Page 31 of The Secrets We Treasure

“That sounds good.”

“I’ll need a picture ID and your credit card.” Several minutes later, when their business was transacted, and Treasure had the key to the golf cart, Doris pressed her lips together in tight lines. “That was terrible about Aimee getting killed in that hiking accident.” She shook her head. “Poor Greer.”

“Yeah, it was tough on him,” Treasure said evasively.

“I’m familiar with Aimee’s family because of her dad, Dr. Hamlin, but I didn’t know Aimee personally. Did you?”

“Not very well.” Treasure wasn’t one to gossip, and she especially didn’t care to give Doris any private information about Greer. Dr. Hamlin was a world-renowned plastic surgeon. He and his family lived in Atlanta for most of the year but owned a home on Honeysuckle Island, where they spent their summers. From what Treasure could tell, Aimee had been on the quiet side, but she seemed nice. Since Aimee was several years younger, Treasure hadn’t gotten to know her well. She imagined that Greer’s mother, Francie, was ecstatic when Greer married into such a prominent family. Bitterness rankled Treasure’s gut, thinking of what Francie and Josette Chasing had done to her. Away from Honeysuckle Island, Treasure could almost make herself believe that she could bury the hatchet where those two women were concerned. However, now that she was back where it all took place, the hurt was as fresh as if it had just happened.

“Are you okay?”

An automatic smile curved Treasure’s lips. “Of course.”

“You had a strange expression on your face.”

“I’m just worried about my mom.”

Doris nodded in understanding.

“I should probably get going. It was great to see you.”

“Great seeing you too. Hey, one more thing.” She lowered her voice. “Do you think Aimee’s death was an accident?”

Treasure flinched. “What?” Doris had crossed the line. “Why would you say that?” Distaste soured her throat as she continued, pinning the gossipy woman with a scathing glare. “Greer has been through so much already. He doesn’t need hateful rumors floating around.”

Doris’s face paled. “I—I’m sorry.” She clasped her hands. “I didn’t mean any harm.” A nervous laugh skittered from her lips. “My husband, Steve, is always getting after me for watching too many crime shows. It just seems odd that Aimee would fall into a ravine.”

Treasure didn’t lose her temper often, but when she did, there was no holding back. Her words flew out in razor-tipped darts. “Accidents happen all the time. Furthermore, do you not think that Aimee’s family and Greer would have made sure the authorities launched a thorough investigation into her death?”

“Yes,” Doris replied meekly. “I’m sure they would.” She hesitated, fiddling with her hands. “I don’t mean to be nosy, but every time I would see Greer around Harbor Village, it would break my heart to see the grief in his eyes. I just felt so sorry for him … and then my brain started working overtime concocting all sorts of scenarios.”

For a second, Treasure didn’t connect what Doris was talking about, but then she remembered that after Aimee’s death, Greer had spent several months on Honeysuckle Island with his parents. “Are you and Greer friends?”

“Goodness, no,” Doris stammered, blushing a deep red. “He probably doesn’t know me from Adam … err, Eve. I just like his videos. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful of Greer or Aimee. Please accept my apology.”

“Just because people are celebrities doesn’t mean that they don’t have feelings,” Treasure snipped.

“I understand.”

There was plenty more that Treasure could say, but there was no sense in backing the woman into a corner. Treasure had said her piece, and now it was time to move on. She kept her voice light and conversational as she spoke. “It was great seeing you again. You take care of yourself.”

“I will. You too.”

With that, Treasure turned and marched away, relieved that the awkward conversation was over. Good grief! She’d forgotten how confining it could be to live in a small area, with everybody nosing around in your business.

As she drove to her mom’s house, her frustration dissolved, and she found herself becoming enveloped in the sights and sounds of nature. Birds squawked overhead. While Honeysuckle Island didn’t experience the brilliant colors of the changing leaves so intrinsic with the fall season, many of the grasses were a burnished copper, and the leaves on the trees were tinged in yellow. The air had a crisp edge that overlaid the sweet honeysuckle scent.

She passed the venerable entrance to The Oliver Hotel. It was an awe-inspiring sight, perched prominently on a hill with the ocean spreading a turquoise blanket behind it. Both Laci and Greer’s mom and dad lived nearby. Excitement quickened Treasure’s pulse. Greer was here on the island! She’d see him in two short days. Doris’s words about Greer’s grief came rushing back. Aimee hadn’t even been gone two full years. Her stomach knotted. Maybe Greer wasn’t ready to jump into a new relationship … or old relationship rather. Laci had expressed concern that Treasure was rushing things. The last time Treasure had seen Greer was at Aimee’s funeral. Naked grief had hollowed out his cheekbones, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. Still, Greer seemed pleased to see Treasure. It was a few weeks later when Greer started texting her.

She offered another prayer, asking for direction. While Treasure craved having a relationship with Greer, she didn’t want to rush him. She’d just have to feel him out when she saw him. Peace settled through her, easing her fears. Yes, that was the right course of action.

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