The question caught me off guard. Was I okay? I wasn’t sure I knew how to answer that anymore. The last few days had been a blur of adrenaline and uncertainty, punctuated by moments of unexpected connection with this man I barely knew.
“I’m fine,” I said automatically. “Just checking on you.”
“Liar,” he murmured, but there was no accusation in his voice—just a gentle understanding that made my chest ache. “Sit for a minute?”
He shifted over, making space beside him on the bed. Against my better judgment, I sat, perched on the edge of the mattress while Scout settled on the floor beside the bed.
“Can’t stop thinking about that box, can you?” he asked quietly.
I smiled ruefully in the darkness. “Is it that obvious?”
“You have the same look I do when I’m trying to solve a puzzle.” His voice was rough with sleep, lower than usual. “Thatfocused intensity. Like you’re putting pieces together in your head.”
“It just doesn’t make sense,” I admitted. “Why now? If this treasure has been hidden for over a century, why are people suddenly interested? And how did they know to contact you?”
“Good questions.” Caleb shifted, adjusting his position to ease his leg. “I’ve been wondering the same thing. There has to be a trigger—something that happened recently that brought this to light.”
“Maybe something to do with Jake? Has he mentioned any changes to the property? Construction, land surveys?”
Caleb was quiet for a moment, thinking. “He did mention something about the county wanting to put in a new access road along the back of his property. Something about easier emergency vehicle access to the provincial park beyond his land.”
“That could be it,” I said, excitement building. “If they were surveying the area, they might have found something—old markers, maybe, or signs of the original mining operation.”
“And if they did, word would get around.” He nodded slowly. “Small towns love their secrets, but they love gossip more.”
A particularly violent gust of wind rattled the windows, making me jump. Scout’s ears perked up, but he remained calm, sensing no immediate threat.
“Storm’s getting worse,” I murmured. “There’s no way we can go to the mill tomorrow in this, especially with Julia here.”
“True. It’s a good thing she found us when she did, though,” he said, watching my reaction carefully. “You still don’t trust her.”
It wasn’t a question.
“I don’t trust coincidences,” I replied. “And a stranded motorist appearing on our doorstep right after we find evidence of a hidden treasure? That’s one hell of a coincidence.”
“I agree. But for now, we wait and watch.” He reached out, his fingers brushing against mine on the blanket. “We’re a good team, you know.”
The casual touch sent a current of warmth up my arm. “We barely know each other.”
“I know enough,” he said.
I looked away, uncomfortable with the intensity in his gaze. “I should get back. Keep an eye on our guest.”
His fingers retreated, and I immediately missed their warmth. “Wake me at four. I mean it this time.”
“We’ll see,” I said, standing up. Scout rose with me, ready to follow.
“Lana.” Caleb’s voice stopped me at the door. I turned back, finding his eyes still on me, serious in the dim light. “Be careful.”
I nodded and slipped out, closing the door softly behind me.
Back in the living room, Julia hadn’t moved. Her breathing remained deep and even, one arm dangling off the edge of the couch. I resumed my position in the armchair, Scout settling at my feet once more.
The house creaked and groaned around us, buffeted by the relentless storm. I pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders, fighting a growing sense of foreboding. Something was coming—something beyond the storm, beyond our unexpected guest. I could feel it in the air, in the way Scout’s ears kept twitching toward the windows, in the persistent prickle at the back of my neck.
I reached down to stroke Scout’s fur, drawing comfort from his solid presence. “Just a few more hours till dawn,” I whispered, more to myself than to him. “We can make it till then.”
But as the wind howled and the snow piled higher against the windows, sealing us in this isolated house with our secrets and a stranger, I wasn’t entirely convinced that dawn would bring anything better than the night.
