Until Tomorrow

by Kari Lee Harmon

  “I’m hoping to be the life of you. You seriously need to loosen up and have some fun, Doc.”

  He sighed in resignation, knowing he wasn’t going to win this debate, but he couldn’t help chuckling. She sure made life entertaining, which is something he hadn’t experienced in way too long. At least it would make the summer go by much quicker. Through their conversations, they were learning more and more about each other. They were two very different people with one common goal: seeing this adventure through. Even though she came from money and he’d had to work for everything he’d ever gotten, they had become unlikely friends.

  He supposed he could relax a little, but it was hard. A while back, he’d gotten sick with a rare bacteria he’d picked up from the hospital. He’d slipped into a coma, and they weren’t sure he would survive. He fought his way back and did survive, but that had changed him. He couldn’t help thinking his son would have been left with no parent at all. Because of that, he took it upon himself to be extra careful, protecting himself, his son, his town…pretty much everyone. It was exhausting at times.

  “Grab that line,” he said, while shaking his head with a wry grin. She did as he requested, and moments later they were on their way.

  “This is awesome,” she shouted while standing beside him with her face lifted toward the warm rays of the sun as the wind whipped the auburn strands of her hair wildly about.

  Just watching her enjoy herself made him relax, and soon he found himself laughing along with her. He sped up and went over waves just to hear her squeal. It didn’t take long before they reached their destination. According to the map, this small island is where Kathleen and Joseph had secretly met. Beacon Bay was surrounded by a lot of small islands, many of which were uninhabited like this one. Logan pulled in as far as he could and cut the engine. The rocky bottom grew shallow and dangerous so they couldn’t travel any closer, but he had a blowup dingy.

  He said, “Drop that anchor while I blow up this dingy so we can go ashore.”

  “Okay,” she replied with a snappy salute while he got busy.

  When he was done blowing up the dingy, he set the anchor, and then, leaving everything on board except the map, a small shovel, and a couple bottles of water, he helped her into the small boat. Fifteen minutes later they rowed up on shore. Logan climbed out of the dingy and pulled it onto dry land, then reached out and helped Emma step from the boat.

  “Thanks.” She smiled, looking around in awe and a bit of fear if he wasn’t mistaken. “This place looks so primal.”

  “I know. I can’t imagine meeting here in the middle of the ocean in a place so remote. It remains uninhabited today, probably because it’s so small. Its privacy had to be its appeal. Kathleen and Joseph’s chances of getting caught would have been cut down drastically.”

  “Trust me, after what I read, privacy was a necessity. From what I gathered during my research, Joseph was the only son with three sisters. His parents were prominent members of society, having made their money in the shipbuilding business. In fact, they are the ones who started the company that made your father-in-law’s boat.”

  “No kidding?” Logan marveled. Small world. “What a coincidence.”

  “I know, right?” She shook her head. “Anyway, they came from the upscale end of the coast, if you know what I mean. They would never have allowed their son to associate with someone like Kathleen. After the scandal she caused and where she lived, there’s no way they would have made things easy for them. Hence, this desolate rendezvous spot.”

  “Desperate times call for desperate measures, and all that, I guess.”

  “Exactly. So where to now, Doc?”

  He pulled out the map and studied it. “Well, it looks like we make our way inland.”

  She eyed the woods, the humor from her face all but gone and major trepidation taking its place. “Oh, the woods again. Yay me.”

  “It’s okay, Emma. I’m here, and you can bet I damn sure won’t let anything bad happen to you.” That had pretty much been his mantra since his wife died, but with Emma, it somehow took on a whole new meaning and he was too afraid to examine why.

  “You know what?” Emma studied him, the fear in her eyes all but gone, as a calm yet eager expression took its place. “I believe you.”

  That made him smile. “Good. Because the last thing we need is a Misses Worrywart.”

  Their eyes met briefly and something indescribable passed between them, then they both quickly looked away.

  “No problem there, Doc. I’m the cool one, remember?” Emma’s laugh sounded forced, as if she was just as much freaked out as he was over the bizarre chemistry humming between them. “Let’s get going before our daylight is gone.”

  “You won’t get an argument from me there.” He led the way with the map in hand, excited for the first time in a long time to see what was around the bend.

  7

  Present Day: Beacon Bay, Maine

  Logan and Emma came to a small, rundown cabin not far from the shore, and the first doubts of the day crept through her mind, though she’d never admit it to Dr. Worrywart. The island was uninhabited, but obviously someone owned it. There was a sign that read condemned, do not enter on the front door.

  “This must be the place,” he said. He carried the map and shovel while she carried the water.

  “I repeat, it’s very primitive,” she responded, still trying to figure out their next move. Maybe the treasure was buried outside like before, but that would mean the area they would have to dig would be that much greater. The map wasn’t clear. It showed an X where the cabin was built.

  “Primitive, yes, but it’s also been how long?” Logan pointed out logically. “I think the cabin has held up fairly well, given the circumstances. Though as you can see it’s not safe, given the sign on the door.”

  “Joseph must have built this one room shack for the two of them to meet in.” Emma walked around the log cabin that was barely more than an enclosed bedroom, trying to put herself in Kathleen’s shoes. What must it have been like for her, so lonely and desperate for human affection? Emma imagined she would have done just about anything for someone she loved. In fact, she had. She’d searched high and low for Mark, and she wasn’t even sure she had ever really loved him. At least not like Kathleen had loved Joseph or Logan had loved Amanda, she realized, shooting him a quick glance.

  He was traipsing around the cabin, looking for a spot to dig to no avail. Emma paused. There was what had to be an outhouse next to the cabin that had caved in long ago, and Lord knew what resided in it these days. She shuddered, avoiding that contraption at all costs. Taking a deep breath, she set down her bottles of water and reached for the door to the cabin. Maybe their answers lay inside the lovers’ cocoon.

  “Are you crazy?” Logan appeared by her side instantly as he dropped the shovel and grabbed her hand.

  They both looked at their entwined fingers and dropped their arms.

  Emma cleared her throat, both frazzled and frustrated. “You’re out of your mind and obviously don’t know me if you think I would come all this way, through the forest no less, and not go inside.”

  “Oh, I’m beginning to know you all too well. You don’t think before you act, do you?” He looked exasperated with her. “That sign is there for a reason. This place is probably a death trap. Yes, we came all this way for some answers, but we certainly didn’t come here to die. You obviously don’t know me because I would never risk your life.”

  “Good Lord, you really are uptight, aren’t you?” she responded, because she hated admitting when she was wrong. “I know exactly who you are, so trust me, okay? We’re not going to die. I’m an adult. I can compromise. We’re just going to peek inside. See what we can see. Maybe that’s what the X means.”

  A muscle pulsed in his rugged jaw, but then he sighed. “And if we see nothing, we dig outside, deal?”

  “Deal.”

  Logan stepped in front of Emma and carefully opened the door. A whiff of
musty air greeted them, followed by the scent of maple and pine and a faint lingering of something flowery. Peeking inside, they saw a solid bed and a sturdy dresser and a beautifully crafted rocking chair.

  Carpenters of long ago obviously took pride in their work and spent the time necessary to make their creations stand the test of time. That aside, there was nothing treasure worthy in that cabin. Or at least nothing she could see from outside. She needed to get inside and look around.

  Emma set her jaw with determination. “I know the treasure’s in there, buried somewhere. You know we have to go inside, right?” she said, not really asking.

  He sighed. “Of course, Lois. Your wish is my command.” Logan bowed at the waist. “Because if I say no, you’re not going to listen to me anyway, are you?”

  “You’re finally getting it, McGiant. Be glad we didn’t live back then because unlike Kathleen, I probably wouldn’t have been able to keep my mouth shut, and they would have stoned me to death”

  “I don’t doubt that at all.” He chuckled and laughed harder when she playfully swatted him on the arm. He turned to her and pointed his finger in her face, removing the smile from his lips. “I’m doing this for you, Emma. So please promise me you won’t follow. I need to know someone I care about will live to tell my son why I was such a fool.”

  She blinked. “Well, when you put it that way, I have no choice. Don’t die, you big lug.” She gave into impulse and kissed his cheek.

  Now he was the one to blink and then cleared his throat. “I don’t plan on it. Someone has to get you home in one piece.”

  “Not to mention your father-in-law’s boat,” she couldn’t resist adding.

  He groaned. “Thanks for reminding me.”

  “Call it life insurance.” She shrugged.

  Logan painstakingly made his way throughout the cabin, searching every nook and cranny with Emma looking on. He seemed like he was about to give up and head out, when Emma noticed the headboard. She’d seen one of those before on another story she’d covered not long ago. Her heart started beating with excitement.

  “Logan, wait.”

  He looked at her curiously.

  “Check the headboard. I’ve seen this type before on a story I covered about storage wars. There was a big fight over an ancient headboard found inside one storage unit. The panel on the front was a door to a secret compartment inside. This might have the same thing, and maybe our treasure got overlooked.”

  “The odds of that are slim, but I’ll give it a try.”

  Logan tapped all around the panel and jiggled the front until finally it moved an inch. He shot her a look of surprise, and Emma’s heart started pounding with excitement. This had to be it. He shoved harder and the front slid open just enough. She couldn’t control the gasp that slipped out as she stared at another intricately carved wooden box like the one they’d dug up under the tree in the woods.

  Logan lunged and grabbed the box then darted outside as if his heart was pumping furiously and he was totally freaked-out. “I made it!” he breathed out on a whoosh.

  She snorted. “Sorry, I can’t help it. You’re so dramatic. This isn’t an Indiana Jones movie. The cabin isn’t going to cave in because you stole its treasure.” She doubled over into full-blown laughter.

  “You’re so bad.” He couldn’t help but laugh right along with her.

  She rolled her eyes. “You have no idea, Doc. Something tells me you need to be a bit bad yourself.” She grabbed the box from him without even asking. “You never know, I might rub off on you.”

  “Help yourself.” He stared at his empty hands, ignoring her last comment.

  “I already did,” she responded absently, fully focused on the treasure she cradled in her palms.

  Joseph mentioned in his letters that he started out whittling and carving as something to do to take his mind off what he was going through, but it was clear by the boxes he’d carved for Kathleen that his hobby had turned into a labor of love. Each box had something different on the cover: a pine tree, a lighthouse, this cabin. Emma traced the cabin reverently and then carefully opened the box. Sure enough, there were more letters inside and another map.

  “Thank God.” She breathed a sigh of relief.

  “More like thank King Triton for letting us pass his waters unscathed,” Logan pointed out.

  “You really are worried, aren’t you?” She looked up at him with a serious expression, all kidding aside.

  “I kind of have to be. I’m a widower and a father and a doctor. What in the world did you expect?”

  “Honestly? A beast of a giant who looks like he would take no prisoners. I bet that was someone you once were, especially having been an orphan who had to work his hardest for everything he’s ever gotten.” She could tell by the way he was looking at her that she was right. “I’m close, aren’t I?”

  “Too close,” he answered truthfully. “That was exactly who I used to be. There was a time I wouldn’t have second guessed anything. I would have just acted and reacted and lived, kind of like you do. But the harsh reality of life taught me to be more cautious. First my wife died, and then I almost died. Can you imagine what that would have done to Trevor?” Logan’s words said one thing, but the expression on his face revealed doubt, as if for the first time ever he wondered if he was doing himself and his son a disservice.

  “Don’t worry, Doc.” She relented, her heart melting for the big, tough softy with a boatload of responsibility that made him worry way too much. “I can tell you’re a great father, Logan.” She touched his cheek. “You’ll work through your issues; I know you will. And the way I live hasn’t worked out so well for me, so maybe you’re on to something. Maybe I need to take a page out of your book.” She laughed out loud over the horrified look he gave her. “On second thought, probably not. I’m honest enough to admit I would never survive, so I guess I’m doomed to a life of chaos and loneliness.”

  His lips twisted. “I’ve never quite heard it put that way, but thanks for the vote of confidence. And I’d say you’ve done pretty well for yourself by the looks of things.” He tucked a strand of her flyaway hair behind her ear, and she sucked in a sharp breath. “Chaotic loneliness beats boring loneliness any day, but at least my son’s safe. I’m sure you’ll work through your issues as well.”

  “We’re good for each other. Who knows?” She cleared her throat and shrugged. “Maybe this summer will help us both.”

  “Maybe so,” he responded, though his face said he doubted it. “In the meantime, I’m starving. Let’s take our treasure back to the boat and read the letters over lunch.”

  “Now there’s something we can agree on.” She relaxed, feeling more like herself.

  “Will wonders never cease?” The crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes made him look even more handsome. “Maybe we stand a chance of surviving this summer after all.”

  “I was wrong. We’re never going to survive this summer because we’re never getting off this island.” Logan stared at the empty ocean before him. “Where the hell is the Mandy Marie? She’s not exactly a small boat. She couldn’t have just disappeared.” He dropped the shovel they hadn’t even needed this time and took a swig of water, trying to fight the anguish he felt over possibly losing his father-in-law’s boat. The waves had picked up. There was no way they were taking the dingy out into that.

  “I lowered the anchor like you told me. Did I do something wrong?” Emma looked devastated over the thought she might be at fault.

  “No, it was my fault,” he was quick to reassure her. “I didn’t set the anchor well enough, apparently. I use a plow anchor because it’s good for many types of bottoms, from rock to sand, but it must have come loose. Dammit, I shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to get to shore. I should have made sure the anchor was secure.”

  “We both were in a hurry. It’s no big deal. I’ll use my phone to call someone.” She set down the treasure box and pulled out her smart phone from her back pocket and held it up trium
phantly.

  “Except it is a big deal.” He plunged a hand through his tangled curls. “All of our supplies were on that boat. Not to mention if any damage happens to that, my father-in-law is going to be devastated. I can’t do that to him.”

  “Uh oh.” Emma chewed her bottom lip which he was coming to realize was never a good sign.

  “Yeah, uh oh.” Logan laughed harshly. “He’s going to have my head.”

  “Not that kind of uh oh. I mean, Oh no, uh oh!”

  Logan frowned. “What could be worse than losing the Mandy Marie?”

  Emma winced. “Um, being stuck on this creepy, deserted island with no cell service.”

  “Oh shit.” Logan could feel his face drain of color.

  “No shit.” Emma joined him.

  “Okay, let’s not lose our heads over this,” he said, knowing one of them had to be strong and not freak out.

  “Easier for you to say. That jungle looks scary enough in the daylight. I’m not going in there at night.” Her almond-shaped, amber eyes were wide with fright.

  “We won’t have to.” He grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eye, hoping to sound reassuring. “We’ll stay out here on the shore.”

  “Animals come out at night, and it still gets cold after dark. Oh my God, I’m so stupid. This was such a bad idea.”

  “It wasn’t a bad idea, and you didn’t make it alone.” He squeezed her arms gently until she looked at him. “I’ll build a fire. It will keep the animals away and keep us warm.”

  “How? We don’t have matches.” Her eyes weren’t so wild-looking now, but fear still laced her words.

  “I’ll build it with my bare hands, some sticks and moss. My son Trevor started Cub Scouts this year. I’m the proud father of a Tiger Cub and went a little overboard on my research.” He shrugged, a little embarrassed, but it must have worked because she no longer looked afraid.

  “A man after my own heart.” She inhaled a few deep breaths, nodded with determination, and then said, “What can I do to help?”