Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
W illow lingered by the walk-in fridge as she shot another glance over her shoulder.
The new high schooler who’d been working part-time to help with dishes was taking forever to leave. Any other night, she might appreciate the fact that he wasn’t running out the door after the dinner rush, leaving her to close up alone.
But tonight, she had to stifle a scream when he looked at her with puppy dog eyes. “Need me to do anything else, Willow?”
She forced a smile and shook her head. “We’re all set. Thanks for your help tonight.”
He grinned, nodded, and reached for his hoodie on the peg by the door with painfully slow movements.
Come on, come on, come on!
The guests were already upstairs in their rooms. Her family had all said good night…
Willow shifted from one foot to the other, and as soon as the door slammed shut behind her part-timer, she lunged into action. Off went the apron, on went her coat, and then she dug in the hallway closet until she found the big flashlight they kept there in case of power outages.
The back door creaked open on squeaky hinges, and she winced. Had this door always been so loud? She should have that fixed.
She tiptoed out, only realizing when she was on the dewy lawn that she’d likely look more suspicious skulking across the grass. She forced herself to walk normally. If anyone happened to spot her, she’d just say she’d wanted to check on her herbs in the greenhouse before bed.
It took effort to keep a leisurely pace, but the moment she hit the tree line, she sped up. Clicking on the flashlight, she picked her way over the brush, trying not to be too creeped out by the fact that she was alone. In the woods. In the dark.
Her breathing sounded too loud, and every rustle of the leaves or snap of twigs beneath her feet made her heart jump.
Were bears more active at night? Was that a thing?
And suddenly, because her brain seemed to be out to get her, Willow found herself thinking about every terrifying scary movie scene she’d ever seen.
When the old hunting shed came into view, her heart—well, it continued to race. But now excitement rivaled her fear. Her patience had been put to the test all afternoon and throughout dinner.
Even while laughing and chatting with her family, some part of her was still here at this cabin, wondering what she might have found.
It had to do with the Spencer-King feud, she just knew it.
Maybe it was the contract. Or… Her heart gave a little leap. Maybe it was another connection to Charlie and Rose.
She opened the door and swung her light around the bare cabin.
Her heart felt like it was in her throat now. Man, the woods were creepy at night. As her flashlight lit the far corners of the shed, Willow couldn’t even say what she was afraid to find—a ghost, a serial killer, or a bear.
But there was nothing there, and she crept in slowly, letting the door bang shut behind her.
“Stop being a scaredy cat,” she whispered. And then wished she hadn’t, because the sound of her own voice somehow made the dark, empty shed that much creepier.
She had to force herself to take another step inside and then another. But eventually she reached the broken chair and counted across to the loose floorboard. Finally, excitement overshadowed her fear.
She set the flashlight down so it was facing the ceiling, illuminating the room with enough light that she could wriggle the board free and reach inside. Her hand closed around the leather pouch, and she drew it out with a shaky exhale.
This was it. She hadn’t been imagining it—there really was a buried treasure here. Part of her knew she should take it home and open it there, but she couldn’t wait that long.
Her fingers trembled in the glow of the flashlight as she tugged at the old dusty string that cinched it shut. It gave easily, and Willow found herself staring at…paper.
Squinting, she tugged at the corner of one yellowed sheet, moving the flashlight so she could get a better view, and?—
She gasped.
This wasn’t just paper.
These were letters!
She pulled the first one out all the way and carefully unfolded it. Her pulse raced as she realized what it was…
A love letter.
From Rose.
To Charlie.
Willow clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a sound that was half sob, half laugh. It took several tries before she could calm her excitement long enough to read it all the way through.
Dear Charlie,
Thank you for your letter. I know what a risk it must have been for you to write it. What if you got caught?
And then you made the effort to leave it in the forest for me.
The moment I spotted that little flag that marked the spot, my heart skipped a beat.
And then I saw the leather pouch you left for me.
My stomach fluttered with anticipation as I unfolded the pages within.
What did you have to tell me? What new words were you going to share that would make me feel like I could fly?
And you did.
Your words made my heart soar.
I was not alone as I read your letter. You were right there with me. Your voice inside my head.
That day we met in the woods was magical for me also, and I thank you for it.
I know I shouldn’t be writing to you, but…
I had to respond. The way you felt when you saw me singing between the tree trunks, as you put it.
Your words are so kind, so sweet. Charlie King, you have captured my heart too.
You fill my thoughts and dreams. Every time I sing now, I think of you, sitting among the trees and telling me your dreams. The places you want to see. It’s all so big and grand and…
I want to see them too.
You made me believe that day. You made me think that there’s more to this life than simply being a lady and doing what my mother asks of me.
It hurts my heart to know we can never be together. A Spencer and a King is an impossibility.
But I’ll dream with you anytime, and those dreams will fuel my soul.
So you never forget me, I’m leaving you this small gift.
My grandmother gave me this music box ten Christmases ago.
It is very precious, and I want you to have it.
When you open the lid and listen to the music, please picture me humming you this tune.
I would spend hours on my bed listening to this, and I know it by heart now.
I want this music to settle in your heart too.
It’s a small way of keeping me with you.
Thank you for making me smile, Charlie King.
Thank you for letting me dream with you.
Sincerely yours,
Rosemary (Rose) Spencer
Willow fell back on her bottom, staring into the dark space before her. “The music box.” She knew it well, and now she knew who’d put it there…and why.
Tears lined her lashes, quickly spilling onto her cheeks. She didn’t bother to swipe them away. She was smiling despite the tears, because…
“I knew it,” she whispered. A laugh bubbled out of her. Eric had tried to convince her that Charlie had hurt Rose in some way, but now she was more certain than ever that couldn’t be true.
Because she’d been right. Charlie and Rose were in love.
Another laugh slipped out as she scrambled to her feet.
She’d been right!
And she couldn’t wait to tell Eric.