Carried Away by Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  "Anyway, he died a couple of weeks ago and I went to his memorial service. I felt like I owed him a last visit. His granddaughter Alicia said he left a package for me and told me to go by to pick it up at the nursing home. She seemed angry with me, but I couldn't get her to say much. Naturally, I went by – I thought he'd asked somebody to write down more stories for me – something like that, you know? But it turned out he left me an old journal that belonged to his grandmother."

  Dani swallowed a bite of her meal and prodded, "Really, how old? Is it legible? What have you found out?"

  Abby laughed at her friend's inability to contain her curiosity. "Her name was Carlotta Morgan and her clients called her Lovely Lottie. Back in the late eighteen hundreds, according to her diary, she was considered beautiful, talented, and quite a character." Abby paused to order a glass of tea.

  "Let me guess," Dani offered and smiled at her friend. "You need me to track down the legendary treasure."

  Abby cut into her steak and took a bite. "Gosh, I'm so hungry. From what I learned, Lottie always insisted her customers pay in gold or silver. She lived sparingly and stashed most of it away, according to what Willy told me."

  After a long drink of tea, Abby continued, "She saved every bit she could stick back in tobacco sacks and hid them where they wouldn't be found. When Seattle burned in 1889, she was injured helping other girls climb down from an upstairs window before the building burned to the ground. She didn't have a chance to retrieve her money. Then it was weeks before she was well enough to go back to look for it. The digging out and rebuilding had already started by then, and she wasn't allowed into the burned-out part of town."

  "How sad to go through what she did, and then not be able to recover her money. What happened next?" Dani was all into the story now. She loved this old stuff.

  Hunter was curious to see where this was going as well, but his biggest kick came from watching Dani absorb the story. She sat wide-eyed, like a child hearing a new fairytale.

  "Well, Lottie had nowhere to live and no food or clothes. Her best customer lost his wife in childbirth and offered her a place to stay until she got on her feet if she would help with his newborn son. He later married her, but insisted they move away, and he never wanted her to talk about her previous life. They went to Denver and she had a daughter, who later married and gave birth to William." She paused as the server removed dishes and refilled glasses.

  "Years later, around 1930, when she knew she was dying, Lottie sent for her daughter. She told her about the money she hid and gave her the journal. The notes Louise took made up the last entry, which is much easier to read. The writing throughout is atrocious."

  "What did the daughter do?" Hunter asked then sipped his coffee.

  "I did some research and found out Louise left Denver and moved back to Seattle after her husband died. William had attended college here and stayed after getting a good job. William married, and he and his wife had a daughter, who then had his granddaughter. She would be Lovely Lottie's great-great-granddaughter, right?"

  At a nod from Dani, and a shrug from Hunter, Abby smiled and went on, "When I first opened the journal, there was a note from Will asking me to please find the treasure and share it with his granddaughter Alicia. She has no one left but her baby – she's an unwed mother. I suspect she was angry because he left me the journal instead of her."

  "So you want to find the money to fulfill William's last request?" Dani sympathized. "But where does the following come in? Do you think Alicia is to blame?"

  "Yeah, it seems you've left out that part of the story," Hunter added.

  "I'm getting to that. The morning after I picked up the journal I was at a coffee bar near my apartment. I was thumbing through it, just curious. I figured I would try to read the diary, maybe make a copy, and then give the original to Alicia. She could probably sell it or something, even if there's no real treasure. But I kept noticing this same guy watching me and I got spooked. Then he followed me when I left. I drove to the nearest police station and I didn't see him the rest of the day."

  Hunter smothered a curse. "Too bad you didn't set the cops on him."

  "That would have been too easy," Dani replied. "You'll find nothing with Abby is ever so simple."

  "I wish I had too, since the next day someone tried to steal my bag. I also thought someone might have been in my car and my apartment over the next few days. Nothing went missing, and there was no sign of forced entry – just things not exactly where I left them. I put some of it down to my overactive imagination. But now, I think someone wants the journal."

  Hunter asked, "Did you call the authorities?"

  "And tell them what? I don't have any proof about the break-ins. No one's hurt me and I haven't been harassed. Seattle's finest would have a field day with that. I can see the headlines now: Local Journalist Hit By Runaway Imagination, report at eleven."

  "Okay, I get your point, which is practically what they said when I called them about Dani's tail." He told Abby about the unreadable tag number of the car before prompting, "And the location of the journal?"

  "Definitely in a safe place," she discretely patted her tummy. "I don't dare leave it lying around until I find out what's going on."

  "And now they know Dani's involved..." Hunter added.

  "Yes. Anyway, Dani, if I've gotten you into anything dangerous, I'm sorry. You don't have to stay if you don't want to get involved. I'll understand," Abby assured her longtime friend as she placed a hand on her arm.

  "Sure, I can just leave town and let some goons follow you around and break into your home. Won't bother me at all. I'll sleep like a baby. Have you lost your mind, Abs? Since when do you think that's what our friendship means?" Dani's green eyes flashed with anger.

  Abby held her hands up in surrender and laughed. "Okay, okay. I just thought I'd offer. Where do you think we should go from here?" She glanced from Dani to Hunter and back, waiting to hear their opinions.

  Hunter couldn't think. Dani's flare of temper drew his attention back to how much he desired the little minx. His eyes wouldn't leave her animated face. Man, he needed to get this under control. He was too old to be acting like a moonstruck teenager.

  Dani thought a few seconds then told her, "Well, I need to read the journal and see if there are some clues in it, if we're going to attempt to track down Lovely Lottie's legendary stash. Did Lottie name any famous citizens of Old Seattle? Maybe their families wouldn't want the skeletons out of their closet."

  Abby hid a smirk at Hunter's obvious interest in her friend. "I never thought of that. You could have nailed it, right there. Some of Seattle's elite would no doubt croak if their ancestors were connected to the Lovely Lottie. I haven't read the whole journal – just a few pages here and there. See why I called you for help. You're so great at this kind of stuff," Abby enthused.

  "It's entirely possible someone might want to keep something hidden. Or maybe the gold and silver coins might be worth more than we know. Some of them may be mint condition or rare. If someone thinks you can find them, they might be waiting and watching – letting you do all the work, and then step in when you have them in hand," Hunter offered, once he was able to force his mind back to the problem and away from Dani.

  "So, you'll have to protect Dani while she does her thing. Think you can handle it?" Abby stared pointedly at Hunter. At his nod and steely-eyed glare, she continued, "And I have to work while I have some assignments. In my spare time, I'll help with the legwork and whatever else Dani needs me to do." Abby placed her credit card on the bill and signaled their server.

  "Sounds like a plan. Why don't we visit the loo then get out of here? We're almost the last ones left." Dani picked up her purse and slid back from the table. She waited while Abby signed the charge slip and then they left the table together.

  In the ladies room, Abby took the journal out of the waistband of her skirt and handed it to Dani. "Please be careful, Dani. If it comes to it, give them the journal. I don't want an
ything to happen to you."

  "I'll be fine, Abs. And don't forget my new friend out there." Dani tucked the old leather bound book into the top of her slacks and pulled her blouse down over it.

  "Who could forget him?" Abby fanned herself with her hand. "He's a hunk, for sure. I could go for him myself, if he wasn't all into you."

  "I don't know what you mean. If you want him, go for it," Dani told her as she glanced into the mirror and fluffed her short hair.

  "Honey, I saw the glances he gave you, while you tried not to look back at him. The sparks fly between the two of you, all right. Is there something you're not telling me?"

  "A long story and totally Derek's fault. I thought he was a burglar. But mercy, can he ever kiss!" Realizing what she admitted, Dani clapped her hand over her mouth.

  Abby chuckled and gave her a quick hug. "One of these days, it'll happen for both of us. 'Til then I'm not going to give up on having some fun and you shouldn't either."

  "No fun for me. I'm going to suffer in my lonely bed and take cold showers," Dani finished with an exaggerated pout.

  Laughing and teasing each other, they made their way to where Hunter waited in the restaurant entry.

  With a woman on each arm, he escorted Abby to her car and cautioned her to lock her door and call when she reached her apartment. They both thanked Abby for the meal. Then he and Dani took a stroll around the block in the damp night air, but there was no sign of the green sedan or the truck.

  "Abby gave you the journal?" Hunter felt uneasy and preferred to know where the stalkers were now.

  "Yes, I have it." She put her hand to her waist and tapped it. "I plan to read it tonight. I'll let you know if I find anything interesting in the morning."

  "Afraid not. I won't let you stay alone while you have that." Hunter ushered her out of the elevator and toward her room.

  "We are not going through this again. I'll lock myself in and be perfectly safe," Dani argued.

  "If I got in without you knowing, someone else could too. If they're smart, they know Abby gave you the book to study when we met. I won't take a chance with your safety. That is non-negotiable," he stated firmly. Taking her key out of her hand, he unlocked the door and entered first.

  "I could call security and have them throw you out," she threatened as she watched him lock the door.

  "You could have them try, but I wouldn't advise it. I could have your cute little butt on a plane and shipped home before you know what's happening." Hunter's icy glare met her angry green one. He was through playing now that he knew enough money or secrets were involved to make the situation dangerous.

  "You wouldn't dare," she fumed. "I'm well above the age of consent. You can't just pack me off like some rebellious child." Placing her hands on her hips, she faced him, furious with him and Derek.

  "I can and I will, if you don't use some common sense. How are you going to help Abby or that old man's granddaughter if someone breaks in here and hurts you searching for the journal?" Hunter took several steps forward until he was in her face.

  "I don't want you here while I work. I won't be able to concentrate. Drat it all, you'll be right across the hall if something happens." She tilted her head back to look into his eyes. He used the same tactics Derek always did to intimidate her. Well, it wasn't going to work.

  Her refusal to see things his way made him want to spank her. Hunter loudly and clearly stated each word, as he glared at her. "I – AM – NOT – LEAVING!"

  Dani's mouth dropped open then the irate look on his face struck her as ridiculous. She really did attempt to stop the giggles bubbling up. No, she couldn't hold back and laughter took control of her.

  Hunter watched her bend over as she giggled wildly. God, this sheila is nuts, but she's so bloody cute. Then he started laughing with her.

  Tears streamed from Dani's eyes as she dropped down to sit on the floor and tried to get her breath. She held her sides and tried not to look at him. Every time their eyes met, she again went off into peals of laughter.

  Finally, he did the only thing guaranteed to shut her up. He sat on the floor with her, grabbed her chin, and planted one on her lips.

  She gasped in surprise, and then threw her arms around his neck. To Dani's ever-increasing delight, Hunter slid his hands around her waist and drew her close. Lost in new sensations, it never occurred to Dani to protest. As Hunter nibbled and teased her lips, she just accepted and enjoyed his efforts.

  Hunter's hands were just beginning to roam beneath her blouse when the telephone beside her bed rang loudly. "If that's Derek, I'm going to roast him over a roaring fire," Hunter gritted out between his teeth as he moved Dani aside, pushed up from the floor, and went to get the phone.

  "What?" he barked. Then in a softer tone, he said, "Slow down, Abby. Okay, call the police and give me the address." He listened, and then told her, "We'll be there as soon as we can. Stay with the cops until we get there."

  "Is Abby hurt? What's wrong?" demanded Dani as she grabbed a sweatshirt out of her suitcase and struggled into it.

  "She's okay, just scared and upset. Her apartment was trashed. I told her we—"

  Dani interrupted, "I heard. We're going over there. Now hurry up."

  "You know they were after the journal, don't you? This just proves my point," he couldn't resist an 'I told you so' moment.

  "Speaking of the journal, where...?" she trailed off, spotting it on the floor near the door. It evidently slipped from her waistband while they smooched. "I've got it."

  "You should give that to me for safe keeping."

  "Exactly what they would expect, so I'm keeping it." Dani quickly secured the book in the front waistband of her slacks.

  "Mmm, lucky book," Hunter quipped and ran his hand through his disheveled hair. "Ready to go?"

  * * * * *

  Abby appeared pale and quiet when Dani and Hunter arrived at her apartment. The police were already there, asking questions, taking fingerprints, and snapping photos of the damage.

  "My things were… All my stuff... Oh, heavens – it's such a mess."

  Dani sat on the sofa, Abby wrapped in her arms, as she stroked her friend's hair soothingly to comfort her. "It's only things. We'll straighten it up. At least you weren't hurt. That's the important thing. No one was hurt."

  Abby's voice dropped to a whisper, "What did you do with the you know what?"

  "Don't worry, it's safe," Dani whispered back and patted the stomach of her shirt. "So you think they were after it?"

  "Yes, makes sense."

  Once the police gave the okay, Abby grabbed her overnight bag and tucked in a few more things.

  "Come on, if you have everything you need. Let's get out of here. We have work to do." Dani led her friend from the jumbled apartment to Hunter's rented SUV.

  Chapter Five

  Hunter made sure Dani's hotel room door locked behind them and then watched the ladies settle in to work. Abby plopped her overnight bag in the corner, set up her laptop on the small table, and began typing. After kicking off her shoes and stretching out on her tummy on the bed, Dani at last opened the journal.

  Lost in the story of Lottie's life, Dani saw pictures in her mind as she read the faded, handwritten words in the old journal. She caressed the pages and relived Carlotta's memories of falling in love with a fast-talking salesman and the horror of being dumped in Seattle when he grew tired of her. Then Dani agonized over Carlotta's heartbreaking decision to sell her body rather than go back to a cruel, abusive father when she couldn't find a decent job. She cried with the eighteen year-old girl when she submitted to her first paying customer.

  Dani laughed aloud when Lottie described some of the gossip sessions the girls shared and the images of the half-naked soiled doves in the great room making fun of their clients' mannerisms and posturing. She paid particular attention to the parts where Lottie mentioned how much money she tucked away and read and reread them, then closed her eyes to dwell on the pictures flashing through her mind. Occas
ionally, she picked up the pen and made notes on the pad then returned to reading.

  Abby knew the intensity Dani put into her work from having watched it all before. She glanced at her friend from time to time, but knew not to interfere. Munching on candy and drinking soda Hunter brought from the vending machines downstairs, she worked on the story her editor expected on his desk the next afternoon.

  Hunter watched a football game then tuned into the sports news. He frequently checked the door and peeked out the windows to make sure everything looked secure.

  Dani's soft chuckles drew Hunter's attention from the TV once again. He watched her expressions, as she absorbed the words from the old book in front of her. A bomb could go off in the room and she would be totally oblivious. The only other person he knew with that type of total concentration was her half-brother. The ability to focus made Derek exceptional at his work, but often left him so exhausted he slept for days after a job.

  Thinking of sleep reminded Hunter he should be napping on a sunny beach on his long awaited vacation. But that's not going to happen anytime soon. He sighed and turned back to the TV for solace, wishing he had ordered a pizza and beer.

  After dozing in his chair for a while, Hunter woke to find the girls had switched places. Abby lay tucked into the bed, but Dani slept with her head on her arms at the small round table. He quietly went to crouch beside her chair and shook her gently by the shoulder.

  "Dani, you should go to bed. It's five in the morning."

  Giving him a sweet, sleepy smile, she reached out to touch the open journal. "Lottie had such an interesting life, but it was so hard back then. No modern conveniences at all." She yawned and started to lay her head back down on the table.