Hunter's Prize (39 page)

Unable to contain his excitement, the reverend scooted to the edge of his seat. “Well, have you asked him all your questions? Is he going to help you find the
Mittie?”

Pearson shifted his gaze to John, who seemed suddenly quite engrossed in his dish. “I’ve asked him a few things, but he’s not been especially obliging. I suspect he’s determined to avoid helping as much as possible.”

Silence fell over the gathering.

Regret danced with irritation on John’s face. “I’ll only say this much because I’ve taken a shine to you, son. You haven’t found her because you’re searching miles from the actual site.”

“What?” Theo rose from the water’s edge and stormed toward them. “This is where the locals told us to look.”

John sighed and set down his plate. “The fact is the history of Caddo wasn’t chronicled very well, and most of the facts have been overblown for years. Some of the old-timers were masters at spinning a yarn, and now we’re never sure what’s completely true. That’s why most tales and legends begin with ‘It was once said,’ ‘The story I was told,’ or ‘As far as I know,’ and so forth.”

“So nobody really knows where she is?”

John puckered his mouth. “I wouldn’t say that. But with limitedinformation, it would be hard to nail down her location. And those who know aren’t willing to tell.”

“Why not?” several voices asked at once.

He smiled. “Unspoken agreement around the Caddo. To protect the site.”

Reverend Stroud frowned and nibbled his bottom lip. “Why’s that, John?”

Priscilla set down her cup. “Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? Why should he reveal his leads to a possible fortune?”

John’s head shot up. “Not so, dear lady. I’m afraid you’ve missed the mark.”

Pearson offered to refill his cup. “Do you mind telling us why, then?”

Theo’s ears turned bright red. “No matter the reason, it’s not right. If they’re not interested in raising her, they shouldn’t stand in the way of those who are.”

“Shouldn’t they?” John asked, his voice hushed. “Sixty-one people died that night. When the fire aboard couldn’t be put out, the captain gave the order to head for shore, but she grounded in shallow water. The forward part of the
Mittie
was in flames, the stern over deep water. Desperate, the pilot and engineer continued pushing for land. Unfortunately, this action dragged those who dove to safety into the turning wheels, crushing and drowning them.”

Not a sniff, sigh, or shuffle of feet broke the silence that settled over the campfire.

Priscilla’s cheeks held an unswallowed bite, and her fork stilled over her plate. “How utterly grim,” she finally said, breaking the stillness. “And tragic. I never heard that account before.”

“For most of them,” John continued, “that site is their final resting place. People here feel that raising the
Mittie
is akin to robbing a grave.”

An unexpected dagger of pain laced Pearson’s heart. The storm that claimed his family’s lives had also stolen his chance to stand over their grave sites and grieve their passing.

Before he accepted their terrible fate, he’d combed the island for weeks with other mourners, searching frantically for them. The rush of water that collapsed the wall of his house had carried their bodies out to sea. The most precious treasure he’d ever sought had slipped through his fingers forever. How would he feel if treasure seekers were to comb through their belongings in search of gold? He took a ragged breath and vowed to search for the
Mittie Stephens
no more.

Laying aside his dish, John stood. “I’ve enjoyed your company for too long now. I’d best be on my way.”

Pearson stood with him. “Finish cleaning his fish, Theo, while I saddle his horse.”

With a creel of skinned catfish and a bundle of bacon and biscuits tucked into his saddlebag, John prepared to take his leave.

Pearson offered his hand. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Wasn’t much. Just a little advice on a horse.”

“Not that,” Pearson said. “Thank you for setting me straight about the
Mittie
.”

John grinned. “I hated to in a way. You seemed so determined.”

Pearson hung his head. “Men who seek treasure can be a mulish lot.” He shrugged. “I suppose we have to be. If not for you, I might’ve gone on dragging this spot forever.”

John raised one brow. “Will you keep looking?”

Shaking his head, Pearson crossed his heart. “After the story you told? No, sir.” He raised his right hand. “I give you my solemn word.”

John gave his back a hearty pounding. “I’m glad to hear it. You just might’ve been the one to succeed.” Swinging into the saddle, he took up the reins.

Pearson caught the horse’s bridle. “You said we were looking miles away from the actual site. That means you know where she is.”

He gazed fiercely into Pearson’s eyes. “I have your word, then?”

“I said it, didn’t I?”

John nodded. “The
Mittie
went down in Buzzard Bay on the southeast side, about two and a half miles from Swanson’s Landing.”

The name dashed cold water down Pearson’s back. What had the old sailor in Rosie’s Café said?

“At the midnight hour, just below Swanson’s Landing, a steersman alerted the pilot that he’d caught a whiff of smoke.”

Blast! He’d had the answer all along, but he’d barreled ahead of himself, too cocky and headstrong to slow down and remember. Some treasure hunter he was! Smiling at himself, he released John’s horse and stepped back. “I suppose some things aren’t meant to be.”

Pushing back his cap, Catfish John saluted and rode away.

Swiveling on the ball of his foot, Pearson started toward camp. “But then, some things are.” He strode purposefully to Addie and hauled her to her feet. “Come with me. We need to talk.”

She took a quick breath but didn’t resist.

Pearson glanced at Priscilla. “I trust you’ll allow me to speak with Addie alone for a few minutes?”

“Of course. If Addie doesn’t mind, that is.”

“She doesn’t,” he said, pulling her away from the clearing.

They walked several yards down the road that led to Marshall.

Addie plodded in silence, her arms crossed at her chest.

Out of earshot of the rest, Pearson caught her shoulders and eased her around. “We’re not walking to the gallows, you know.”

She ducked her head and lifted one shoulder.

“Aren’t you going to talk to me?”

“There are many things I want to tell you, Pearson. I just can’t find the words.”

He touched her rosy cheek. “Then don’t say anything. It’s not necessary.”

She wagged her head. “I’ve utterly failed you. As a confidant, a friend—”

“Don’t say that, honey.”

“It’s true. You’re the one who shouldn’t speak to me. I made you prove yourself over and over, yet it was never enough.” She covered her face. “I’m so ashamed.”

Shifting his weight, Pearson watched her and waited.

“I won’t blame you if you never talk to me again,” she continued. “In fact, I can’t imagine why you’ve bothered now. I’m not worth your time.”

He crossed his arms and rocked on his heels.

“If it makes you feel better, I had perfect faith in you all along.” She sighed and buried her face deeper into her hands. “Until the moment I saw you with Ceddy.”

Pearson stood quietly for so long, Addie peeked between her fingers. “Well? Aren’t you going to respond?”

“When you’re finished.”

She blinked at him and lowered her hands. “With what?”

He waved. “Your apology. You see, men just blurt it out. Two little words and we’re done. Females take the long way around.” He chuckled. “We wind up at the same place; it just takes you women longer.” Catching her hands, he pulled her to his chest and kissed the tip of her nose. “Let me know when you’re through, so I can get on with forgiving.”

Addie leaned into him, the smell of her hair intoxicating. “Oh Pearson, don’t tease. This is serious.”

He leaned to peer closely at her. “I’m completely serious. I need all the bad feelings between us gone, so we can finish our unfinished conversation.”

Her breath caught. “Which one would that be?”

She knew exactly, but he wouldn’t call her on it. He chucked her under the chin and grinned. “The one in the parlor. About living on an island.”

“Oh yes.” She sounded out of breath. “I remember now.”

Pulling her hands to his mouth, he kissed her fingers. “I’d like to have your answer now, if you don’t have anything else to do.”

She pouted her lips. “First, kindly answer the question I asked you.”

“Which was?”

“Why do you want to know?”

He released her hands and cupped her face. “Because I think it’s time I went home.” He trailed kisses along her chin. “And I want you to come with me.”

Her eyelids drifted closed as she surrendered to his searching lips. “Is this an improper advance, sir?”

He shook his head. “There you go, falsely accusing me again.” Her eyes flashed open, and he grinned. “This is a very proper advance, Miss McRae. I’m asking you to retire your last name and become Adelina Viola Foster of Galveston, Texas.”

Her arms circled his neck and she pulled him close. “And my answer is yes.”

C
eddy rose from his place by the fire and wandered toward the wagon, drawn by the pattern of the wheels.

“Where are you going, darling?” Aunt Priss called. “Stay close, you hear?”

Ignoring her, he crawled into the shadowy space underneath, running his hands along the loop of wood. He counted the spokes as he went—one, two, three, four, all the way around until he reached fourteen.

Finished, Ceddy scooted to the next and then the next, tracing the circles as he went.

With all four wheels accounted for, he sprawled on his side under the wagon. In a daze, he stared toward the flickering campfire, spellbound by the pie-shaped pictures created by the spokes.

The drone of voices in the background soothed him. His eyelids fluttered, but he struggled hard against sleep.

“Here they are now,” Priscilla said as Addie and Pearson rejoined them at the fire.

Addie’s cheeks warmed, certain the others would take one look at her and guess she’d just received her first kiss, her first and only proposal. They’d decided to keep the news a secret until they returned home.

Then they’d tell Priscilla and ask her to place a call to Addie’s parents so Pearson could ask permission.

Pearson sat on the fallen log and patted the spot next to him. Blushing deeper, Addie sank down beside him.

“We were just about to tell Theo the news,” Reverend Stroud said. “Now you can hear, too.” He launched into the story of the break-in, how two men behaving like savages had threatened Delilah and tore the house apart. “I hate to tell you, son, but they were your friends, Denny and Charlie.”

Pearson glanced at Theo. “They’re no friends of ours, Reverend. Just hired hands. If you remember, we didn’t trust them from the start.”

“Yes.” He nodded. “And Theo’s premise that the criminal activity in town can be blamed on them is most likely correct.”

“Thank you!” Theo said, slapping his leg.

“I’m sorry, Miss Whitfield,” Pearson said. “If I hadn’t hired them, maybe they’d be long gone by now. I hope they didn’t take anything you treasure.”

“It’s not your fault, dear boy.” She beamed over her shoulder at Ceddy. “In fact, God placed my greatest treasure in your hands for safekeeping.” She winced. “I only wish He had advised me of the plan.”

Addie gripped Pearson’s arm. “They wouldn’t have left if you hadn’t hired them. Not without the one thing that brought them to Marshall.”

Pearson frowned.

“The rogues stole a few tiny stones from Ceddy’s collection. Oh, and some weapons—”

Pearson grimaced. “I hate to think of them with weapons in their hands.”

“However, I think I know what they were after, what they chased Ceddy across the ocean for.” Her face flushed red with excitement. “Only they came up empty because Ceddy has it with him.”

Pearson peered across the clearing at the boy. “He doesn’t have anything that I know of.”

“If you check his pockets, I believe you’ll find two very interesting stones. One is a jasper pendant that belongs to me. The other is a very large diamond.”

Theo coughed, choking on his chocolate drink. “How could Ceddy have something that valuable that we’ve never seen?”

“We have.” She gave Pearson a teasing look. “In fact, our treasurehunter held the diamond in his hands.”

Staring blankly, Pearson scratched his head. “I’m sure that’s something I’d remember.”

She nudged him with her elbow. “It’s that unsightly white rock he favors. Unless I’m mistaken, it’s an uncut diamond.”

Pearson looked skeptical. “If it’s true, where did it come from?”

“Allow me to answer,” Reverend Stroud said. “Before he came to live with Priscilla, Ceddy was a resident of South Africa. His parents were missionaries in a village near Pretoria.” He lowered one brow. “Are you familiar with the diamond mines of South Africa, son?”

Interest sparking his eyes, Pearson nodded. “I know the Cullinan region. The largest rough diamond ever found was discovered there.”