Page 44 of The Secrets We Treasure

Chapter 10

“Where are we going?” Treasure looked over at Greer, who was driving her rented golf cart. The wind whipped strands of hair into her mouth. She spit them out and caught her hair with her hand at her nape. “Ugh! I hate eating my hair.”

Greer grinned, shaking his head. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

A smile tugged at her lips. The past and present were converging so quickly that she could almost make herself believe they were back to the beginning … when the world was filled with endless possibilities, only limited by their ability to dream. She looked up at the silver moon hanging in the velvety-black sky. It cast a thin, shimmery light over the rolling landscape. Stars glittered around it. The moist, salty air seeped into her pores. “How many times do you think we’ve traveled down this road before?”

“More times than we could count.” He pulled his eyes off the road long enough to give her an admiring look. “I’ve always loved your long hair. You’re even more beautiful now than when we were kids.”

“Thank you.” A quiver of sheer bliss surged through her veins. A wicked thought circled through her brain. Normally, Treasure was more reserved when it came to men, but this was Greer. “You seem to have acquired some impressive muscles since we were last together.”

He chuckled in surprise. “T, have you been checking me out?” His voice was playful, taunting.

Heat brushed her cheeks. “I plead the fifth.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve been checking you out too.” A sly grin lifted a corner of his lips as he laid his Southern accent on thick. “Girl, you’re hotter than pepper pudding in that dress.”

Her eyes popped as startled laughter gurgled in her throat. “Thanks … I think.” She scrunched her nose. “Pepper pudding? That’s the best you can come up with?”

“Trust me. It’s a compliment.”

“I’ll bet you say that to all the girls,” she quipped.

“Nope,” he said lightly. “Just to The One.”

She felt her eyes bug as they shared a quick look. Her tongue darted over her lips. “This is happening fast.”

“Too fast?” he asked carefully.

She clasped her hands in her lap as she considered his question. She sensed more than saw his hands tighten on the wheel. “No,” she finally said.

He rewarded her with a smile so effulgent and pure that she wondered if her heart would burst from the joy of it. Her breath caught when he slowed the golf cart and turned down a certain road that led to their favorite spot. Everything was coming full circle. A sense of reverence overtook them as they drove the rest of the way to the beach in silence.

They pulled up to the edge of the sand. Greer turned off the motor, and they got out. Treasure slipped off her heels and placed them on the passenger floorboard. She scrunched her nose. “Shoot. My purse. Do you think it’ll be okay?” The beach was remote—not one that would be frequented by tourists, which is why they both loved it so. There wasn’t a home in sight. The chances of anyone coming around were slight. Even so, Treasure didn’t want to leave her purse out in the open and make it a target.

“Let’s hide it behind the seat. I’ll put my sports coat over it.” He threw her a cheeky grin that was both boyishly cute and masculine. “Allow me.” He wedged her purse under the back of the seat, slipped off his coat, folded it, and placed it over the sliver of the section sticking out. “There,” he said with satisfaction. “Problem solved.”

A grin played over her lips. “Thank you, Mr. NASA. That was much easier than a flying machine.”

He wrangled his eyebrows. “You’re gonna be shocked one of these days when I actually build you that flying machine.”

“I’ll have to see it to believe it,” she laughed.

He clicked his tongue in mock disappointment. “Oh, ye of little faith.”

He took off his socks and shoes before rolling up his pants and the arms of his shirt. He tossed the items into the front passenger floorboard. Then, he rubbed his hands vigorously back and forth through his hair, loosening his curls. “There. Much better.” A renegade lock flopped over his eye.

Treasure’s heart skipped a beat. He was still very much the Huckleberry Finn boy she’d fallen in love with, but he’d filled out his lean frame with cut muscles. His features were more rugged and defined. Age had certainly done him well.

Sparks blitzed through her skin when he took hold of her hand. Together they trudged through the thick blanket of sand to get to the shoreline. When they reached it, they stood side by side, peering out at the ocean. In the pale light of the moon, it was dark and mysterious, with only the frothy white edges of the crashing waves visible. He let go of her hand and cupped his hands around his mouth. “Hello,” he yelled, letting the wind overtake his voice. “Your turn,” he prompted.

It was a game they’d played as kids … shouting against the wind. She gathered her voice. “Hello!” she bellowed with all her might.

“That was pretty good.” He threw her a sly grin. “For a girl.”

She gave him a playful shove.

“Careful,” he warned, “or I’ll throw you in the water.”

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