A silence fell between us, comfortable despite the tension of the situation. Outside, the storm continued its assault, rattling the windows and moaning through the eaves.
“You should get some sleep,” I said finally. “I’ll take first watch as we agreed.”
“Wake me in four hours,” he reminded me, his eyes serious. “I mean it, Lana.”
“I will,” I lied, already knowing I’d let him sleep through the night if possible. His body needed rest to heal properly.
He studied my face for a moment, as if trying to read my thoughts. “You’re a terrible liar,” he said finally, his voice softer than before.
“I’m an excellent liar,” I corrected him with a small smile. “Just not with you, apparently.”
Something shifted in his expression then—a warmth that hadn’t been there before, a recognition that made my heart beat a little faster.
“Goodnight, Lana,” he said, his voice rough around the edges.
“Goodnight, Caleb.”
I waited until he’d closed the bedroom door before moving back toward the living room. Julia was still sound asleep on the couch, Scout curled on the floor nearby, his ears perking up as I approached.
“Keep an eye on her,” I whispered to the dog, scratching his head.
Chapter 9
Lana
I settled into the armchair with a view of both the front door and the living room, wrapping a blanket around my shoulders against the growing chill. The fire had died down to glowing embers, casting long shadows across the room. Julia slept soundly, her chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of exhaustion. The storm outside had reached a crescendo, wind shrieking around the eaves like a living thing.
Scout rested his head on my foot, his warmth a comfort in the darkness. Every few minutes, he would lift his head, ears swiveling toward Julia, then settle again when nothing seemed amiss.
“What do you think, buddy?” I whispered, scratching behind his ears. “Is she for real?”
His tail thumped once against the floor, but his eyes remained fixed on our sleeping guest.
I reached for the novel I’d found on Ella’s bookshelf—something to keep me awake during my watch. The words swam before my eyes, my mind too preoccupied with the day’s discoveries to focus on fictional drama. Instead, I found myself replaying the moment we’d unearthed the ammunition box, theexcitement in Caleb’s eyes as he’d examined the journal, and realizing gold is hidden on Jake’s property.
It seemed impossible, like something from a movie rather than real life. And yet, the evidence was there—coordinates, journal entries, ore samples. Thomas Wolf had hidden his treasure, and now, over a century later, we’d stumbled into the middle of his secret.
A soft noise from the couch drew my attention. Julia had shifted in her sleep, mumbling something incoherent. Her brow furrowed as if she were having an unpleasant dream. Scout tensed beside me, but she settled again, turning her face toward the back of the couch.
The clock on the mantel read 1:17 AM. Caleb had been asleep for nearly three hours. I should check on him and make sure his leg is properly elevated. Rising quietly, I padded down the hallway, Scout following silently at my heels.
Ella’s bedroom door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open carefully, wincing at the faint creak of the hinges. The room was dark except for the dim glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains, illuminating his sleeping form on the bed.
He’d fallen asleep on top of the covers, still fully dressed except for his boots. One arm was thrown across his eyes, the other resting protectively over his injured thigh. Even in sleep, his face wasn’t entirely peaceful—a slight furrow remained between his brows, as if he couldn’t completely let his guard down.
I should have left then. Should have closed the door and returned to my post. Instead, I found myself moving into the room, drawn by an impulse I didn’t quite understand. Carefully, I lifted the spare blanket from the foot of the bed and draped it over him, trying not to wake him.
His hand shot out, fingers closing around my wrist with surprising strength. His eyes snapped open, alert and dangerous for a split second before recognition dawned.
“Lana,” he breathed, releasing my wrist immediately. “Sorry.”
“My fault,” I whispered, stepping back. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Just thought you might be cold.”
He pushed himself up on one elbow, wincing slightly. “What time is it? Is it my watch already?”
“No, it’s only a little after one. Everything’s fine. Go back to sleep.”
He studied my face in the moonlight, eyes still heavy with sleep. “You okay?”
