Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Right,” Amy said, “you keep telling yourself that.”
Thinking how often I was going to have explain to people what happened to me, I said, “I need a drink.”
The Treetop was the perfect name for the place that appeared nestled in the treetops of the surrounding forest. There was an inside and outside area. Spring and autumn saw the outside area, a large upper deck, packed while the inside was the place to be in the winter with its numerous fireplaces.
Amy spoke with Tabby McGuire, the hostess, while I wandered to the outside deck trying to ignore the endless stares when I spotted Professors Anderson and Swatcher at a table. I was not about to lose a chance to talk with both and made a beeline to them.
“Good, Lord, Pepper, what happened to you?” Professor Anderson asked when I reached their table.
I kept it short and sweet. “A rake.” The two men looked at me puzzled and I realized I should have been more specific. “A garden rake.” I quickly moved the conversation along. “I really enjoyed your lecture, Professor Swatcher.”
“I’m glad to hear that and I thank you and your boyfriend for participating,” he said with a pleasant smile.
“I learned that you both are avid treasure hunters. That must be exciting.”
“Professor Swatcher more so than me,” Professor Anderson clarified.
“He’s lost the thrill of it,” Swatcher said with a chuckle.
Anderson defended himself. “It takes time and money, neither of which I have.”
“He won’t be able to stay away. When the treasure-hunting bug hits, it doesn’t let go. Whether small or large, it’s the thrill of the hunt that is addictive,” Swatcher said.
He left it wide open for me, so I dove right in. “The Willow family treasure being one of them. I noticed the three-strand pearl necklace with the pearl teardrop Claire Willow wore in the portrait at the Willow Mansion. I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to it.”
“A good point,” Swatcher said, casting an inquisitive eye at Anderson. “A treasure right in your backyard. How could you ignore it?”
“It’s long gone or sealed away with Verbena in her tomb that Ignatius Willow made sure couldn’t be opened without destroying the tomb, or the jewels were sold through the years to keep the mansion afloat,” Anderson said, offering different explanations.
Swatcher offered a different opinion. “Or Ignatius was wise enough to hide them away somewhere and never told anyone about the secret hiding place.”
An image of the skeleton key blazed in my mind. Did it unlock a treasure?
“The search is just as exciting as the find,” Swatcher said, a gleam in his eyes. “You really should join me on the next hunt, Anderson. It’s a dive and I know how much you enjoy diving and the lovely warm weather in the winter.”
“Perhaps,” Anderson said, not sounding the least interested.
Seeing Amy being seated, and not wanting to appear too curious, I said, “I am a member of the Willow Lake Historical Society, Professor Anderson, and I was wondering if you would be willing to donate your notes on the book you wrote about the history of Willow Lake to the society.”
“An excellent idea,” Swatcher said.
Anderson agreed. “I would be only too glad to donate them to the society.”
“Wonderful. I will be in touch about getting the papers from you. Now, I have interrupted your meal long enough. Have a good evening.”
“Nonsense, we’re just finishing up and it has been delightful speaking with you, Pepper,” Swatcher said.
“Same here, Professor,” I said and with a nod left the two men and hurried over to Amy who was wise enough to get a table tucked away in a corner so people wouldn’t be able to stare at my black eyes. I immediately thanked her. “Bless you for keeping me hidden.”
“I knew you would do the same for me if I wore raccoon eyes.” She giggled.
“You would not come out of your house if you had black eyes.”
“We know each other well,” Amy said. “So, what did you learn from the two professors? Oh, Beau texted. He and Ian will be about twenty minutes, so I ordered us wine and a couple of appetizers to hold us.”
“Bless you again. I’m starving.”
“So, spill,” Amy urged, leaning close so no one would hear. “What did you learn from the professors?”
I went to speak and heard. “Why are two such gorgeous women having supper alone?”
Amy smiled and I delayed looking at Burke Strathmore due to my raccoon eyes. I was the only girl who never dated him in high school, and he had yet to give up. Most women would consider him a hunk with his stylish chestnut brown hair and his crystal blue eyes not to mention his athletic body. The problem was he knew it and used it to his advantage.
“I heard things are going more in my brother’s Josh direction with Kate at Yesterday’s Treasures than with you,” I said, knowing it would rankle him and possibly direct his attention away from my eyes. No such luck.