A Place of Buried Treasure: Places, #5

By Fran Driscoll

Leah lost the husband she loved, is drowning in debt, and she's about to lose the home she treasures.

 

Her only hope hides in a tattered journal left by her great-grandfather, and the promise of family jewels and pirate gold.

 

Leah has only days to come up with the cash. An awkward treasure hunter she meets believes he can find it in time. However, the neighbors on her new property are too interested in Leah's every move. Are they simply protecting their illegal whiskey operation, or do they have designs on the gifts from the McPhillen's past hidden in her great-grandfather's journal? Or are they after Leah and her stunning adopted sister? Could the numerous caves on the property hold more than just heirlooms, or are enough treasures hidden to keep Leah from saving White Rose Cottage?

 

If you love Christian Romantic Suspense, you'll love "A Place of Buried Treasure," Book 5 in the thrilling series, "Places."

 

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Fran Driscoll
• Release date: Sep 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201395681

Book preview

Chapter One

Lean tried not to gasp as she saw Fiachra House rise through a gap in the trees. Far from being the carefree place of her childhood, it looked abandoned and forlorn. Gray wood shown through what was left of the white paint, and several of the front steps were rotting away. A few windowpanes were cracked, and Leah’s eyes traveled to the third floor where the gingerbread shingles resembled so many crooked teeth. A chill raced up her arms as she realized the pretty stained-glass window on the third floor seemed to be glaring at her.

Sheanna grabbed her hand and squeezed it too tightly. You see it, don’t you? the frazzled teen whispered as she swiped the sweat away from her face with her free hand.

See what? Leah forced her voice to be cheerful.

Something’s up there watching us. I can see its shadow and feel angry eyes on us. Sheanna’s voice was a whisper and she tugged Leah away from the house.

Don’t be silly, Sheanna. Trooper isn’t barking, so we’re safe. The treasure hunter is locked and loaded. Besides, nothing evil could live in GiGi’s house. It would hate it there. Leah almost convinced herself.

GiGi? Sheanna was furiously fanning herself with her baseball cap.

You know, Great Granny McPhillen. I had a little problem with big words as a kid, and the name stuck.

You got no problem talking now, Cuz. Sheanna said.

Cuz? Harrison asked as he shifted his oversized pack.

Leah yanked on her pony tail. Sheanna is my favorite cousin and my sister. We adopted her a couple years ago, but I loved her the first day I saw her. If I had my way, she would never have left us for the frozen Wisconsin tundra.

Sheanna rolled her eyes and pushed Leah toward the house. I had to wait forever for my step-dad to be declared legally dead even though that monster is too mean to die. I still say he’s the one behind Mom’s ‘accidental’ overdose, and those eyes up there feel familiar. Cullen lives.

I think that fabulous imagination plus this heat equals a good ghost story. Leah tugged on the girl’s pony tail.

Sometimes I feel like he’s watching me from a shadow somewhere. Like whatever is watching us from that window. All that pretty, colored glass with a big dark abyss in the center. Do you think he found out about this place, and he’s been here waiting? It would be a free place to stay, and there’s that big old corn field down the road to steal food from.

But there’s no signal out here or little girl ‘models’ for his online business. Cullen hasn’t sold any photos in years, She-she. You saw the court papers. Leah licked her lips.

The mask of horror on Harrison’s face was quickly replaced with a bland look when Sheanna faced him. Your dog would get him if we had company.

Maybe. Sheanna snapped her fingers and Trooper jumped to her side. Or maybe he knows we need protecting, so he’s staying close.

Cullen Beal is graveyard dead. I’m sure of it, Sheanna. There’s no way that guy could stay outta trouble this long. Leah took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. The thought of him hunting Sheanna made her blood run cold. But he’d been missing for a decade. None of his glamour shots of little girls had shown up on even the dark web for years. Her dad had connections throughout law enforcement, and her brother worked for Homeland Security. They kept their eyes and ears open, and they both had connections galore.

Leah patted Trooper on the head. This old boy has taken out more than one bad guy with extreme prejudice.

And now we’re traipsing through the jungle because we found Great-great Granddaddy’s journal. Sheanna rolled her eyes. Why do you enjoy torturing me?

When’s the last time we had an adventure? Besides being in that stupid commercial for the visitor’s bureau. Leah sighed.

The singing was fun. Sheanna had an evil grin on her face. Lalalalala!

Please, no. You almost got us kicked off the set with that little stunt. There is a reason your drama teacher put you on stage crew. That’s all I’ll say.

Sheanna pushed her Leah away from her and sang, There’s nothing wrong with my singing. I’m on stage crew because I’m a wonderful seamstress.

Yeah. Stick to your strengths. Leah couldn’t resist teasing her. It had been so long since they spent any real time together. She belted, This is the song that never ends.

Second verse same as the first. A little bit louder and a little bit worse. Sheanna screamed out the words as Leah tried to outdo her.

Slightly ahead of them, in a clearing where the circular drive met the walkway, the treasure hunter dropped his huge, overstuffed backpack and used his machete to cut some tinder that tangled its way around the gate. He stacked it next to the fire pit, and began to roll out a huge, thick tarp. Leah almost giggled at the sight of the lanky man in his Indiana Jones fedora stomping through her childhood playground. The wordless adventurer meets GiGi’s Gardens and Portrait Studio. She abandoned the singing contest, dropped her backpack, and strode toward him hoping to get more than a handful of words from him. Why are we putting up tents?

I had to clear out rattlesnakes last time I was here. Harrison Kvasnicka palmed the sweat from his face with his right hand leaving a dirty smear.

Sheanna narrowed her eyes and grumbled, I thought this was a treasure hunt, not a camp out. I need a shower, and I’m almost out of mosquito spray. And why is he wearing those funny looking shin guards, Leah? He looks like king of the nerds.

Harrison shrugged and pulled a tent out of his pack.

Those are called gaiters, and I believe it’s because he’s been trudging through brush that may contain all manner of critters that bite. We are on a treasure hunt, but it’s gonna include camping. If you’re a good girl, I’ll show you this really neat claw foot tub on the second floor. There’s a hand pump attached to it that pumps cold water, which is perfect on a day like today, Leah said. There are lots of neat old antiques you’ll love inside, so don’t be a grump.

Harrison nodded. Water runs clear after a few pumps.

Sheanna flashed a worried look toward the house and patted Trooper’s neck. I’d love to see inside, if my bodyguard comes along.

Trooper woofed his agreement.

Leah couldn’t resist questioning the guide. Did you and Dad come up here more than once? I hope you haven’t worn yourself out traipsing up here again and again. I’m going to owe your sister more than ever.

Alta loves you--says you saved her job. The fedora came off just long enough to swipe at a fly.

She helps me more than I help her. I found one mistake on a big client’s return. Could’ve happened to anybody, which is why we check each other’s work. Besides, I love numbers. They always make sense. Unlike the rest of the world, Leah wanted to add.

Harrison flicked some tick seeds from his shorts and grunted. Your dog doesn’t act old.

Leah handed her canteen to Sheanna and shook her head. Changing the subject won’t work with me. It’s not an easy drive up here, and I’d feel terrible if I thought you were taking away from other clients when I can’t even pay—

I always take a percentage of the treasure. Can’t dig willy-nilly, and your dad helped a good bit with the scouting.

You said only a couple people could know, and we kept it close to the vest.

Last time I lost out on a treasure there was a hole the size of a car near the bayou, so Daddy and I knew somebody else got there first. I wish you could’ve seen that Cyprus tree though. The cottonmouth carved into it was a work of art. His face flushed with pleasure.

Leah figured that was the most words he’d ever said to her in one conversation.

Sheanna stomped her foot. How could a slimy snake be a work of art?

Harrison shrugged and turned back to his work.

This canteen’s empty, Sheanna said. I’m so hot and sweaty I could scream.

Here. He held out the canteen.

Sheanna looked at it like he was handing her poison for a moment, but she finally took it. She took a gulp, dumped water over her head, and dripped the last of it down the front of her shirt. Finally, she smiled. That’s better.

I’ll take you to GiGi’s Lake later, so you can have a nice refreshing swim. Leah smiled as she remembered jumping into the cool, spring-fed river on many sweltering afternoons. It widened after a slight drop, but the lake was reserved for the cows in those days. You’ll love it, Sheanna. I learned to swim there when I was three.

Three? Are you kidding me? Sheanna hung the empty canteens on the corner post.

You’re not the only one in this family who’s part fish.

I vote swimming now. I’m getting heat stroke, and those eyes from the house are creeping me out. Sheanna fanned herself with a large leaf.

Leah pulled her hair up into a ponytail. I’m telling you that’s impossible. First of all, Daddy said the stairs don’t go all the way up to the third floor anymore, and second, there couldn’t be anything from the spiritual realm that hates us. GiGi wouldn’t allow it.

Maybe she doesn’t have a vote. Sheanna said, a slight tremble in her voice.

If you knew her, you’d know that she has the ONLY vote. Think of Mama, and multiply the hardheadedness by ten.

Trooper let out a soft woof and loped toward the back of the house. Leah hoped it was just a squirrel that had his attention.

Harrison was laying out two tents atop the tarp on the gravel driveway. Wanna collect firewood?

It’s a hundred degrees out here, what do we need wood for? Sheanna snarled.

Harrison shrugged again. The sausage dogs taste a lot better cooked.

Oh, yeah. No electricity. I saw the shadow in the house, and my nerves suicided my brain, Sheanna groused.

Suicided? The word made Leah nervous. Poor girl had more than her share of trauma in her life, and she was at an age where every problem was magnified. Sheanna had been almost as in love with Leah’s husband Michael as she was. When he disappeared without a word, Sheanna took it personally. When the credit card bills started showing up, all max’d out and overdue, Leah understood why he left—more broken promises to add to the stack. But nothing could convince Sheanna that money was the reason for Michael’s absence. She took it personally. In fact, years of abuse and neglect from her mother and physical abuse by Cullen the stepfather from the dregs of the earth didn’t seem to hurt her as much as Michael’s disappearance had.

Hello. Earth to Leah. Are you listening? Sheanna’s finger snapped next to her ear. The heat has fried my brain. Nothing to report to my counselor, okay? The teen shook her head and walked toward their guide. I’m guessing you want the wood piled up by that circle of rocks over there, Mr. Harrison?

Yes, ma’am, Find some skinny green sticks for s’mores, too. His tone was cordial.

Everybody says I’m fifteen going on thirty, and I don’t try to be a drama queen. Sheanna fixed her aquamarine eyes on the man like lasers. What I mean is, I’m sorry I was so rude about your outfit. Daddy takes us camping every spring, so I can hold my own out here.

The treasure hunter nodded.

I call her Danger-prone Daisy, Leah said, and she fished a pair of gardening gloves from her bag and tossed them toward her sister’s head. Watch out for critters when you gather those limbs. A brown recluse bite would not be any fun. That storm must’ve been quite a gully washer.

Sheanna snatched the gloves from the air and slid them on. She walked along the circular drive to the first oak tree, reached down, and picked up some pieces of a dead branch. She easily tossed them in the direction of the tinder pile Harrison had made. I got this.

Leah shot up a quick prayer and watched her closely, hoping she truly was coping with this most recent tragedy as well as she seemed to be. Guilt washed through her as she remembered that when it all came down to it, Leah hadn’t been there for her for quite a while. She had been in a fog of worry and self-pity. When the police found Michael’s arm, the missing husband became a missing, presumed dead, and Leah pulled away from everybody for months. Just when she thought there was man out there who truly loved her, finally, she learned he had a greater love that demanded his all. She still remembered her dad’s words when they finally found the rest of Michael’s remains.

Addicts kill themselves, honey. It’s what they do. You couldn’t have stopped it no matter how you tried. He folded her into an embrace and let her cry until she ran out of tears.

In her heart of hearts, Leah knew that death had claimed him when his arm floated to Lake Pontchartrain’s shore. Yet Sheanna had been blind-sided, and the bubbly girl who never sat still became incredibly sullen and withdrawn. She barely left her room, and she had to be forced to eat most days.

Leah wandered the neighborhood at midnight trying to wear herself out so she could sleep, and then she peeked in on Sheanna to make sure she was alive. Often, her mother would be rocking in a chair in her room, Bible in her lap. Instead of comforting Leah, it filled her with anger. God could fix so much if He wanted, yet for some reason He let her suffer again and again. First the twins and then Michael. Death and desertion followed her like ants on a bread trail. And sweet little Sheanna’s young life had been a nightmare. Her stomach felt as if it was filled with rocks, and she pushed the memories