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The next day he explored the tourist side of Jubilee, looking for an answer to his problem. But it wasn’t until he drove past the music venues and saw the creek in the distance that he had an idea. After checking his map, he realized he could get to Big Falls by following the creek. He parked and got out, then walked the short distance down the slope to the water flowing past.
Again, there were signs stating PRIVATEPROPERTYon both sides of the creek and warning away backpackers. He could go downstream without issue, but he would be breaking the law if he backpacked up the mountain.
But Nyles hadn’t come this far only to be deterred by NOTRESPASSINGand PRIVATEPROPERTYsigns. The only way to get to where he wanted to go was to follow the creek up the mountain and try not to get caught.
On the morning of his third day in Jubilee, Nyles watched the sunrise from his hotel balcony. He was intimidated by the sheer size of the mountain and the foreboding he felt, but he reminded himself treasure hunts weren’t supposed to be easy. With an early breakfast in his belly, he left his hotel room and drove across town, parking in the overflow lot at the edge of the rise and within easy sight of the creek.
The shops were beginning to open, and foot traffic was picking up downtown as tourists began looking for places to have breakfast. But Nyles wasn’t interested in fudge making or the blacksmith shop. He had no desire for the woodcarver’s goods or the quilt boutique with handmade quilts for sale. He was on a treasure hunt.
Adrenaline was rushing as he pulled his backpack from the trunk of the car and secured the shovel and metal detector to it, making sure his handgun was inside in case of snakes or wild animals. He locked his car, shouldered his pack, and began walking down the slope toward the creek. Once he reached the water’s edge, he glanced over his shoulder, then turned left and started uphill on a narrow footpath between the trees and the brushy creek bank.
The woods were thick and, for a man born and raised in cities, a bit mysterious, but the sound of water racing downhill over deadfall and rocks was as hypnotic in its way as listening to waves crashing along an ocean shore. If he hadn’t had the creek to follow, it would be easy to get lost. There was a slight breeze, but not strong enough to penetrate the heavy growth of vegetation.
Nyles was out of his element, but his heart was pounding with excitement as he moved ever upward, certain in his heart that he was going to be rich.
It was midafternoon on Pope Mountain when Ray Raines and his thirteen-year-old son, Charlie, finally finished fixing a stretch of downed fence. Now they could turn their livestock back into the pasture to graze. Ray was gathering up their tools, and Charlie had just finished rolling up the old fence wire they’d replaced, and tossed it in the back of his daddy’s truck.
“Daddy, are we done now?” Charlie asked.
Ray looked up and, in that moment, saw his son as the man he would one day become, and felt a moment of sadness at how swiftly time was passing. Charlie was already as tall as Ray, and he’d just begun that teenage growth spurt. Charlie took after his mama’s side of the family, for sure. The Popes were big people.
“Yes, we’re done,” Ray said. “I think your mom has some strawberry ice cream waiting on us back home.”
Charlie grinned. “My favorite, but could I go to Big Falls to cool off first? I’m already wet with sweat, but that cold spring water sure would feel good.”
Ray frowned. “I’m sorry, son. Maybe another day? I need to make a run into Jubilee to make a payment at the bank before it closes.”
“Oh, I can walk home, Daddy. It’s just barely a mile,” Charlie said.
Ray shrugged. “Well, if you want to do that, then sure. Be careful, and don’t be late getting home. Your mother will worry.”
Charlie beamed. “Thanks, Dad! I’ll be careful, and tell Mom I’m only gonna take a quick dip. I’ll be along shortly.”
Ray nodded. “Will do, and thanks again for all the help. You’re growing up to be a real fine man.”
Charlie’s heart skipped. His dad had just called him a man.
“Will I grow as big as Cameron?” Charlie asked.
Ray laughed. “Who knows. Your mother’s people run big. Now go on and cool off, then get yourself on home.”
“I will,” Charlie said, and took off at a lope across the small meadow, made his way across the cattle guard, and disappeared into the trees.
Ray loaded up the rest of the tools, then drove away.
Ray’s wife, Betty, was sitting in the shade of the back porch when he drove up from the barn. He’d just let their small herd back into the pasture to graze. He could see Betty had been working in the garden, because her sun hat was on the swing beside her, and there was a hoe leaning against the porch railing.
He got out and waved. “Hey, honey.”
She waved back, then stood up. “Where’s Charlie?”
“He went to Big Falls to cool off. He’ll be along soon,” Ray said.
He unloaded his tools, then went inside to clean up before heading into town.
Nyles had been on the mountain for hours. He was sweltering, exhausted, and nervous. He’d already passed a couple of small waterfalls before he finally came to one that had about a forty-foot drop. This coincided with the descriptions in the journal. This had to be Big Falls.
At that point, he left the creek bank, took off his pack, and put his metal detector together, grabbed his camp shovel, and shoved the handgun beneath his belt. It was resting against the small of his back as he began sweeping the area with the metal detector, while keeping an eye out for critters.
