“I’ve been thinking about this a lot. The kid needs a dad, Bodie. You’ll be an amazing father. I am blocking your future with her, so I’m stepping out of your life.
“Don’t call. Please, don’t text me.”
Treasure turned off her phone and rode straight to her apartment complex. It’s not ghosting when you spill your guts, she told herself. She parked inside the garage and ran to her apartment. She locked the door behind her and crawled into bed where she stayed until she couldn’t physically hide there any longer.
* * *
Returning to work was a bittersweet victory. Treasure did everything she could to stay busy and move forward with her life. She worked the entire winter without Bodie sitting beside her in the ambulance. She knew she could do it some more.
Until Washoe County EMS hired someone new, Treasure worked with a couple of different paramedics. One being Norman Trout, a middle-aged, gray haired veteran employee, and the other was someone she hardly knew. His name was Matt and he never worked graveyard before. Both of her new partners were happily married. She suspected she was paired with them on purpose.
Staying busy helped keep her mind off Bodie. He continued to call and leave messages and sent texts, but she deleted them without opening. Better to make a clean break, she told herself. When she missed him or ached to hear his laugh, she would set her phone aside, open her computer, and focus on her online business. If the distraction didn’t work and she was still tempted to call or text Bodie back, she put on her shoes and went for a run or jumped on her motorcycle and drove out of the city to let the freedom of the road cleanse her soul. I can handle this. After all, it wasn’t a breakup. They hadn’t ever been officially together. Just because she fell for a man who belonged to someone else didn’t give Treasure license to whine like a lovesick teen.
Treasure avoided her old hangouts and didn’t miss the noisy crowded bars or clubs in the slightest. If she learned anything over the last month, it was she didn’t want shallow relationships and one-night stands in her life ever again. That left her nights off from work free to join a knitting club or a water aerobics class. Maybe she should start playing bridge and eating dinner at one o’clock in the afternoon. She sighed, irritated with herself over the self-created pity party. In the grand scheme of things, she had nothing to complain about. Her life had basically returned to normal and that’s what she wanted. Wasn’t it? Everything was going better than she ever hoped for. The online motorcycle parts were selling steadily, she made good money on the Sport Scout, and the sale of the Vincent motorcycle would happen soon. Her building manager gave her another thirty days on her old lease to make up for the time she was out of her apartment.
Treasure stared at the lease renewal papers on her dining table and bit her lip. She didn’t understand why she kept putting it off, but every time she tried to sign her name, she couldn’t do it. Like now, with no pen in sight. She thought she left one on the table with the papers, but it had disappeared. Glancing at the clock, she saw that she should have been on her way to Granite Lake ten minutes earlier. She would sign the lease when she returned from the mountains. Treasure plucked her mile long to-do list off the counter, grabbed her bag, and headed out.
Every one of her days off were spent in Granite Lake. This would be her fourth weekend in a row working on the shop and apartment. The main garage was all set for Denny to begin working in full time, but the apartment needed a major overhaul over the next three days.
Treasure parked in front of the garage door and stared at her pear tree. Summer had arrived in the mountains and the green leaves on her tree basked in the sun. Denny strolled out of the open garage bay and whistled low and admiringly.
“Got yourself a new ride, did ya’?”
“The car wasn’t doing it for me.” Treasure gazed at her new used pickup truck. “I should have bought a truck years ago.” She shrugged and laid a hand on the warm hood.
“I’ve never been without one. A car doesn’t make sense if you need to haul motorcycles.”
“Right. Well, this should work better. I thought I’d bring it since I’ll be packing up my dad’s stuff this weekend.”
“We’ve got a decent start, but you need to decide what you’re doing with the furniture.”
“I’ve decided. Most of it will be donated or dumped. I only want the table and chairs. If you want to keep anything just speak up.”
“I could use the coffee table, and the chair by the couch is comfortable,” Denny said, scratching his beard. “My dad is taking his stuff with him to Tucson so I could use a chair.”
It made Treasure glad that some of her father’s things would stay in the apartment, but she also understood she shouldn’t hang onto everything. Not much had any real monetary value, but some items had sentimental value and she’d take those with her. Melanie called dibs on her dad’s old headboard and nightstand. She would turn them into beautiful new pieces. Treasure thought the old eighties furniture was ugly, and she appreciated Melanie’s creativity and skills.
At the end of a second full day of sorting, packing, and hauling, Treasure wanted a plate of hot food and a tall glass of iced tea. She had no desire to cook for herself. Mrs. Pinelli brought her and Denny eggplant parmesan the night before, so Treasure assumed her wonderfully generous neighbor would not be cooking again this soon. With aching feet and a sore back, she didn’t even want to walk downtown to The Mountain Spoon. She pulled herself into her new truck and drove the short distance to the restaurant.
If her neck were made of rubber, it would have swiveled clear around as she craned her head to see what was happening at Floyd’s Tavern. Of course it was no longer Floyd’s, but now the Everetts’ new brewery. Pickup trucks and Shane’s charcoal gray SUV sat in the parking lot. A roll-off dumpster crowded alongside the building and Treasure saw demolition material sticking out of it. So, the remodel had begun. She refused to discuss the new brewery with Denny, but she wouldn’t have guessed construction had already started. Treasure forced herself to look away before seeing Bodie or one of his brothers. The subject of the Everetts also remained closed until further notice, or forever, whichever came first.
Halfway through her bowl of broccoli cheddar soup, an elderly gentleman stood up, stepped out of a booth near Treasure, and collapsed to the floor.
Treasure jumped out of her seat and knelt down beside the man. “Call 9-1-1,” she ordered and began assessing the situation. First and foremost, she rolled him over and checked to make sure he was breathing.
“What’s happening?” shrieked his companion.
“Please, stay calm. He’s breathing and his heart is beating,” Treasure told the panic-stricken woman.
“Gerald! Oh, my God, Gerald, wake up!” The woman gripped his hand.
The man returned to consciousness seconds later. Confusion and uncertainty riddled his features. Embarrassment followed as he noticed everyone in the diner staring at him.
He pried himself up. “I’m fine. I’m fine,” he grumbled. “What is going on? How did I end up on the floor?”
“Gerald Hanover, you are not fine,” Mrs. Hanover scolded.
“Please, have a seat, Mr. Hanover,” Treasure said, keeping a steadying hand on the man’s arm.
“Who are you?” he asked, his confusion deepening.
“My name is Treasure Vogle. I’m a certified paramedic. Help is on the way. How are you feeling?”
“I said I’m fine.”
He sounded crabby and annoyed with Treasure. He also swayed dangerously. Treasure guided a pale and clammy Gerald Hanover to sit back down in the booth. She heard the siren of the arriving ambulance. The fire department and emergency services building resided about a half block down from The Mountain Spoon, and it was a fortunate thing for Mr. Hanover. Help arrived a couple of short minutes later.
“If you feel like you’re going to pass out again, please lie back on the bench, okay, sir?” Treasure asked.
“I’m not feeling my best,” he admi
tted and his wife covered her mouth.
Treasure saw the fear in her eyes and the tears starting to rise.
“I understand. I think these gentleman will fix you right up,” Treasure told Gerald and moved out of the way for the medical team.
She placed a reassuring hand on Mrs. Hanover’s shoulder. “He’s in good hands, now.” The elderly woman thanked Treasure and turned her attention back to her husband.
Treasure sat back down at her table to let the medics take Gerald’s pulse, blood pressure, and other vitals.
“You’re everywhere these days.”
Treasure glanced up to find Josh Lynch, her old high school acquaintance, smiling at her. He kept one eye on the scene with Mr. Hanover and one eye on her.
“Seems like it,” she answered.
“Can’t turn off the need to help, can you?” he asked.
“No. You’re a PA. You know how it is. Having medical training doesn’t always mean we get paid for what we do. Have you been here this whole time?” she asked, wondering why he didn’t step forward earlier.
“No. I was over at the station talking to Chief Thatcher when the call came in. We walked over together. He wanted to check out his new medic in action.” Josh tipped his head at a large man in uniform standing nearby watching his medic in action.
“Is that Ross Thatcher?” she asked.
“Yeah. He’s a friend of mine. Let me introduce you to him.” Josh walked over and returned a minute later.
“Ross, this is Treasure Vogle. She’s the medic I hoped would put her application in for the open position.”
“Now, I’ve heard about you twice. Once from one the volunteers and once from Josh. He tells me you work for Washoe County.”
“Nice to meet you. I’ve been with them for some time now. I’m glad I was in the right place at the right time today. As if emergencies ever happen at the right time.”
“It’s the universe saying you should move back to Granite Lake,” Josh said.
“We’re still looking for one more member to join our crew. Thought I had the last spot filled, but it didn’t work out. He took another job over in Placer County that wasn’t nightshift.”
“I’ve worked graveyard for a few years. Working at night has never been an issue.”
“See there. Nightshift would be a piece of cake,” Josh said.
“I, um, kind of like my job in Reno.”
“But you never know, things change all the time,” Josh said, appearing hopeful.
“You’re not helping,” Treasure said through her teeth, but kept smiling.
Josh was abashedly adorable as he wiggled his eyebrows and shrugged.
“We could use someone with your experience,” Ross said seriously. “Come in and talk to me if you decide to leave the dry desert heat and return to the mountains.”
Ross had no idea what she’d recently gone through to keep her job, and she wouldn’t bring it up now, or ever. She simply said, “Thank you. I will. Like Josh said, you never know. Things can always change.”
“That’s for certain,” Ross Thatcher agreed. “Take care, now, and thanks for your help.” He followed his paramedics who were wheeling Mr. Hanover out of the diner.
“I’d like it if you moved back to town,” Josh said, as if Treasure hadn’t figured that out.
“It’s good to see you again.” She pushed to her feet so she was eye to eye with Josh.
She asked a passing waitress for a to-go box.
“Any chance you’re going to be around for the rest of the weekend? We could go for a hike or grab a pizza.”
He had a cute face with warm green eyes and wavy blond hair, but she wasn’t ready to go on a date. She disliked turning him down, again, but it was for the best. “I’m still off the market. Sorry. It’s not a good time for me.”
The waitress handed her a box and the bill.
“I’ll take that as a rain check for when the time is better. It’s great running into you again, Treasure.”
He turned and left before she could shoot him down again. With a tired sigh, she put her uneaten sandwich in the box, paid the bill, and left.
Treasure wanted to finish her dinner. Her stomach needed to be refilled after working hard all day. After settling behind the wheel, she glanced in her rearview mirror before backing up and saw herself for the first time since getting dressed that morning. A groan escaped her lips. A plain Jane stared back at her. No makeup, hair pulled back with loose strands shooting in every direction, and a smudge of dirt across her cheek. Her appearance hadn’t deterred Josh, and had even brought an offer for a job interview. Wow, just wow. Add to mental list #599: always check yourself in the mirror before going out in public.
Treasure drove to a location she used to park at in high school. The cul-de-sac was at the end of a quiet street next to the lake and looked the same as it did years ago. The locals knew there was public access to the lake, even though it appeared to be private property. Treasure parked there dozens of times, mostly to make out with guys, party in their cars, or walk down by the water, depending on the time of year. But, she also went there to be alone. To eat her sandwich without interruption.
Dusk settled around her truck as she finished her dinner. The mountain peaks surrounding the lake caught the final rays of daylight and Treasure watched the Earth’s shadow crawl heavenward until the slopes no longer glowed the soft violet and pastel colors of sundown. Her gaze shifted to the lake. As if reflecting the sky, silver highlights brushed the edge of each swell of water as it rolled in to lap the shore. With the windows down, Treasure listened to the hypnotic rhythm of the water while evening birds twittered and sang from hidden perches among the trees. Her eyes traveled to the quaint cabins and cottages along the street.
The cottage at the end of the lane had always been her favorite. She used to daydream it was her house. The covered porch with the large windows facing the water and a daily view of the sunset were leaps and bounds more appealing than the ugly cement block building she grew up in. The cottage had aged since the last time she saw it, and someone had painted it gray with white trim. The paint job apparently wasn’t a good one. The entire house appeared to be suffering from mange. When she was in high school, the house was pale yellow with white trim and was completely adorable. In the summer, the owner kept two pots of bright flowers on either side of the porch swing. The house currently appeared sad and abandoned. She stared at the shedding house with its ripped screen door and pictured how much work it would take to restore it to its former quaintness. Treasure tilted her head to the side and saw the large building behind the cottage that didn’t used to be there. With her head sideways, she noticed something else.
Treasure stepped out of the pickup and gazed at a golden and rose colored sky. The hue softened her surrounding and she breathed deep as she skipped across the empty cul-de-sac to the end of the driveway of her dream house. There it was. A for sale sign lay in the pine needles in front of the house. Half buried in dust, dirt, and more needles, Treasure thought the sign must have been there for some time. She couldn’t stop herself from walking up to the front door and peering inside. She had never seen the interior. The inside didn’t match her imagination, but she thought that was because it was empty. She strained to see every inch of the front room and kitchen in the fading light of twilight. She wondered what the bathroom and bedrooms might look like. A few minutes later, Treasure stepped off the porch and returned to the sign on the ground. She scraped the dross aside with her boot and dialed the number.
One month later, with the money from the sale of the Vincent motorcycle, she moved in. She could hardly believe the cottage belonged to her. She bought her very first home and it was in Granite Lake! Maybe growing up and becoming an adult wasn’t so evil after all. Never mind, yes it was. But, she had a house of her very own. Even if it needed work. The exterior paint would be her first project, and then she would figure out her next priority. The bathrooms needed updating and the walls could use a fresh coa
t of paint, but the hardwood floors, the sunny living room, and the covered porch were perfect. Not to mention the three-car garage and workshop behind the house, and the view of the lake.
Denny and Melanie helped Treasure move her furniture and the boxes full of belongings from Reno. Melanie gave the bookcase she restored to Treasure as a housewarming present. It was her new favorite possession and the centerpiece of her living room. Treasure smiled as she popped open a bottle of champagne and made a silent toast to new beginnings.
Twenty-one
“WHAT ARE you doing here?”
“I work here.” Bodie took in all of her with his eyes. The uniform, the braid, and the shock on her face.
“No one told me you would be here,” she accused, and sounded a little put out.
“No one told me you worked here, either.” Bodie matched her haughty tone, even though he could feel the ping of a smile hiding at the corners of his lips. She looked damn good. More than good. God, he missed her. Not that he wasn’t still pissed about being blown off, because he was. But he couldn’t help the excitement warming his blood at seeing her again.
Treasure crossed her arms over her chest. “Tonight’s my first night. I stayed with Washoe County until they found my replacement.”
“How thoughtful of you,” he remarked.
“I didn’t know you’d be here. Why aren’t you working on the brewery with your brothers?”
“I am. Granite Lake EMS is my part time gig.”
“Oh.” Treasure glanced away and Bodie thought she might flee. He took her arm and escorted her outside.
“What do you think you’re doing?” She stumbled alongside him and out the door.
Bodie didn’t answer until they stood by his truck, away from the building, and in the shadows.
Chasing Treasure: Granite Lake Romance Page 24
