Shattered Treasure
By Cindy Patterson
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PROLOGUE
Mama didn’t really want Daddy to die. Addison Morgan was only six, but she was smart enough to know the truth. Mama just couldn’t take the pain it caused. She stayed right by Daddy’s side every minute she wasn’t working, willing him to live. And when he died anyway even after she’d cried out to God for hours every day, begging him not to take her husband, she’d given up. On life, on love, on everything.
It had all happened so fast. Daddy slipped from this earth within a few months of finding out he was sick.
After Daddy left them, things changed for the worse. Addison tried to comfort Mama, but her love wasn’t enough. Mama needed more.
CHAPTER ONE
The first Monday of April, showers swept across the ocean, driven on the ever-steady breeze. Addison Morgan leaned against the bed’s wooden post as she stared through her bedroom window. Rain pelted the glass panes of the older beach house, rattling the loose shutters. Rattling old memories to the forefront of her mind.
Her gut wrenched as the rain stopped and the sun broke between dark clouds as a clear image of her sister faded. Happy Birthday, Casey.
Determined to get through the day without crying, Addison grabbed her books and left the safety of her room. The same room her aunt had opened to her and Casey four years ago when Addison started college at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Twenty-four months before the devastating accident that had taken her sister’s life. Pushing one foot in front of the other, Addison hesitated in the hallway. Her boyfriend was standing on the front porch.
On a sharp inhale, Addison stopped and took several slow breaths to regulate her erratic pulse before moving farther into the living room.
Philip opened the storm door, part of his face hidden behind a bouquet of roses. In that moment she caught a glimpse of the boy who had been her rock when she had no one else.
Now his gesture held no feeling or expectation for her. The essence of him remained—the boy who’d spent every summer with her, promising days of fun and laughter, but young love had dissipated little by little until the only feeling remaining almost choked her. She focused on the flowers, the backs of her eyelids burning. “They’re beautiful.”
“I’ll drive you to the school this morning.”
“I have a meeting on campus with my professor.”
“That’s even better. But can you catch a ride home with Taylor? I have practice this afternoon.”
Her chest tightened as unspoken truth hurled bullets through her mind. He was only available to her in snippets and only at his convenience. A truth that no longer bothered her. “I can drive.”
“Good morning.” Aunt Brenda slowed mid-step and surveyed the flowers before entering the living room. “Oh, how beautiful, Philip!”
“They’re for you.”
Philip instinctively handed Aunt Brenda the vase, and she gave Addison a knowing look. “I love this boy.”
Addison took a deep breath to keep from rolling her eyes.
“You kids have a good day. I’ll just see to these.” Sniffing one of the red blooms, Aunt Brenda disappeared into the kitchen.
Philip nudged Addison closer to the door and stroked her back. Her shoulders loosened as he peered down at her with that unrelenting look that at one time could have melted her heart. “I wanted to spend a few minutes alone with you.”
Foolish as it was, she agreed and followed him to his truck. “Are you still going to the frat party tonight?”
Philip cleared his throat and gave a slight nod. “You are, right?”
“I don’t know. Today’s Casey’s birthday.”
“I remembered,” he said, but he most likely hadn’t. He never even remembered hers. “It would be good for you. You need a distraction.”
Annoyed at his flippant reply, she squeezed her upper arms. How could a distraction be good? On today of all days? She wanted nothing more than to sleep the day away.
Squinting against the morning rays glistening off the sheen of fresh rain, she settled into the passenger seat and stared through the windshield.
The stereo blared when Philip started the engine. He turned onto the street without lowering the volume. Tuning the screeching heavy metal notes out, she closed her eyes and latched onto her most endearing memories. Only then could she pretend her sister would be coming home this afternoon to celebrate her birthday.
Sliding his fingers between hers, Philip squeezed her hand every few minutes as if that simple action would make up for everything.
“You’re so uptight. You should let loose and have a few drinks. It’ll make you feel better.” He leaned toward her, and the hard lines around his eyes softened. Apprehension squirmed through her middle. “What can it hurt?”
No, she would never make that mistake again. That very demon had taken everything from her. If drinking was the only link that would heal their broken relationship, they were in more trouble than she’d thought. Addison kept her mouth shut. To argue would only lead to a full-blown fight and she didn’t have the energy. Not today.
The fifteen-minute ride to school gave her plenty of time to think it through. She needed something normal to keep from getting lost in the spiral of depression threatening to pull her under. The same depression that had taken root two years ago. Maybe it would be enough just being with Philip at the party. Aunt Brenda would be asleep by the time she got home anyway. Same as every other night. Anything would be better than sitting at home alone. Again.
Before Addison could climb from the car, Philip grabbed her arm. “I’ll meet you at the party. You may even beat me there. But hey, think about what I said. You deserve a good time. Casey would want that.” He shifted the car in reverse and drove away before she could object.
A twinge of uncertainty rushed through her at his admission. Philip was meeting her there. Even though they’d dated for years, she knew none of his new friends.
It wouldn’t be so bad if Taylor was going, but she couldn’t. Taylor was going on a double date without her. Again.
Shaking off the afflicting thoughts, Addison took the narrow concrete path under the shade trees that blocked the sun. A mist of water sprayed her as a lone bird nestled in the tree soared into the open sky. Wiping the moisture from her arms, she opened the double doors to the three-story education building and stood in the waiting area.
“Miss Morgan? How’s everything going?”
“Good.” She followed her professor into his office and took a seat facing his desk. “I’m really enjoying the kindergarten class and working with the children.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Ms. Stacey has given you nothing but good reviews. Can you give me a few examples of some new things you’ve included in your teaching time?”
“Yes, sir. I brought a stuffed dog to use as a classroom pet.” Her heart swelled at the memory of their excitement over voting for his name. “I give different students the responsibility of feeding and watering him each day. Then the students rotate taking him home to care for over the weekend.”
“I like that,” he said, as he jotted a few notes. “And easier and probably safer than a live pet.”
“Yes, sir. I’m also making anchor charts to use during teaching time. One example is a Good Friends Chart. Because kindergartners are new to the social scene and they all want to make friends, I thought this would be a good way to teach them how to treat others.” Addison pulled the binder from her bag and showed him the miniature version. “I’m reading several stories about friendship. One example is, Be Kind, by Pat Zietlow Miller, and then added a few items to the chart such as: be kind, share, play together, and help each other. I also let them participate by adding their own ideas of how to be a friend.”
He nodded. “And how do you best deal with their limited attention spans?”
“Kindergarteners, for the most part, are only sixty months old when they start kindergarten. And keeping that perspective, at least for the first few weeks of school, helps me realize they’re not much more than babies. And this helps me not to expect more than they’re able to give. It’s also important to keep them moving. So, I keep the lessons short, no longer than fifteen minutes at a time, and incorporate some movement in between.”
“Sixty months old. I’ve never thought about it that way. It’s a great way to look at it,” he said, his attention returning to his notebook. “I’m impressed. For the remaining six weeks, Miss Morgan, I need you to record a series of your lessons and I have a list of things I’d like to see.”
Within ten minutes, Addison had taken a page full of notes of requirements needed for the videos, intent on each word.
Suddenly, the room swirled within her vision. She stood quickly, regretting the action instantly, and sat back down. After she glanced at the clock, her gaze slowly came back into focus.
“Miss Morgan?”
How long had he been calling her name?
“Are you all right?”
Her gaze shifted to him, at the look of concern etched on his face. “Yes, I’m fine.” She latched onto the seat, willing the dizziness into submission. “Sorry, Professor Adams.”
“I think that’s enough for today.” The pity in his eyes welled even deeper. “Bring your video recordings to our next meeting. Let’s schedule it for next month, same day and time.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
Not waiting for a response, Addison stood carefully after finding her bearings and hurried across campus. Anxious to be away from the reminders churning through her head and the dizziness on the verge of recurring, she stopped by the library for a resource book her professor recommended.
The hallway led into a different wing, and she took one of the aisles blindly and paused mid-step to steady herself. She rested a hand against the bookshelf and closed her eyes.
“Whoa, there.” A deep voice grunted above her as she stumbled backward knocking a few books to the floor. He caught her by the arm and somehow managed to steady her without dropping his own books.
Eyes dark as chocolate poured over her. His gaze smoldered while she absorbed every inch of his face. Something triggered within her—a full-winged flutter.
“Are you ... all right?”
An apology was on the tip of her tongue, but her throat tightened as any number of sensible words she could’ve whispered escaped. “Yes,” slipped from her lips, the sound cold and dense.
“It looked like you were about to fall.”
“I’m fine, really. I’m so sorry.”
“Is there someone I can call, do you need—”
“No! No, thank you. I’m much better now. I’m really sorry. Thank you.”
Addison raced through the computer lab and didn’t stop until she reached the elementary school next door.
Who was that?
With her head still whirling and her chest pounding, the dam building inside her burst and tears streamed from her eyes. Because on a day she needed it most, a total stranger had looked at her in a way she would never forget.
***
Logan Tant stared after the girl. She took off before he had a chance to get her name. Soft blond curls cascaded down her back in waves as she disappeared through the library doors.
Standing in a corner, his eyes flitting to the back entrance of the library, he waited for the precise moment she would walk by. He flexed his fingers, the soft material of her sweater still lingering on his fingertips.
“There you are.” His coworker and best friend Matt pressed both hands on his books, startling him from his thoughts. “We’re going to be late if you don’t come on.”
Logan glanced at his watch. He’d been standing there for more than a few minutes.
“What’re you doing? Studying the library hall? I thought you were returning those.” Matt laughed as he moved toward the front entrance.
An obvious thought occurred. Since she left through the back door, he may catch a glimpse of her outside. “Let’s go this way.”
Matt stopped. “That’s the opposite direction of the parking lot.”
Logan moved through the back section of the library. When he opened the door, the cool air blasted against his face, bringing him to his senses. He scanned the area anyway and then like so many times before remembered the pain that ridiculous notions like this could bring. He had wasted his time and now would be late for work.
“You all right?”
“I was looking for something.” Sensing Matt wouldn’t be content until he gave a better answer, Logan added, “Someone.”
Matt’s gaze whipped around before settling again on him in a state of full assessment. “Who?”
While walking to the parking lot, he once again envisioned those unforgettable deep blue eyes with a purple tint staring up at him with adorable hesitation.
“Just ... someone.” With that, Logan jumped into his truck and drove off toward the police station. Way ahead of Matt, Logan hurried to change into his uniform.
Before Logan could get to his patrol car, Matt climbed into the passenger seat. As soon as Logan started the engine, Matt’s chatter was like a cackling hen in his ear. “Who were you looking for?”
“You are worse than any woman I’ve ever met.”
“It was a she?”
Before he knew what was happening, Logan’s lips expanded into a smile.
Matt punched the door. “I knew it.”
“Hey. Easy on the cruiser.”
“Where?”
“She was leaning against a book-case and looked as if she would faint. So, I did the only thing I could. I stopped her from falling. Literally.” Logan glanced at Matt. “Before you say anything else, I don’t know her name.”
“How did you of all people let her go without getting a name?”
“I didn’t pull her over, I was just helping her. I’ll probably never see her again.”
“Of course, you’ll see her again.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you don’t miss anything. If she’s ever in the same vicinity of you, you’ll find her.”
Logan wouldn’t breathe a word to Matt, but he would definitely be searching.
“Man, I can’t believe you didn’t get her name.”
Matt was almost as excited as he was. But not quite. He could still picture her lips flattened into a thin line. He had been watching her when she tilted forward then back. She had taken full blame as if she’d done something wrong. It was in her unnecessary apologies. It was in the shame written all over her face.
Their very first call of the morning took them across town to assist with a simple traffic stop that had escalated into a vehicle search with several occupants. At their arrival, Logan approached one of the passengers ready to assist in detaining.
He counted fifteen more calls, ranging from domestic violence to public intoxication before he parked the cruiser at the station as their shift ended at four o’clock.
“I just don’t get it.”
“What’s that?”
“All the drugs and alcohol.” Logan stared ahead, not bothering to snuff out his irritation. “Three DUIs by noon is ridiculous. I honestly thought there’d be less during daylight hours.”
“At least we prevented three potential accidents.”
His heart gave a stiff kick. He’d seen enough accidents that weren’t prevented and too many involving a mind-altering substance.
“I’ll see you later, man.” Matt punched his arm. “Good luck finding she.”
“Who?”
“She! That girl you’ve been trying to forget all day.”
Logan couldn’t help but laugh. It was true. “We still cooking out at your place tomorrow night?”
“Yes, sir. Shelley sent me a text earlier. She’s already been to the grocery store.”
“Okay, great. I’ll bring the usual.”
“Maybe you’ll find she, so you can bring her.” Matt’s smug look of satisfaction deepened.
“You need to stop. See you at practice.”
***
Addison stood outside at the end of the day and leaned against the elementary school building; her gaze lifted toward the sky. Clouds shuffled about, obscuring the sun.
Taylor called to her from across the lawn. “My car’s over there.”
Addison met her in the parking lot. “Thanks for taking me home. Can you share some of that good mood of yours?”
Taylor’s gaze softened. “Today’s Casey’s birthday.”
Eyes averted, Addison squirmed, fighting the emotion bubbling in her chest.
“I’ve been thinking about her all morning.”
Addison placed a hand on Taylor’s arm. “You’re such a good friend.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
“And that’s why you’re so special. Where’re you guys going tonight?”
Taylor tilted her head and frowned. “I don’t know yet. I wish you were coming.”
“Me too. I’m surprised Philip invited me. He even picked me up this morning and brought me a dozen red roses.” It didn’t matter that, before she got a good look, he gave them to Aunt Brenda. Still, maybe he was finally coming around. Maybe things could go back to the way they were before.
A tense smile played on Taylor’s lips. “That was nice of him. You could come with us and meet him later?”
Addison didn’t miss the slight thread of sarcasm. They’d had their share of arguments over Philip. “I wish I could. Maybe next time.”
“I need you there. I’m so nervous. What if Michael doesn’t show up?”
The idea of feeling nervous about a date with Philip was foreign. It had been years since she’d felt that way.
“Don’t worry. I think he really likes you.” Addison laced her arm through Taylor’s.
“I don’t know.”
“He does. I see the way Michael looks at you.” The same way she longed for someone to look at her. The same way that guy had looked at her this morning making her pulse skip all over the place. Even now.
Taylor’s lips twisted into a one-sided smile. “How do you know how he looks at me?”
“You’re my best friend. I have to know these things. It’s my job.”
Taylor’s words jumbled into a pile of thoughts of Michael as they walked across the parking lot. Addison didn’t understand why they acted so silly. It was only a date. She’d never acted that way over Philip. Well, maybe she had at first. But that seemed so long ago. And it never lasted, at least not that she could remember.
“I ran into someone this morning.” Addison’s spirit lifted despite the fact she knew nothing about the stranger.
“With Philip’s truck?”
“No.” A shudder traveled through her middle. What’s wrong with me? “We bumped into each other. It was more like I fell into him, or he kept me from falling.” She couldn’t remember exactly what had happened.
“You mean like a guy?”
It was definitely a guy. And she couldn’t stop thinking about the way he had looked at her.
“Who was it?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before.”
“What did he look like?”
The perfect kind of gorgeous. “I don’t know. He was tall.”
“That’s it? Come on. You have to give me something.”
“Okay, okay. He had the darkest brown eyes I’ve ever seen.”
Taylor’s eyes brightened. “We have to find him.”
“What? No.” She shouldn’t be encouraging this. Or thinking about this. About him. But she couldn’t stop. It was something positive. Something better.
“Are you crazy? This is the first guy you’ve mentioned since you’ve been dating that ... jerk.” Before Addison could find her tongue, Taylor resumed. “What? My opinions are based only on what you’ve told me and what I’ve seen with my own eyes. He treats you like you’re his property, not like he should, or you deserve.”
Taylor was right. Addison couldn’t remember the last time she’d had anything good to say. Until today.
She should’ve left Philip a long time ago. After the first time she caught him with someone else. After the first time he rough-handled her. But she felt trapped. They had been friends for twelve years, dated for six. He was the only boyfriend she’d ever had. The only one who had been there for her when things were so horrible at home. He promised to never hurt her again, and it had been months since he’d lost his temper.
“Where were you exactly when you fell into this mysterious guy?”
“Taylor, stop. Philip ...”
“Philip, Philip, Philip ... He will not ruin this for me.”
“I was in the campus library, but it doesn’t matter. I’m giving Philip one more chance.”
Incredulous, Taylor exhaled hard.
“I promise. This is the last time.”
“Okay. But in the meantime, we will find this tall, dark brown-eyed man. Even if we have to camp out at the library.”
Warmth kindled at the thought of seeing the guy again. Addison scolded herself. How could she even consider such ridiculous thoughts? She didn’t even know him. Besides, Philip showed up this morning with flowers, drove her to class, and invited her to the party. Still, she couldn’t shake the image she had so blatantly absorbed this morning. Those dark brown eyes that seemed almost fixated on her. The same look she had longed to see in Philip’s eyes for years. Maybe a drink would give her that same feeling toward Philip she’d been fighting all day.
“Why aren’t you riding home with Philip?”
“He has practice. I’m meeting him later.”
Addison arrived at the fraternity house two hours later than planned. And the nudging rejection that frequented her thoughts lately crept in again. Philip hadn’t even bothered to check on her.
People crowded the entryway leading into the house. Unease chiseled at the tender places of her aching heart.
What am I doing here?
She needed this, their relationship needed this, she kept reminding herself. She pushed through the front door and wiggled past the flood of tangled bodies, searching for Philip.
It would do no good to ask if anyone had seen him. The college students surrounding her, most of them rude and obnoxiously drunk, barely noticed her presence. Addison looked through the mass of students, but there were too many to see past the group.
The stench of alcohol, sweating bodies, and the smoky haze that hung in the air produced a coughing spell. If she wasn’t careful it could easily convert into a bout of gagging.
Addison pressed through a group laughing near the refreshment table and then she finally spotted a familiar face.
The girl from her public speaking class last year squeezed into the tight space and faced her. “You’re the last person I ever expected to see here.” She rolled her eyes in a disapproving sort of way. “I’m Amber, by the way.”
“I’m Addison.” She cast a quick glance behind her, resuming her search. “I’m meeting my boyfriend.”
Amber made a spitting sound. “You’re dating one of these guys?”
What did she mean by that? Addison staggered backward, bumping into a sweaty body behind her.
“Hello there, baby. What’s your name?” Turning, Addison pretended not to hear the guy speaking to her.
“See what I mean? I pictured you with someone ... different ... more reserved ... anyone other than these clowns.”
Philip wasn’t like these guys. He was different. Wasn’t he? Instead of dwelling on the girl’s questions, Addison asked her own, “What’re you doing here?”
“My roommate wanted to come for a few minutes. I’m making sure she stays out of trouble.”
Desperate to escape Amber’s intimidating gaze and ease her scratchy throat with something cool and wet, Addison grabbed a cup and filled it with red liquid from the punch bowl.
Taking a long sip, Addison felt immediate relief and glanced at the balcony above her.
She’d been here only five minutes, including the time it took to get inside. And already she wanted to give up and leave. She should’ve never come.
“You drink?”
“No.” She never imagined the girl she barely knew would be so judgmental. It was irritating. Especially since she still hadn’t found Philip. “He must’ve already left.”
Gulping another mouthful, she searched upstairs again.
“If you’re not used to drinking, you should—”
Addison took another sip relishing the soothing sensation as the liquid traveled down her throat. Then Philip walked from a room upstairs, tucking in his shirt.
“The punch is spiked.”
Amber’s warning fell on partially deaf ears as a blonde followed Philip from a room and pressed against him. Bile rose in the back of Addison’s throat mixing with the liquid contents she’d just forced into her body.
Addison gaped at the two of them, standing together, too close. Philip twisted and faced the girl, then tugged at the tail of her shirt before pressing his mouth against hers.
The room spun as white dots flashed before Addison’s eyes. She thrust the cup onto the table and the remaining liquid splashed onto her hand. Not looking back, Addison pushed her way toward the front door.
“Where’re you going?” Amber’s voice carried over the clatter of music, slurred speech, her racing pulse.
Addison hurried through the front door, blood rushing to her head, the cool air jolting as she reached the front lawn.
Running toward her car, resounding questions detonated through her head. How could he? Why hadn’t she broken up with him already? Taylor was right.
Tears blurring her vision, she slammed the car into drive and sped away. She drove unaware of her surroundings, alert only to the tormenting voices in her head. Harsh wails lunged from her throat, the sound deafening to even her. She could end this all right now. To never see Philip again, to never have to face the questioning, judgmental glances of her peers. Their accusations that somehow, someway, she should’ve been able to stop Casey from losing her life to a drunk driver. The driver she should’ve stopped her sister from leaving with.
All the loose ends of her life spiraled into a dusty haze. The images played through her mind out of order, and she tried to categorize them. Casey chasing her through the snow. Young summer love promising the world. Dark brown eyes threatening to swallow her whole on a face she would never forget.
The wooziness grew worse and fear gripped her. She was losing control. Addison pressed the brake, but it was too late. Grabbing the steering wheel with both hands, she wavered as darkness seized her.
Addison opened her eyes, her head pounding. The seat belt pinned her against the seat as the stench of the airbag’s powder filled the car, burning her lungs.
Trees surrounded her car, and a murky fog filled the night air. Sirens blared and lights flashed from every direction as rescue vehicles pulled to a stop in front of her car. Her stomach lurched.
How long had she been sitting here?
Smoke drifted from a white car wrapped around a light post. “Oh no!” she screamed.
A fireman yanked on her door until it opened. “Are you all right?”
Addison touched her face, feeling a wet warmth oozing around her ear. She pulled her hand away, the sight of blood, the smells, the sounds nauseating her. Staring ahead, she was unable to force an audible answer.
“Can you hear me, miss?” He yelled across the field. “Davis, I need help over here.” The fireman wiggled her seatbelt until it unsnapped, and the leather band slipped into place, the sound oddly loud. “Does anything feel broken?”
“I don’t know.” She closed her eyes a moment, hoping to clear the blurred haze. Blinking, she braced herself for the next bout of dizziness. “I don’t feel good.”
Another fireman and two EMTs appeared, one carrying a white board. “She’s conscious?”
“Yes,” he told the others before returning his attention to her. “Just relax, honey, we’re going to lift you onto the gurney.”
The first man strapped something against her neck and pulled the seat back. In one fluid motion, they lifted her from the car. She stared into the inky night sky trying to remember how this happened.
Two officers arrived and searched her car while the EMTs pushed her toward the ambulance’s blinking, bright lights. They were searching for evidence, she assumed, but there was none. She’d only taken a couple of sips. Her pulse raced. The spiked punch. Had that been enough to impair her? Something had happened—something terrible. She’d blacked out.
The right side of her car was crammed inward, her windshield busted. And the other car; it was nearly unrecognizable.
An uncomfortable twist squeezed her belly. This was her fault.
The EMT stared down at her. “How’re you feeling?”
“Dizzy and nauseated.” Her voice sounded husky, like she hadn’t spoken in days.
Her tears fell unwillingly as she glanced again toward the wreckage splayed out in front of her. The only sound she could muster was a broken hiccup.
Addison searched the area for a sign of the other driver. Long, blonde hair spilled over another stretcher’s rim. A woman crying hysterically stood over the girl.
The girl hadn’t moved. Addison closed her eyes against the flashing lights, the broken girl, and the woman crying as stark pain seared through her head.