Tessa's Treasures

by Callie Hutton

  The usual rubber-neckers reduced traffic to a crawl. Tessa looked up as Lucas approached and the waterworks went to full blast. He put one arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “What happened?”

  “This stupid woman slammed on her brakes for no reason,” the chubby guy yelled and had to take a breath to continue. “And what the hell did she expect me to do?”

  Voice calm, gaze steady on the man, Lucas said, “I wasn’t talking to you.”

  “I think she’s drunk,” the guy pronounced with a grand gesture. “That’s what I told the police officer here.”

  As Tessa shrank into Lucas’ arms, the officer took a look at his notes. “Mr. Whitlock, I’ve already determined you’re the one being ticketed for the accident. It’s a rear end collision and you’re the rear ender. Also, I’ve established Ms. Jordan is not drunk. I suggest you calm down and stop making unfounded accusations.”

  A siren sounded as another police car arrived, leading a second tow truck. Clearly not mollified, Mr. Whitlock wasn’t finished. “Then she’s crazy. She told me a ball flew in front of her car.” He glowered at Tessa. “Do you see any ball? I dare you to find it!”

  Lucas had enough of the arrogant asshole and wanted to get Tessa away from him before he lost control again and punched the idiot in the nose. “Officer, do you have all the information you need? I’d like to get Ms. Jordan to the hospital to be checked out.”

  The police officer slapped his book closed and nodded in the direction of the EMSA truck. “They’ll take a look at her.”

  Mr. Whitlock rubbed his lower back in newly discovered pain. “No, sir. I want them to look at me. I hurt my back when she stopped like that. I want a doctor’s report.” The police officer closed his eyes and shook his head.

  Lucas took a deep breath. If he didn’t leave soon, he’d likely be hauled off to jail for assault. “It’s no problem, Officer. I’ll drive Ms. Jordan to the hospital. Mr. Whitlock here can have the paramedics all to himself.” Lucas steered Tessa away from the accident. “Do you have everything you need from your car?”

  “Yes, just my purse.” As Lucas helped her into the Jeep, Tessa winced at the movement. “I don’t need the hospital, my seat belt held me. My neck’s a little sore, but all I want is a hot cup of tea and a couple Ibuprofens.”

  “It would be better if you had a doctor look you over.” He checked his side view mirror before easing into the still crawling traffic.

  “No, please. I just want to go home.” Tessa twisted her hands in her lap, took a deep breath and looked at Lucas. “It’s the doll,” she whispered.

  “What?”

  “The doll. Remember the doll?” Her voice sounded frail and shaky.

  He glanced at her, eyebrows furrowed. “I thought the jerk said it was a ball?”

  “No. Not the accident. Well, yes the accident, but the doll caused it.”

  Dear God, has her brain snapped from all the trouble she’s had lately? He made a mental note to see Mason tomorrow. Somehow they had to find Dean Phillips. He was more certain every day the bastard was behind all this. Or was he going crazy too? How could her ex-husband have caused an accident? Or fix it so her car only started at the repair shop? His chest tightened in warning that he needed to step back and get control.

  He patted her hand. “Let’s talk about this later. Traffic is pretty heavy, and I want to get us home with no mishaps.”

  When he pulled up to her dark, somber house, a shiver ran down his spine. The spookiness was becoming contagious. They walked quickly up the stairs and entered the house. Lucas closed the front door and took a deep breath, prepared for an argument. “I want you to pack a bag and come home with me.”

  She flicked on the hall light and turned to him with a frown. “Why?”

  “I have a bad feeling about all these accidents you’ve been having.” His heart twisted at her appearance. Every day she seemed to grow thinner, more brittle. It ripped him apart to see the tears in her eyes. He wanted to protect her, make things easy for her, but he was fighting something he couldn’t see.

  Tessa sighed. “I told you, it’s the doll.”

  “Come. I’ll help you pack a bag and we’ll talk.”

  Tessa’s bedroom was an extension of her. Soft and feminine, but not frilly. Pale yellow walls created a feeling of warmth and cheerfulness. A yellow, white and blue flowered quilt was spread over the large bed set between two windows. His shoes sunk into light blue plush carpeting. She took items from a maple dresser and placed them in a small suitcase, then turned to the walk-in closet and selected a pair of green linen slacks and a printed silk top. Like the other things, each was folded neatly before it was placed into the case.

  Arms crossed, Lucas leaned against the wall while she packed. A light lilac scent drifted to his nostrils. The whole environment was so different from the woman he’d spent twenty-four years living with. Patty’s taste ran more toward chunky dark furniture, and almost masculine décor. Their bedroom had been anything but peaceful—and not just because of the arguments.

  Tessa stopped every once in a while to rotate her neck, or rub her arms. When she finally snapped the case closed, he grabbed it from the bed.

  “Let’s go. You need a soak in a hot tub. Whatever you don’t have you can get tomorrow.” With his free hand he gripped her elbow to lead her out of the house.

  ****

  Tessa wrapped the crystal wine glasses in paper, tucking each one into a small brown sack. “I’m almost sorry to sell these, Mrs. Blaine. They’re so lovely when they catch the rays of the sun; they always brightened my day.” She smiled as she handed the sack to the customer.

  “I’ve been admiring them for quite some time, Tessa. They’ll be well taken care of.” Mrs. Blaine leaned heavily on her cane with one hand, the precious package in her other, as she hobbled to the door.

  When the old woman got close, Lucas opened it for her. “Can I help you to your car, ma’am?”

  “No need, young man. Mr. Blaine is meeting me at the coffee shop for lunch.” A flash of pleasure crossed her face. “We don’t get out much with our limited income. This is a big treat for us.”

  “Well, then you have a good day, and tell Mr. Blaine I said hello.”

  Tessa bit her lip to keep from smiling. In the few days since the accident when Lucas had declared he would spend each day at the store, the traffic from females in Duncan had increased quite a bit. Young and old. They all seemed smitten with his good looks and old fashioned manners. She frowned at the memory of Caroline’s visit. She hadn’t seen the woman since she and Lucas had dinner at The Steak and Brew and never in her shop in all the years she’d owned it. All of a sudden the viper expressed a need for antiques.

  Although she’d scoffed at the idea when he’d suggested it to her, his presence in the store gave her a sense of security she’d not felt in a long time. Since nothing unusual had happened, she thought about the journal entry. Was it because the curse was broken for Lucas? Because he loved her?

  Stop it, that’s crazy.

  She couldn’t deal with that, couldn’t let Lucas love her, because she couldn’t afford to love him back. Sure, he was caring and tender, but when the chips were down, the fists came out. It was too risky.

  She’d almost convinced herself the idea of a doll causing bad luck was ridiculous. Perhaps even borderline lunacy. In fact, she stopped reading the journal. Life was complicated enough; she didn’t need stories of cursed dolls.

  Now if she could only forget the doll still sat in the box on a shelf in the kitchen. Its presence could almost be felt while she was in the store. She shivered, remembering how the doll’s eyes seemed to follow her before she’d banished it.

  One good thing to come of it was that Lucas kept her busy at night. Although she insisted on separate rooms when she first moved in, they’d never used both beds. Not since before her parents died had she felt so safe, so cared for.

  Heat swept her cheeks as her gaze settled on him swiping the glass shelf wit
h a dust cloth. His broad shoulders, hugged by a white shirt tucked securely into snug, well-worn jeans, raised her temperature. Only Lucas Raven could look sexy dusting shelves. As if feeling her scrutiny, he turned and gave her body a raking inspection. His smoldering eyes ran the length of her, starting at her feet and ending when they met her gaze. Electricity arced between them. He moved toward her, and she sucked in a breath, anticipating what would happen when he stood before her. Her heart hammered against her ribs and she swore it echoed in the room. Just as she didn’t think she could take anymore, Lucas’s cell phone rang.

  “Raven.” His brow twisted into a frown. Jaw tight, lips in a thin line, he said, “I’ll be right there.”

  Tessa scooted around the counter and joined him. “What is it?”

  He kissed her forehead. “Nothing. I have to take care of some business.” He slid his arm around her waist and hugged her to his side. “I want you to lock the door while I’m gone.”

  “Oh, Lucas, don’t be silly. I’m fine here.”

  “Please?”

  “What about my customers? How will they get in?” He said there was nothing wrong, but his body radiated tension.

  “They can knock, or put an ‘out to lunch’ sign on the door. I won’t be long, I promise. Better yet, take a lunch break. Go to the coffee shop. See if you can hook up with Mr. and Mrs. Blaine.”

  “All right, but I think you’re overreacting.” She grabbed her purse from under the counter and left with him, locking the door. Lucas walked rigidly alongside her. Already she sensed his mind was elsewhere.

  When they reached his jeep, his lips brushed her cheek. “I’ll be back soon. Stay there and I’ll pick you up.”

  Resigned to his paranoia, she entered the small restaurant. With every table filled, she took a seat at the counter.

  Margie, a waitress there since Tessa was a little girl, approached her, coffee pot in hand. “Hi Tessa. How’s the old stuff business?” She must’ve been in her sixties, but nothing slowed her down.

  “Business is good. I’ve had quite a few bus tours through in the last few weeks.” Despite her cheerful response, Tessa could not shake the nagging sense that something was wrong. The doll? Even though her college graduate mind scoffed at the idea, her female intuition refused to let the idea go.

  “Yeah, it’s been a crazy summer for sure. Much busier than I’d expected with the economy being the way it is.” The older woman waved at another couple walking in before returning her attention back to Tessa. “What can I get you, sweetie?”

  “I’ll have the Caesar salad and tea.” She closed the menu, not sure why she even opened it, since she had it memorized. It hadn’t changed since before Margie came to work there.

  “Coming right up.”

  Margie returned moments later with her tea. Tessa took a huge sip, the icy liquid cooling her throat and relaxing her. She stared out the window, her gaze drawn to the direction of her store, followed by thoughts of Lucas. His reaction to the phone call bothered her. What could’ve upset him that much? He’d tried to blow it off, but she could read him too well to believe that.

  As soon as Margie placed the salad in front of her, Tessa took a bite.

  “Tessa!” Her stomach dropped at the hoarse voice. She swiveled on her stool to face the owner of the drug store. His flushed face filled her with alarm as he struggled to take a deep breath. “You better come right away. There’s a fire in your store!”

  ****

  Lucas flung open the police station door, striding past the receptionist who leaned over her desk and shouted, “Can I help you, sir?”

  He walked backward as he spoke to the stocky woman with the salt and pepper hair. “On my way to see the Chief. He’s expecting me.” She added something else, but he missed it as he turned the corner and jogged to Mason’s office. He knocked once and opened the door. His brows furrowed in concentration as he spoke on the phone, Mason waved him to the chair in front of the beat up wooden desk. Much too agitated to sit, Lucas walked to the window, hands on his hips. Unable to relax, he rubbed the back of his neck, and then jammed his hands into his pockets.

  “Lucas, calm down.” Mason dropped the receiver in the cradle. “Take a seat.”

  “You call to tell me Tessa’s ex-husband has been spotted in Duncan and you think I’m going to sit here and have a conversation?” He placed both fists on the desk and leaned into Mason’s face. “Why the hell wasn’t he picked up?”

  “Lucas, I’m serious. Sit down.” Mason’s stern tone brought Lucas into focus.

  He threw himself into the chair, legs sprawled, fingers tapping a beat on the curved arm. “Why the hell wasn’t he picked up?”

  Mason popped an antacid tablet into his mouth. “First, where’s Tessa now?”

  “I left her at the coffee shop. Told her to wait there for me. I don’t want her to know Phillips is here. So many bizarre things have happened lately, I’m concerned for her mental health. Hell, I’m concerned for mine.” He sat forward and ran his fingers through his hair. “So why isn’t he behind bars?”

  Mason’s shoulders slumped. “It was a screw up.” He leaned back in his chair, but his relaxed stance didn’t fool Lucas. The tension in his jaw and the way he kept rotating the kinks out of his neck told the story.

  “One of our patrolmen has been out on disability. Returned to work this morning. He strolls into my office first thing, holding the picture of Phillips I passed around earlier this week. Tells me he had a drink with the bastard two nights ago at a bar on the outskirts of town.”

  Lucas vaulted out of his seat like he’d been propelled by an explosive. “Holy shit. I knew the scum would come after her. What bar? Did anyone talk to the bartender?”

  “I sent a couple of guys out there right away. Bartender says this guy popped up about a week ago. Been in a couple times since. Except for his conversation with our man, he didn’t notice him talk to anyone else.”

  Lucas paced in front of the desk, and then walked to the window, stood with his back to the room, hands on his hips. He had to get back to Tessa as soon as possible. There was no telling what Phillips had in mind but it sure as hell didn’t include a loving reunion with his ex-wife.

  Lucas turned and eyed Mason. “You’re the Chief of Police. What do you plan to do?”

  The man’s face was gray, his forehead lined with tension. “We have people checking every motel between Duncan and Lawton. Also flashing Phillips’ picture at convenience stores and fast food places. I want you to stick to Tessa like a second skin.”

  Lucas snorted. “Like you have to tell me that.”

  “You have it bad, buddy.” Mason smiled for the first time since Lucas arrived. Then his smiled faded. “We’ll get him, Lucas. I won’t let him get his filthy hands on my sister again.”

  “Damn right.” He headed to the door, and then stopped with his hand on the knob. “You better make sure you find him before I do.”

  ****

  Her life had turned into a nightmare. Smoke poured from the windows at the back of the store. Tessa yanked the key ring out of her pocket, and shoved a brass key into the front door. When she flung it open, everything seemed fine, but smoke billowed out from under the door to the back. The doll! It was on the top shelf in the kitchen. She had to get it, or she’d be cursed for all eternity.

  In the distance sirens wailed. Thank God someone had the presence of mind to call the fire department. She put her palm to the kitchen door, felt some heat, but not as bad as she’d expected. Tessa hesitated, not sure about entering, when her gaze landed on the journal under the counter. Her eyes burned and she struggled to breathe. Smoke rolled out from under the door, throwing the room into a gray haze. She snatched the journal as two firemen strode through the front door.

  “Get out of here, lady.”

  Tears ran down her face and with every breath she took in more smoke. “I have to get my doll from the back room.”

  “You have to get what?” With all the equipment and t
he heavy mask covering his face it wasn’t likely he heard her.

  “My doll! There’s a doll in the back room, in a box on the top shelf. I have to get it.” The scream she tried for came out a croak. She coughed and instantly regretted the huge drag of air she inhaled.

  The fireman turned to a third man who’d just entered. “Get her out of here.”

  The man placed his hand on her forearm. “Come on, ma’am you need to leave so we can work on putting the fire out.”

  Her lungs burned. Every breath was labored and she could no longer talk. Her throat was raw and her eyes stung, tears flowing down her cheeks.

  As soon as she was outside she inhaled deeply, but a paramedic shoved an oxygen mask on her anyway. She continued to suck in deep breaths. “Come with me, we need to check you over.”

  Disoriented, she allowed herself to be led to the EMSA truck. She was hustled inside, a blood pressure cuff wrapped around her arm. She lifted the oxygen mask. “I need to get my doll.”

  The paramedic gently pushed the mask back into place. “Whatever you need from your store you can get when the firemen are done. Now lie back and let us check you over. You took in quite a bit of smoke.”

  “You don’t understand.” The mask muffled her cry. No one paid attention as they continued to work.

  “Tessa!” Lucas came into view at the back of the truck. “Goddammit, what the hell happened this time?”

  She raised the mask again. “Lucas, you have to get the doll.”

  “Doll? The damn doll again?” He climbed in alongside her, ignoring the paramedic’s dirty look.

  She wheezed and coughed, trying to get the words out. “Yes, the doll. Go get the doll.”

  “Ma’am, you have to keep the mask on.” The paramedic replaced it firmly on her nose and mouth. He glared at Lucas, lips in a thin line. “Sir, please refrain from talking to her, she needs the oxygen.”

  “Sorry.” Lucas took Tessa’s hand. “Honey, whatever you need from the store, we can get later. Now you need to do what the paramedics say. You need to relax.”

  “We can give her something to calm her. Are you her husband?” A female paramedic pulled out a needle and pushed it into a small vial.