A Treasure in Laguna: Charisma, #2

By Heather Hiestand

Jenny Craft left Hollywood and its shallow people far behind and is now running a successful restaurant of her own in Laguna Beach, California. She wants nothing to do with a younger, fame-seeking man.

Former reality TV star Crowe Erickson comes to town looking for gold, redemption, and a new treasure hunting reality TV show for his family. What he finds is another kind of treasure:  Jenny, the sexy television star who was his first crush.

Jenny is intrigued by Crowe's hunt for gold, but she knows the real adventure is love…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Hiestand
• Release date: Sep 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386303886

Book preview

A TREASURE IN LAGUNA

Based on Kaira Rouda’s Laguna Beach Series

A Charisma Series Novella

The Ericksons, Book One

Written by

Heather Hiestand

www.heatherhiestand.com

Newsletter

A Treasure in Laguna

Copyright 2016 by Heather Hiestand

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are 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.

Elements of Kaira Rouda’s Laguna Beach have been included in this story with the express permission of Kaira Rouda.

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

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Coffee on Sundays Press

Visit us at http://www.heatherhiestand.com

Publishing History

First D2D Edition, 2018

V 1.0 R 1.0

Published in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Laguna Beach

Acknowledgments

More From Heather Hiestand

Chapter One

CROWE ERICKSON HAD never tried to lock down an investor in a pizzeria before. He zeroed in on Josh Welsh’s table immediately despite the waitresses who blocked his sightline, since Josh was the only one sitting alone. The noise level swelled as someone began to sing Happy Birthday in a warbling voice and a table full of thirtysomethings joined in.

When Crowe reached the empty chair on the other side of the small table, his prey pulled off his sunglasses and ball cap, then half-rose.

Warmth filled Josh’s gaze. Casual in a pressed white short-sleeve shirt and jeans, he held out his hand in welcome. For a split second Crowe gazed at Josh, noting the friendly vibe. This was his moment. He had this.

But underneath the confidence other thoughts lurked. Instinctively, he touched the cord of his second-hand lavalier microphone and hoped his recorder was working. Yes, he needed Josh’s help. Ignoring his doubts, Crowe pasted his most professional smile across his face and shook hands.

Staying behind Crowe, his older brother and cameraman, Thor, took in the scene, attempting to remain unnoticed despite his unusual height. Crowe hoped that Josh would sign a release if they needed the footage for his planned treasure hunting show.

As if he were reading Crowe’s mind, Josh shaded his face, half-covering it with his palm. His dimple disappeared into his carefully groomed five-o’clock shadow. Hey, get that camera off me. I’m a private citizen now.

Fear vibrated in Crowe’s chest. Horrified at a bad start, Crowe lifted a closed fist, the sign for Thor to stop.

But Josh rose fully to his feet and snickered. Kidding. Great to see you, man. Still on the game, I see.

Josh had been one of the original stars of MTV-style reality television. He’d put in four years on two programs before a decade spent eking out an existence around the edges of Hollywood. That first show, Laguna Nights, was still actively shooting with an ever-refreshed group of local high school students here in Laguna Beach, California. Crowe had come up through the reality television wars in a different way. Most of his family, including his father, late mother, and two older brothers, had been cast in a Discovery Channel treasure hunting show thirteen years ago, focused on gold prospecting in Northern California, with an occasional foray into lost mines.

Crowe still wanted to find gold, but this time, he was looking for treasure he believed could be found in the O.C.—Orange County, California. He forced a smile and gestured to Thor to start recording again. You bet. I just finished my master’s degree in California history and my thesis was researching local bandit caches. It’s too good an opportunity to pass up.

Josh put his finger to his lips as he sat down. Let’s not share your idea with the locals. I love it. What’s your plan?

Crowe had a feeling all of his teeth were exposed, his smile was so wide. He seated himself across from Josh. We’re talking to Roger Dalton and a couple of other producers. I’d love to take the project to the History Channel.

Josh’s amusement showed in his lopsided grin, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Crowe could tell his old friend thought he was overreaching, but he knew he had a great plan. I’ve seen a few of their shows. But tell me, has Dalton come to you?

Thor came in closer with the camera. Crowe hoped he was keeping both of them in frame. He knew that Josh’s Let’s not share that with the locals comment was usable material, and he hoped for more. His promo reel could use that sound bite. The man was good on camera. No, but he’s got a good reputation for making projects happen.

That’s a relief. Given how your show ended ten years ago, I’d have been worried. Josh leaned back and relaxed.

Under the red-checkered tablecloth, Crowe laid a protective hand over his stomach. He tried not to think about that final episode of his family’s abruptly cancelled show. It had caused a ton of bad press at the time, but his family had always known the truth. They’d been there. He forced confidence into his voice. What do you mean?

Josh lifted his fist to the camera. Thor nodded and turned it off. You remember my ex, Laura? She’s filming a reality show about ex-reality stars and it isn’t pretty. Avoid it.

Crowe hadn’t heard. Had his father, Beau, been invited and never shared the news, or was his family long forgotten? Either way, he knew to take Josh’s advice. Got it. No, this is my show idea.

Josh picked up his soda. So you want me for a guest shot?

Crowe cleared his throat. This was the awkward part. No, I know you retired from acting and went to work with your family a few months ago.

The other man chuckled. So you’re looking for money?

Investors. Crowe shrugged. "Treasure Hunters paid for my bachelor’s degree, but I’ve taken on student loans for my master’s. I’m tapped out."

Josh curled his fingers at Thor, who turned his Sony camcorder back on. The $32,000 piece of equipment had been Thor’s contribution to the partnership. It was worth more than their trucks combined. Your father going to kick anything in?

Beau Erickson had hit the mother lode a few times, as had been documented on their reality show, but Crowe and Thor’s mother’s cancer had been a long, expensive, and eventually fatal journey. He had offered to cover start-up costs so that Crowe could get Thor on board, but that was all his father could afford. He’s helping.

Josh rubbed his chin. What are your chances of a deal?

Crowe mirrored his gesture. I’m optimistic. Build a team that interests people, throw in good lore, add beautiful scenery. It is a recipe for a killer show.

Right. Josh tilted his head. I’d rather be the one helping you to get a deal, but that’s more Laura’s forte than mine.

Crowe wracked his brain for a way to get Josh back on target. He tapped his finger on the table. It’s cash I need. I’ve already made contact with Roger Dalton and I have a few other names up my sleeve as backup.

Josh glanced up at Thor, but he was a veteran, he didn’t make the mistake of looking right into the camera. I’ll take a look at your promo reel and talk to my family if I like it.

Crowe lowered his voice. This afternoon we’re shooting an interview with the owner of Laguna Coin. I’d love for you to come along, see what we’re doing.

Josh nodded distractedly and smiled at someone behind him. Crowe tilted his head back to see a slim woman approaching them. The pizza tray she held blocked her face, but her figure was red-hot, curvy yet athletic.

She slid their lunch onto the table, giving Crowe a glimpse of the shadow between her perfect breasts and a thin gold chain with a medallion that had slid too far down the treasure trail for him to see what it was.

Realizing he was staring inappropriately, he forced his eyes to move up. His neck seized, freezing his gaze on the face that had fueled his teenage fantasies for years.

Jenny Craft, the wisecracking, flame-haired waitress from Laguna Nights, had delivered his pizza. His hand rose in salute, the only part of his body that was working. Above his waist, at least.

Hi, Crowe forced out, his usual baritone vanishing into a whisper. He cleared his throat. What an honor. I hadn’t realized you were still a waitress.

Her gaze narrowed, those clear gray-green eyes going flinty. I own this place now. Josh gets special service since he’s an old friend.

That’s wonderful, Crowe exclaimed. He half-rose and held out his hand, conscious that his shorts were fitting awkwardly around his physical reaction to her. Jenny’s expression seemed to reach beneath his skin, almost as if she knew what he was hiding beneath the tablecloth. She held out her hand.

When he clasped it, he felt the strength there and noticed old burn scars, probably from handling pizzas. Crowe Erickson. Fellow reality TV survivor and long-time fan.

Ha, she said. I was just a bit player.

You were a star to me, he protested. "I watched Laguna Nights all through high school in hopes they would shoot a scene here and you’d be on camera, chomping your gum and making those great wisecracks. You were the funniest teen on television."

Her tongue peeked out and her jaw moved as if she was remembering her old gum-chewing habit. "What show were you