace when she followed him.

  “Victor, wait.” She was on his heels in seconds.

  How could he have let his guard down? She had pumped him for information about the treasure, no matter how adamantly he refused to discuss it. And now, when he’d given her all he could to help without becoming involved himself, she’d joined forces with the man who had caused him to despise his heritage.

  He spun around, and she ran into his chest. He caught her by
the arms so she wouldn’t fall and set her away from him.

  “You know how I feel about the treasure and my father. And you flaunted it in my face. The saddest part is that I was really starting to care for you.” He went behind the counter and took a mixing bowl from the shelf against the back wall. “Please leave.”

  “Let me explain,” her voice held a beggar’s tone.

  “It’s not necessary. I can see for myself what is important to you. First, you promised not to share my private life with Lara, then you show up on the front page. It’s all clear to me.”

  “It’s not like that. I didn’t know she took the picture.” She came to stand at the end of the counter. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. You’re my friend.”

  “You wanted to be my friend so you could get close to me and find out all I knew about the treasure. The only reason you didn’t tell Lara was you didn’t want to tip her off to the plans you and Dad have for your search.”

  Her shoulders slumped, but he wouldn’t be drawn in by her sadness. No. He’d let her fool him with her happy girl-next-door attitude. He wasn’t going to be fooled again.

  Mallory hung her head. “None of that is true, Victor.”

  “Stop calling me Victor.” He opened the door to the cooler. “Like I said from the beginning, I’m too busy for friendships. I’ve got work to do.” He went into the cooler and let the door close behind him. He stood under the fan and let the chilly air spill over him. Deep breaths cooled his lungs, but the betrayal of his Mallory on the beach with his father chilled his soul.

  His Mallory.

  He’d begun to think of her as his. His friend. And more. Now all of that was gone. Over. It hurt more than he’d imagined to tell her to leave, but he didn’t know how he’d cope with the pain if he allowed her to stay.

  His dad had walked away from Vic and his mother to pursue a fantasy. The reality of his loyalty to the pursuit came crashing in around him when he saw Mallory smiling with his dad on the beach as they searched together.

  The cooler door opened, but he didn’t turn around. “I asked you to leave.”

  His mother’s voice answered. “I just arrived.”

  Vic wilted a bit more. He’d hoped today would be a time of celebration and showing off his progress to his mom. Now it was overshadowed by his father’s treasure hunt, just as many of the joys of the life he and his mom had shared had been. He took a deep breath and said a quick prayer for peace.

  “Mom,” he drew her into a hug, “I’m so glad to see you.” That was true. He loved his mother dearly and appreciated the sacrifices she’d made for his happiness and future. He didn’t want her to know that all the hope of this wonderful summer had just frozen inside his heart.

  Chapter Eight

  Mallory worked to the point of exhaustion that night. She tumbled into bed only to cry out to God until the wee hours. The problem hadn’t gone away when she rolled out of bed on Wednesday morning, but she had peace that God would help her through whatever she had to face.

  She kept hearing Victor’s words in her mind. “The saddest part is that I was really starting to care for you.”

  Lord, please don’t let my good intentions ruin the relationship Victor and I have built.

  Trust. She’d have to trust God to work it out. There was nothing she could do.

  Today was the first auction she’d attend since opening her store. One of Victor’s part-time employees had agreed to watch the shop for her. A knock on the door told her he had arrived. She explained everything to be done, left her cell number in case there were any questions, and went out the back door.

  Victor’s door opened as she was putting her truck in reverse. He stopped on the step, and she lifted a hand to him. A brief nod of acknowledgement was his only reply.

  Heartbroken, she made it through the auction in a neighboring town, buying several pieces in various stages of disrepair. She only needed help loading the largest ones onto her truck.

  After she backed up to the door behind her shop that afternoon, she carried a small table inside. Two customers milled around in the shop, so she sent the helper home to keep her cost for wages down, put on her best owner face, and went to work.

  Two hours later, the front door was locked, and Mallory went to unload the truck. All but the things she couldn’t carry alone were unloaded when Victor’s back door opened.

  “Looks like you got some nice stuff at the auction.” He was reserved but polite.

  “I think so.” She locked the cab of the truck.

  “Need some help unloading those?”

  “Thanks, but you don’t have to offer. I’ve got it covered.”

  “Okay. Good then.” He stared at her with pain in his eyes.

  Mallory took a step toward him. “Victor, I…”

  He held up a hand. “I have to go. I’m making dinner for Mom.” He stepped inside.

  That was it. She wouldn’t let him assume she was guilty of some kind of plot against him when it wasn’t true. Mallory threw a tarp over the back of her truck and tied it off to protect her purchases from the weather. Then she texted Will Burton and walked to the Ocean Breeze.

  Agnes met her at the door. “Mallory, it’s been while. I guess you’ve been eating with Vic Burton a lot.”

  “I have, but tonight I’m expecting his father to come. Can we have the table in the far corner?”

  “Sure. I’ll keep an eye out for Mr. Burton.”

  Twenty minutes later, Will joined her. “What’s up?” He sat in the chair opposite her.

  “Your son thinks I betrayed him when we partnered up to look for the treasure. He thinks I only got close to him so I could get close to you and the treasure.”

  “He’s still harboring a grudge against me, is he?”

  “A big one. He won’t even let me explain. He hasn’t heard one word I’ve said since he saw the paper today.”

  Kori came to take their order. “What will you be having tonight?”

  “Hi, Kori. This is Will Burton, Victor’s father.”

  “Hello. I saw you two in the paper today. Did you find anything yet?”

  Will shook his head. “No. And I don’t think we’ll be able to look without being harassed after that article today.”

  Mallory didn’t want to discuss the treasure tonight. She wanted to find a way to reach Victor. “Kori, I think I’ll have the country fried steak special.”

  Will handed Kori the unopened menus. “That sounds good to me, too.” Kori took their drink orders and left them.

  “Vic hasn’t listened to anything I’ve had to say since his mom and I separated. There’s nothing I can do to help you.”

  Mallory leaned in close and lowered her voice. “Will,” she looked down and straightened her fork. “Victor told me today that he’d started to care for me.”

  Will smiled and nodded. “I thought it might be coming to that.” Then he shook his head. “And your association with me sent him off like a rocket.”

  “You know him well.”

  “Patience hasn’t been a strong trait in the boy.”

  “With all due respect, Will, he isn’t a boy anymore.” She met his gaze. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for the last few weeks. “He doesn’t need you to protect him or provide for him anymore. He’s a grown man. He needs a dad he can confide in and trust. Someone who has his priorities straight. Someone who loves him.”

  Will protested, “I love him.”

  “He needs to know it.”

  Will pointed an accusing finger at her. “And he needs to know you were only trying to get me to reconcile with him.”

  She felt her face flush warm. “So you knew what I was doing?”

  “The whole time. I don’t know how that son of mine doesn’t see it.”

  They ate the dinner Kori brought them and sorted out how they could work together to make Victor see she wasn’t using him. She hoped his father could get him to listen.

  * * *

  Victor and
his mother finished the dinner he’d made for her in the kitchen at Swashbucklin' Sweets. He’d thought about taking her to his home to eat, but by staying at the store, she got to see the excitement of the customers over the changes he’d made.

  She looped her arm in his where they stood at the doorway between the back of the store and the front. “That supper was delicious. If you’re going to feed me like that, we need to take a walk.”

  “I intend to spoil you the whole time you’re here.” They left the store and walked toward Pirate’s Pier.

  As they passed Buried Treasures, his mom said, “How is Mallory’s shop doing?”

  “It seems to be doing well. How did you know it’s Mallory’s?”

  “Agnes Bluhm told me. We talk often.” She was quiet for the next block. “That’s how I found out you were seeing Mallory. I waited as long as I could for you to tell me.”

  “We aren’t seeing each other, Mom.”

  “That’s not what everyone is saying. Seems like the two of you are sharing meals, moonlit walks, and picnics.”

  “So you’ve only been talking to Agnes?” He couldn’t believe his mother had been checking up on him.

  “Her and maybe a few others.” She pushed a playful elbow into his side. “A mother wants to know how her only son is.”

  “Next time call me.”

  “Would you have told me about Mallory?”

  “There is no Mallory. She’s my neighbor, not part of my life.” He hated admitting it, but it was true. The sooner he said it out loud and faced it, the sooner he’d begin to heal and move on from it. “Not anymore.”

  “Will you tell me about it?”

  Vic sighed. “It’s the same as always. The Drake Burton treasure comes between me and the people I love.”

  He knew his mom would pick up on his use of the word love, but he’d never been anything except honest with her.

  “Love?”

  He nodded. “But I don’t want to talk about it tonight if you don’t mind. It’s all a bit fresh. I only admitted it to myself today. And even then, it was as she was exiting my life.” He gave a bitter laugh. “And making herself at home searching for treasure with Dad.”

  His mom put a hand on his arm, and they stopped walking. “Son, I’m very sorry. I wish you’d let go of the anger you hold against your father. God can heal the pain in your heart.”