Shattered Treasure

by Cindy Patterson

  “I want you to meet my friends.”

  Her mind raced ahead with anticipation and she smiled. “I would love to meet your friends.”

  “We usually build a bonfire and sit around and talk for hours.”

  Addison gazed down the trail leading to the ocean. “Sounds fun.”

  He leaned against her gently. “So, I can pick you up around five?”

  “That’ll be great,” she whispered, a jolt hammering through her chest.

  “All right.” A slight shift in his tone seized her attention. “Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Asking you out?”

  Instinct might have warned her that the question was coming, but nothing prepared her for the stirring of emotions that stole her breath.

  25

  Looking through the kitchen window, Addison’s gaze zeroed in on Logan’s truck pulling into her drive. He was five minutes early, but she was ready—had been for over an hour. He climbed from the truck and she met him at the door. Senses suddenly sharper in his presence, she absorbed the blue jeans and white polo he wore with heightened appreciation.

  “Hi,” he said when she fully opened the door. “You look beautiful.”

  Her cheeks warmed and her lips curved into an exhilarated smile. “Thank you.”

  Moments later, they were driving through town, sitting in a comfortable silence.

  Reaching a stop light, Logan turned his head quickly, before she could look away, and she instinctively swallowed the tremors that emerged in her throat.

  He reached for the stereo; his eyes still fixed on hers. “What kind of music do you listen to?”

  His expression made her pause before she took several slow, deep breaths. “A mixture, but I love certain songs more than a specific style.” The disobedient squeak in her voice screamed in her ears.

  “What about the music at Ami’s débuette dance?” A deep throaty laugh fell from his lips and he leaned toward her. “You seemed into that.” His low voice was hypnotic, forcing the memory of his arms around her to surface.

  For a second she said nothing, willing her mouth to be more cooperative. “I enjoyed dancing.”

  “Me too.”

  She had enjoyed every moment she spent with him. It had ended way too soon.

  “Have you been to the aquarium lately?”

  She willed the awkwardness away and focused on the road, trying to manipulate her inner consciousness. It was getting out of control. Fast. “Years ago.”

  “I was trying to think of something fun to do for our second date.”

  “Our second date, huh?” The thought, the simple idea of being with him here like this, was more than she dared dream for. “You may not want a second date, you know like what’s her name at the restaurant?”

  Logan laughed out loud. “Surely you don’t think—it was her decision.” He faced her again. “I guess it didn’t help that she was jealous of the waitress.”

  Addison’s neck flamed.

  “I had trouble keeping my eyes off her,” Logan teased, scrunching his cheeks.

  A flutter bounced across her chest. “So, she was jealous, huh? Her first drink was diet.”

  “I know.”

  “How?”

  “I took a sip when she was complaining.”

  She stared at him. “Did you ever talk to her again?”

  “No, she was pretty mad when she left. I feel bad now using her like that.”

  “What do you mean?” She kept her voice composed, not wanting him to know her heart. Not yet.

  “I was trying to forget about this girl, but it didn’t work.”

  Her throat closed. What girl? Was it the same one she had overheard him and Nathan talking about?

  “Oh.” Addison didn’t need any more information. It would only cast a shadow on their first date. Logan said nothing more about it. But if he still had feelings for the girl, why was he talking to her this way? And where was she now? Disappointment wove a wedge through her middle. She didn’t like this and decided to get it over with. “So, this girl, she’s an old girlfriend?”

  Logan stared ahead at the road for several seconds before turning to look at her. “No, it was you.”

  “Me?” She was too afraid to hope, so she teased him instead. “You want to forget about me?”

  “I did … before … I tried. But I gave up. Nothing worked.”

  Addison allowed his words to filter through her mind, her soul. She had to be dreaming.

  “I really did try. You’re way out of my league.”

  She felt Logan’s gaze on her. “Yeah right, I’m definitely not out of your league.”

  “You don’t see yourself very clearly, do you?”

  Speechless, Addison stared straight ahead, trying not to let his compliments embarrass her. She didn’t know how to respond and changed the subject. “How’s Ami?”

  “Good. She’s very excited about our date today.”

  He was relentless. She giggled. “Really?”

  “Yeah, she tried talking me into letting her come.”

  Addison glanced at Logan, fascinated by his words, by the change in the way he was speaking to her. His warm gaze made her weak.

  He didn’t wait for her to answer. “My friends are ... very loud.”

  “Loud?”

  “And a little pushy.” He released a playful grin that probably melted the hearts of countless others, including hers. “Don’t be surprised at anything they say.”

  He continued to tease her as he drove down the main strip heading toward Carolina Beach. The drive seemed faster than she’d ever remembered. It seemed like moments later he was parking his truck.

  As they walked toward the house, Addison smiled remembering the expressions he made while teasing her. While she was staring ahead, the feel of Logan taking her hand startled her.

  “Do you mind?” he asked, slipping his fingers between hers.

  She nodded, chewing her bottom lip.

  They walked hand in hand toward the backyard where there were two guys standing near the grill.

  “Hey guys, this is Addison.”

  The one standing closest to her reached for her free hand. “I’m Matt. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard all about you.”

  “It’s about time you brought her, man.” The other guy punched Logan before wrapping an arm around her. “The girls are inside. They’ve been waiting for you to get here.”

  After Logan introduced her to Matt’s wife and Tommy’s wife, the ladies shooed the men out of the kitchen.

  Addison fumbled through the list of things to say and not to say, but nothing materialized.

  “I’m Shelley.” Matt’s wife stared at her with crinkled brows. “You look nervous.”

  “Am I that obvious?” Her response was nothing more than an awkward whisper.

  “You have no reason to be. Me and Matt have known Logan our whole lives. And we’ve never seen him this happy.”

  Addison’s heart flittered wildly. “Really?”

  “Matt said you were all he talked about.”

  “She’s right.” Tommy’s wife wrapped an arm around her. “Welcome to the family, Addison.”

  The family? On those comforting words, she lifted a genuine smile.

  After a few minutes of finishing the preparations for dinner, they joined the guys outside.

  “The chops are about done. Can you grab the cabbage?” Logan asked Matt as he headed her way. “Hey, the girls didn’t scare you away, did they?”

  It was the exact opposite. Only she couldn’t tell him that. “They were great. I like your friends,” she replied with a warm smile.

  Under his breath he sputtered, “Now I just have to keep a leash on the guys. They’re determined to embarrass me.”

  After dinner, his group of friends sat around the fire talking among each other, their laughter growing in volume. Their intention to tease Logan by sharing embarrassing stories made the
time move at a faster rate. And she was content sitting back and taking it all in.

  After hours of sitting around the bonfire, eating and talking, Logan led her to his truck and drove her home. Taking her hand, he helped her down and closed the door.

  “What did you think of my friends?”

  “They were great.”

  Since it was already after one in the morning, she was surprised when he joined her on the back porch.

  “Thanks for inviting me.”

  He leaned back, pushing the swing into motion with his boot. “How long have you worked at the Olive Garden?”

  “Four years.”

  “You must like it?”

  “Most of the time. There are certain customers that can make things difficult though.”

  “Like those loud guys harassing you, promising to come back when your shift ended.” He pursed his lips and exhaled hard.

  Chills smothered the length of both arms. “You heard what they were saying?”

  “You have no idea how hard it was to stay in my seat and not pound them.”

  Startled, she glanced at the wooden slats, freeing herself from his piercing gaze. “That was the same night you came back to wait for me.”

  He reached across and took her hand. “I never left.” A slow smile played across his lips. “I wanted to protect you … I felt responsible for you. Then, on top of that, my date, blind date insulted you more than once.”

  Speechless, she stared at him. He never left, but stayed the entire night waiting for her shift to end?

  His profile blurred as drowsiness billowed, thrusting her into reality. With Logan, time felt distorted, unending, each moment magical.

  “I better go. It’s late. And you’re getting sleepy.”

  Addison had been anticipating it all day, but it wasn’t until he led her to the front door, and they stood facing each other that it happened. Hidden by the shadows they stood in silence, while in the distance, waves crashed against the seashore. Logan placed his finger against her cheek compelling her to look at him.

  “I had a really good time with you today.”

  “Me too.” Her voice quivered with emotion.

  His gaze fell to her lips, and her awareness intensified.

  Logan leaned forward, gently pressing his lips against hers, his breath warm against her skin. With her lips parted, she inhaled the taste of him. She trembled with a mix of pleasure and disbelief. He pulled away, his eyes locked with hers.

  A mischievous grin spread across his lips. He paused, still watching her, then seconds later captured her in another moment of passion. Spellbound, Addison braced herself against the yearning flooding her soul.

  He smiled at her wistfully. “Can we do this again soon?”

  She nodded, her throat tightening with expectancy. “Yes.”

  “I’m leaving first thing in the morning for Indiana.”

  Addison gave the door frame a good portion of her weight, praying her disappointment wasn’t too obvious.

  “I’m riding with Matt. He has to take a load there for his dad. So, I’ll be gone for a few days.” He paused like he wasn’t sure what to say. “Can I call you when I get back?”

  “I would like that.”

  “Okay, then. Go get some sleep.” He finished with a tender look into her eyes and a gentle touch to her cheek before he descended the stairs, leaving her with a warmth she may never get used to.

  26

  Taylor plopped down on the couch next to Addison Friday afternoon. “Tell me everything.”

  Details of her first date with Logan trickled through their conversation over the next few minutes. The date had been flawless, right down to the very last moment. “Taylor, I’ve never felt this way.”

  “He kissed you.” Taylor fell back on the couch, her arms flailing toward the ceiling. “Finally.”

  “This is serious.”

  Taylor shot straight up, a mischievous smile curving the corners of her mouth. “He did, didn’t he?”

  “Yes! It’s like being launched into a fantasy, and I never want to leave.”

  Taylor’s smile broadened. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve this more than anybody I know.”

  Stretching her arms and legs, Addison grinned at her friend. “What would I do without you?”

  “You would be lost without me, so don’t even try.”

  Addison grabbed her phone off the table where it had rested all morning. Turning it over, she stared at the screen. “What in the world?”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I have thirty-five missed calls.”

  “Wow, when did you become so popular?”

  “Ha, ha.” Her clipped, edgy laugh dimmed as she swiped the screen and saw Philip’s name. It was only a few less than yesterday. Uneasiness settled in her stomach. “It was Philip.”

  “What do you mean it was Philip?”

  Addison glanced at it again, hoping she’d see other callers, different names, a different number, Logan’s number. She didn’t. “He called thirty-five times.”

  Taylor stared at her, horror stricken. “Talk about an obsession.”

  Addison stared at the phone, her hand trembling. What did she ever see in him? “Should I call him back?”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “He won’t stop until I talk to him.”

  “Do not call him back. You owe him nothing. Besides, that’s the last thing you need right now. Enjoy your happiness. You know he’ll ruin it.”

  Whatever his purpose was for doing this, it frightened her. “Taylor, I can’t just keep ignoring him. What if he shows up here?”

  “If he does, don’t answer the door. Eventually he’ll get the hint that you want nothing to do with him. He doesn’t even deserve your friendship.”

  Releasing a swift breath, she turned toward Taylor. “Do you think it would do any good to take out a restraining order?”

  “A restraining order is the best idea I’ve heard from you yet.” Taylor frowned. “Did he do something to you?”

  “I just don’t want him to think he can come here whenever he wants. Because he can’t. I don’t want to see him. Ever again.”

  “I’m so proud of you.”

  “No one can know about this. Logan being a cop and everything, he may think I’m being overdramatic. Or it may scare him off.”

  “My lips are sealed. Now, enough about Philip, when are you seeing Logan again?”

  “He’s been out of town a few days. But he did say he wanted to get together soon.” Remembering, she smiled. “I hope he calls when he gets back in town, but I shouldn’t be too anxious.”

  “Yes, you should. It’s okay to be anxious. You wasted a lot of years on you-know-who. You can really start living now.”

  “I don’t know if I can go through with it.” She stared at her phone.

  “With what?”

  “The restraining order.” Addison fell back against the couch. “I will feel so guilty.”

  “You have no reason to. It’s his fault. That is definitely considered stalking.”

  Addison looked at her friend, her very best friend, and wanted to squeeze her. Taylor was right. She’d done nothing wrong. She was only trying to move on with her life. There couldn’t be anything wrong with that. And since Philip wouldn’t listen, maybe this would make him take her seriously.

  But most of all, she was worried. Really worried. What if he came and lost his temper when no one was there to stop him? She told herself this over and over, trying to convince herself, but still it wasn’t easy. Even when she walked through the police station doors an hour later, she was still trying to talk herself out of it.

  “Addison?”

  Throat constricting, she turned.

  “What are you doing here?” When Matt moved toward her, tugging his hat into place, she berated herself. Wasn’t Matt supposed to be in Indiana with Logan?

  “Well, I uh ... I was ... ” she stuttered. No matter how she searched, she couldn’t find a sens
ible explanation. And it didn’t matter that reading people was part of his job description and he would definitely be able to read her. She couldn’t tell him the truth.

  “You’re here to see Logan?”

  Or hopefully he would think that. A sigh left her throat before she could stop it. “I was in the neighborhood.”

  “He isn’t scheduled to work tonight.” Matt fished for something in his pocket, then pulled out his phone. “You haven’t talked to him?”

  “Not today.”

  “Huh,” Matt murmured more to himself, but then tilted his head slightly as if assessing the situation. “Is something wrong?”

  “No, I was on my way to work and just thought ... but it’s okay.” What have I done? “Okay, well, thanks. I better go.” After giving him a brief hug, she moved toward the door. “See you later.”

  “I’ll tell him you came by.”

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, she turned but still moved backward, closer to the door. “Uh, no ... please don’t. I’ll tell him when I talk to him.” If he called her. She hadn’t talked to him since he left for Indiana. It was ridiculous to worry because he didn’t call her when he came back. And was off today. No, she would not go there. “Bye.”

  Six hours later, after a long night of waiting on twenty couples and families combined, Addison was following Taylor to her car when his familiar voice called her name. “Addison.”

  She slowed and looked back. “Logan? What’re you doing here?”

  “I came to follow you home, but I could drive you.”

  “That’s so sweet,” Taylor said, not even trying to disguise her excitement. “See you at home.”

  “Okay, bye.”

  Shifting her focus, she turned to face Logan, amazed that he was standing here waiting for her. “How was Indiana?”

  “Good. We came back sooner than expected. I’m glad to be back.”

  She forced a smile as a jolt of insecurity surged through her. “I’m glad you had a good trip.”

  “I know it’s late, but I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see you again.” Logan took a step closer, his eyes sparkling like diamonds against the moonlight.