A Treasure Worth Keeping

Evie knew from experience the “tweenage” years had a tendency to put unsuspecting parents into a tailspin. Especially parents who weren’t expecting the radical change in their homes when formerly cheerful, compliant kids entered the hormone zone. And if there’d been some kind of upheaval in Faith’s life, the fallout could be even worse.

“She’s been taking off a lot lately.” Sam must have read the expression on her face because he quickly amended the statement. “She’s not at risk as a runaway. Eventually she comes back. She either wants attention or time alone. I’m still trying to figure that out. But today—when she was with you—it was the first time I’ve heard her laugh in months.”

Evie’s heart, which had a soft spot for kids Faith’s age anyway, melted into a gooey puddle. She remembered the glimmer of humor in Faith’s eyes when she’d shown Evie her drawing of Lake Superior. Maybe she’d gone through a difficult time recently, but the faint spark of life—of laughter—hadn’t been extinguished. It just needed tending. Evie gave in. Not because Sam needed her but because Faith did.

Okay, Lord, I’m going to assume this opportunity is from you. But did you have to include Sam Cutter?

“How about two hours a day? After I close up the shop in the afternoon?”

“We’ll make it work.”

“I thought you were going to live on the boat for a few days at a time.”

“You’ll only be here two weeks, but we’ll probably be here longer. There’ll be plenty of chances to take the boat out.”

Even though Evie had agreed to tutor Faith, she needed to cover one more base. The one that would give her a clue whether or not the next two weeks were going to be a battleground. “How does Faith feel about this? Does she know you’re here?”

Silence.

Uh-oh. Evie’s eyebrow lifted.

“She knows I’m here,” Sam finally admitted. “She didn’t seem very happy about it but then she said, and I quote, ‘Whatever.’”

“That’s because it was your idea. The ‘Whatever’ meant she’s not totally against it. Which makes my job easier.” Evie hid a smile at the uncertain look on Sam’s face. Obviously, he had no insight into the workings of an adolescent girl’s mind.

As if his internal defense radar picked up on her smile, the uncertainty in Sam’s eyes faded and it was back to the business at hand. Evie wondered briefly what Sam did for a living. Even in worn blue jeans and a faded black T-shirt, he oozed confidence. She could easily imagine him in an expensive suit, making important decisions in a high-rise office building, miles above the cubicle crowd.

Sam glanced at his watch. “Can you start tomorrow? We can hammer out more of the details then. Faith is spending the evening with a friend, and I promised I wouldn’t be late picking her up. Sophie’s one of those peculiar people who go to bed early.”

Evie ignored the unspoken words just like you that hung in the air between them. “Sophie Graham?”

“That’s right. You know her?”

“I’ve never met her, but Dad has…mentioned…her once in a while.”

“Sophie’s place is just down the road from us. Her dog had a litter of puppies a few months ago, and that’s where I usually find Faith if she’s missing.”

Which gave Evie the opportunity she’d been hoping for. “If you give me directions, I’ll come over to your place tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind driving Faith over here.”

“I’m sure.” Evie didn’t hesitate. Maybe to break the ice between her and Faith, they’d take a walk down the road to see those puppies. And she’d finally get the opportunity to meet Sophie Graham.

Sam waited until he heard the lock on the front door click into place before he strode back to his car.

The antique shop really was off the beaten path.

He paused, scanning the trees that formed a thick wall between Evie McBride and civilization. Her closest neighbor was two miles away. As cautious as she seemed to be, he was surprised she didn’t have any trepidation about staying alone on a secluded piece of property. Not that Cooper’s Landing was a hotbed of criminal activity, but with the tourist season starting, the place drew a lot of people from outside the area.

None of your business what Evie McBride thinks or doesn’t think, Cutter.

All that mattered was that she’d agreed to be Faith’s tutor for the next two weeks.

Faith met him at the front door of Sophie’s home, a drowsy puppy cradled in her arms.

“Sophie is going to let me name this one,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Sophie appeared in the doorway behind his niece. She was close to his father’s age but still a striking woman, her beauty enhanced by the kind of smile that lit her up from the inside out. “I hope you don’t mind, Sam. That puppy is Faith’s favorite, so I thought it was only right that she be the one to name him.”

“I don’t mind.” Sam was about to reach out and ruffle Faith’s hair but caught himself. The last time he’d done that, she’d shrieked and disappeared into the bathroom, emerging only after she’d washed, blow-dried and styled her hair all over again. Later that day, they’d climbed to the top of an observation deck at Miner’s Castle, where the wind had given her a new hairdo that made her look as if she’d been caught in a blender. She’d laughed. Go figure.

“I can’t think of a good name,” Faith fretted, rubbing the puppy’s silky ear.

“Give him one to live up to,” Sophie suggested, resting one hand on Faith’s shoulder. “How did it go with Patrick’s daughter? Did she agree to it?”

“Yes.” Sam didn’t bother to mention the split second when it had looked as though Evie would refuse to help Faith. The split second after he’d mentioned money. She’d looked offended he’d even brought up the subject, and he wasn’t sure why. He didn’t expect her to give up her time for free. “She’s coming over tomorrow afternoon.”

“Why don’t you come in for a few minutes. Faith and I made cookies and we’re just finishing up the last batch.”

Sophie looked so hopeful that Sam didn’t have the heart to say no. She ushered them into a small living room where the sparse furnishings looked old but well cared for. His gaze zeroed in on the man sitting at a desk in the corner, hunched over a computer keyboard.

Jacob had mentioned that Sophie had a son she didn’t talk about very often. And now Sam had a hunch as to why.

“Tyson, would you like something to eat?”

Tyson looked up and scowled. His thin face was streaked with acne scars. Strands of dishwater-blond hair had been pulled back into a ponytail that trailed between his shoulder blades. “I told you I’m not hungry, Mom.”

“You’re going to ruin your eyes staring at that screen all night,” Sophie scolded lightly. “At least turn around so I can introduce you to Sam Cutter, Jacob’s son.”

“Hey.” Tyson barely glanced at Sam.

Sam saw the hurt look on Sophie’s face before she murmured an excuse and disappeared into the kitchen. Faith followed her, still cuddling the puppy.

“That’s a pretty nice setup you’ve got,” Sam said, moving closer to see what Tyson was so focused on. He found himself staring at a blank screen. Tyson had shut down whatever program he’d been working on. A red flag rose in Sam’s mind, especially when he noticed Tyson’s shoulders set in a tense line.

“Thanks.” Tyson’s eyes glittered with resentment at the disruption. He yanked a pack of cigarettes out of his shirt pocket and shook one loose from the package.

“Outside with those, Ty.” Sophie returned with a plate of cookies in one hand and a pitcher of milk in the other. “You agreed not to smoke in the house.”

Tyson shoved the chair away from the desk and stalked out of the room.

“I’m sorry.” Pain shadowed Sophie’s eyes. “Tyson just lost his job last week, so he had to move back home while he looks for another one. He just got here this morning.”

Sam didn’t consider losing your job an excuse to be rude, but he didn’t want to say so. Sophie looked embarrassed enough. “Those cookies smell delicious. How many am I allowed to have?”

Sophie brightened. “As many as you want. I miss feeding hungry men now that Patrick and Jacob are gone. I hate to say this, but Tyson is a picky eater.”

Judging from Tyson’s bloodshot eyes and sunken cheeks, Sam had a strong hunch the guy preferred to drink his meals.

He took a cookie from the plate Sophie offered and hid a smile when Faith reluctantly put the puppy on the floor. With her skinned knees and her mussed-up hair, she looked twelve years old again instead of twenty. Spending the evening with Sophie had been good for her.

“Faith and Evie will get along well.” Sophie smiled at Faith as she handed her a glass of milk. “I feel like I know her already. Patrick brags about those girls of his constantly. Evie was voted Teacher of the Year last fall in their school district. According to Patrick, it was the first time a teacher at a Christian school won the award. From what Patrick says, out of the three girls he and Evie are the most alike.”

Sam remembered the cardigan. Poor guy.

“Maybe he was referring to their adventurous streak.”

Wait a second. He must have missed something. Evie McBride? Adventurous? Sam tried not to laugh. “I doubt it, Sophie.”

And as far as Sam was concerned, a guided fishing trip at a cushy lodge didn’t qualify as adventurous in his book.

“The whole trip was Patrick’s idea,” Sophie went on. “I only pray that Bruce Mullins can help them.”

Mullins. The name sounded familiar. “Is Mullins their fishing guide?”

“He is a guide there, but he’s not taking them fishing.”

She’d completely lost him. “But that’s why they went to the lodge. To go fishing.”

“Oh, dear.” Sophie bit her lip and set her glass down on the worn coffee table. “Is that what they told you?”

Every nerve ending in Sam’s body sprang to attention at the odd inflection in her voice. “Dad said they were going on a two-week fishing trip at a place called Robust Lodge, which caters to retired businessmen.”

“They’ll probably do some fishing,” she said weakly.

Sam took a deep breath. Judging from Sophie’s expression, she was trying to figure out a way to explain without incriminating the two men.

“Sophie, it’s all right. What’s going on?”

“The whole trip is for me,” she finally said. “Bruce is an old friend of your dad’s, and they need his help.”

“His help?”

“To find the treasure.”

Chapter Four

From the roof of the cabin, Sam watched Evie get out of her car. He pushed to his feet, anchoring the hammer into a loop in the toolbelt around his waist. He didn’t have time to retrieve the T-shirt he’d discarded earlier in the afternoon. It lay in a damp heap near the base of the chimney, just out of reach.

Evie lifted her hands to her hair, tucking in a few strands that had dared to escape from the sedate braid. Her slender frame stiffened as Jacob’s flock of guinea hens charged around the cabin to greet her. The birds were as tame as dogs but as noisy as a squadron of fighter planes.

Sam expected her to dash back to the safety of her car. To his astonishment, a smile tilted the corners of her lips as the guinea hens swarmed around her feet, looking for a treat. Jacob always kept a handful of corn kernels in his pockets, a ritual Sam hadn’t realized Faith had started to copy until he’d found a layer of soggy corn in the bottom of the washing machine.

Sam yanked the handkerchief out of his back pocket and swiped it across his forehead.

What was he supposed to tell her?

He wasn’t sure Evie would take the news very well that instead of fishing, their fathers had somehow gotten involved in a wild-goose chase to find a sunken treasure.

Evie took a few steps toward the cabin and spotted him on the roof. She stopped dead in her tracks, shading her eyes against the sun with her hand as she looked up at him.

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

Now he was positive she wouldn’t take the news well. Not if standing on the roof of a one-story building was her idea of dangerous.

Thanks for leaving me to clean up the mess, Dad.

After hearing stories about how overprotective Evie was when it came to her father, Sam could understand why Patrick hadn’t told her the truth behind the trip. According to Jacob, Evie had even driven up to Cooper’s Landing the previous summer, apparently suspicious of Patrick’s friendship with Sophie. No wonder the poor guy had moved to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to escape her coddling.

Keeping Evie in the dark made sense, but what Sam couldn’t figure out was why his father hadn’t confided in him. But he had a strong hunch it had something to do with Dan’s injury. As a carpenter, Jacob had spent the majority of his life after the Marines fixing things. Until he had come up against two things he couldn’t fix. His wife’s illness and…Dan. Now Jacob had been presented with an opportunity to help a friend and feel useful again.

Sam couldn’t blame his father. Jacob coped with his feelings of helplessness one way and he had chosen another.

The conversation with Sophie the night before had been quite enlightening. And frustrating. Sam had spent half the night battling his conscience. Evie had generously agreed to help him by tutoring Faith. Didn’t he owe her the truth? But if Patrick didn’t want Evie to know what he was up to, was it his place to fill her in? And it wasn’t as if there was any cause to worry. Jacob and Patrick were grown men, certainly capable of making their own decisions without getting flack from their adult children.

Sam had no doubt the men could handle themselves. It was adding Sophie to the mix that made the situation more difficult.

Her story wasn’t his to share. She hadn’t been able to provide many details because Tyson had slunk back into the living room, abruptly ending the conversation. It was obvious Sophie didn’t want her son to overhear them. From the brief conversation, however, Sam had managed to put together a few of the pieces.

Sophie had been working on her family’s genealogy when she was diagnosed with cancer. While searching through family archives, Sophie discovered diaries kept by her grandmother that exposed a skeleton in the Graham family closet. A scandal caused when a ship sank in Lake Superior and her great-grandfather, Matthew Graham, apparently saved himself and a young woman’s dowry. No one else had survived.

At that point, Tyson interrupted them and Sophie had quickly changed the subject.

Sam buried a sigh and dodged between the boxes of shingles scattered on the roof, pausing long enough to scoop up his shirt. By the time he reached the ladder, Evie stood below him, holding the bottom of it.

“They do make aluminum ladders nowadays, you know,” she called up to him. “They don’t rot. They’re splinter free. And they’re equipped with multiple safety features.”

Sam suppressed a smile. You’ve got to be kidding me. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Sam bypassed the last three rungs of the ladder and landed on his feet beside her, light as a cat.

Evie averted her gaze as he pulled the damp T-shirt over his head and rolled it down over his abdomen. As if he knew exactly why she’d looked away, his eyebrow lifted in a silent question.

Better?

He was laughing at her again. Heat coursed into Evie’s cheeks and she took a step away from him, knowing her freckles had lit up like laser dots against her skin. She took a deep breath and decided to focus on the reason she was there.

“Is Faith inside?”

“I think so. She was helping me but took a break about an hour ago.”

The glint in his eyes told Evie he was deliberately baiting her. She took the bait anyway.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea—”

The guinea hens drowned her out as they recognized Sam’s voice and charged. He sank his hand into the pocket of his tattered blue jeans and retrieved a fistful of corn, tossing it on the gravel.

“Numida meleagris,” Evie said without thinking.

Sam pushed his hand down his leg to wipe off the dust and looked at her. “What?”

“Numida meleagris. The Latin name for guinea fowl.”

“I’ll take your word for that, Miss McBride.” Sam scraped a hand through his hair and ended up tousling it even more. “I should probably warn you. Faith doesn’t really like science. Or math.”

“She enjoys English? History?”

Sam shook his head and a few strands of dark hair flopped across his forehead. Evie resisted the urge to smooth them back into place.

“Gym class.”

“She’s into sports.” Evie remembered that Faith had described herself as a jock the day they’d met on the beach. That didn’t bother her. In a school like the one she taught in, the smaller ratio of students to teachers allowed her to focus on each individual child. Over the years, she’d found creative ways to tap into her students’ natural abilities to make learning more fun.

“Don’t get me wrong, she’s a good student,” Sam told her. “But she’d rather study basketball plays than sit down with a textbook.”

“Is there anything else I should know?”

A strange expression flickered across Sam’s face, but he shook his head. “I can’t think of anything.”

“Good, because I hate surprises.”

Sam glanced at the canvas bag looped over her shoulder. “Here. Let me carry your…suitcase? You didn’t have to bring your own books, you know. Faith’s mother sent up an entire library.”

“I’ve got it. And, just to set the record straight, it’s a purse, not a suitcase.”

“What do you have in that thing?”

“Oh, the usual stuff.”

He studied the bulging bag. “Sleeping bag? Jumper cables? The kitchen sink?”

Evie saw the look on his face. “Of course not. Just the essentials.” Her laptop computer. A miniature sewing kit. Tape measure. Collapsible umbrella.

“You must have been a Girl Scout.”

Her eyes narrowed. Was he mocking her? “It’s always good to be prepared.”

The cabin door flew open, and Faith stepped onto the narrow porch. Evie guessed the reason behind the mutinous look on the young girl’s face. Even though the two of them had connected over Faith’s sketch of Lake Superior, Evie’s role had changed. Instead of a kindred spirit, now she was the person responsible for making sure Faith kept her nose buried in the books.

Evie almost laughed. It wouldn’t take long to put those fears to rest. “Hi, Faith.”

“Hi.” Faith studied her toes, refusing to meet Evie’s eyes.

“Did you get your books out like I told you to?” Sam asked.

Faith shot him a look ripe with resentment. “Yes.”

“Faith? Remember what we talked about this morning.”

Judging from the edge in Sam’s voice and the anger simmering in Faith’s eyes, Evie doubted they’d talked at all. She guessed Sam had lectured and Faith had tuned him out.

“We don’t need any books today,” Evie said. “We’re going on a field trip.”

Sam and Faith both turned to stare at her.

“A field trip?” Sam sounded skeptical.

“For science class. We’re going to study Canis familiaris.”

“Good. Great.” Sam looked way too eager to escape. “I’m going back on the roof. I’ll see you later.”

“Sam?” Evie dug in her bag and pulled out a plastic bottle. “Here. Sunblock. The sun isn’t as strong this late in the day, but you should still wear it. Or, ah, your shirt. That would work, too.”

You aren’t only a geek, Evie, you are officially their queen.

Sam stared at the bottle as if it were a live grenade and then at her. Evie braced herself, expecting to see amusement lurking in his eyes. She was used to it. Over the years her sisters had developed entire stand-up comedy routines based on her cautious ways.

We’re not laughing at you, Evie. We’re laughing with you.

To her amazement, Sam didn’t laugh. But he did smile. A slightly lopsided smile that lightened his eyes to silver and warmed up her insides like a Bunsen burner.

“How can I turn down…SPF 50?” he murmured.

Maybe he was reckless but he knew his sunscreen.

Evie waited for Faith to join her, and they started down the driveway. Faith’s plodding steps conveyed her unhappiness with the situation, but Evie didn’t push for conversation or attention. When Faith wanted to talk, she would.

“What did you say we’re going to study?” Faith finally asked.

Evie hid a smile. “Canis familiaris.”

Faith kicked a rock and sent it skittering down the lane. “I’ve never heard of that.”

“It’s Latin for the domestic dog,” Evie said. “We’re going to visit Sophie’s puppies.”

Faith grinned. “I think I’m going to like having you as a teacher, Miss McBride.”

“This is summer school. Call me Evie.”

By the time Sophie’s modest, two-story house came into view several minutes later, Faith was still chattering about the puppies and how it was up to her to choose a name for her favorite.

“I’ve always wanted to have a dog, but Mom doesn’t like it when they shed,” Faith continued. “Sophie says she’ll keep the one I name and I can visit it whenever I want to. That’s kind of like having my own dog, isn’t it?”

Evie thought it an extremely generous gesture on Sophie’s part, which made her more anxious to meet the woman. And even though Faith’s comment about her mother made Evie curious, she knew it wasn’t the time to press Faith to talk about her family.

“There she is.” Faith broke away and sprinted toward a woman kneeling in a patch of freshly turned soil. “Hi, Sophie!”

No wonder Patrick talked about her. Sophie Graham was beautiful. Blessed with classic features and smooth, porcelain skin, Sophie resembled an aging film star. Her faded housedress and scuffed gardening clogs couldn’t disguise her natural grace as she rose to her feet and greeted Faith with a hug.

Faith pointed in her direction and Evie quickened her steps, hoping Sophie wouldn’t mind they’d shown up without a formal invitation.

Before she could apologize, Sophie’s warm smile put her at ease. “Evangeline. I’m so glad to finally meet you. Patrick talks about you and your sisters all the time.”

“Dad talks about you, too,” Evie said, surprised to see a hint of rose tint Sophie’s cheeks.

“Can I show Evie the puppies, Sophie?”

“If we’re not interrupting anything,” Evie added quickly.

“Not at all. You came at just the right time. I’m ready to take a rest.” Sophie swept her straw hat off and used it as a fan.

Evie’s breath caught in her throat as she saw the irregular patches of silver hair on Sophie’s head.

“I’m in remission, praise the Lord,” Sophie said simply, and then gave Evie a mischievous wink. “Now, let’s get acquainted over ice cream and puppies, shall we?”

Chapter Five

When an hour went by and Evie and Faith still hadn’t returned, it occurred to Sam that his niece may have tried to sweet-talk Evie into stopping at Sophie’s house.

Which meant Sophie might inadvertently reveal the real reason behind Patrick and Jacob’s fishing trip.

Sam winced as the hammer missed the nail and ground the tip of his thumb against the shingle.

None of your business, he reminded himself. If Evie had a problem with her dad, she should take it up with him. Sam had his own stuff to worry about. He was one hundred percent uninvolved in the situation.

Except that Evie was Faith’s tutor. And for the next few weeks, he was committed to making sure she stayed that way.

Sam sat back on his heels, trying to convince himself it wasn’t necessary to look for them. Evie would be a strict teacher—the kind who wouldn’t waste precious minutes of a two-hour tutoring session playing with a litter of puppies. Hopefully the reason they were late was because the search for Canis familiaris was taking longer than expected….

A dim memory from Biology 101 struggled to the surface. Canis. Canine. Dog.

Sam’s shout of laughter scattered the guinea hens in the yard below.