Chapter Five
Maudie’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. “I can’t believe it.”
My fingers ran over the parchment. “It’s definitely old, and the paper feels like…”
Maudie took the map from me and felt along the paper. “Animal skin.”
“Weird, huh?” I glanced at the map’s writing. “There’s not an ‘x marks the spot’ kinda thing like you see in the movies, but it certainly looks like these symbols and letters are leading to something.” I shook my head. “Of course, I can’t imagine there being an actual treasure, least of all why someone would have gone to the trouble to put it behind the painting.”
We were interrupted by Maddox sticking his head in the door. Just the sight of him caused my stomach to churn. “Hey, I was just about to take that delivery to the Perkins—” He hesitated at what could only be the bewildered expressions on Maudie’s and my faces. “Is something wrong?”
Maudie furiously beckoned him with her hand. “Shut the door!”
He ducked inside, arching his brows questioningly. “Did somebody die or something?”
“No, no, of course not,” Maudie chuckled. She took the map from me and handed it over to Maddox. “What do you make of that?”
Not wanting to be too close to Maddox, I inched further away from Maudie. His blue eyes scanned over the paper before he flipped it over. “Is it some kind of Cherokee document?”
Maudie smacked her hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize what the lettering was. It’s definitely part of the Cherokee syllabary.”
“Think you can read it?” Maddox asked.
Maudie shook her head. “Unfortunately no. Even if I had a copy of the alphabet in front of me, I would still need a linguistic expert.”
I eyed the map again. “So you really think it could lead to some buried Cherokee Indian treasure?”
Maddox snorted. “Don’t tell me you two think this is some kind of treasure map?”
Forgetting that I was trying to ignore him, I countered, “And why couldn’t it be?”
“Um, maybe because it makes absolutely no sense? I mean, we’re talking about the Cherokees, not pirates.”
Maudie grinned as she wagged a finger at Maddox. “Ah, but what about the legend of hidden Cherokee Gold?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t think I quite remember that one, but I’m sure you’re going to enlighten me.”
She nodded. “Before everyone headed out to California in 1848, we had our own little gold rush right here in Georgia over in Dahlonega. Of course, the land where it was found belonged to the Cherokees. All that untapped fortune belonging to Indians didn’t sit well with the government, so they found a way to take it. They set up a land lottery and awarded it to white men. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the removal of all Eastern tribes came in shortly after.”
Maudie drew a pained breath. “Since the Indians were allowed so few personal belongings, many chose to hide their gold before they left. Many intended to one day return to their homeland and claim their wealth. Sadly, those who didn’t die along the harsh trek, never made it off the reservations of Oklahoma.”
“That’s so awful,” I murmured.
Maddox rolled his eyes. “And that story is supposed to validate that this piece of animal skin is a treasure map leading to hidden Cherokee gold?”
“Well, Mr. Smarty Pants, it just so happens that many Cherokees left both written and verbal instructions with family members on where gold was hidden. It’s feasible that this could be one of those very messages, which in turn could be considered a treasure map of sorts.”
Maddox’s expression remained skeptical. “Yeah, well, that’s cool to believe. Whatever floats your boat.”
Maudie laughed. “Don’t worry, silly. I’m not grabbing my shovel and running off treasure seeking.”
“I’d hope not.” Motioning to the door, he said, “Okay, so now that the excitement is over, I’ve really got to get that delivery over to the Perkins.”
She nodded. “Go right on ahead.”
“Later then,” he replied with a wave. Before he closed the door, I heard him grumble, “Hidden Cherokee gold.”
Once he had gone, Maudie turned to me. “Think you can man the fort for a bit?”
“Sure, why?”
She grinned. “I’m going up to the house right this instant and putting this baby in the safe!”
I laughed. “Sounds like a good idea to me!”
About an hour after Maudie returned, her voice rang over the loudspeaker. “Lane, you have a phone call.” I shoved the bottle of tea in my hand onto the shelf and hurried down the aisle to Maudie’s office. When I got there, she smiled. “It’s your dad. He’s holding on line four.”
I eased down into her high-back leather chair. I pressed the flashing light and said, “Hey Daddy.”
“Hey Pumpkin. I’ve got some bad news of the book kind.”
“Oh, what’s up?”
“My editor called, and they’ve booked me on the last leg of this Southern Secrets tour with a bunch of other mystery writers. The first signing is tomorrow morning in Charleston. Mom and I are packing up to catch a flight out this evening. Do you want to come with us?”
Jackpot! This was the perfect way to get out of working with Maddox. But saying yes meant tagging along with Mom to a bazillion antique stores while she ooed and aahed for hours, not to mention having a history lesson at each and every tourist trap imaginable. Ugh, that did not sound like a good idea at all. No, instead of being bored out of my mind, I would stay. After all, three years had passed, and I was more than capable of being able to tolerate Maddox’s presence.
“As tempting as that sounds,” I began, laying it on as thick as I could, “I better stay here and work. I couldn’t leave Maudie in the lurch.”
It was then a middle-aged man in a black suit barged through the door. The man’s dark eyes locked on mine, and he gave me an unapologetic stare. I cupped my hand over the receiver and asked, “May I help you?”
“I need to see Maudie Sinclair. Immediately.”
The man’s tone and body language told me he meant business. “Um, Dad, I have to go. You and Mom have a safe flight.”
“Okay. Love you honey.”
“Love you, too.”
I hung up the phone. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Is Maudie expecting you?”
Out of nowhere, his dark expression lightened. His lips curled into a toothy smile—the kind infamous of game-show hosts and creeps. “No, not exactly. I need to see Mrs. Sinclair about some unfinished business. Of course, I wasn’t expecting such a pretty young thing to be in her office.”
Yuck. Definitely a creep.
“Let me get her for you,” I said, as I rose out of the chair. I clicked on the pager and then my voice rang throughout the store. “Maudie, you’re needed in your office.” I edged around the desk, trying to put more space between the Creep and me.
Thankfully, Maudie was nearby. At my weirded out expression, she raised her eyebrows before turning to ‘the Creep’. “May I help you with something?”
“My name is Jensen.” He glanced from Maudie over to me. “Thank you for your help, but would you mind excusing us?”
“Um, sure,” I replied. I didn’t like the thoughts of leaving Maudie completely alone, so instead of shutting the door, I left it cracked. I then hid on the other side and peered in.
“I know you,” Maudie said, pointing a finger. “You’re the man from the auction. The one who tried to outbid me.”
“Yes, I am. The painting is the reason why I’ve come to see you.”
“Oh?”
“I’m not the type of man who likes to lose, Mrs. Sinclair. I intended—or I should say I intend—to have that painting. I’m sure you have an aesthetic appreciation for it, but for me, I have a deep, personal attachment. One that goes back to my ancestors.”
Maudie remained silent and contemplative. I wondered what thoughts were going through her mind.
Jensen drew in a sharp breath. “At the time of the auction, I was having somewhat of a cash flow problem. Since then, I have been able to procure more funds. I’m willing to offer you ten thousand more than what you paid.”
“Look, Mr. Jensen, I do appreciate your tenacity, but I’m afraid I cannot sell you the painting. Especially now that it has been damaged.”
A strangled cry came from Jensen before he demanded, “Damaged? What do you mean?”
“I’m afraid the frame is going to have to be replaced. Some kind of shipping mishap.”
I snorted back a laugh at Maudie’s explanation. The color returned to Jensen’s face. “Oh, well, I’ll be happy to do that myself.” He reached in his suit pocket for his handkerchief. “So my offer still stands.”
“No, I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline.”
“Fifteen thousand.”
“Mr. Jensen—”
“Then name your price!”
Maudie shook her head. She started around her desk to the door, and I froze. “I appreciate you coming all this way, but I really cannot part with it.”
A dark, almost sinister expression flashed momentarily on Jensen’s face before he managed to give Maudie a tight smile. “Well, I don’t suppose you can fault a man for trying. Maybe one day I’ll be able to persuade you to give it up.” He then turned and blew out the door so fast I didn’t have time to escape. He gave me a momentary pissed glance before stalking away.
I rushed into Maudie’s office. “Are you okay?”
“Me? Why never better,” she replied, her voice wavering.
“Are you sure? That guy was an absolute creep.” When Maudie started to protest, I shook my head. “I didn’t want to leave you alone with him, so I hid by the door. I didn’t like the things he was saying—the way he threatened you.”
A nervous titter of a laugh escaped her lips. “Oh, he’s just a spoiled, overzealous art collector who is used to getting what he wants.” A shaky hand swept away some of the hair that had come loose from her bun. “But he realized I wasn’t going to give in to him.” When I started to open my mouth to protest, Maudie shook her head. “So,” she said, drawing in a breath, “what did your dad want?”
“Oh, he’s got to go on a book tour for a week or two. Mom’s going with him.”
“And you decided to stay here with me, stacking jams and jellies and waiting on impatient tourists?”
“Sure did,” I replied.
She cupped my chin and smiled. “That’s my girl.”
I groaned. “Maudie, I’ll be twenty in two days, remember?”
“Even when you’re thirty or forty, you’ll always be my girl.”
I grinned at her. “Okay, okay.” My gaze then went to the antique clock on the wall over her desk. “Hey, it’s only an hour until quitting time. Why don’t we go out for dinner? Just you and me. I’m dying to try that new steak place.”
Maudie grimaced. “I’d love to, but I’ve got to stay late and get some inventory and receipts done.” She started back to her desk. “You and Maddox should go. He was saying the other night how he wanted a good steak.”
Oh yeah, that was totally not happening. “No, no, I’ll help you,” I blurted.
Maudie raised her brows. “Still a little gun-shy around Maddox?”
“No, that’s not it. It’s just…” Shit, how was I going to get out of this one?
Pursing her lips, Maudie eased down in her chair. “You know, I’ve been worried about Maddox getting acclimated back home. I was hoping with having you here—a reminder of his past—it might help him. But so far you both have been avoiding each other like the plague. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Ducking my head, I refused to meet her burning gaze. Instead, I scuffed my flip-flop into the Indian print rug in front of her desk. “It’s just been a long time since we’ve been together, that’s all. People change when they’ve been apart for so long. Maddox and I are just two very different people now.”
“Hmm, I think you’re a lot more alike than you realize, but you’re both too damn stubborn to admit it.”
I sighed. “Can we please just get back to the part where I help you tonight rather than going out with Maddox?”
“Honey, you work hard enough during the day.”
“But I want to. I’ll even go pick us up some dinner.”
Maudie’s resolve seemed to fade when she realized she wasn’t going to talk me into taking Maddox out on the town. “Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind….”
“Nope, I don’t.”
“Okay then. I’ll be happy to have some help and some company.”
After letting out a relieved breath, I grinned. “Great.”