by Clay, Verna
"That's a wonderful story. When did your folks settle here?"
Dottie leaned back against the couch cushions. My great-great grandparents read an advertisement in the St. Louis Star and decided to be adventurous. They were both educated, but wanted to sow some wild oats before settling down. When they arrived they were expecting a true oasis. The way my grandfather told it, great-great gramps was fit-to-be-tied because they had no money to return to St. Louis and they sure didn't want to admit to their families they'd been bamboozled. So great-great gramps had no choice but to work the mine. By the time everything fizzled, he and great-great granny had come to love the desert and decided to put their bookkeeping skills to use by opening a general store. In 1975 my father transformed the general store into a dime store that he named after me because he said it had a nice ring."
Collin grinned. "Dottie's Dime Store. I couldn't agree more." He sipped his coffee and then said, "Sounds like your great-great grandparents were around during the gold heist. Did they ever tell family members what happened?"
"Oh yes. It was quite a topic of conversation over the years. My dad and grandfather pretty much related the story the same as everyone else, except my grandfather remembered hearing old-timers talk about the doctor who treated the lone survivor. The consensus was that the doc wasn't on the up-and-up, and when the bandit conveniently died, any information he could have provided to the authorities was lost. Some folks thought the doc might have been privy to that information."
"What happened to the doctor?"
"Oh, he stayed in the area until his own death about two years later. To my way of thinking, if he'd known the whereabouts of the gold, he would have taken it and hightailed it out of here."
"Do you have any old letters written by your ancestors? Sometimes information can be gleaned from them."
"In the attic there are a couple of trunks of family memorabilia. I can ask my neighbor's husband to help move them downstairs so we can go through them."
Collin grinned widely. "That would be wonderful!"
Dottie tapped her chin. "Shiloh Blackwell's family also settled the area. I can take you to meet her. She's the grandmother of Kade Blackwell, the man who married Skye Rutherford. Maybe she can shed more light."
Dottie's obvious desire to help decipher the mystery warmed Collin's heart.
Chapter 11: Visit With Shiloh
The next day Dottie helped Joe, her neighbor, cart two old camelback trunks into Lucy's bedroom. Her houseguest was still sore and tired easily, but she could see him improving each day. Sorting through the memorabilia progressed slowly because Collin was on his cell phone much of the time consulting with his business partner about a dive off the Florida Keys unexpectedly yielding good results of artifacts scattered across the ocean floor. He said his partner thought they were getting close to finding the Vittoria, a Spanish galleon that had sunk in 1567. He also admitted that dealing with required paperwork dampened the fun of treasure hunting.
As promised, Dottie called Shiloh and set a time for them to visit. Shiloh was ecstatic about meeting a real treasure hunter and wanted to prepare lunch. Dottie knew how much the elderly woman loved entertaining and said, "That would be lovely. What can I bring?"
"Just bring yourself and that handsome man. I saw his picture in the newspaper and my heart tumbled upside down."
Dottie laughed. "Should I be worried about the two of you running off together?"
That gave Shiloh a giggle. "Honey, I was a one-man woman, but maybe you're not. He might be just the prince for you."
"Goodness, Shiloh. You certainly have an imagination. A worldly man like that would never think of me in those terms. I'm about as boring as molasses."
Shiloh guffawed, "Molasses ain't boring. It's rich, thick, tasty, sweet, and the secret ingredient in mouth watering recipes."
Dottie couldn't believe that Shiloh had her blushing. She changed the subject. "Will Kade and Skye and the baby be able to join us?"
"No. They left yesterday on vacation. It was Max, Sr.'s idea for the whole family, including Max, Jr., Pilar, Willie, and the babies, to go on a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park. I thought it was a delightful idea and suggested they make family vacations an annual event. They wanted me to go, but I told them maybe next year. The new hip doesn't give me much trouble, but I'd hate to get over there and throw a monkey wrench in all that fun if the hip acts up. By this time next year I expect to be running laps with you." She laughed heartily. "Of course, I didn't tell them the reason I wasn't going was because of the hip. I made up something about Vera and Lilac needing me to help them plan a special event at the new clubhouse at the trailer park, which was an out-and-out lie. Those women could pull off a presidential dinner with their eyes closed."
Three hours later, Dottie pulled to the front of Shiloh's Santa Fe style home that had been built in the early part of the century and added to over the years. Before leaving her house, Dottie had called Vera at the dime store to ask how she was faring, but also to find out if reporters were hanging around. Vera said the coast was clear.
Just in case, however, Dottie gave Collin a ball cap and dark glasses to wear, and drove the side streets to Shiloh's home.
As soon as they arrived, Shiloh stepped from the front door and hurried toward them. Dottie noted how good it was to see her friend no longer needing a walker. She opened the trunk and lifted Collin's crutches out. He smiled warmly when she handed him the walking aid. His smile always made her stomach flip-flop and she smiled back before quickly glancing away. She'd die of embarrassment if he ever guessed how much he affected her.
Shiloh waited at the edge of the porch and gave Dottie a quick hug when she reached her.
Dottie introduced Collin, and he said, "It's a pleasure meeting you Mrs. Blackwell. And I can't thank you enough for agreeing to speak with me about the history of Oasis."
"Young man, you just call me Shiloh, like everyone else. And as far as the history of this town, I don't know how much help I'll be, but it's sure fun having company. Come on in. I made some of my granny's favorite tea cookies. We'll have a real nice visit."
Dottie held the door for Shiloh and Collin to enter and then followed them into the kitchen. While she and Collin seated themselves, Shiloh asked whether they wanted coffee, lemonade, or iced tea, and everyone decided coffee would go best with tea cookies. Shiloh brought the pot to the table and they talked about how beautiful the weather had been the past week.
Collin shifted in his seat and asked, "Shiloh, if you don't mind, why don't you tell me about how your family came to live in Oasis."
Shiloh snorted, "Like most folks settling the town, my granddaddy came here to make his fortune in the mines. Of course, naive as he was, he didn't realize that miners working for the company didn't get rich. When he finally figured that out, he purchased and mined his own claim south of town, but it never produced much. It cost him more to hire help than he ever made. After the town council approached him about becoming a teacher here, he readily accepted. He said he wanted to teach the youngins' how to mine the riches in their own minds so they didn't get suckered by a slick talker like Manfred Schneider. Talkin' like that almost got him fired, but since he had a college education and there was no one else to teach the children, the council let him stay on."
Collin asked, "Did you ever hear him talk about the gold heist?"
"I remember him sayin' that old Manfred only got what was comin' to him." She sipped her coffee and tapped her fingers on the table. "Hmm. I do remember that he once talked about a boy who laid accusations against the doc who treated the one bandit who didn't die of a gunshot wound right away."
Collin leaned forward. "Do you know what the accusation was?"
Shiloh was silent for a moment while she pondered his question. Finally, she shook her head. Sorry. I don't rightly know. Maybe my grandson knows more than I do. He talks to everyone in town beins' as he owns Kade's Garage. When he gets back from vacation, I'll ask him and let you
know one way or the other."
For the rest of their visit, Shiloh talked about the building of her home by her grandparents and how all the men in the family had become teachers, except for Kade, and how proud she was of him for following his heart. Then she brought out Kade and Skye's wedding album and photos of her first great-grandchild.
Far from seeming bored by all the family history and pictures, Collin appeared genuinely interested, the same as he had been interested in Dottie's family.
Before anyone realized it, two hours had passed. Dottie suggested, "Why don't we drive over to Mr. Wilson's Museum and ask him what he knows? That is, if you feel up to it, Collin."
Collin grinned. "Today is the strongest I've felt and I'd loved to meet the proprietor of the museum."
Chapter 12: Just Old Junk
After leaving Shiloh's house, Dottie drove downtown to the museum. She'd called Vera who said the coast was still clear of reporters.
Collin chuckled, "If reporters are lurking, I don't think my disguise is full proof; especially when you pull out the crutches."
Dottie chuckled, too. "And they probably already know the make and model of my car. What's the plan if we're busted?"
"The plan is to say as little as possible."
"That's not a problem for me. I'll leave the talking up to you."
"Thanks, I think."
Dottie unloaded the crutches and they slowly made their way onto the boardwalk and into the museum. She groaned slightly when they entered and Collin sent her a questioning glance. She whispered, "Nettie Wilson is here."
Collin barely nodded his understanding.
Dottie wanted to turn around and leave, but that would only call attention to their presence. For all intents and purposes, they were busted. Nettie, being the town gossip, would have Collin's appearance broadcast to everyone she met. Which meant it would more than likely get back to the media.
Mr. Wilson saw them and hastened forward. "Hello, Dottie. I heard about your heroism and…" He glanced at Collin and his eyes widened.
Dottie said, "Josiah, I'd like you to meet Collin Banks."
Josiah said excitedly, "I didn't realize you were in town." He accepted Collin's outstretched hand for a shake.
"I'm only here for a couple of days," Collin fibbed. "It's a pleasure making your acquaintance."
Nettie had rushed to stand beside her husband. Dottie said, "Collin, I'd like to introduce Josiah's wife, Nettie."
Collin was very gracious as Nettie edged closer. "So, have you found the gold yet?" She asked curtly.
"Ah, no. I wish finding treasure was that simple." He glanced around the museum. "However, it looks like you have a treasure trove in here. This is a museum to be proud of."
Josiah's chest visibly puffed out, but Nettie huffed, "If you ask me, it's just a bunch of old junk."
Poor Josiah turned beet red at his wife's harsh assessment.
Dottie quickly said, "Josiah, why don't you take us on a tour?" She reached into her pocket to pull out the five dollar entrance fees for both her and Collin, but the elderly man said, "No you don't. The tour's on me. Just having Mr. Banks visit my humble museum is an honor." He leveled his gaze on his wife and said with a directness that Dottie had never heard him use before, "Nettie, run over to Porky's Pizza and bring us back some sodas."
Nettie's eyes widened and then narrowed, but she didn't argue. Obviously, Josiah wasn't as hen-pecked as the town thought.
Josiah said to Dottie and Collin, "I know Porky's has Pepsi, 7Up, and Orange Crush. What's your pleasure?"
Dottie said, "Thanks, Josiah. 7Up sounds good."
Collin said, "Pepsi. Thank you."
Josiah nodded at his wife and said in the same no-nonsense tone, "I'll have a Pepsi, too."
Nettie squinted at her husband before turning and stomping from the room.
After the door closed, Josiah said, "Please forgive my wife. She's never taken to antiques—likes everything brand spanking new."
Collin winked. "Not to worry. I think treasure hunters, antique collectors, and museum owners are cast from a different mold."
Dottie watched Josiah visibly relax when he realized Collin wasn't harboring resentment against Nettie.
Josiah smiled. "Follow me and I'll take you on the grand tour." He led them to a door that opened into what amounted to three-fourths of the room. Dottie had been there just after the remodel a year ago, and again about two months previous, and although he displayed many artifacts in the front of the store, the most precious ones were housed behind the door. They entered the main part of the museum and Dottie marveled at Josiah's attention to detail and care of his treasures. It reminded her to keep her eyes open for more items to lend to the museum as she and Collin delved into her trunks.
The first station Josiah led them to was a papier-mâché model of the mine and town in the early years. Beside that model was another one of current day Oasis. Except for expansion of the town, the layout of Main Street and intersecting streets was the same. Collin pointed to a spot and asked, "That's where your house is located, isn't it, Dottie?"
"Yes."
Josiah indicated another spot. "And that's where I live."
Collin then asked where the old mining office and the doctor's office at the time of the theft had been. Josiah pointed the mining office out, but said he wasn't sure about the doc's office, although he thought it would probably have been close to mining headquarters. He asked, "Is it important to know that?"
"Not necessarily. I just wanted to get a feel for the area during the early days." He crutched around the display, viewing it from every angle. When Josiah led them to the next station, Collin said, "This morning we met with Shiloh Blackwell and she mentioned something about a boy who may have leveled accusations against the doctor who treated the surviving bandit. Do you know anything about that?"
Josiah scratched his head. "All I know is what my granddaddy said he'd heard gossiped about over the years. The town didn't have a newspaper back then so everything traveled word-of-mouth. Of course, you could never know for sure what was true and what wasn't. But I do remember him repeating something he'd heard when he was a boy, ten years after the heist. Granddaddy said he was twelve and getting his haircut and the old man in the chair next to him swore the doctor had lied about not having a treasure map drawn by the outlaw. According to the old-timer, some kid admitted to peeking through the doc's window and watching the thief draw it for the doc. But when the doctor was confronted, he said the boy was lying."
A noise distracted them and they turned to see Nettie. She said, "I set the carton of sodas on the counter out front." She leveled her eyes on her husband. "Beins' as you never allow food or drinks back here, I'm jus' followin' yer orders."
The woman was obviously getting back at her husband for his earlier reprimand. Nettie Wilson was definitely an unfriendly woman.
Josiah sighed. "Nettie, I'm making an exception this one time. Bring the drinks back here and set them over there." He pointed to a freed up portion of table next to the guest book.
Nettie glared at him, but did as he asked. After setting the drinks down she left the room, grumbling about how fascination with junk was unhealthy.
Josiah sighed again and handed out drinks.
For maybe an hour their host led them from exhibit to exhibit, his love of history palpable. When they returned to the front of the museum, Nettie was nowhere to be seen, but after they bid Josiah goodbye and walked outside, they saw her across the street giving another shopkeeper an earful.
Collin cast Dottie a knowing look. Dottie said, "I guess your presence is the proverbial cat let out of the bag. I expect the media will return shortly."
He nodded. "We'll handle it when we're confronted. I'll just tell them Oasis is a nice, quiet place to recover in."
Dottie grinned. "As if they'll believe that's your only reason for being here."
Collin said seriously, "I don't want to disrupt your life, so if you want me to leave, I'll do so
. I–"
Dottie interrupted. "I won't hear of it. I think this town needs some excitement, and–" she winked, "so do I."
Chapter 13: Change Of Plans
During the drive home, Collin glanced sideways at Dottie. The woman was adorable and so easy to get along with—and he had to restrain himself from kissing her.
She was the kind of female he'd always avoided—she was domestic. His wife had been an adrenaline junkie and after the divorce his girlfriends had been adventurers like himself.
Collin's cell phone rang just as Dottie pulled into her garage. She made a motion that she would leave him in privacy, but he shook his head that it wasn't necessary. The caller ID showed that his friend and business partner was on the other end.
"Hello Jake," Collin greeted.
"Hey, partner, you sound better."
"Feel better, too." Collin could hear excitement in Jake's voice. "You found it, didn't you?" Jake knew what he was referring to.
"Sure did. Got it on sonar first. She's as pretty as a picture. The bow is clearly visible and surprisingly intact."
Collin sucked a breath. "That's awesome!"
Dottie was watching him and he grinned and gave her a thumb's up.
Jake said, "All we need is for you to sign the necessary paperwork so we can go in for the kill. We've got a small trawler stationed beside the wreck to watch for poachers, but the sooner we dive, the better."
"Okay. I'll call Smith to set up a flight as soon as possible. I'll text you with my arrival time. Good work, Jake."
Before hanging up, Jake refuted, "No, Collin, you were the one who figured out where the currents had dragged the Vittoria. Hell, if you weren't so scientific, I'd swear you were psychic!"