He stayed silent for a beat too long. Treasure regretted her confession. Speaking her emotions was difficult. She’d rather have a root canal in most cases. The secret she shared wouldn’t be hard for any normal person to say aloud, but it felt a little too real for Treasure. In the next moment, she erased her regret. She wanted to be truer to herself where Bodie was concerned. Change frightened her, but life could be scary and she’d rather try than have regrets.
“Now, it’s my turn. I miss you, too. I’m fantasizing about a hot day.” He paused again.
Treasure’s dour outlook perked up a bit. She liked when he said “fantasize,” and “hot.”
“You and me,” he continued. “I want to take the boat out on the lake. You up for it?”
“Definitely,” she said.
“Good.”
He didn’t continue like she hoped.
“That’s it? That’s your fantasy?”
“No. Of course, there’s more. It has to be hot enough to swim. We’ll bring beer. Good beer. IPA beer. And chips and donuts. Why you like those awful mini powdered donuts is beyond me.”
She smiled into the phone. “And mini cherry pie.”
“Yeah, those, too. And I can’t wait to put my hands on you…” he paused for affect.
Treasure held her breath, imagining his hands on her body.
“And push your ass into the water.”
“Nice. Real nice,” she said sarcastically. “Your fantasy is lacking… umm,” she paused, searching for the right words. “Zing. Zest. Color. Sexiness. Give me something to warm me up and keep me company while I sleep.”
“What are you talking about? My fantasy is perfect.” He sounded offended. “I’ll let you wrap your hands around my fishing pole if you want.”
“Fishing pole better be code for something else, Bodie Everett,” she warned and laughed when she heard him snickering. Another low battery beep sounded in her ear. “Hey, my phone is going to cut you off any second.”
“Then I need to tell you the real reason I called.”
Treasure took a deep breath and pulled the sleeping bag up to her chin.
“I gave my notice at work. I’m not coming back.”
The phone died in her hand before she could respond.
* * *
Bodie wanted to talk to Treasure about why he wouldn’t be returning to Washoe County EMS, but it’d have to wait. There was a handful of other things he’d like to share with her, but thought it would be best in person. At this point, he had no idea when that would happen. With Wilderness School complete, Bodie’s life took a huge step in the direction he had worked hard for over the last few years. Or, that’s what he thought when he stood at attention to receive his certifications from his commander and instructors.
He’d driven away from the campus grounds and found a half dozen messages waiting for him on his phone. His email inbox contained even more messages. His father’s voice invited him home before returning to Reno and said his two brothers would also be there. That had been the good message, although Bodie inwardly questioned what was going on. The three brothers rarely made it home to their parents’ house at the same time unless it was a special occasion. This past Christmas, the family hadn’t gathered. Bodie thought perhaps his mother wanted to make up for the missed holiday.
The next three messages had been from Vanessa. Her timing couldn’t have been worse. High on his accomplishments, and knowing the months of grueling training and adrenaline pumped mock rescue missions now complete, the last thing he wanted on his mind was his ex-fiancé. Yet, there she was, in his ear, asking if they could talk as soon as possible.
“Sorry to call again, Bodie. It’s urgent. Would you please call me when you have a free minute?”
Bodie bit down, jaw cracking with tension when he heard her voice. He didn’t have a spare minute for her, not as he cruised down the road away from Wilderness School, and not ever. She was the one who didn’t want to be with him anymore. Vanessa broke off their engagement, not him. She decided she needed to experience more from life before getting married and being tied to one person forever. He knew things could have been better between them. They argued about his schedule too much, and how he was so focused on his goals he hardly paid any attention to her anymore. Bodie didn’t believe much had changed from the time they had met in college. He’d always been focused on his goals. Vanessa never seemed to mind before that he went to work and attended classes and trainings. Bodie always had many hobbies that kept him away from home. The rock climbing trips and kayaking had been a part of his life before they were a couple. When she started complaining and asking him to spend more time with her on his days off, he had. It hadn’t been enough. When she told him she didn’t want him to go to Wilderness School and take the incident commander training for search and rescue because it would take him away for months, he’d told her he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Bodie had drawn a line and Vanessa couldn’t cross it. She had her own line drawn as well. They stood on opposite sides.
He moved his stuff out of their house a few days later, and that was the end. It’d screwed up his head for months, maybe longer, but Bodie moved on. He worked the fall months with Treasure, slept on his friend’s couch, and left in January for winter Wilderness School. The experience had been the perfect distraction for moving forward and leaving the past behind. The first week of training, he realized Vanessa meant very little to him. He never wished things had gone differently with her anymore. They had a good run. They grew up and changed a lot since college. Going separate ways was for the best.
What he never expected, while away for the winter, was how much he wanted to see Treasure. They worked as partners for two years, and she became a fixed routine in his life that he missed. While with Vanessa, he ever only considered Treasure a friend. Their relationship changed with one steamy night spent in her bed. As he neared the end of his training, Bodie wanted to share his news with Treasure before anyone else. Admitting this surprised him, but also made him feel good inside.
Treasure invaded his mind all winter and he liked thinking about her. She was sexy and funny and had a way of emotionally triggering him that elicited all sorts of feelings. He couldn’t shake her since Christmas in the cabin on Granite Lake. The memory of her naked body haunted his dreams while awake and asleep. He wanted to find Treasure immediately after leaving wilderness training and see if she wanted him as badly as he wanted her, but instead, he drove to his parents’ house near Redwood Valley and sent a text. He needed to take one step at a time with Treasure. Since they met, she never had a serious boyfriend. He heard her declare on more than one occasion she didn’t commit to anyone. If he wanted a monogamous relationship with Treasure — which, of course, he did, there was no other option in his mind — he needed to take it slow. Show her she could trust him and that loving someone was worth the effort.
After the long drive from Utah, where the Wilderness School headquarters were, Bodie pulled into his mom and dad’s driveway, went inside, greeted his family and took up residence in one of their spare bedrooms. He texted Treasure and waited for a reply. Their conversations always left him wanting more. More of her in every way. He wanted to kiss her and explore other more delicate areas with his hands and lips. Before that could happen, he needed a better idea of where he stood in her eyes. He wouldn’t be one of her weekend flings. Casual sex wasn’t what Bodie wanted from a relationship. Treasure’s dead cell phone battery was unfortunate, but at least he told her about leaving Washoe County EMS. Their boss, Paul, already knew and he appreciated that he hadn’t told Treasure. He wanted to tell her himself. There was no reason to return to Reno when he wanted to live and work in the mountains. Bodie was done with Nevada and ready to move forward with his life.
Bodie sat up on the edge of the bed and pushed his imaginings of the future and Treasure aside. He scrolled through the old voicemail messages he’d placed on ignore during his drive home.
His second voicemail from Vanessa said
, “Hi. I know you don’t owe me anything. I need to hear your voice. My life is falling apart. Call me.” And the third had been his doom. “Bodie,” He could tell she was crying. “Jason died. I need you to call me back. Please.” Vanessa’s messages triggered equal parts irritation and sympathy.
Jason was Vanessa’s boyfriend. He found this out because even when you’re off the grid for a week at a time, eventually, his squad made it back to society and had cell service and internet. Thanks to social media, and his mother’s continued friendship with Vanessa, he’d seen too much of Vanessa and Jason on his phone and laptop. He wished his mother would let Vanessa go on with her life, but she loved her like a daughter. Bodie remained silent about their continued friendship. Mom could be friends with whomever she wanted as long as she didn’t expect anything from Bodie. Pictures of the happy new couple surfaced on his newsfeed more than once and he promptly ignored them.
He wouldn’t call Vanessa back, wanting no part in her drama. Instead, he laid back and remembered the way Treasure smelled of some exotic flower. Bodie fell asleep making plans to see her as soon as possible.
The next morning, Bodie woke up, stretched, feeling good about his decision to look for a new job somewhere in the mountain communities where he ultimately wanted to live. After a shower and shave, he wandered into the kitchen and found Vanessa sitting at the table drinking tea with his mother.
The red-rimmed eyes and look of total helplessness on her face squeezed at his chest. He couldn’t be mean to her no matter how much he wanted to. His brothers walked in and his mom rose from her chair, beaming and gushing over having all of her sons together.
A dizzying couple of days followed. Because of his brother’s elaborate new business scheme, his father’s enthusiasm about it, and the presence of his ex, he only managed a few minutes to himself — and no time with Treasure on the phone or in person. That was until tonight. But she didn’t answer his call or reply to his text message.
A light knock sounded on his door.
“It’s open.”
The late hour meant it was probably his brother, Shane, or…
“Hey there,” she said.
Bodie stiffened. Vanessa stood in the soft glow of the hall light. She wore a tight fitting T-shirt and snug terrycloth shorts that were little more than a second pair of underwear. She had on the fluffy striped socks she liked to wear when she cuddled on the couch before bed.
“What?” he asked coldly.
She stepped inside and shut the door behind her. The last two days had been uncomfortable, to say the least. His mother told him Vanessa was her guest and he better be kind to her or she would never forgive him. Raised to respect both his parents, Bodie set his jaw and refused to say anything other than it was her house and her rules. He spent the past forty-eight hours avoiding direct contact with his ex at all costs.
Vanessa approached the bed hesitant but determined.
“I’m not in the mood to argue.”
“I don’t want to either,” she said.
“What are you doing here, Vanessa?”
“Why am I in your room? Or why your mom invited me to stay with her for a while?”
“Whatever,” Bodie didn’t want to encourage excess conversation by saying too much. He sat back against the headboard and waited for Vanessa to explain herself.
She sat at the end of his bed and hugged herself. Bodie observed her profile and his resolve to continue the cold shoulder softened. Tears leaked down her cheeks. Her vulnerability almost made him scoot across the bed to hold her. Almost, but not quite.
“You heard the news about Jason, but that’s not the only reason why I’m here visiting your parents. It’s my mom and…” Her tears fell harder and she was unable to speak.
“What’s going on?” Bodie finally asked. Her mother had Alzheimer’s. The last he’d heard the symptoms were progressing rapidly.
“She doesn’t remember me anymore. I’m… I came in here to tell you how grateful I am to spend some time with your mom right now. She’s always been like the mother I needed, and with Jason’s accident…” She trailed off again and inhaled a shaky breath. “I’m sorry if you’re uncomfortable that I’m here.” She sobbed into her hands. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. I don’t have any family in California.”
Vanessa tried to hold back the sobs and it agonized Bodie to watch her suffer. He never could handle tears. They pulled at emotional ties and unraveled him. Bodie wrapped Vanessa in his arms. She held onto him and cried against his chest.
When the shaking of her shoulders tapered off she said, “Bodie. Hold me. Please. Just tonight.”
He sighed with resignation and scooted back, keeping her close. They lay back on top of the covers and Vanessa stayed glued to his side — for the entire night. Bodie barely got any rest. He thought about all the things he should have told her before he let her sleep on his bed. Not in his bed… that was one of the things she needed to understand. Vanessa wasn’t invited to sleep with him in his bed ever again. Other boundaries needed to be discussed, but he couldn’t do it tonight. Vanessa lost her boyfriend and she couldn’t cry on her own mother’s shoulder. The sadness of her situation was palpable. Instead of talking to Vanessa, he did as she asked and held her. For one night. All the while, he imagined what advice Treasure would give over this screwed up situation. He’d consult her later and wait for her to turn it around and say something wicked funny and inappropriate. Bodie pictured Treasure laughing at him for being a sappy pushover.
Six
TREASURE WOKE to the familiar sound of her childhood. An intrusive rumble vibrated the walls and shook the windowpanes. Why? her brain wondered. How and who? followed directly thereafter. Earplugs needed to be added to her mental shopping list along with the other items the apartment desperately needed like a broom — and a housekeeper to make use of it. She pushed herself from the couch and reached for the blanket. Wrapping it around her shoulders, she padded across the living room to peek out the front window.
A burly man in black leather sat in her drive atop a soft tail lowboy with bullet hole cast aluminum disc wheels and a straight pipe exhaust. It had been the exhaust pipes that woke her. She slipped bare feet into her boots by the door and stepped outside.
The engine cut out, bringing back the peaceful mountain morning. He pushed his shades up over a massive head of bushy red hair and squinted copper colored eyes in her direction.
“Denny! Damn, how long has it been?”
“Heard you were back in town.” He swung his thick leg off the Harley and settled his weight onto his heels.
“News travels fast.” She clomped forward in the untied heavy boots. The mud in the driveway was stiff from the cold temperature. Treasure hugged the blanket over her shoulders tighter. “I arrived last night. Who ratted me out?” she asked, half-joking and half-serious.
“A friend of mine overheard some babe talking about the motorcycle shop at The Bistro last night. He’s a bus boy over there,” Denny said as way of explanation. “I thought it might be you, seeing that everyone in town’s heard about the water lines bustin’. I was planning to come over to your place today and check out the water damage. Now I get to see you and the muck.”
He grinned as Treasure wrapped him in a blanket hug.
“You were worried about the bikes, weren’t you?” She spun around to go back inside. “Come on in. It’s cold out here.” Shivering, Treasure retraced her path, wondering how people functioned in the daylight hours. With no clock in sight, she didn’t know the time, but her dragging feet and burning eyes informed her it was stupid early for a night owl.
Treasure unconsciously walked straight to the coffee maker and began cleaning it. After months of neglect and disuse, she prayed to the caffeine gods it still worked.
“Coffee?” she asked.
“You know it.”
“You didn’t need to worry about the bikes. All the ones worth anything are in my garage in Reno.”
; Denny found a chair by the small round dining table and took a seat. He filled in since they were teenagers and he even sported some muscle definition that made her look twice. His red hair was still unruly, but now he had a wild, full beard to go with it.
“I beg to differ, Treasure. The Iron Head Sportster chassis sitting inside the garage over there is worth some bucks. I see it right this second.”
“You’ve been peeking inside my windows,” she accused and fell into an old routine with Denny, where she’d tease and lay blame on him for just about anything and he’d play along by bickering and refuting her.
They grew up together in Granite Lake. Denny was four years older than Treasure, and Floyd’s son. He had an older sister, but Treasure didn’t know her well. Floyd and her father had been close friends and Denny spent a lot of time with her dad. His obsession for motorcycles matched her father’s passion. Treasure always thought Denny would have been the perfect son for Morton Vogle. She held no hard feelings over their compatibility. It was a simple fact. Denny had a way with building cycles, and he enjoyed her father’s company. Two things she lacked. Treasure loved her father, and she couldn’t help but love the motorcycles, but it was different for her. Yes, she could change the oil and a tire and do minor repairs and maintenance, but Denny and her dad could build bikes from the ground up, think nothing of it, and do it all over again—forever.
“I have. It’s for their safety and security. Those motors, seats, handlebars, tanks, cylinders, and every other nut, bolt, and badge are worth a pretty penny.”
Treasure brought two cups of coffee to the table and turned back to the counter where she rummaged through the bag of provisions in search of the sugar and powdered creamer. She wrinkled her nose at the fake creamer, but decided it was better than nothing.
“Dad wouldn’t get rid of anything.” She took a seat at the table, spooned sugar into the cup, and gave it a stir. “The garages are a mess. I’m sure Dad could have starred on an episode of Hoarders.” It was unfathomable having to clean out the buildings if she were to sell. At this point, she didn’t see any other option. The broken water pipes were a wakeup call for how unprepared and unwilling she was to manage the property.
Chasing Treasure: Granite Lake Romance Page 5