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Courtney
For six days and six very long nights, I haven’t seen or talked to Blaze. We found the next clue, jumped up and down with joy, then walked back to the vehicle. He drove while I studied the clue, and we separated once we arrived back home. We each took a copy of the clue, and I spent every available moment trying to figure it out when I wasn’t in my classroom teaching.
I finally solved the puzzle. We need to go for a hike on Mt. Saint Helens. It appears whoever’s leading this game has a sense of humor. I don’t understand any of it, but I’m now invested in the project.
My fingers twitch on my phone as I ache to call the man. He was so close to kissing me in that ghost town. And I was more than willing to let him. When logic seeps in and my brain runs the way it should, I know better than to go down that road.
But when I’m lost in the beauty of Blaze’s incredible green eyes, logic flies right out the window. I desire him — need him — in a way I haven’t needed anyone in a very long time. Heck, if I’m begin honest with myself, I’ll admit I’ve never wanted anyone the way I desire him.
Instead of making a big mistake and calling him, I dial Aimee. My friend answers on the second ring and enthusiastically invites me over. We’re both magically off at the same time. Miracles do happen.
Putting my phone down, I tuck my notes into my bag and jump in my car. It doesn’t take long to get to Aimee’s place — a perfect two-story in a suburban neighborhood. It’s everything I once wanted. Maybe I simply need to accept that my life took a different path than I planned and appreciate the journey I’m now on.
“I’m so glad you finally got your butt over here,” Aimee says with a laugh and hug. “I’m warning you that my terror child is going to make our visit less than peaceful though. She’s been up to no good all morning.”
I look at the angelic face of the little girl I consider my niece, and kneel down, holding out my arms. She’s rushes into them. “You’re not a terror, are you?” I coo.
She giggles. “Nope, I’m an angel,” Sandy says. I might see a couple of horns starting to stick out on her halo of blonde hair though.
“You grew in the past month. Are you ten already?” I ask with wide eyes.
She giggles again. “I’m only three, aunty Cor.”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, good job at keeping your mama so busy,” I tell her as she pulls back. Every time I hold this child I get the smallest tinge of jealousy. I wanted to establish my career first, then find a great man, settle down, and have two brilliant children and a fenced yard.
It seems so silly to have a life plan. Having everything mapped out doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be happy. Maybe a bit of a mess is more of what I need. I’m not sure of anything anymore.
“As busy as I am, you might be more so,” Aimee says as she leads me into a living room that’s clean, but cluttered with toys. It’s homey and perfect.
“Keeping busy is a good thing. It keeps us out of trouble. I guess we’ve both come a long way in the past decade.” I try to put some enthusiasm into my voice, to make it a positive thing that we’ve grown up. It’s just that growing up isn’t always as fun as people make it seem. There’s too much responsibility. Then again, I was responsible all of my life. Maybe I’m starting to crack. Maybe I want to be wild and free, just what my siblings want.
“We can waste time with idle chit-chat, or we can get straight to it,” Aimee says with a sly smile that has me a little worried.
“What do you mean?” I ask as Aimee effortlessly helps Sandy with a toy before turning her attention back to me.
“You and Blaze back together again after all of these years has to be setting off smoke signals.” Aimee grins. My cheeks heat as I look at my niece, who isn’t paying us a bit of attention.
“Nothing’s going on between us. We’re searching for buried treasure, that’s all.”
“Hmm, why do I find this difficult to believe?” Aimee laughs and casually saves a picture frame from being knocked over, but just barely, before she turns her attention back to me.
“Because you’ve always been a meddler.”
“That’ssonot true.” Aimee mock gasps. It’s entertaining to watch how easily she carries on a conversation while at the same time, keeping a keen eye on Sandy. The woman’s certainly a pro at multi-tasking.
“Blaze apparently got this so-called gift of a box with a game inside fifteen years ago. All three of the brothers did. They never opened the boxes. Then when their gramps died, they found those boxes on his desk and Blaze was the first to open his. It’s a treasure map that you have to go from one clue to the next tofigure out what is at the end. For some odd reason, my name was written on the documents left behind to help him. I have no idea how it’s possible, because when this box was left for him, I hadn’t even met Blaze. As a matter of fact, I was only thirteen when he got the box. Maybe he had a friend who worked at the college, or knew a student, or knew my family. I don’t know, but it’s an adventure I couldn’t possibly say no to helping with.”
“How freaking exciting and mysterious. I love every second of it. I have a feeling you aren’t going to figure it out until the very end, and the treasure will be something you never imagined.” Aimee claps and Sandy looks up for a brief moment, then goes back to playing.
“It’s notmytreasure.”
“If your name’s on the documents, it’s as much yours as Blaze’s.”
“Nope. I’m simply along for the ride.” The adventure is everything I ever wanted. I don’t need a prize at the end of the game.
“So if you really want nothing out of it, why spend time with Blaze?” Aimee asks. Sandy lets out a squeal of joy when a puppy comes by and licks her on the cheek before going over to his bed and curling up. The scene makes me smile.
“It’s not about spending time with him.”
