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Treasure in a Field

By Sharon K. Connell

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Chapter One

University of Colorado ~ Boulder

Haley MacKenna sat on her dorm room bed, head propped in one cupped hand with her elbow on her knee, focused on the notepad. She brushed a lock of shoulder-length red hair away from her eyes. What had she written during the afternoon lecture? She shook her head in disgust. “Chicken scratches. I can’t stand it when my scribbles come out worse than a doctor’s signature.”

Pointing to the middle of the page, she held the spiral pad out toward her roommate, who sat at a desk against the wall. “This word. I can’t figure it out. Did Professor Duncan mention something about a treasure in that lecture? Here. See if you can read it.” Haley tossed the pad onto Kayla Ross’s lap.

Kayla laughed and examined the paper, then glided to Haley’s bed. “You have the worst handwriting I’ve ever seen, girl.” She squinted at the page. “I think…I don’t know…but I think it says treasure.” She flipped the pad onto the comforter in front of Haley and sauntered back to her chair.

“Yes, siree. Don’t you remember? He talked of nothing but gold and jewels for a few minutes when he went off on a rabbit trail again, just as he usually does. He gave details of his vacation last year when he and his wife had gone to Florida to see if they could find buried treasure on the beach after he’d read of interesting discoveries. But why notate that?” She resumed reading her geological engineering book.

A moment later, while Haley scratched out the undecipherable note from the paper, Kayla shut her textbook and turned back to Haley. “Professor Duncan carried on and on about the gold coins. I thought it would pique your interest after the story you told me our first year here. The MacKenna legend. Do you plan on a trip to Florida to hunt for gold yourself?”

Haley glanced up at her and sighed. “Must have zoned out after I wrote this word. For most of my life, I’ve been spoon-fed that old family myth. To be honest, if I never hear another story with a connection to treasure, Spanish galleons, or pirates, I’ll be a happy camper.”

She jumped at the loud knock on their door. Her hand flew to her chest. Rapid taps followed. “What on earth?”

Kayla ran to the door and peered into the hallway through the peephole. “Haley, I think it’s your brother.” She turned with her brows furrowed, pointed to the picture on Haley’s nightstand, and shrugged. “Doesn’t he live in California?”

“Yes. Well…let him in.”

As Haley leaped out of her chair, the door swung open. “Hi, big brother. What brings you to—”

Aiden wrapped his strong arms around her in a tight hug. “Sis, I have bad news.”

***

As Kayla helped her pack, numbness spread through Haley’s body. This had to be a dream. A nightmare. Mom and Dad…gone? “They can’t be gone.” Sparkles floated around her peripheral vision, and she sank to her knees.

“Haley!” Her brother scooped her up and laid her on the bed. He shoved the clothes still on hangers to the foot. “Are you okay?”

“No.” A flood of tears burst from Haley’s eyes. “This can’t be happening. There must be some mistake.”

Kayla slid Haley’s suitcase from the bed to the floor, sat next to her, and rested her hand on Haley’s back. “You’ll be okay. You’ve had a shock.” She winced and glanced at Aiden. “Sorry. I’m just so inept in these situations. Easier for me to discuss rocks.” She launched herself off the bed. “I’ll get her a cup of tea from downstairs. Maybe it’ll help.”

He handed Haley a handful of tissues from the box on her nightstand. “Sis, I’d better check with the airport and make reservations for a flight to Omaha. When I received the news, all I thought of was getting to Boulder…to you. Will you be okay while I make the call?”

Haley sat up and grabbed the tissue box. She nodded and dabbed at her tears. Words stuck in the back of her throat like a half-baked biscuit. As her brother phoned the airport, she finished packing a carry-on for the flight home. She plunked back down onto the edge of the bed in a daze.

The door squeaked open as Kayla reentered their room. “Here’s your tea, Haley.” Kayla placed the steaming cup on the nightstand, eased next to her friend, and swiped a stray tear from Haley’s red eyes.

“Wish I was more help. But you know my heart and prayers are with you and Aiden. Your parents were two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. After they found out my folks died in that plane crash during our first year at college, they always treated me as if I were one of the family. If there’s anything you can think of for me to do, just ask.” She slipped her arm around Haley.

The waterworks resumed. Another nod was all Haley could manage.

Aiden reentered the room. “The only flight available to get us from Denver to Omaha is tomorrow morning at 4 a.m. We have to allow at least an hour for the drive to the airport, two hours for check-in, security, and everything else. So we’d better leave here around midnight, just in case.”

He pulled the desk chair to the bed and turned it to face Haley. Aiden lowered himself onto it, taking her hands in his. Dilated red veins from lack of sleep showed in his dark green eyes. “Did you hear me?”

“Yes. I just don’t understand. How could this have happened to Mom and Dad? He’s such a good driver. He never took any chances. What happened?”

“The details are sketchy.” He ran a hand through the bright red curls on his head. “But apparently they were driving home by Carter Lake near twilight. There’s that section of road around the water, heading west, where it seems as if you’ll drive straight into the lake, but the road veers off to the right.”

“Yeah. Mom’s favorite way to come home after visiting the park or airport.” Her voice quavered. She pressed her lips together and grabbed his arm. “But what happened?”

“According to Aunt Deb, the deputy said it looked like Dad lost control when he neared the turn. The car crashed into a clump of shrubs and went through the guard rail. They said he was going so fast, the car took flight and landed in the water. It sunk. The Fremont Sheriff Department is still investigating why Mom and Dad didn’t get out of the car when it hit. But with the electric windows up, everything might have—” Aiden’s voice hitched, and he swallowed. “We’ll have to wait until they figure out the details. Once we get to the farm, I’ll contact the sheriff’s department and see if they’ve learned more.”

“How can that be? You know what a careful driver Dad is…was.” The dam broke again. Haley snatched a pillow from the head of the bed, buried her face in it, and wept.

Kayla wrapped her arms around Haley and held her. Aiden rubbed her back and spoke, but sobs muffled his words.

“Come on, Haley.” Kayla touched her roommate’s chin. “Drink your tea before it goes cold. It’s chamomile. It’ll help calm you.”

Haley lifted her head and stared at Kayla’s glistening eyes. “Nothing will calm me until I find out what happened to my parents.” She pinned her brother with a searching gaze. “You don’t accept their deaths as an accident either. I can tell by your expression. Can’t you find out the details right now? Isn’t there someone you can contact? You being a lawyer?”

Aiden pulled her into an embrace. “That’s exactly what I intend to do, Sis, as soon as I get you home to the farm. No, I don’t accept it. Something’s not right about this so-called accident. I’m sure the sheriff will see that after their investigation. They just haven’t had time to find out what happened. I’m not going to badger them with questions they can’t answer yet.”

He pushed her gently from him and looked at her. “You’d better freshen up and rest.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s seven already. I’ll run out and get burgers since we’ve missed dinner. After we eat, we’ll sleep a couple of hours before we head to Denver. I can crash on the floor. Be right back.” He let go of her and rushed out.

Kayla took the half-emptied cup of tea from the nightstand. “Haley, you need to rest. The next few days will tax your nerves. I’ve gone through funeral preparations myself. Plus, the unsettled fears you and Aiden have.”

When she reached the door, she turned. “I’ll take my study materials to the common room, so I don’t keep either of you awake. Your brother can use my bed. I’ll be up at least until midnight, studying. Besides, I want to see you off.”

“You don’t have to go. With a ton of questions going through my mind, I probably won’t be able to sleep anyway. And your being here is comforting. My brother can snore through a hurricane.” She smiled. “You’ve been my best friend since we met. Please stay.”

“All right, gal. But promise me you’ll rest?”

Haley stretched out on her bed and pulled an Afghan to her shoulders. “Okay.”

Kayla turned off the nightstand lamp and returned to the desk. She took a sip of the tea Haley had left and drew out a clip-on book light from the drawer.

Twenty-five minutes later, Kayla answered a soft tap on the door. Aiden stepped in. The smell of burgers and fries followed him and filled the room.

Haley hopped out of bed, took a card table from the closet, and placed it between the twin beds. Kayla rolled her desk chair to the open side of the table. The girls sat on their beds, and Aiden seated himself in the chair.

After asking the blessing on their food, he opened the bag he’d set on the table and passed out hamburgers and fries. They ate in silence.

When they finished, Kayla stuffed wrappers and napkins, along with Haley’s half-eaten burger, into the sack. “I’ll dispose of these downstairs.”

“But you’ll come right back, won’t you?” Where had this insecurity come from? Haley touched Kayla’s arm. “I’ll feel better if you stay.”

“It’d help Sis to have you near, so please come back, Kayla.” Aiden patted Haley’s hand. “You won’t bother me if you’re in the room. I can sleep anywhere, on anything, and like a rock. Sis has written to me many times about how close you’ve become. She always did want a sister.” He glanced at Haley and smiled.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.” Kayla scooped up the remaining trash and went out the door. Before it closed, she stuck her head back in. “Aiden, you sleep on my bed. I’ll be studying until midnight, so you may as well be comfortable.” The door clicked shut before he could answer.

Haley gazed at her brother. “Thanks for understanding. She is more of a sister to me than simply a roomy…or even a friend. I wish she could come to Omaha with us.” She sighed. “But she’d have her first round of tests to make up when she got back.”

Hope I don’t miss any important classes, tests, or lectures while I’m gone. They’d already started out rough this year.

Several minutes later, Kayla bounded through the doorway. “Okay, you two. Lights out.” She tossed a huge comforter from the end of her bed at Aiden. Then she reestablished herself at the desk.

Haley curled up on her bed, tears seeping from her eyes. She pulled out more tissues, dabbed at the corners, and blew her nose.

“Try to rest, Sis. I’ve set the alarm on my cell for eleven-thirty. That’ll give us two and a half hours of sleep.” He laid his head back on the pillow. “Trust me. We’ll get everything straightened out when we reach Omaha.”

She closed her eyes, but her imagination took over. An image of her father’s car swerving out of control on the road alongside Carter Lake flashed in her mind. Haley pinched her eyelids together, trying to erase the scene. It just couldn’t be. There had to be another reason for the crash. Oh, Mom…Dad…

***

When a hand touched her shoulder, Haley jerked awake. The dim light from the bathroom showed Kayla bending over her.

“Haley, it’s midnight. Your brother has everything in the car ready to go. I threw a few goodies from our stash into your tote for you to munch on during the flight, if you get hungry.” She turned on the nightstand light and held out the bag.

Haley’s purse and computer sat on the card table next to the door. She smiled at her roommate. “You’re one of the best friends I’ve ever had.”

Kayla plopped down on the bed and hugged her. “And you mine. I’ll miss you while you’re gone, girl. Text me when you get there, okay?”

“I will. Wish you were going with us, but you need to stay in class with the load you’re taking this last year. When I get back, I’ll have to pick your brain on our joint classes to catch up. If only all our classes had been together.” Haley rose and finger-brushed her hair.

Kayla ruffled Haley’s hair back up. “With your smarts, it’ll be a piece of cake for you to catch up. You should check to see if you can get any work done online while you’re gone. Just in case you don’t get back right away.” She hugged Haley and walked with her out the door. “Look, don’t let this get to you. Remember, I’m here if you want to talk. I’ll be praying for you.”

Haley forced a smile. “Right. I’ll text you later in the morning. You take care of yourself, Kayla. And don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Then why do I feel things will never be the same again?

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