by Angel Moore
“That’s just it. I’ve been going to Safe Harbor Church with Mallory.” He started walking again. “Until today when I saw a picture of her and Dad together hunting for the treasure, I thought God had healed it. But it all came back. She only got close to me because I’m a Burton. I gave her Dad’s map. The last one he left with you. She used it to connect with him and try to find the gold.” He couldn’t believe Mallory had used him. It didn’t mesh with all their friendly conversations and the time they’d spent together. Her laugh bubbled up in his memory. “How could she do that to me? How could I have been so wrong about her?”
“I seem to remember a time when you wanted to be the one to fill her orders at the store. You practically ran me into the kitchen when Mallory Reed came in.”
“That was before I knew her. She’s fun at first. Annoyingly so. Then she betrayed me and went to the one person in the world she knew had made my life miserable.”
“You’ve got to forgive your father.”
“I did.”
His mother’s next words were slow and deliberate. “Until it takes. Sometimes we have to forgive people over and over again – until it’s not just something we say with our words, but it takes root in our soul.”
“I’ll try again. And one day I’ll master it.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll forgive Mallory, too. But I can’t let them in close. It hurts too bad.”
“I’ll pray for you.”
“Thanks. I’m gonna need it.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he saw his father sitting on a bench halfway down the length of the pier. Right next to Mallory.
His mom squeezed his arm. “Don’t stop walking. I see them. God doesn’t give us opportunities for no reason. It’s no accident that we’re all here at the same time.”
Mallory looked up and caught his eye. She tapped his father on the arm without taking her eyes from Vic’s.
His mother spoke first when they stopped in front of the bench. “Hello, Will.”
“Hi, Debbie. You’re looking well.”
“Thank you. I am.”
His dad looked as uncomfortable as he felt. “Did you come to see all the changes our boy made at Swashbucklin' Sweets?” Mallory poked his dad with one finger. “Our son.” He looked at Mallory. “I’ve been reminded recently that Vic isn’t a boy anymore.”
His mom smiled at his dad. No bitterness crossed her face, only kindness. How could she be so forgiving? This man had abandoned them for a fantasy – a dream that no one had benefited from in three hundred years. A treasure that was the foundation to a legend that started with the death of a daughter at the hands of her father. A father who’d wanted the gold more than his daughter.
But there was no anger in his mother. She kept smiling as she answered. “He’s quite a fine young man now, Will.” She looked up at Vic. “I’d say he’s a combination of the best of both of us.” She gave him a wink like she had when he was a child and they were sharing a secret or a treat.
“There wasn’t any good in me for him to get. God blessed him with you for a mom.” Was this his father? The words were uplifting his mother.
Mallory hadn’t said a word. Vic looked at her. He could see the tiredness in her eyes. The puffiness that made him know she hadn’t rested.
“Your father and I had dinner at the Ocean Breeze. We just came to the pier to take in some fresh air.”
He didn’t know what to say.
She told his father goodbye. “Mrs. Ramsey, it’s so nice to see you. I hope you enjoy your visit with Victor.”
“Thank you, dear.”
To Will she said, “Make sure you tell him what we talked about.”
Then Mallory left him there with his parents. Three people who hadn’t had a civil conversation in years stood there waiting for what would come next.
Was Mallory’s departure making a way for them to try to mend fences? The sound of the ocean beneath the boards of the pier washed at the bitterness that had rumbled to the surface of his soul today. His mother had told him to try again. This seemed as good a chance as any.
Chapter Nine
Mallory forced herself to keep busy every day. Tonight, she’d even made a special effort to see a movie, but she’d left when the film was only half over. Watching the happy couple on the screen had made her want to cry. And she’d vowed to herself that she wouldn’t cry in public over a man who’d refused to even let her explain her side of the story.
She walked from the theater to Pirate Pizza and ordered the smallest pizza on the menu. She missed the meals she’d shared with Victor, but three weeks hadn’t seen any movement toward healing their relationship. He was polite, but never friendly. She hated that she’d ruined everything by trying to help.
Brody Chance set the takeout box on the counter in front of her. “Are you okay, Mallory?”
She blinked to clear away the fog of her thoughts. “Sure. Why do you ask?”
“That’s the third night this week you’ve been in. A different pizza every time, but still.”
She handed him money and waited for her change. “I’m just not a cook.” She’d been spoiled by Victor. Not just the cooking. The conversations, the laughs, the candy tasting, and help unloading her truck. All of that – and more – was gone.
“Well, as much as we like having your business, make sure you get some variety. It’s the spice of life.”
“Thanks. I’ll get a burger tomorrow and tell Agnes it was your idea.” She smiled and left.
The smile hadn’t made it to her eyes. She’d tried, but there was no merriment in her.
She sat in front of the television in her living room and ate the pizza. No special candy for three weeks was making her ornery. She’d sneaked into Swashbucklin' Sweets earlier in the afternoon and bought some doubloons and seahorses while Victor was out. With the pizza half-eaten and the box in the fridge, she opened the bag with the treasure chest logo. Not even the raspberry-filled candy she’d chosen satisfied her. She tried not to miss him while she ate it, but the salt from her tears ruined the flavor.
Lord, help me. He doesn’t want me in his life. But I love him so. Please show him that I wasn’t trying to use him.
* * *
The next morning, Mallory started on a new project in her workroom. The large table wouldn’t take too long to refinish. It had clean lines and no structural issues. Stripping off the avocado green stain and restoring it to a natural wood tone shouldn’t prove difficult. She wiped on the stripping compound and removed her gloves.
She turned on lamps and the overhead lights as she walked through the store to unlock the front door. It was a bit early, but it wouldn’t matter if someone wandered in.
She was almost to the door when she saw Victor sweeping the sidewalk in front of her store. His back was to her, so she turned the lock carefully to prevent him from seeing her. She opened the door and said, “Hello.”
He stiffened but didn’t turn around. “Hi.”
“I thought there were cobblers’ elves among us.” That made him turn.
“What are you talking about?”
“Every time I came out here to sweep, it was clean. I didn’t know you’d been doing it while I wasn’t looking.”
“Really?”
“No.” She sat on the pew. “I thought it must be you.” She patted the seat beside her. “Sit with me?”
He pointed over his shoulder. “It’s almost time to open.”
She stood up and put a hand over her brows like a sailor on the bow of a ship and looked up and down the street. No one was in sight. “I think we’re good for a few minutes.”
“Not now, Mallory.”
“When?” She shrugged. “I don’t sleep. You sit on the opposite side of the church. I’ve had pizza three times this week – and it’s only Thursday.”
He stood straight with his hands resting on the end of the broom in front of him. “You shouldn’t eat so much pizza.”
“I don’t know what else
to do.” She pointed at him. “You spoiled me.” She prayed God would help her find the right words, do the right things. She had to mend their pain.
“It was easy. You don’t cook, and you’ll eat almost anything.”
She smiled. “See. You do know how to be nice to me.” She patted the pew again. “Please.”
He propped the broom against the jamb of his door and sat on the end of the bench, staring at the waves beyond the pier.
“Did you pay your tax bill?” She grabbed for something that would be common ground for them.
“I did. The store is doing great. Best summer in four years.”
“That’s wonderful, Victor.” He winced, and she added, “I’m never going to call you Vic.”
“I know.” He picked at the end of his sleeve. “What about you? Did you get the tax money together?”
“Yes. It was close, but I made it.” She pulled one foot under her and angled toward him. “I sold the partners desk.”
“I’m impressed.” He met her gaze. “Dad told me about your treasure hunting trips.”
“He did?” She didn’t know the two of them were talking again. Will hadn’t been by to see her, and she hadn’t thought it would be a good idea to contact him.
“Said you weren’t only looking for treasure.”
“Nope. I was searching out the history of the treasure. It’s what I do.”
“I know that now. Knew it all along, I guess.”
She inched closer to him on the bench. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“I’m sorry I overreacted and wouldn’t let you explain. Mom scolded me for it.” He reached for her hand. The gentle feel of his fingers on hers was unexpected. “Please forgive me.”
“I’ve already done that. Weeks ago. You were right to be upset with me.”
“When I calmed down, I knew you weren’t trying to use me to get to the treasure. Then I thought you were trying to handle me so you could get me and Dad to reconcile.”
“I’m sorry. Reconciliation was the goal, but I went about it all wrong. I shouldn’t have hidden my motives or contact with your father from you.”
“Dad told me.”
She turned her hand over in his and wove her fingers between his. “I didn’t want you to decay inside and rot like an old piece of furniture in storage – misused or neglected, or like a treasure lost at sea.” She rubbed the back of the hand she held with the fingertips of her other hand. “I wanted to restore you to your original beauty. The beauty I could always see in your eyes. Even when I was still in high school and I’d come in for candy and you wouldn’t look at me.”
She moved closer still and held his gaze, willing him to see her motives. “I wanted to keep you in a safe place – my heart – for the rest of your life. To me, your heart is like the lost treasure, hidden by time and circumstances but valuable. Priceless.” She lifted her hand to touch the side of his face. “Every life needs hope to dream for things that might seem impossible. I wanted to give you that.”
“I was convinced that my reality was the only life I’d ever know. That dreams like you talk about would distract me from success.” He caught her hand and trapped it against his cheek. “Dad told me that he and Mom fought about the treasure, but their real problems grew out of the fact that they didn’t treasure each other. They weren’t seeking to build a life together. Mom was building a business, while he searched for gold. Gold he thought he could use to clear his family’s name and make her proud of him. Even make her life easier. In the end, they only hurt one another by not understanding.”
He placed a gentle kiss in the palm of her hand and then captured it in his. They sat facing each other, letting go of all the pain they’d endured. Finding hope in one another’s eyes. “I didn’t think I could have a healthy relationship after growing up with them.”
“You can use the value of your past, like one of my Buried Treasures. Find the good that’s buried beneath the tarnish, wear, and dirt of life. You can even see that the dings and scratches add character. Don’t do what you saw in your parents’ marriage. Do what you think was missing. Create what you craved. Make it sweet. Like your candy.”
He laughed. “You really do look for the story in every find, don’t you?”
“Every piece of furniture, every knickknack,” she paused, “and every person.”
“I believe that.”
“Relationships are like fine antiques. They fair better when they are properly cared for. I love it when I find something that’s been protected from the elements, cleaned, polished, and repaired as needed. But those pieces that have seen rough days have great value, too. For both kinds, daily use and care protects their integrity.”
This time he moved closer to her. “Are you saying you want to take care of me, Mallory Reed?”
She smiled like she didn’t know she ever would again. “I think I can see you through to better days. Nothing a little sand paper and some tender, loving care won’t fix.”
He leaned away from her. “What about the treasure? You know I won’t look for it.”
“Swashbucklin' Sweets is your treasure. It’s the legacy left to you by your family. A treasure isn’t about money. It’s about the value it adds to your life.”
Victor gathered her into his arms. “Then you are my treasure, with your chocolate eyes and the sweetest personality a man could wish for.”
He kissed her with a tenderness that melted her heart into his. Then he lifted her chin with the bent knuckle of his finger. “I love you.”
“I love you, Victor.”
His head tilted to one side. “Why do you refuse to call me Vic?”
“Your mom and her mirror.”
“What?” A perplexed looked crossed his face.
“She’d want you to look in that mirror and see Victor. A man named for success. Not Vic, a victim of life and circumstances.”
Mallory hugged him close and kissed him. “You’ll always be Victor to me.” She kissed him again. “Remember, to the Victor go the spoiled.”
“Well, that would be you then.” He laughed and wrapped her in an embrace she would remember for as long as she lived.
Epilogue
Victor and Mallory walked out of Gems jewelry store. “I hope you told Jade what you liked.”
Mallory tugged on his arm as they walked hand in hand toward Buried Treasures. “Jade Sims and I have been friends for years. She knows what almost every woman in town likes. She’s been making mental notes on everyone’s style for as long as I’ve known her. And I’m not a fancy girl, so if the time ever comes when you want to go shopping for me, she’ll know what to tell you.”
“You’re pretty funny.” He pulled her close to his side. “You know I didn’t go in there to find something for myself.”
Mallory unlocked her door and turned the open sign around. “Want something to drink?”
“No, thanks. I’m going to have to get started on making candy. With just a couple more weeks of summer, I want to make sure I get all the business I can before Labor Day sees us slowing down.”
“You’ve built quite a reputation among the locals with your new recipes. I expect you to have the best off season yet.”
Victor gave her a hug and tender kiss. “I think you’re right.”
The bell rang as the front door opened, and she gave him a playful push away from her. She could step away from him, but she’d never be able to control the adorable blush that stained her beautiful face.
She greeted her customer. “You’re Reid Knight, the meteorologist.”
The man nodded. “I am.”
“Welcome to Buried Treasures. How can I help you?”
Victor stayed near Mallory and watched her work. He loved how she would tell the story of any item that someone showed interest in. It didn’t seem like the weatherman wanted to buy anything though.
“You must be Mallory Reed.” He offered a hand, and she shook it.
“Yes.” She looked at Victor. “I know we haven’t
met.”
“No. I saw your picture in the local paper a few weeks ago. I’m in town to research the treasure rumors. Can you answer some questions for me?”
Mallory shook her head and took Victor’s hand. “No. I’ve found my treasure.”
Victor would never tire of the look of love that filled her eyes.
He told the visitor, “You can talk to Bree Burton at Carolina Harbor College. She’s a history professor there.”
“Thank you for your help.” The bell rang again as the stranger left.
Victor turned back to Mallory. “So I’m your treasure?”
“You are.” She motioned him toward the door. “Now go make me some doubloons.”
“I’ll make your doubloons. But you’ll have to search for them.” He laughed and left her to her work.
* * *
Six weeks later, the tourist trade had shifted from families with children to adult couples and tour groups of seniors and church groups.
Victor was grateful that God had blessed his business to the point that he no longer wondered if he’d survive until next summer. The steady clientele had proved itself loyal.
Which is why he was able to leave Swashbucklin' Sweets in the capable hands of his father for the afternoon. “Thanks for helping me out.”
“You know I’m glad to do it, son. I never thought I’d be glad to stay in here every day, but you and Mallory proved to me that my life could be so much better than what it was. Thank you for hiring me on.”
“I needed a full-time worker. Who better than the man who helped Mom in the beginning?”
“I’m so thankful you were able to remember the good times.” Will coughed, and Victor suspected it was to cover for the tears that threatened to come. “And for your forgiveness.”
“I love you, Dad.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “You’ll have to lock up tonight. You’ll put the package safely where I said, right?”
“As soon as I lock up. Have a great time. I know you will.”
Victor whistled as he left. He was so happy. He was even able to wave at Mallory as he passed her window.