A Texan in Her Bed

by Sara Orwig

  “Too bad. At least it’s a pretty day.”

  “Sure is. I’ll be back later.” Clamping his jaw closed, Wyatt left the building and headed for his car. He made a U-turn and headed east for the Wrenville house. His pulse quickened and all he could think about was being with Destiny in a short time.

  How disappointed would she be when she didn’t find anything at the house? He figured she had been through things like this before and she would simply pack and go back to Chicago and move on to her next project. Each time he thought about her going home, the idea of life without her disturbed him more than it had before.

  Eight

  Destiny and Amy took the front half of the house while the Boydens took the back half to search for any hidden objects. Her pulse jumped and excitement sizzled through her bloodstream like an electrical current. But it wasn’t the anticipation of finding a fortune or solving the mystery of this house that had her so excited. It was Wyatt. Tonight she would be going out with him again, and she could hardly wait. He was the talk of the town now, but it was his town and his decision to see her. He knew what he wanted to do.

  She stood in the spacious front bedroom. Sunlight spilled through the wide windows that would have allowed breezes to cool the room in warm weather. She ran her hands over the walls, while Amy followed, tapping lightly with a small hammer to see if she could discover any hollow places. At one point, Destiny stood in the center of the room, studying it slowly and carefully, looking for anything out of the ordinary. She heard the car first and then Amy glanced out the window. “It’s the sheriff’s car,” she said, which Destiny had already guessed.

  “He’ll find us up here. We don’t have to go down to the door,” Destiny said, continuing to look around.

  “You’re going out with him tonight?”

  “Yes, I am. He’s taking me to dinner.”

  “We’ll tell him goodbye soon.”

  “I know.” Her gaze swept the room. “I hope I’m coming back to film this place. I would really like to find something.”

  “Me, too. Otherwise, it’s an intriguing puzzle, but I don’t know if it would be enough for a show.”

  “If Lavita Wrenville was old and sick and wrote the letter and hid what money she had left toward the end of her life, I think it would be in this bedroom, which I assume would have been hers if she had lived here alone.”

  “That makes sense. Or she could have stayed in the room she grew up in and hidden something there.”

  “We’ll search the entire house, but I just want to go over this room extra carefully.”

  “Anybody home?”

  “We’re upstairs, Wyatt,” Destiny replied and in seconds she heard his boots and the creaking boards as he climbed the stairs.

  “How’s the search?” he asked, stopping in the doorway and pushing his brown hat back on his head. She gazed at him, wanting to cross the room and kiss him, wanting his arms around her and knowing neither would happen because they weren’t alone.

  “I’m sure you won’t be surprised—we haven’t found anything.”

  He greeted Amy then asked, “Where are Duke and Virginia?”

  “They’re taking the back side of the house while we’re going through the front,” Destiny answered.

  Wyatt looked around. “In less than a year, we’ll officially search this place in a thorough hunt that will include tearing out walls and floorboards inside the house. You can come back and film then.”

  “Thanks for that offer,” she replied. “I’ll keep it in mind. In the meantime, we plan to continue this search. Have you ever heard which bedroom Lavita had?”

  “No. I don’t know any details other than what I’ve already told you.”

  She continued to move slowly around the room, tapping the walls, aware of Wyatt standing with his arms folded, watching the proceedings. After a while he left the room and she heard him go downstairs and outside.

  Finally she had to admit they had come up empty. “Amy, I give up here. Let’s move on.”

  “I agree. I don’t think anything is hidden here.”

  As she passed the window, she saw Wyatt standing by his car while he talked on his phone.

  As they searched another room, he returned, apparently just ending his conversation. “I’ll be back at the office in a little while, once one of my deputies relieves me out here.”

  “You’re waiting to see if we find something,” Destiny said when he ended the call. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll tell you if we do.”

  He nodded. “I know, but the town has a vested interest and no doubt someone will ask if we checked to see if you found anything. I’m sure people know you’re looking.”

  She laughed. “You want to make sure we don’t find the treasure and take it back to Chicago.”

  “I don’t really think there’s much danger of that happening, but I’m going to have to answer questions.”

  “As long as you’re just standing there, you ought to help search,” Destiny teased, looking at him and feeling that flare of desire that she always did with Wyatt.

  “Our turn will come and until then, I’m happy just to watch.”

  Destiny concentrated on looking, but she couldn’t forget Wyatt behind her, standing nearby.

  When they were finished with the upstairs, she and Amy moved to the attic next and Wyatt followed. The attic hadn’t been cleaned for her arrival and was filled with cobwebs and dust. Most of it had been floored, which should make their search easier and she didn’t have to worry about one of them falling.

  When Duke and Virginia came up, Duke set up powerful flashlights that lit up a good portion of the attic.

  “We can start here and work our way around,” he said. “Why don’t we all four search up here and get through and out of this dust?”

  Destiny agreed.

  Wyatt sat on a pile of boards that had been left years earlier. “In the winter there are probably rats and mice that take shelter in here, but it’s still too warm for them to come in yet.”

  “I don’t want to think about that,” Destiny said. She assigned areas to each person and she took a far corner. She ran her hands lightly along some of the boards, but some had splinters sticking out and she avoided them. In the corner, she got down on her knees and crawled into a narrow space where the light was dimmer. Looking beside a long rafter that ran to the floor, she saw short boards had been clumsily nailed in the corner beside the rafter.

  “Find something interesting in those old boards?” Wyatt asked. She glanced around to just see the lower part of his legs. He leaned down to look at her. “Is there something down here?”

  “I don’t know. Someone has nailed some boards back here. It’s a sloppy job. Get a hammer from Duke and let me see if I can take this apart.”

  In seconds Wyatt was back and bent down again with a hammer in hand. “If you’ll come out of there, I’ll do whatever you want.”

  “You can’t fold up enough to get in this corner. Let me have the hammer.”

  He handed it to her and she worked, trying to pry out nails, letting them fall on the attic flooring. Finally a board hung by one nail and she peered behind it.

  “Wyatt, can I have a flashlight?”

  When he handed her a flashlight, she aimed it at the space she had revealed. “Here’s a box,” she said, working to get the last nail out of the board.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve found something after all these years.”

  “This isn’t a fun place to be. My knees are beginning to hurt.” The board snapped away in her hands. She laid it on the floor and held out the flashlight. “Hold this, please.”

  Wyatt hunkered down and peered into the dark corner, trying to shine the light on the space she had found. “I’ll be damned. You have found something.”

 
She tugged on a metal box that filled the space. Wyatt reached past her to grasp it with one hand so they both could try to work it free. Finally, together, they got it out.

  “Can you take the box, Wyatt? It’s heavy. I have to get out of here and stand up.”

  He held a dust-covered metal box and stepped back, reaching down to help her up when she crawled out. As she did, everyone gathered around.

  “I need to go back. There are some jars that were behind the box,” she said.

  “I can get down there to get them,” Duke said.

  Destiny shook her head. “I think you’re too big.”

  “We’ll see,” he said. “All of you will have to get back.”

  Destiny picked up the box to set it on the pile of boards. She sat beside it while Amy and Virginia gathered around. Wyatt got down to help Duke, who had scooted into the corner space. In moments he handed two sealed glass jars to Wyatt and a leather bag with a drawstring drawn tight and knotted at the top.

  “Let’s get all this out and take it downstairs to look at it,” Wyatt said.

  “That’s fine,” Destiny agreed, looking at everyone who worked for her. “I’ve had enough of this dust.”

  They climbed down, all brushing off dust. Wyatt combed a cobweb from her hair with his fingers while she brushed herself off.

  “It’s just the five of us,” Destiny said, looking one by one at the group as they assembled in the front room. “I agreed and promised the governor that if we find any money, it’s to go to the town of Verity.”

  They all looked at the glass jars Wyatt carried that held silver and gold coins. Duke carried the box and the leather bag.

  “I think this is all money. It’s heavy,” Duke said.

  “The jars hold silver dollars and coins that we can see. The box is heavy as if it’s filled with money. Let’s open the box and the leather bag and see what we have,” Destiny said.

  “The money is here,” she said, touching one of the jars in which they could see the silver and gold coins. “The letter will be with this. I’m just sure.”

  Destiny looked down at the items they’d found, feeling a familiar thrill cascade over her body. She reached out to hug Amy and next Virginia and then Duke. “Thank you so much for taking on this job,” she told them. “It’s exciting to make these discoveries. We’ve done it before and now here again, and each time is the most thrilling ever. Let’s look and see what we’ve found.”

  They all sat on the floor beside the box as she tried to open it. Wyatt reached out to help and the lid finally came off, revealing a piece of folded leather on the top. Destiny carefully removed it and beneath were silver and gold dollars. “There are coins,” she said, “which go to the town. Let’s see what this is.”

  Destiny unfolded the piece of leather with great care. Inside was a yellowed, wrinkled, folded sheet of paper. She held her breath as she scanned the opening words. She had found what she was looking for. She looked up to meet Wyatt’s steady gaze and she wondered what he was thinking. Was he happy or disappointed? She couldn’t tell.

  “This stays between us for now,” she said. “Listen...” She read it aloud.

  “‘I must finally reveal the truth of the deaths in this house. I am the last one alive who was involved that terrible night. The year had been the happiest of my life. Two men, Mr. Reuben Calhoun and Mr. Mortimer Milan, had asked Papa for my hand in marriage. To my deepest sorrow, Papa had someone else in mind for my future husband, Mr. Jerome Grayson. I fear I much preferred either Mr. Calhoun or Mr. Milan. My preference would have been Mr. Reuben Calhoun, but I had little choice where Papa was concerned.

  “Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Milan both came to call on the same Saturday night. Their talk became heated and I feared they approached a fight. Papa heard them and joined them, telling them to each leave our house and land and not to return.

  “The three men became more agitated and then pistols were drawn. I felt faint, but wanted to get help to stop what I feared was about to happen. I ran for our stable keeper, Leon Haymes, who had to get his pistol and then came behind me. When I was almost to the porch steps, I heard three shots.

  “I dreaded what I would find and it was as terrible as I expected. Mr. Calhoun was not conscious and bleeding profusely. Mr. Milan was barely alive, but he drew my head close to whisper to me. Papa was no longer alive, but before he died, according to Mr. Milan, Papa had announced he did not want me to marry either of them. Mr. Milan told me that Papa fired at Mr. Calhoun and then turned his pistol and fired at Mr. Milan. Mr. Calhoun was not dead and he fired at Papa. Mr. Calhoun killed Papa with his shot. Mr. Milan died in my arms and by this time Leon was with Mr. Calhoun, who was never conscious and who died last. I could not go through talking about this to townspeople or officials. I did not want to bring shame to Papa or the Calhoun or Milan families, so I said they all died without revealing what happened. This is a true account of that night as told to me by Mr. Milan. Lavita Wrenville, October 12, 1891.’”

  Destiny looked around. “Lavita’s father shot the Calhoun and the Milan. I think we have a show.”

  Wyatt smiled at her as she looked at him and she still wondered what he really thought.

  “This doesn’t have to be made public yet,” Destiny stated, staring at Wyatt.

  “If the money goes into the bank, several people will know. I can talk to Horace Pringle and he’ll take care of the matter and it won’t make the news.”

  “I want to keep the letter and the governor gave me permission to use it for the show if I return it intact to Verity. I’ll give you a copy.”

  “Why don’t you take the copy and put the original in the bank until it’s time for the show?” Wyatt asked.

  “I’ll think that over and talk to people at the station and see what they want. We might as well go back to town and regroup.” She pointed to the leather bag, which was on the floor in front of Duke.

  “Duke, let’s see what’s in the bag. Open it and we’ll find out.”

  Excitement made her tense with anticipation. Money and a letter. She would have a great show and this would go into her book.

  Duke untied the drawstring, opened the bag and reached in to withdraw another handful of coins and bills. “More money.”

  Virginia and Amy clapped with enthusiasm.

  “I think this calls for a celebration,” Wyatt said. “I’m not part of your group, but why don’t all of you come to my house tonight? I’ll have dinner and you can celebrate your discovery. You’ve found what a lot of people for a lot of years have searched for.”

  Destiny looked at the others. “I think it would be fun to take Wyatt up on his offer and to celebrate a little. How about it?”

  “That’s great,” Amy replied.

  Duke smiled, glancing at Virginia, who nodded. “We think that will be fun,” Virginia replied.

  “It’s time for a celebration,” Duke added.

  “It’s up to the four of you,” Wyatt said, “and I know you want this kept quiet until you decide how to break the news to the best advantage for your show, but I’d like to invite my family, who knows how to keep secrets, and also my deputies and Dwight. They’re all accustomed to keeping silent about what they know is official. It would make a party, but inviting others will be up to you.”

  “If we’re doing that,” Destiny said, “what about the bank president?”

  “Good idea,” Wyatt said, smiling at her. “That’s a lot of people, but I can vouch for each one of them keeping this find out of the news.”

  “Actually, it keeps growing. Jake, your brother-in-law is a Calhoun. I’m a Calhoun,” Destiny said. “Would the other Calhouns in Jake’s family keep quiet about it?”

  Wyatt thought about Jake. “I think they would. I’ll ask Jake because he’ll know. Okay, party it is. I’ll send a text to my cook to give hi
m as much time as possible and I’ll give you my address to put in your GPS.”

  Destiny wanted to celebrate and she wanted to be with Wyatt. Excitement rocked her. “Wyatt, it would be fun to read the letter tonight when we’re all gathered together.”

  He smiled. “It will be your party. Do what you want. I’ll call Horace before we head back to town,” Wyatt said. “He’ll take care of depositing the money so the least number of people know about it.”

  “I’ll put the money in your car,” Duke said, carrying the box and leather bag and taking keys from Wyatt, who was on his phone. Virginia and Amy followed Duke with the two jars.

  Destiny waited as Wyatt continued to make calls, finally putting away his phone. “We’re set. Jake is calling his family. Everyone understands that this is to be kept quiet. Once I get back to the office I should let the governor know,” he said to Destiny, “since you contacted him about searching the house.”

  She nodded. “I’ll get in touch with him, too.”

  “Horace Pringle will meet us at the back door of the bank and take care of the money. He’ll also make a copy of the letter. I’ll head back to town now. Destiny, do you want to go with me since I have the money?” Wyatt asked.

  “Yes.”

  Duke reentered just then. “We’re loaded up. The money and the letter are in your car, Sheriff.”

  Wyatt thanked him. “Duke, I’ve sent my address to your cell and you can put it in your GPS. I’ll notify the gatekeeper you’re all coming.” He looked at Destiny. “Ready to go?”

  They all left, locking the door, which seemed ridiculous to Destiny since windows were broken and the house stood vacant. Excitement hummed like a steady current and she was ready for a party and a celebration. Best of all, Wyatt had seemed to accept her finding the letter and the money and was helping them celebrate, so maybe she hadn’t upset his life or his town too badly. It occurred to her, it might be her own life that received the upset if she couldn’t get over her love for Wyatt.

  Each minute with him just convinced her more that she had fallen in love with him, and this party and his quiet acceptance of her achievement was adding to her growing love for him.