Page 38 of The Secrets We Treasure

She held up her hands. “Surprise.”

“What?” Greer exclaimed. “You’re supposed to be in Disneyland.”

“Change of plans.”

He threaded his way past Laci and several others in the group to get to Treasure. The excitement brimming in his golden-brown eyes dissolved the residue of Treasure’s reservations about how he would react to her sudden appearance. A crooked smile tugged at his lips. “You got me,” he laughed. The sound was so pure and distinctly masculine that it rose emotion in her throat. “This is the best birthday present ever. Come here,” he murmured, catching her in a tight hug.

Thrilling sensations circled through her as he pressed her against the hard muscles in his torso. Being in Greer’s strong arms was heaven. Treasure could hardly contain the myriad emotions tumbling over her. He smelled of citrus, musk, and a fresh indefinable scent that was the essence of her childhood. She got the sensation of the pages of history turning back and re-writing themselves in the story that should have been.

Her eyes misted as he pulled back.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he breathed, looking at her with such wonder that she might’ve been an apparition. A second later, his brow creased. “What about Tray? Was he okay with you coming here instead of taking him to Disneyland?”

Treasure appreciated Greer thinking of Tray. Ethan acted like Tray was a nuisance, which did not sit well with Treasure. In fact, she’d set Ethan straight regarding his attitude many times, but it didn’t seem to stick. “My mom had a mini stroke.” Speaking the words to Greer evoked a rush of emotion. It was a situation where everything came to a head when she was speaking to the one person with whom she felt the strongest connection.

He blinked, sympathy flicking over his features. “Is she okay?”

“Yeah, she’s doing surprisingly well.”

“I’m glad,” he sighed in relief. “Did you arrive today?”

She offered a sheepish grin. “I got here on Wednesday.”

“W—hat? You were messing with me on the phone.” He chuckled like it was no big deal, but she detected a sublayer of seriousness. “When you were being evasive about me visiting you next week, I was afraid you were having second thoughts about us.”

“Never,” she said with conviction, hoping that he believed her. “I just wanted to surprise you.”

A large, unencumbered smile split his face. “Well, you did. Does this mean that I have you all to myself for a few days?”

Joy cushioned her in a soft cocoon. “It does.” She couldn’t believe this was happening! She almost wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. The corners of her lips twitched with humor. “Mom will be glad to get me out of the house. She’s tired of me fussing over her.”

“I will gladly take you off her hands.” He slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’m just so glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” Treasure chimed, feeling like all was right with the world.

“Hey, now. Quit hogging my bestie all to yourself,” Laci pouted as she wedged in between them, hanging her arms around both their shoulders. “The Three Musketeers are officially back together,” she grinned, looking from one to the other. She gave Treasure a sidelong look as she lifted an eyebrow. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were coming.” There was an edge of disapproval in her tone.

“I’m sorry. It all happened so fast. Did you hear me tell Greer that my mom had a mini stroke?”

Laci frowned as she extricated herself from Treasure and Greer. “No. When did it happen?”

“Tuesday. I got here on Wednesday but didn’t tell you because I wanted to surprise you and Greer tonight at the party. Also, I spent a couple days with Mom, focusing totally on her.”

“How’s Barbara doing?” Laci asked with concern.

“Really well.” A dry grin pulled at Treasure’s lips. “The hardest part is forcing her to rest.”

The small group of guests that had been talking to Greer and Laci when Treasure interrupted the conversation had resumed talking amongst themselves. That is, all but one guy who stepped up to Treasure, sporting a mile-wide, confident smile. “Hello,” he began, “I’m Doug.” He extended his hand and clasped Treasure’s, holding onto it. He looked her up and down with open approval. “You’re beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Treasure replied hesitantly, repelled by his boldness. It gave her a dart of pleasure when Greer’s face turned a shade darker.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Greer warned. “She’s with me.”

Hearing Greer speak those three simple words both startled and thrilled Treasure.

The guy’s eyes clouded with indecision as he released her hand and stepped back. “My mistake.” He offered Greer an apologetic grin. “Didn’t realize y’all were together.”

“We are,” Greer asserted. He threw Treasure a challenging look. “Isn’t that right, T?”

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