Shattered Treasure

by Cindy Patterson

  Her cheeks burned as Logan took her hand and helped her into the truck. A warm glow expanded through her body when he closed the door.

  “Are you too tired to grab a drink with me?”

  Her stomach lurched in response to his question. “I don’t drink.” She winced, suddenly aware of how harsh that had sounded.

  “Me either. I meant a Coke. Like a soft drink. I’m sorry. I guess it did sound like that.”

  Swallowing a measure of remorse, she fixed her gaze on him, thankful for his presence. She’d missed him more than she’d realized. “I would love to.”

  “Okay, how about Baker’s Sandwich Shop?”

  “I love Mr. Baker.”

  “He’s a nice guy. It’s hard to believe he never married. It’s always been just him and his dog.”

  “Posie,” they both said in unison with a laugh.

  “I used to stop there when I visited Aunt Brenda every summer.” Addison had always secretly wished he was her grandfather, something she never had. “When did you get back in town?”

  “Last night. I had a hundred things to do today or I would’ve called you earlier.”

  At least he didn’t lie about it. The lasting effects of her toxic relationship with Philip tugged and pressed. But Logan had nothing to do with any of that and he didn’t deserve her insecure thoughts at his expense. So instead she said, “I’m glad you’re back.”

  Her victory was rewarded with a long tender glance, and he reached for her fingers and tucked them securely within his. “Me too. I missed you.”

  There was a moment of awkward silence, but the smile that graced his lips remained sincere. “What have you been up to?”

  “Working mostly.”

  After Logan parked, they walked inside to the scent of fresh cinnamon rolls. Logan led her to a corner booth.

  “I should probably let Taylor know I’m not coming straight home.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back. Got to wash my hands. I stopped for gas earlier.”

  Addison grabbed her phone, watching Logan walk away. She skipped over Philip’s name in the visible notifications, fighting the warning signals knotting in her stomach that she’d not taken out the restraining order earlier today. And how she hadn’t mentioned seeing Matt.

  Logan brought me to a sandwich shop to grab a drink, so I’ll be home later.

  Taylor’s response caused a lighthearted laugh. She slipped her phone into her purse just as Logan returned. Logan ... a considerate, kindhearted gentleman. The type of man she didn’t believe existed. Until now. And she never wanted to let him go.

  They talked for what seemed like only minutes, but when she glanced at her phone it was two hours later. “Do you know what time it is?”

  Logan looked at his watch. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you out this late.”

  “I could’ve sat here all night.”

  “Me too. I can’t believe it’s after two.”

  Addison yawned, stifling a chuckle. “It doesn’t seem that late.”

  “It doesn’t, but I know you’re tired. Your aunt would not appreciate me keeping you out this late.”

  The drive to her house was too short. But even after they arrived at her house, he didn’t leave immediately. They sat in his truck still talking, still in each other’s presence. It was as if he wanted to stay near her as badly as she didn’t want to see him go.

  With another glance at the clock on the dashboard, she couldn’t put it off any longer. “I really should go. Thank you for bringing me home.”

  His gaze flicked to her lips and her body trembled in response. He jumped out of the truck, walked around to her side, and lifted her into his arms. In slow motion, he gently lowered her until her feet were steady on the ground, but he left no space between them. Their arms enfolded, they clung to each other with a dangerous longing.

  Every movement, every sound of the night stilled when Logan pulled her closer and muttered heated words against her neck. “I have never—” Lifting his hand gently, he brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek his gaze following silently. And she could sense the sheer, inescapable desire raging through his fingertips.

  Suddenly the air wasn’t entering her lungs fast enough as her heart vibrated in her throat.

  “I’ve wanted you from that first day. It drove me mad not knowing who you were, not knowing your name.”

  A reckless thrill sealed her lips shut.

  “And then that day you were there ... standing in my living room.” His hands traveled down the length of her arms, and his fingers rested on the small of her waist. “I can’t get you out my head.”

  “I know how you feel.” Her voice was husky, breathy. She longed for him to close the distance between them as she relived the feel of his mouth on hers.

  Smoldering sensations raced through her veins when his lips brushed against her cheek, tracing the line of her jaw, her lips. Something inside her awakened as her lips parted and she gave into her passion as a quiet whimper escaped. When he eagerly bound her mouth in a ravenous kiss, her ache transformed from a delightful thrill to a deep craving. The sound of his struggling breath ignited those sparks into a blazing fire.

  His face was in her hair, his mouth at the base of her neck. Pressing herself even closer, her inner voice exerted itself. But she ignored the warnings. She closed her eyes for a moment. She wanted him, wanted him to want her.

  She crushed her mouth to his again, the taste of him intoxicating.

  With a jolt, he broke their connection and pulled back. “I have to go.”

  Stunned, she watched as he hurried to get inside his truck.

  “Goodnight, Addison.”

  She backed away unaware of her surroundings, only the tingling sensation lingering on her lips.

  Addison stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting until his truck disappeared down the street. Turning, she took the first step up the stairs and glanced over her shoulder for one last glimpse when someone grabbed her.

  She screamed, her piercing voice lost on the breeze between the trees.

  27

  “Philip? What’re you doing?”

  “I was going to ask you the same question.” His voice was strained.

  A disturbing grip of fear crept into her airway, robbing her breath. She gasped for air as she prayed Taylor would hear them. But it had been over two hours since she’d texted her. Taylor would be dead asleep by now. As if reading her mind, Philip grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the back of the house.

  “Let go of me,” she cried out, as loud as she could.

  He ignored her and kept walking, his stride too fast, causing her to trip over her feet. She stumbled and landed hard on the wooden planks beneath her. Through watery eyes, she searched the area behind her, but there was no one there to save her. A flood of tears overflowed onto her cheeks, splashing onto her lips.

  Tugging her with a tightened grip, Philip didn’t stop until he reached the sand dunes just beyond the stairway leading to the ocean. “What were you doing with Tant?”

  Every poor decision she’d made regarding Philip taunted her.

  “Answer me,” he demanded.

  “Nothing.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly, anticipating her punishment. “He just drove me home from work.”

  He snatched her in one fluid motion, and she was suddenly face-to-face with him. “And you thought that was a good idea?”

  “It was nothing.” The lie was vital, yet the truth bled through her veins. He knew. His fingers dug into her skin and the pain doubled with her fear dimmed her vision. “You’re hurting me.”

  “Hurting you?” With a sharp blow, he slapped her against the head and knocked her feet out from under her. Strips of bright light flashed before her eyes.

  She cried out as pain seared through her head.

  “You were all over him.” His grip tightened as he yanked her back to her feet. “You think you can ignore me and pretend I no longer exist?” His voice had a sa
rcastic edge. He forced his lips hard against hers.

  She bit his lip, and he pushed her backward. “Ouch!” Philip shouted. “You—”

  “Philip, please, it’s not what you think.” Through blurred eyes, she begged him, though Philip knew perfectly well what was happening after witnessing her with Logan only moments ago.

  “You liar!” With a dark glance, Philip slapped her again, the sting immediate and sharp like needles poking through her scalp.

  He knew just where to hit her—where there’d be no proof. Philip wouldn’t stop until he beat the truth from her. She couldn’t take much more. His breath reeked of alcohol and something else.

  “Please, Philip, I’m sorry.” She pulled back, but he yanked her hard to the ground.

  He lowered onto his knees pinning her arms to the ground. “You’re not going anywhere.” His voice was low, the menace behind his words slicing chills across her skin. “I’m giving you exactly what you were begging Tant to do.”

  “Please, Philip. Please, you’re hurting me.”

  “You will not make a fool of me,” he sneered through gritted teeth as he ripped her shirt from her chest.

  On Saturday morning, the sun radiated through Logan’s blinds, waking him. His first thought before opening his eyes was Addison, centered on that last moment. The pivotal second when he made the decision to leave her standing there. He had to. Things had almost gone too far. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything.

  After a five-mile run, he took his time preparing for the day. After keeping her out so late he didn’t want to call her too early, so he waited.

  Two hours later, he could wait no longer. He paced back and forth when the call went straight to voice mail. After trying again for an hour and sending several text messages, he got worried and drove toward her house. He was overreacting, but he couldn’t help it. He had to see her. What if it had upset her him leaving so suddenly with no explanation after his reckless behavior?

  His ring tone echoed as he pulled to a stoplight. Peeking at the name across the screen, he exhaled. It wasn’t Addison, it was Nathan. He dropped the phone onto the seat, disappointed.

  Moments later, he pulled his truck into Addison’s empty parking space. Disappointment washed over him. Taylor was standing by her car and waved at him, but she wasn’t smiling. He parked his car and, after climbing out, he walked toward her. Taylor would know where Addison had gone. She must have had to work this morning. Guilt washed over him. He shouldn’t have kept her out so late.

  “What are you doing here so early?”

  “I was hoping to see Addison. Her phone went straight to voicemail. Did she have to work this morning?”

  “No, but she was already gone when I got up. There was a note saying she had to go home. I thought maybe she told you.” Taylor laughed. “I actually thought she was taking you home to meet her mama.”

  “No, she didn’t say anything last night.” She had never spoke much of her family.

  Taylor’s brow furrowed. “Did something happen last night?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know, early this morning I could’ve sworn I heard her crying. I thought I was dreaming. But then it stopped.”

  A rush of panic seized Logan. “Why would she be crying?” he said more to himself.

  “I don’t know. Like I said, maybe I was dreaming.”

  Logan’s phone vibrated and he pulled it from his pocket, hoping it was her. Nathan’s name appeared across the screen. Pressing mute, he slipped it back into his pocket.

  “Have you talked to her this morning?” he asked, Taylor.

  “No, I didn’t think about calling. I just assumed she missed her mama and wanted to visit. I know she’s scheduled to work tonight, so I guess she’ll be back this afternoon.”

  Logan braced himself for the next question. He didn’t want to seem possessive, but he really wanted to see her. “What time does she have to be at work?”

  “Four-thirty. If I talk to her before then, I’ll tell her to call you.” Taylor said, running down the stairs. “I better go, I’m running late for an appointment.”

  Taylor left and Logan returned to his truck.

  He dialed her number one more time after climbing into the truck. The voicemail instructions burned his eardrums. Just as he closed the phone, it vibrated. Again.

  Logan decided to listen to the message Nathan left, instead of calling him back. “Call me as soon as you get this message.”

  Not right now, Nathan.

  He typed another message to Addison before turning the truck around. He erased it. What was the use? Her phone was either dead or she had it powered off.

  Throwing the phone in the seat, irrational thoughts crossed his mind, and with tightened lips, he exhaled hard.

  He left with only a feeble plan to be at the Olive Garden by four-fifteen.

  28

  Addison arrived at her mama’s house in Raleigh on Saturday morning, not really remembering anything about the drive. She only knew as she walked toward the house, she had nowhere else to go. Her leg muscles tightened as she climbed the few steps onto the porch just as Mama walked out the front door. A swirl of cigarette smoke hovering in the air between them.

  “Addison, what on earth are you doing here?” Mama’s voice should have been soothing to her soul; instead the sound caused her lungs to constrict, making breathing difficult.

  Addison’s tears threatened to escape, but she kept her chin up, her sunglasses on. “I haven’t been by in so long.”

  “And we both know that’s for the best. You never know what kind of mood your daddy will be in.” She grunted. “I was getting ready to leave.”

  “Could we go somewhere? I need to talk to you.”

  “I don’t have time right now. I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago.”

  Addison stared ahead, ignoring the way her stomach lurched in response to Mama’s cold words. “But it’s important.”

  “And what I’m doing ain’t important? You can’t just drop in whenever you want to. Now, go on. Next time call me first. Hurry before I wake your daddy from his nap with all this arguing.”

  Instantly regret swept through her. Mama’s gaze kept shifting between Addison and the bedroom door. “I’m sorry, baby girl. You should’ve called first.”

  Addison hurried to her car leaving behind the trail of smoke burning her nose. With one last glance at her mama, she blinked back tears. There was no regret in her mama’s eyes, only unease.

  “Call me first the next time.”

  With more verbal lashings from her mama than she could count, Addison had developed a thick skin over the years. It was necessary in order to survive in a world where hugs and kisses were non-existent. But right now, her skin felt paper thin and her legs wobbly as she climbed in her car.

  Why had she come here? Four years might have passed since she’d left this place, but Addison remembered every detail of the landscape, every detail of what drove her away. She sped down the long stretch of road, her mind whirling in pain, dark memories surfacing.

  It was several years before Daddy died that Mama had another baby.

  When Addison first saw the baby, she was excited. She was a big sister, but something in their little world changed from that day on. Mama was suddenly nervous all the time, smoking even more cigarettes back to back. And Daddy acted different. There was something sad about his eyes, a sadness that never went away.

  It wasn’t until years after Daddy died that Addison’s long-forgotten memories unveiled what had happened.

  There were always different men visiting with Mama when Daddy was off at work. But one of those men had dark red hair, and so did her baby sister.

  When that same red-headed man appeared at their front door with a bouquet of flowers after Casey arrived, Mama had shooed him off and told him to never return.

  Addison never said anything to her mama, but instead carried the dark secret deep inside. It wasn’t a sickness that
had killed her daddy. Mama had killed him.

  Daddy had died of a broken heart.

  There was nowhere to go. Driving home to Wilmington and facing Taylor or Logan was the last thing she needed. Taylor would see right through her, and Addison would tell her everything.

  Logan would comfort her. He had already in the short period of time she’d spent with him, softened her skin, made her believe that happily ever afters could be real.

  But they weren’t.

  And the only way to avoid that kind of love he’d introduced to her heart, was to keep her distance.

  She needed time to think, even though, thinking was the one thing she couldn’t escape no matter how she tried. So, she pulled into the Triangle Town Center parking lot.

  While walking along the mall, she studied the displays in the store windows, trying to free her mind from the violent images.

  People of all ages passed, some sitting on the mall benches, others shopping. Small children played in the kid zone area, while others were led by their mamas. With no warning, a flood of tears tumbled out in a desperate race. She cared nothing about what people thought, her sorrow swelling with each moment. She walked faster, but with each step, her sobs deepened.

  No one here knew her anyway. In a city this big, it was unusual to run into anyone she recognized. Then she spotted a lady, she recognized from the church she attended as a child, walking on the opposite side. Turning quickly, she slammed into someone behind her.

  Nathan grabbed her arms. “I thought that was you. Why are you wearing sunglasses inside the building?”

  Stunned to see his familiar face, she instinctively fell into Nathan as he wrapped his arms around her.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  She composed herself and looked up into his worried eyes. “I have to get out of here,” she told him, her voice hoarse.

  A heaving sound escaped her lips as she hurried toward the exit.

  Nathan grabbed her hand pulling her to a stop. “Addison, what is it? Has something happened?”

  He was so familiar, so like Logan, she didn’t want to let go. She shook her head over and over at the clamor of her shattered life, breaking into a million pieces. Pieces that would never find their way back together. “I need to get out of here.” Turning, she wiped the errant tears from her chin, straightening her posture.