RAINBOW’S END: FOUR-IN-ONE COLLECTION Read online

  He jutted his chin at the GPS unit in her hand. “Show me how it’s done. Read me the clue.”

  Lyssa turned it on. “Roses are pink, violets are blue. The treasure is close, and so are you.” She cocked an eyebrow at Kirk. “Seriously?”

  “Hey, I never said I was a poet.”

  “Roses are pink. Good grief, Kirk. That’s only helpful if treasure hunters are here while the wild roses are in bloom.”

  No point telling her it was a one-use cache. She’d figure it out. “Anyone who does much hiking will recognize the bush whether there are blossoms on it or not.”

  “Point taken. So I’m warm?”

  Kirk plopped down on a rock beside the stream, where he had a good view of the back trail. “I’ll wait right here.” The gurgling stream cooled the air beside him, and the flowers’ heady scents filled the air. A bird chirped.

  “Okay then. Three satellites in range, so the degree of accuracy is within ten meters.” She wandered around the little clearing, mumbling to herself and watching the handheld.

  Kirk scanned the forest. Ah, there she was. Jeannie waved at him from a shadowy spot down the trail. He wouldn’t have seen her if she hadn’t moved, with her dark skin and mossy-green clothes blending into the bushes. Kirk glanced at Lyssa as she circled the area then raised his hand in acknowledgment.

  Jeannie nodded and trotted silently off. She’d been delighted to guard the cache for him this morning. He couldn’t have done it without her.

  Lyssa stopped in front of a rosebush clinging to the sandy soil along the stream bank. A few spent petals still dangled from the thorns. Little blue flowers sprouted between the rocks nearby. She planted her hands on her hips and turned to face Kirk. “These aren’t violets.”

  He crossed his arms and winked at her. “Never said they were.”

  “There aren’t any violets around here.” She scowled. “So your poem doesn’t make sense. If you can even call it that.”

  Surely there was a twinkle in those eyes. “Ever heard of poetic license?”

  Definitely a sparkle. “So right here, then. Where there are both roses and … blue dayflowers.”

  Oh, so that’s what those were called.

  “What kind of container am I looking for?”

  She’d never helped him find the first few but told him to figure it out himself. Payback was sweet. “You’ll know it when you see it.”

  Maybe one day Dale would experience love again. The past few weeks he’d softened some, admitting he’d jumped too harshly on Lyssa. Now that they’d all spent a bit of time together, Dale had given his cautious approval. It meant a lot to have that much. Perhaps sometime Dale would even come to church with them.

  Lyssa wiped her hair away from her eyes and got on her knees in front of the rosebushes. She leaned over and probed behind rocks and under deadfalls.

  Kirk held his breath. Any second now …

  She stilled, glancing at him before withdrawing a small wooden box from its dark crevice. “This one won’t hold up to the elements for long.” Her voice caught, and she turned to sit on a fallen log. She stroked the curved lid, biting her lip.

  Trembling?

  “It isn’t meant to.” Kirk couldn’t help himself. In four long strides he was beside her on the log. He slid his arm around her waist, filling his senses with her floral perfume. “Better open it and make sure it’s the geocache.”

  Lyssa undid the clasp and tipped the lid on its brass hinges, revealing an envelope and a tiny brown leather box. The box.

  He nuzzled her ear and drew her closer. “What did you find?”

  Lyssa slit the envelope and pulled out his card. He’d labored over the inside, finally settling on the less-than-poetic Roses are red/ Green is the tree/ I love you/ Will you marry me? Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she met his gaze.

  Kirk touched his finger to her lips then lifted out the box and opened it. He tilted it toward her, holding his breath. Not completely traditional, but neither was she. He hadn’t been able to resist the symbolism.

  Her trembling finger traced the diamond and the two small gems flanking it.

  “Topazes,” Kirk murmured against her cheek. “They’re like your eyes, all brown, but lit up with sparkling gold.”

  She turned, leaning into his embrace.

  “Lyssa?” Kirk smoothed the hair away from her face. “You haven’t answered.” He lifted the card from the log she’d set it on.

  She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face against it. “Yes, please,” she breathed against his ear. “I’ll marry you. There’s nothing I’d rather do.”

  His lips found her neck and traced a line up toward her ear, nudging her until she turned and met his mouth with hers.

  A treasure more bountiful than he deserved.

  Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seeds for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local food movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, gardening and geocaching with her husband, adult kids, and adorable grandchildren. Check out her website and blog at http://valeriecomer.com.

  BENEATH THE

  SURFACE

  by Annalisa Daughety

  Dedication

  Thanks to Christine Lynxwiler and Jan Reynolds for reading this novella many times over and offering wonderful input. I couldn’t have done it without you. To my mom, Vicky Daughety, thanks for always being my first reader. A special thanks to Megan Reynolds for listening to me talk endlessly about geocaching. Thanks to Kenny Pearle for insight about bass fishing and tournaments. Finally, thanks to Valerie, Nicole, and Cara for inviting me to be a part of this collection. Collaborating on this project was so much fun and definitely one of the highlights of my writing career.

  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

  MATTHEW 6:21

  Chapter 1

  Even though she was alone in the car, Madison Wallace groaned loudly as she drove past the Camden County sign. It may as well have been flashing a “Welcome back home, Loser” message. She’d fought hard to keep this day from coming. Except for a couple of brief visits, she’d managed to spend the past twelve years flitting from city to city. First St. Louis, then Chicago, and most recently Atlanta. And life had been great.

  Mostly.

  Until two weeks ago when the nonprofit she worked for had lost some expected grant money. As luck would have it, Madison’s job as marketing coordinator had been one of the first to go. With no job in sight and the lease up on her apartment, there was only one thing to do … head back to her tiny, backwoods, Missouri hometown and regroup.

  Her older sister, Brook, had been ecstatic. She’d promptly signed the two of them up for some two-month-long treasure hunt her church was sponsoring. Geocaching she’d called it. It sounded hopelessly dull to Madison.

  Yet here she was, risking a speeding ticket to get to the opening session. She glanced at the clock on the dashboard of her Nissan Altima. She’d promised Brook she’d be there by now. Although it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that she was late. Their mama used to say that Madison ran on her own time. She’d been born six days late and had been running behind ever since.

  She careened into the church parking lot and slowed down as she searched for a place to park. The nearly full lot told her she was definitely late. An empty space beside an ancient green hatchback beckoned. She turned off the engine and checked herself in the mirror. Not bad, considering how many hours she’d been on the road. She dabbed on some lipstick and fluffed her dark-brown hair. If she ran into anyone she used to know, she wanted to look her best. No need for them to know that she was coming home a complete failure. Even if she wasn’t the successful advertising executive she’d always aspired to be, she could still look the part.

  She hurried toward the park across the street from the church, h
er high heels clacking against the pavement.

  “Madison!” a voice called.

  She whirled to see Brook, and her brother-in-law, Scott, hurrying toward her.

  “Hey there, stranger.” Madison embraced her sister, unable to hide her grin. She hated the idea of being back in her hometown but had to admit she looked forward to spending time with Brook.

  “You look like a movie star,” Brook said. “Couldn’t you have cut us country bumpkins some slack?” She gestured from her own running shorts, faded T-shirt, and tennis shoes to Madison’s dark-red dress and Jimmy Choos. “Of course, I’d fall flat on my face if I tried to wear those shoes.”

  “You look beautiful, hon.” Scott pulled Brook to him and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Just as pretty as the day I married you.”

  Madison rolled her eyes. If only spending time with Brook didn’t mean being subjected to a nauseating lovefest all summer. Her brother-in-law had always bordered on cheesy, and it appeared not much had changed over the past few years. “Nice to see you again, Scott. Thanks for letting me stay.”

  He smiled warily. “You, too. We’re glad for you to visit. Besides, with Joshua at my parents’ house in Arkansas for most of the summer, we have an extra room.”

  Madison barely knew her six-year-old nephew. The plan had been for her to get to Osage Beach a couple of days earlier so she could spend time with him, but it hadn’t panned out. “Sorry I missed seeing him. Packing took a lot longer than I expected.” She’d put most of her earthly belongings in storage. There had certainly been no point in hauling them to Osage Beach. It would be a miracle if she lasted there the whole summer. Please Lord, help me find a job, and get me out of here quickly.

  “We’d better hurry up.” Brook ushered her toward the crowd. “They’ll be giving out directions soon, and we don’t want to miss it.” She held up a box. “This is our GPS. I got it at Communication Location, a new shop in town. It was kind of expensive, but they offered a discount for Rainbow’s End Treasure Hunt participants.” She beamed. “This is going to be so much fun.”

  Madison raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Spending time with Brook sounded fun. Traipsing around the Ozarks looking for hidden treasure did not. “How’ve you been?” She and Brook fell into step next to each other and followed Scott toward the registration table.

  “Wonderful. I’m teaching kindergarten now, and Scott is teaching sixth-grade science. We love it.” She grinned. “Especially since we have summers off to spend together.”

  Brook and Scott were one of those couples who’d been joined at the hip since middle school. Madison could barely remember a time when Scott wasn’t hanging around. “I’m sure that’s fun.”

  They filled out the required paperwork at the registration table. I feel like I’m signing my life away.

  “Thanks for your participation.” The dark-haired girl manning the table grinned. “It should be a great summer. I’m Lyssa Quinn. If you have any questions about the treasure hunt, feel free to call me at the church office.”

  Brook smiled and took the paperwork Lyssa held out. “Thanks.”

  “And don’t forget to come to the midpoint rally and the wrap-up party.” She tapped the papers in Brook’s hand. “The information is in there.”

  Madison scanned the crowd. No familiar faces. Thank goodness. Just being back in Camden County was enough of a walk down memory lane for one day. She was already dreading the inevitable visits with various family members she knew would be in her near future. “How’s Grandma?”

  Brook narrowed her eyes. “If you ever called her, you wouldn’t even have to ask.” She sighed. “But she’s doing well. She gets around a lot better since her hip replacement last year.”

  “I sent flowers.”

  Brook shook her head, and her ponytail swished. “That’s not the same as a call. Or a visit.” She motioned toward the stage. “Looks like it’s starting.”

  Madison listened as the guy onstage introduced himself and went over the rules of the treasure hunt. Seemed like an awful lot of trouble, considering they weren’t hunting real treasure, just trinkets. She tuned him out and continued to check out the crowd. There were a couple of people in the back who looked familiar. Maybe high school classmates, but she wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like she’d made it to her ten-year reunion.

  Brook nudged her. “Did you hear what he said about Common Grounds offering coffee for participants? I love that place. I ran into Darcy Smith there the other day. She was excited when she found out you’d be here for the summer.”

  Madison frowned. “I guess I missed some of his announcements. I must be tired from the trip.” She managed a tiny smile. “But that’s nice about the coffee place and Darcy.” She had a vague recollection of Darcy from the year she’d spent on yearbook staff during their junior year.

  Brook’s face lit up as she spotted someone in the crowd. “There’s someone I want you to meet.” She clutched Madison’s arm and pulled her past a trio of geocachers huddled around their GPS. They looked as befuddled as Madison felt. Glad I’m not the only one not sure what I’m doing here.

  Madison bristled as they walked through the throng of people. This had better not be some kind of matchmaking effort. Relief washed over her as they approached an elderly man sitting in a folding chair. She couldn’t help but laugh at herself for worrying that Brook would try and set her up with a local. I seriously need to learn to relax.

  The man looked up and grinned. “Well, well, well. It’s my favorite neighbor.” He stood up and clasped Brook’s outstretched hand.

  “Mr. Simmons, I’d like for you to meet my sister, Madison.”

  He nodded. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Madison. Your sister and grandmother speak highly of you.”

  Madison grinned. “It’s nice to meet you.” He reminded her a little bit of her grandpa. Even though he’d died when she was in junior high, her memories of him were still vivid and full of happiness.

  Mr. Simmons hung on to her hand tightly after he shook it. “Have you been to see Clarice yet?”

  Madison bit her lip. “No sir. I came straight here. But I will soon.” She planned to stop by her grandma’s house later. Maybe tomorrow. Or maybe Grandma would just come over to Brook’s. That would be even better.

  “Lookie who’s finally here,” Mr. Simmons said, dropping her hand. “I want you to meet my grandson, Grant.”

  Madison turned to see a tall guy walking toward them. Sauntering was more like it. Grant clearly thought he was hot stuff. His cargo shorts and faded camouflage T-shirt were a far cry from the business suits she was used to seeing on men. A baseball cap topped blond curls, and his blue eyes danced playfully as they landed on her.

  She quickly looked away. He hadn’t even opened his mouth, but she knew enough already.

  Grant patted Mr. Simmons on the back. “Hey, Grandpa. Sorry I’m late.” His mouth twisted into a grin. “I was tied up at the office and couldn’t get away.”

  Mr. Simmons, Scott, and Brook burst into laughter.

  Madison stared. She hated feeling like an outsider. “Did I miss something?”

  Grant gazed into brown eyes the color of his grandpa’s homemade root beer. He let his eyes travel from her dark, glossy hair down to her high heels. She was trouble. With a capital T. “I was out on the lake. Fishing.” He shrugged. “My office.”

  She smiled thinly but not before he caught the flash of disdain on her pretty face.

  He turned to Grandpa. “Are we all set for the treasure hunt?”

  The older man nodded. “They gave a few instructions and a pep talk. I guess we’re on our own now.”

  “Common Grounds is offering a free coffee hour for everyone participating in the hunt,” Brook said. “Sounds kind of fun.”

  “I guess.” Grant patted Grandpa on the shoulder. “If you like those frou-frou coffee drinks that are more sugar and milk than coffee. Me, I like my coffee black. No fuss.”

  “A little sugar never hurt
anybody,” Grandpa said with a wink.

  Grant looked up to see the dark-haired girl watching him. She might be pretty—okay, downright beautiful—but he’d seen that I’m-better-than-you look before. He motioned toward the GPS in Brook’s hand. “Y’all may as well just concede now. In fact, they should just cancel the whole thing.” He draped his arm around Grandpa’s shoulders. “Because Team Simmons is going to bring home the victory.”

  “Don’t sell the Wallace sisters short,” Scott warned. “These two might surprise you.”

  Grant grinned and turned his attention back to the brunette. He’d been so irritated that she seemed to think he was a mannerless lout that he was proving her right without meaning to. “Please excuse my manners. I’m Grant Simmons.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m guessing you aren’t from around here.”

  She eyed his hand for a moment as if she were trying to decide if he’d washed it since baiting a hook. She gingerly placed her dainty hand in his. “Madison Wallace. I’m Brook’s sister. And I’ve been living in Atlanta for the past two years.”

  Her skin was soft. She probably spent an hour every day with her hands soaking in lotion or some other weird female ritual. “Well, welcome to the Ozarks, Madison Wallace.” He realized he’d been shaking her hand for a moment too long and quickly let go.

  Madison stiffened. “Thanks.” She hoisted her oversized handbag onto her shoulder.

  What could she possibly keep in that bag? For the millionth time, Grant wished he’d grown up with sisters. Maybe then he’d understand women better. Women just didn’t make sense. In fact, they might as well be from another planet. He turned to Scott. “Are you part of the treasure-hunt team?” Scott and Brook looked in on Grandpa often, so he’d gotten to know the couple pretty well over the years.

  Scott shook his head. “Nope. Brook and Madison are on their own.” He grinned. “Although Brook and I have been doing some hiking to help her get ready.”

  Madison frowned. “You have?” she asked her sister. “I didn’t know this was the kind of thing I needed to prepare for.”