A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams Book 1) (24 page)

Mark accepted the file from Spencer and opened it. “What’s this?”

“Read it. I think you’ll find it interesting.”

Mark sat in the nearest chair and skimmed the confession. “You finally got him to talk. Great! Do you think he’s telling the truth?”

Spencer nodded. “He flipped on everyone for a reduced sentence. I guess he was a nark after all.”

Mark handed the file back. “I’m relieved that Sarah had no knowledge of what her friends were doing. That would have been hard on Nicole.”

“I agree. Those women were pretty sneaky. Offering to help out with the cleaning in the management office while they were visiting and saving everything onto a thumb drive was clever. I think the property management company learned a lesson too. Never leave passcodes laying around. Nothing like leaving the key to the computer right beside it.”

“No kidding. It was definitely a crime of opportunity. I’m glad we caught them. How is Sarah doing? I imagine she was shocked to learn what was going on behind her back.”

“That’s putting it mildly. She’s angry and in need of a good friend right now. I thought maybe you could clue in Nicole in case Sarah doesn’t.”

“Good idea.” He pulled his phone out and dialed. Hers went straight to voicemail. He left a message then stuffed it back into his pocket. “If I didn’t know for a fact that things were cleared up between us, I’d be worried that she didn’t pick up.”

Spencer chuckled. “Man, you’ve got it bad.” He clapped him on the shoulder and walked away.

Mark couldn’t deny the accusation because Spencer was right. What was he going to do? He’d be leaving for Portland before long, and she’d be here. He wasn’t interested in a long distance relationship, but if things continued to progress between them, then that was what they’d have.
What do I do, Lord?

Chapter Twenty-One

Mark sat at his desk writing reports. He’d be back in Portland by week’s end, and the thought tore him apart. Nicole would be here, and he’d be over a hundred miles away. He’d miss her so much. Their relationship had grown so much this summer, especially in the weeks following the closed burglary case.

Someone cleared his throat causing Mark to look up from the computer monitor. “Hi, Sir.”

“When you’re finished with that report, I’d like to see you in my office.” Captain Michaels strode down the hall out of sight.

That was odd. He quickly finished up and scooted from the desk. Several strides later, he knocked on the captain’s door.

“Mark. Close the door and take a seat.”

Mark did as ordered and waited.

“You’ve been an asset to this department all summer.”

Ah, the goodbye speech. Wonder why he’s doing it now?

“I’m sure you’re aware that Winters is retiring at the end of the month, which puts me down an officer. I know it’s not the big city detective job you’re going back to, but we could use a man with your skills here. The job is yours if you’d like.” He raised a hand. “Now before you answer, I know you’d be leaving a great position in Portland, but I hope you’ve found this place to your liking and want to stay on. Let me know your decision by Friday.”

“Yes.”

“Come again?” The shock on the captain’s face was priceless.

“I accept the position. When do I start?”

A slow grin spread across his face. “Will two weeks give you enough time to settle things in Portland?”

“Yes, Sir.” Mark’s brain kicked into overdrive. He had a lot to do and needed to move fast to accomplish it all in two weeks, but it was doable.

Captain Michaels leaned back in his chair. “Good. Then that’ll be all. Tie up any loose ends and take the rest of the week off. I want to see you back here September 13
th
.”

Mark stood and couldn’t stop the grin that covered his face. “Thank you.” He went back to his desk and finished the rest of his paperwork.

Spencer walked past.

“Hey man. Hold up.” Mark stood and walked with him to the exit. “It looks like you’re stuck with me. Captain Michaels offered me Winters’ spot.”

Spencer slapped him on the back. “Congratulations! I guess that will make things easier for you and Nicole.”

Nicole!
He had to call her right now. “Thanks. I’ll catch up with you later.” He grabbed his duffel bag and headed out to the parking lot. Before he reached his pickup, he punched in her number, which went straight to voicemail.

“You’ve reached Nicole. Leave me a message.”

“I have great news. I’m on my way over to your place. I hope you’re there.”

Nicole pulled out the attorney’s business card. “Here goes nothing.” She pressed in the numbers and nibbled her bottom lip as the phone rang once, twice, three times.

“Miss Davis, I’ve been expecting your call for a couple of months. I see you finally finished the game.”

“You know about Grams’ game?” She shook her head. “Wait a second. How’d you know it was me, and why didn’t your assistant answer the phone?”

“Caller I.D. I had the phone set for your number to go directly to my phone. I was beginning to think your grandmother overestimated your sleuthing skills, but I’m glad I was wrong.” He chuckled then cleared his throat. “Against my advice, your grandmother orchestrated, with my help, an elaborate scavenger hunt that would ultimately lead you to me.”

“Oh.” So this was it. The game really was over. A mixture of sadness and excitement warred within her.

“I’m sure you’re wondering about my involvement. Your grandmother was failing fast toward the end. She and I went back many years, and I was happy to help her. I was beginning to fear you wouldn’t look in her Bible, and I’d have to contact you myself.”

“It’s been an eventful summer. I found the card a couple days ago but forgot to call you yesterday.”

“I see. Ordinarily I’d like to do this kind of thing in person, but under the circumstances, we can talk over the phone. Before your grandmother’s passing, she deeded all her worldly possessions to you, including the house you are currently staying in.”

“Grams owns this place?”

“She did, and now you do. She’s owned it for more than thirty years. It’s been a great rental income for her. The home is paid in full and will provide you with nice revenue as well, should you decide to rent it out.”

Nicole’s stomach leaped. “Oh my. I can’t believe it!” He went on about a bunch of legal stuff she needed to take care of.

“Thank you.” Nicole hung up the phone in a daze. A knock sounded on the door, and she pulled it open.

Mark stepped inside and took her hand. “Are you okay? You’re a little pale.”

She looked up at him blinking back tears. “I finally finished the scavenger hunt. I can’t believe this. This was Grams’ house and now it’s mine.” She looked around her home with a new perspective, and it hit her. “This is where we stayed when we visited in the summers. I was young, not more than eight or nine, the last time we came, but now I kind of remember this place. It’s been redecorated since then, and I guess that’s why I didn’t recognize it until her attorney jarred my memory.” Her gaze slammed into his. “All my dreams have come true.”

“I’m glad.” He palmed her cheek.

A sudden thought struck her. “You know what this means?”

He shook his head.

“We get to go on some more tandem bike rides. At least until you head back to your job in Portland.”

“About that. I’ve accepted a position with the Sunriver police department.”

“For real?” The happiness reflected in her eyes had to match his.

“Yes, and I was wondering something.” He pulled her close.

“What’s that?”

“Would you be my girl?”

Her eyes danced as she nodded, and his lips found her. The game Grams had planned was more than a game—it had led her to her true heart’s treasure—a renewed relationship with the Lord and a man she could respect and love the rest of her life.

~The End~

Books By Kimberly Rose Johnson

Sunriver Dreams

A Love to Treasure

Wildflower B&B Romance Series

Island Refuge

Island Dreams

Island Christmas

Island Hope

Standalone

A Valentine for Kayla

Series with Heartsong Presents

The Christmas Promise

A Romance Rekindled

A Holiday Proposal

A Match for Meghan

A Note from the Author

From the time I was first introduced to Sunriver, Oregon as a teenager to now, it's been one of my favorite places to visit. My youngest started walking at eight months old while we were on vacation there. It's a memory I will forever remember. I have a dream of one day living there, much like Nicole in
A Love to Treasure.

I hope you enjoy the setting as much as I do.

I first began this story many years ago as part of a novella collection that never happened. I re-wrote this story many times until I was finally happy with the result. I hope you enjoy A Love to Treasure.

You can connect with me at
www.kimberlyjohnson.com

And Now—A Sneak Peek at Book Two

A Christmas Homecoming

By Kimberly Rose Johnson

Chapter One

Bailey Calderwood pulled the knit hat her mother had given her last Christmas lower on her head as freezing wind whipped up her long hair, tossing it into her face. Wind whistled between the tall ponderosa pines that surrounded her employer’s house not far from Sunriver, Oregon.

Not for the first time, she questioned her sanity in agreeing to move to Mona Belafonte’s home. On a good day her employer was difficult to please, but now that she’d had a stroke, most of the time she was impossible. Not that she blamed the woman for being difficult. She had to be frustrated and angry at her situation and slow recovery.

Bailey needed to take care of her task quickly and get back to the house. Mona didn’t like to be alone. Thankfully the youngest of the Belafonte brothers was returning from France next week in time for the holidays. From what she’d been told, he worked with the design side of the business as well as the construction side, and she was hoping having him here would brighten Mona’s mood and speed her recovery. The task of freshening his cabin should go fast. But since it had been closed up for the past two-and-a-half-years, she expected there’d be a good deal of dust to contend with.

Crunching metal and shattering glass punctuated the early afternoon air.
Oh no!
Bailey’s stomach clenched, and
her pulse jumped. The noise had come from the direction of the road. She jogged through the ankle deep snow along the driveway that wove through the woods to the road.

A small pickup with steam rising from under the crumpled hood had wrapped around a huge pine. The driver sat slumped behind the wheel. She bounded through the snow to cover the rest of the distance and yanked open the door. Blood streamed down a man’s face. She fought rising panic. What if he was dead? She nudged the man’s shoulder, noting his expensive suit and tie. “Sir, wake up.”
Please be alive.

“Don’t.” He pushed at her. “Leave . . . me . . . alone.” His head rolled to the side.

She yanked her hand away. Was he drunk? She sniffed but didn’t smell alcohol. What should she do? She’d left her cell phone at the house. He may not want her help, but he definitely needed it. She patted his face. “Hey, wake up. We need to get you out of here.” No response. Maybe if she shook him—no. What if he had a head injury? She bit down on her bottom lip. A glance at the steaming hood caused her panic to rise.

She didn’t think the car would catch fire, but she’d seen enough vehicle explosions on TV to prompt fear. He was too large for her to get him out on her own. She needed him conscious.
What do I do, Lord?
Looking around for anything that could help, her gaze rested on the snow. It was worth a try.