Page 28 of Treasured

Or maybe I'm just getting back to being myself after a six year detour.

Regardless, the jeweler only had one of the necklaces in stock but he promised that if I got to his store first thing this morning he'd have another one so I asked Aunt Max to tell my mates I'd meet them at Cheever’s Ridge for our picnic. My plan is to get there before them and then I'll be waiting and propose to them before they propose to me.

Won't that be great? I'm giddy just thinking about it.

I barely slept last night because I was worried that the jeweler wouldn't do as he'd promised. Wouldn't be the first time someone had let me down.

But, he'd even opened up early for me when he saw me parked right outside his front door.

I glance at the clock again. It's a foggy morning and I really ought to slow down. The mountain pass between Eagle Canyon and Hound Dog can be sort of tricky.

Just as I'm having that thought, I see a dark shadow outlined in the fog and slam on the brakes.

* * *

Creed

I have a bad feeling about this.

Yeah, I'm starting to sound like Jake with his feelings and intuition. Except mine is based on logic and past experience.

Tracy's ghosting us.

Again.

I know it. Deep in my bones, I know it's true.

I glance at Jake. It's been almost ten minutes since I tried to call and text Tracy and there's been no response. Jake licks his lips and his hand moves to the necklace under his shirt. It's a nervous gesture and I'm not even sure he knows he's doing it.

We got out of the truck and walked around the parking lot to check for her car and called her name, but no luck.

"We should have gotten more info from Maxine about what Tracy was up to this morning," I say.

Jake's gaze meets mine. "I don't think she knows any more than we do."

Jake gets his phone out and tries calling her. Still no answer. Same result when he sends a text.

"Maybe she's in an area where the cell service is spotty. You know how it is around here with the mountains and everything," Jake says.

It's an entirely plausible explanation. We are pretty remote. The way everyone in Eagle Canyon likes it.

"So we just sit and wait for her?" I ask. Sitting and waiting is my least favorite activity in any situation but even worse when I'm feeling antsy. Something just doesn't seem right about this whole thing.

"Something just doesn't seem right," Jake says. Damn it, but lately it's like he's been able to read my mind. Granted, we shared a womb and have barely spent a day apart since then. We've always been tuned in to each other, but lately, since Tracy came back, it's like it's ratcheted up times ten.

"Can you read my mind?" I ask, glaring at him.

"Why would I want to do that?" he asks and though we are both anxious, it's funny and it breaks the tension a little. A very little.

"Something is wrong," I say.

Jake sighs. "Yeah, it seems that way."

"She's ghosted us," I say. The words feel like acid on my tongue but it's what I believe.

Jake's head snaps in my direction. "No, don't say that. That's not true. It's something else." He's quiet for a moment and closes his eyes and takes in some deep breaths.

"What are you doing?"

---