Page 106 of Knotting With A Stranger

“Flatterer,” she says, eyes twinkling. “You must come visit me soon. I need to ask you some very important questions to make sure you’re right for my granddaughter.”

“I look forward to the interrogation,” Archer replies with a wink.

I clear my throat, desperate to change the subject before they start planning wedding cakes or baby names.

“Grandma, I actually called because I found something interesting.” I hold up the photograph to the camera. “Is this you… with someone from the…” I pause, turning to Archer. “What’s Hunter’s last name?”

“Thorne,” he says without hesitation.

I turn back to the iPad, my gaze locking on my grandmother. “With someone from the Thorne family?”

My grandmother’s expression transforms, softening with nostalgia. “Oh my,” she breathes, leaning closer to the screen. “Where did you find that? It feels like just yesterday.” She sighs deeply. “I heard Malcolm passed away recently. My heart hurt when I found out. He was such a wonderful man.”

“So, how did you know him?” I ask, curiosity burning through me. “You weren’t... dating, were you?”

She bursts out laughing, the sound so full and rich, it makes me smile despite myself. “Oh no, nothing like that! We were just friends… business friends. Malcolm lent me the money to open the bakery when no bank would give a loan to asilly woman with flour in her hair,as they put it. He let me pay him back without charging a single penny of interest.” Her eyes grow distant with memory. “He was a true soul, a heart of gold. We need more people like that in our world.”

Her gaze returns to us, her smile widening. “You two really do make a lovely couple. You must bring him to visit me, Lily. I need to make sure his intentions are honorable.”

“I’d be delighted to prove myself worthy,” Archer says before I can respond. “Though I should warn you, I have a tendency to charm elderly ladies. It’s my superpower.”

“Cheeky boy,” my grandmother laughs. “I like him already, Lily.”

I set the photograph down on the coffee table, shaking my head at their instant rapport. “So, Malcolm Thorne was just a friend who helped you start the bakery. That’s amazing, but I wonder why Hunter has this photo.”

“Oh, Malcolm cared for his family so much,” my grandmother continues. “He was always talking about his grandson, worrying about how he and his cousin fought constantly. He actually planted a treasure hunt for them to get along after he was gone. Isn’t that beautiful?”

Archer and I freeze, exchanging a startled glance.

“Wait, what did you just say?” Archer asks, leaning toward the screen.

“About the treasure hunt?” My grandmother looks surprised at our reaction. “Yes, Malcolm mentioned it a few times in his last years when he would pay me a visit occasionally. He left each boy half a treasure map in his will, hoping they’d have to work together to find it. A rather clever plan, I thought.”

“What else do you know about this treasure hunt?” I ask, my heart suddenly racing.

She chuckles, adjusting her glasses. “Well, the funny part is, there isn’t actually any treasure on the map.”

“There isn’t?” Archer’s voice rises in disbelief.

“Not on the map itself, no,” she explains, a mischievous smile spreading on her mouth. “Malcolm found the gold himself years ago. After building his properties and securing the land, he hid a significant portion of the treasure in each house. He told me once he concealed it in the basement walls. If the boys ever found the X on the map, they’d discover a note explaining this.”

Archer and I stare at each other, stunned into silence.

“Grandma,” I say slowly. “Do you remember exactly where in the basement he might have hidden it?”

She shakes her head. “No, dear, he never shared those details. Just that it was somewhere in the walls, I believe.” She peers at us curiously. “Why? Are you two treasure hunting now?”

“Something like that,” Archer murmurs, his knee bouncing with barely contained excitement.

We chat for a few more minutes, but I can feel Archer’s impatience matching my own. Finally, my grandmother glances at her watch.

“I’m afraid I have to go now, darlings. Bingo starts in ten minutes, and Ethel always tries to steal my lucky seat if I’m not there early. The woman is eighty-seven but moves like a jaguar when free pudding or prime bingo spots are involved.”

“Of course, Grandma,” I say, sending her a kiss through the screen. “I’ll visit soon, I promise.”

“Bring that handsome man with you,” she insists. “And be careful treasure hunting! Malcolm always said the real treasure was family, but a few gold bars never hurt anyone.”

Archer offers a charming farewell before ending the call. The moment the screen goes dark, we turn to each other with wide eyes.

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