Unlocked Treasure

By Linda Carroll-Bradd

Aleen MacRae blames the lure of the sea for breaking apart her family and then her engagement. When her interest is caught by a man she sees both in person and in a dream, she resists—afraid to believe in her aunt’s prediction that her future is tied to the sea. Braden Williams is on the hunt for treasure buried centuries earlier by Rhode Island pirates. His search brings him to the property where Aleen lives. Collaboration on genealogy research draws them closer, and Braden steers her toward his true passion—sailing. Attending a party with Braden’s family lets her glimpse what she’s been missing. An unexpected discovery before her date with Braden at the Halloween Midnight Organ Recital forces a decision. Will Aleen play things safe or accept what this free-spirited man offers?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Oct 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781628306026

Linda Carroll-Bradd

After years spent in the administrative support field, Linda decided to exercise another part of her brain and write a novel. She loved reading romance and figured that's what she'd write. Easier said than done. After years of workshops and RWA chapter meetings, she finally saw her manuscripts place in contests. Twelve years after her first writing class, she sold a confession story. From that point on, she couldn't be stopped and is always pleased when her sweet contemporary and historical stories find homes. With interests as widespread as baking, crocheting, watching dog agility matches, and reading thrillers by Swedish authors, Linda is the mother to 4 adult children and grandmother to 2 granddaughters. She currently lives in the southern California mountains with her husband of almost 34 years and their two spoiled dogs.

Book preview

Inc.

Unlocked Treasure

by

Linda Carroll-Bradd

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Unlocked Treasure

COPYRIGHT © 2014 by Linda Carroll-Bradd

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by R.J. Morris

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Sweetheart Rose Edition, 2014

Digital ISBN 978-1-62830-602-6

Published in the United States of America

Praise for Linda Carroll-Bradd

"I loved the small town setting [of ON WITH THE SHOW] and related to the family’s German background."

~Debra H.

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"Ms. Carroll-Bradd expertly managed to weave subtle yet strong sexual tension in the pages of this fun, short story. [ON WITH THE SHOW is] a heart-warming romance you don’t want to miss!"

~Joni H.

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"In this entertaining and well-crafted Western romance, Carroll-Bradd immediately draws us into the [DREAMS OF GOLD] story. Bull City in Wyoming Territory and its characters become real as the love story of Quinn and Ciara gently unfolds."

~Carolina V.

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"[DREAMS OF GOLD] is a spirited story peopled with believable characters driven by understandable motives. I particularly liked the fact that Ciara is what would have been known as a progressive woman of her time."

~Laura H.

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"I was just floored by this short story [DIPPING IN A TOE]. This little tidbit did everything it was meant to do. It whet my appetite, and left me screaming for more."

~Jennifer E.

Dedication

To my Friday Plot Group—thanks for the suggestions

Chapter One

Aleen balanced the rental bicycle on the sandy path and stared at The Atlantic Inn. Happy, laughing people mingled on the veranda of the three-story Victorian hotel, probably eating fancy hors d’oeuvres and raising champagne toasts to the newly married couple.

A twinge of regret cramped her fingers tighter around the handlebar. Today was supposed to be her fantastic, unforgettable day. Today she was supposed to be the gorgeous, smiling bride in the flowing white dress. Today the new groom was supposed to be looking at her with an adoring gaze after pledging unending devotion. Did I screw up my future by breaking our engagement when Ethan re-upped his commission on the USS Neptune?

Growing up the daughter of a career Navy man should have taught her how much heartbreak the sea can inflict. She scoffed and gave the bike a big shove to get it onto the hard-packed path. A familiar ringtone chimed from the straw purse perched in the bike’s wire basket, and she reached inside to retrieve her cellphone. Seeing her best friend’s name on the caller ID made her hesitate.

Mitzi would be compassionate and understanding like always, and Aleen didn’t know if she could stand to hear that poor-Aleen tone. Instead, she wanted to wallow in her self-pity a while longer. She tossed her phone back in her purse, then lifted her foot through the bike’s frame and stepped down on the pedal, churning up the slight incline.

A chirp sounded, announcing the arrival of a text. But I can’t talk, my friend. I’m operating a moving vehicle, she said to the purse. After a dozen more circles of the pedals, she quit pushing and let the bike glide to a stop. What if Mitzi was calling for something else? How bad would she feel if she ignored her best friend in a time of need? She probably wanted to share the latest detail of her pregnancy.

Aleen dug out her phone and glanced at the screen.

Don’t ignore me. I need to talk. The text read.

With a loud sigh, she swiped a finger to display the voice mail screen and then tapped call. Hello, Mitzi.

I’m so sorry, Aleen. I just now looked at the calendar and realized what weekend this is. How are you doing?

That tone. She gritted her teeth. I’m fine.

Did you follow my advice and plan something fun to take your mind off the date?

I did, and it worked. The lie tasted bitter on her tongue. This was her best friend since first grade—they told each other everything. Sometimes, more than Aleen wanted to hear but hey, that’s what happened with BFFs. I’ve barely thought about my botched romantic life.

"Oh, good. Hey,