Shattered Treasure

by Cindy Patterson

  Addison was relieved to have her aunt home. She had missed her bigger-than-life laugh. Her finger-licking good butter sauce that paired with just about any seafood dish. Her big hugs and undeniable love.

  The first part of the summer had been magical, until that devastating night. And then there was that trip to the amusement park. One more enchanted night, filled with thrilling rides, more than one innocent, yet stimulating touch, and a cautious goodbye. She hadn’t seen Logan since that night. And though her heart ached to see him again, she knew it was best.

  Once clocked in and ready for her shift, she served customers with her usual devotion, as if they were personal guests in her home.

  She stepped from the kitchen just as the hostess walked away from her booth, revealing Ami and Logan sitting across from each other. Anticipation fluttered in her chest. She walked toward them, but they hadn’t noticed her yet.

  Ami looked her way first. Logan’s eyes stayed glued to the menu. “Hey, Addison.”

  She kept her eyes locked with Ami’s, unable to contain her smile. “Hey.” She didn’t look at Logan again until she asked for their drink orders and regretted it immediately.

  “I’ll take a Coke,” he told her, his eyes burning through her with such depth that warmth spread through her and she was unable to regain her composure as she walked away. Entering the kitchen, she gathered the wandering hope skipping around her heart and set out to prepare their drinks.

  While placing the two beverages on the tray, a wave of dizziness slid across her vision. All sounds were sucked into a vacuum and black dots scattered the world around her. “Can you drop this off for me? I need to—” She muttered to whoever was standing next to her.

  “What table? Addison?”

  The girl’s voice was muddled, in a tunnel of haziness. Addison couldn’t stop. Not now. She hurried around the corner, desperate to find somewhere to sit as a sea of darkness engulfed her.

  Logan looked up and saw Addison come through the kitchen door. She leaned against the wall for one split second, before she sank to the floor.

  He scrambled from his seat in such a hurry, silverware went flying across the table. He hurried across the dining room, dodging other tables, chairs, customers and kneeled in front of her, his stomach twisting in knots. Slowly her eyes fluttered open and she blinked as she focused on him.

  “Addison?”

  Addison gaped at him for several seconds before her gaze flitted across the dining room. “Oh no.” She frowned as she tried to sit up but stopped midway.

  “Does anything hurt?”

  “No.”

  In his eagerness to help her, he lifted her into his arms.

  Lids partially closed, she snuggled into the nook of his neck as if that was where she belonged. Then she whispered against the soft flesh of his neck, “I’m so sorry.”

  “Do you have a break room?” Logan asked one of the guys who hovered around them.

  “Follow me.”

  Logan carried her to the break room and set her down on a bench. Several others, including Ami, followed them into the small room.

  Bending in front of her, Logan took her hand. “How do you feel?”

  “Still a little woozy.” She pressed her free hand to her forehead. “I passed out in front of everybody,” she whispered. “This is so embarrassing.”

  “It was graceful. You just scared the daylights out of me.”

  She relaxed against the wall and let go of his hand. “I’m so sorry.”

  The manager stepped toward them and Logan scooted to the side, making room for him. “How’re you feeling?”

  “I’m okay. I’m so sorry.”

  It was so like her to worry about everyone else before herself.

  “The other girls will take your tables. You go on home and feel better, okay, sweetheart?”

  Logan flinched at the endearment. He was young, not much older than they were.

  “Yes, sir. Thank you.”

  “Do I need to get someone to take you home?”

  “I can take her.”

  The manager looked to Addison for her approval and she nodded. “Thank you so much.” He held out his hand and grasped Logan’s in a firm grip.

  “Logan Tant. We’re friends,” he told the man to settle his curiosity.

  “Logan, I’ll feel better knowing she’s in good hands.”

  Everyone dispersed, except for Ami. She was still crying.

  Ami sat beside her when Logan backed away. Addison hugged her. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  In the short span of time after she had fallen to the floor, she apologized four different times, though none of them were necessary. As if she didn’t believe she was worth any trouble.

  To him, she was worth everything.

  Addison followed Logan to his truck and, though she still felt lightheaded, her stomach fluttered for more than that reason alone.

  Logan didn’t talk much as he drove her home. Mortified that she’d fainted in front of all those people, she was absorbed in her own thoughts.

  They reached her house and he climbed from the truck too. “It’s okay, Logan. I can make it now,” she said.

  Logan’s gaze roamed over her with a slow assessment, ascertaining her condition. “I need to make sure you’re settled.”

  He finished his inspection with a tender brush of her forehead, and she helplessly leaned into his touch. “Thank you for being there. For bringing me home.”

  Ami pulled in beside them and climbed from Addison’s car, joining them in the yard.

  The whole episode had shaken Ami, so her brother opened the passenger door for her. “Why don’t you wait in the truck? I’ll be right back.”

  “I hope you feel better, Addison. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Addison reached for Ami and pulled her into a hug. “Thank you, Ami. Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m so glad you came to see me. And I’m sorry for messing up your dinner.”

  Logan wrapped his arm around Addison’s waist and led her to the front door.

  “My Aunt Brenda’s back home.”

  “Good, I wouldn’t want to leave you alone right now.”

  Her nerves on edge, she nearly tripped over the first step. He took her hand.

  “You better be more careful if you don’t want me carrying you.”

  A small laugh escaped her lips as she opened the front door.

  Aunt Brenda was already there waiting. “I thought I heard two vehicles. What are you doing home so early?”

  Logan kept his grip on Addison but offered his other hand to Aunt Brenda. “Hi, I’m Logan. Addison passed out at the restaurant, so I drove her home.”

  Aunt Brenda wailed, “Addison?”

  “It’s okay. Really, I’m fine.”

  Aunt Brenda’s gaze danced back and forth between her and Logan. She released his hand and smiled. “Well, don’t just stand there, come on in.” Her eyes were swimming with questions. “How can I ever thank you?”

  “I’m glad I was there.”

  “Where did you find this nice young man?”

  Heat warmed Addison’s cheeks. “Logan is Ami’s brother.”

  “Ami Tant?” She looked at Logan as if seeing him for the first time.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Well, it’s so nice to meet you. I didn’t know Ami had a brother.”

  Addison could almost imagine the disappointment flowing through Logan and settling in the crevices around his eyes. “Actually, she has two. Logan has a twin brother.”

  “How nice!”

  She stared ahead as Logan led her into the living room.

  “I’m so glad you were there too.” Aunt Brenda paused. “Addison, are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine,” Addison told her, twirling her apron string around her finger.

  “You’re working too hard. Why don’t you sit down, honey?”

  Addison obeyed, the weightlessness of the moment catching up to her. Logan took a
seat next to her leaving only inches between them.

  “I’m okay, really.” Addison cast a glance at Aunt Brenda, hoping to persuade her aunt to veer the conversation toward something else. But it didn’t work.

  “The night of the accident, she …”

  “Aunt Brenda, please, I don’t …”

  Logan sat back, his fingers gracing her lower back. “No, please, tell me. What about the accident?”

  Addison’s hand rested in the small crevice of space between them, nestled against Logan’s thigh, her senses shamelessly engrossed with his presence, his nearness.

  “The same thing happened. Her blacking out caused the accident.”

  Aunt Brenda’s words registered through her brain a second too late. She peeked at Logan, his concern evident by his expression. Her chest rose and fell on a longing sigh.

  “Addison was so worried about your sister. She tells me she is doing very well now.”

  A guilty blush heated Addison’s cheeks.

  “Yes, she’s doing great.” Logan reached for Addison’s hand and that simple act gave her heart a thrill. “I’m so thankful it wasn’t any worse for either of them.”

  “Me too.”

  After a gentle squeeze, Logan released Addison’s hand. “Ami’s waiting outside. I should probably go.”

  Aunt Brenda stood.

  Logan stood too and reached for her aunt’s hand. “It’s so very nice to finally meet you, Ms. Morgan. I hope to see you again.”

  “Yes, I hope so too, Logan. I’ll be back right back, young lady. You stay put.” Aunt Brenda winked at Addison as she rounded the corner leaving them alone.

  Addison stood and moved into the space next to Logan. He captured her pinky in his as he had done so many times before. Breathing deeply, she allowed him to pull her closer.

  “Call me if you need anything,” he told her.

  She shuddered at the remembrance of that night Philip showed up and how she should’ve called him but didn’t. And how that decision affected everything good in her life. “I will. I promise.”

  Though there was a flicker of skepticism in his gaze, he gently pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

  Her throat closed, so she nodded. He squeezed her hand, his gaze never wavering as he groped to find the doorknob. “I’ll see you later.”

  He walked through the front door and it wasn’t until Aunt Brenda returned, and after seeing him out, that she noticed her aunt’s expression.

  “Oh, my goodness. He is really something. I like him.”

  So, do I.

  “Was it the same feeling as when you blacked out driving?”

  “I’m not sure, but I don’t think so. I was fixing drinks when my ears closed. Everything around me became dark shadows. I asked whoever was standing next to me to take the drinks, so I could sit down, but as soon as I turned the corner ... I didn’t make it.”

  “Do you still feel dizzy?”

  “No, I’m just tired.”

  Aunt Brenda took the chair across from her. “Take it easy for a couple of days. If you start feeling that way again, we’re going to the hospital.”

  Addison nodded.

  Aunt Brenda rested her elbow on one of her legs. “Logan was there when this happened?”

  “He and Ami came in for dinner.”

  Aunt Brenda leaned back in the recliner. “How well do you know him?”

  “We hung out some over the summer.”

  Aunt Brenda stared off into space for a long moment, then she suddenly seemed to recall what she wanted to say. “When did you and Philip decide to go your separate ways?”

  Her stomach tensed. “I saw him with someone else the night of my accident.”

  Aunt Brenda leaned forward. “That same night? Oh, honey, why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I told him we were finished several times before you left, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He kept denying everything. He’s been drinking more than usual.”

  They sat in silence, tormenting thoughts invading her.

  “I’m so disappointed in him.”

  Jagged emotions ripped through her and Addison stood. “If it’s okay with you, I think I’ll lay down. I’m not feeling so great. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Tears burned the backs of her eyelids as she settled under her covers. She wanted to tell Aunt Brenda the whole truth, but no one else would be able to make it right. No one else could take the pain away.

  It would be easier to forget if she kept the dark secret to herself.

  35

  Addison found Aunt Brenda in the kitchen cooking breakfast on Saturday morning. The crisp scent of bacon and freshly ground coffee turned her stomach with an angry swell.

  “I hope you’re hungry. I went overboard.”

  Addison’s phone chimed with a text notification. She turned and swiped at the screen giving herself a moment to swallow the heave growing in her chest.

  Good morning, beautiful. I hope you’re feeling better.

  The words displayed on the screen eased the bitter taste in her mouth.

  “Invite him for breakfast.”

  Addison pulled her fingers away from the screen. “What?”

  Aunt Brenda gave her a sideways glance. “It’s Logan isn’t it?”

  “How did you know?”

  “The obvious smile on your face.” Aunt Brenda winked. “Invite him. We have plenty.”

  Her stomach fluttered at the thought of being near him again.

  Would you like to come for breakfast?

  Yes! I would love to. Should I come now?

  Yes!

  I’m on the way.

  “He’s coming.” She blew out a deep breath. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  Aunt Brenda stopped and turned to face her. “If you two are going to be seeing each other, I’d like to get to know this young man better.”

  “We aren’t seeing each other.”

  “Oh, well, either way, it’s obvious he cares a great deal about you.”

  Heat rushed to her face. “Why do you say that?”

  “I’m fifty-eight, but I’m not blind. I saw the way he looked at you. That boy is smitten. And if I’m not mistaken, you looked just as love struck.”

  Addison couldn’t hide her smile. Did he really look at her like that? “He’s coming now and I’m not ready,” she said, already heading to her bedroom to change.

  The thought of only being friends twisted a jagged edge straight through to her soul.

  Logan tried to control the emotions building inside him, knowing he had to take it easy. Addison had said she wanted to remain only friends, but the warmth radiating through her voice told a different story.

  He reached her front door and kicked around a pebble until Ms. Morgan answered the door. “Come in, Logan. I’m so glad you’ll be joining us for breakfast. Addison will be out in just a moment. Have a seat and I’ll fix you something to drink. Would you like orange juice or coffee?”

  Logan smiled at Ms. Morgan, relaxing immediately. “Orange juice will be great.”

  Moments later, Addison entered the kitchen. He caught a trace of her clean, fresh scent as she took the seat next to him. “Hey.”

  He bit his lip to hide his smile. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Much better.”

  She smiled tentatively and he couldn’t look away. “Are you working today?”

  Addison laughed. “Last night was my last night.”

  He leaned back in his seat and faced her. “So, you decided to go out with a bang?”

  Her dimples deepened. “Very funny.”

  “Do you have plans today?”

  “No,” Addison said, a touch of genuine delight blending with the curiosity in her simple answer.

  “Do you feel like coming over and hanging out with Ami a while?”

  Addison glanced at her aunt. She nodded. “I would love to. I’ll call her to find out what time to come?”

  “I was planning to driv
e you, if that’s okay.”

  “You don’t have to do that. It will be out of—”

  Before she could finish, Logan took her arm. “Actually, I’m going that way.”

  “But still you’d have to bring me back and I don’t want to put you through any trouble.”

  She wasn’t going to make this easy. He looked at Ms. Morgan. “Do you mind if I drive her?”

  “Not at all, Logan. In fact, that will make me feel more comfortable after her fainting spell last night.”

  Addison rolled her eyes dramatically, but a weak smile escaped, and he relaxed.

  After breakfast he led her to his truck, ecstatic to have her next to him again. He waited until he started the truck before asking the question that had bugged him all morning. “Are you sure you’re feeling better?”

  “Yes.” She lifted her chin to meet his gaze and his pulse raced.

  Unable to speak, he stared at her, an intense thrill claiming his awareness.

  “I promise, Logan. I’m fine.”

  He turned facing the steering wheel, facing away from the girl who’d stolen his heart. He could see in her expression that she knew how he felt too. “Good.” He looked straight ahead, afraid if he looked at her a moment more, he’d blow his commitment to just being friends.

  “I feel bad for upsetting Ami.” She shifted in her seat. “Does she know I’m coming?”

  “No. I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to go.”

  “That was sweet for you to do that for her.”

  I’m doing it for both of us, he wanted to tell her.

  “Thank you for bringing me, Logan.” Addison walked through the front door after Logan. She suspected Ami was upstairs, so she climbed the few steps toward her room.

  She knocked but pushed the already open door. “Hello, can I come in?”

  Ami sat at her desk but turned at the sound of her voice. “Addison, what are you doing here?”

  “Your brother brought me.”

  Ami stood, coming toward her, and smiled. “You’re feeling better?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. And there’s no need for you to worry about me.” Addison met her in the middle of the room. “What are you doing? I don’t want to interrupt.”