Tessa's Treasures Read Online Free PDF Page B

lake?”
    She fumbled with the collar of her high-necked blouse. “I’ve never been on a boat.”
    “Great. Then mine will be your first.”
    “Where do you take it?”
    He strode to the table and sat again, pushing the cup and saucer away. “I used to have it docked at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. Now that I’m down here, I’d like to check out Waurika Lake. Mike Owens at the Marina shop told me it’s a good place for a boat my size.”
    Alone with Lucas on a boat? The old fear started to creep up her spine. Nonsense. This was Lucas Raven, Mason’s best friend, the object of her teenage crush. He continued to smile, and warmth spread through her and the tension eased.
    “Well, actually, it might be fun. I could pack us a lunch.” Her voice gathered strength as she felt prickles of excitement. Of being normal for once.
    “Great idea. You pack the lunch, and I’ll bring the cold drinks.” Lucas stood and pulled her up. She didn’t resist, rising out of her chair as if in a trance.
    “I like the idea of us having a picnic on my boat. He wrapped her in his arms, settling her against his warm chest. “I’d like that very much.” With a kiss to her forehead, he released her. “Okay, it’s a date. I’ll pick you up at your house around eight o’clock Saturday.”
    “Eight o’clock! Frances works that day. It’s my day to sleep in.”
    “Not this Saturday.” He gave her a wink and headed for the door.
    He was in his Jeep before she remembered, and raced out the door. “Lucas!”
    The passenger side window slid down. “What?”
    “You don’t know where I live.”
    He gave her a warm smile again. “Yes I do.” He waved and pulled into traffic.
    Tessa strolled back into the store. The items from Lucas' attic still sat on the counter. She tagged the pieces of china and the other articles. Her slender fingers caressed the statue of the woman with the baby. A sad smile teased her lips. Once, she’d looked forward to being a mother. Someone to love and love her back. Blinking rapidly, she placed the statue next to the white marble elephant, and returned to the counter.
    Slowly she reached for the doll again, slid her fingers down the coarse black hair. The mysterious eyes seemed to shift with Tessa’s movements. The face had been lovingly polished to a high gloss. Smaller bones were wired to the body to form arms and legs. A beautiful rose had been carved into the center of the doll’s chest; Tessa wondered at its significance.
    With a shiver, she set it down. She found spots on the shelves for the other items. As she worked, she would glance over her shoulder at the doll. No matter where in the room she stood, the eyes seemed to train on her. She strolled to the center of the room, circling slowly, looking for the perfect place for the doll. Each time she thought she’d found a place, something changed her mind. No place seemed right, and she couldn’t get past the feeling the doll watched her.
    The rest of the day passed quickly. Shortly after six, she grabbed her sweater, keys and purse. When the last lamp was turned off, she glanced at the counter where the doll stared at her. On her way to the back, she grabbed an empty box and the doll, then headed for the kitchen. The rack of shelves in the corner of the room would be the perfect spot until she decided the doll’s fate. With determined steps, she climbed the small ladder and shoved the box to the back of the top shelf.
    “Sorry, dolly, but you just creep me out.”
    After she tucked the step stool neatly behind a cabinet, she locked the back door and headed for home.

Chapter Four
    “Come on, Lucas. You can’t really expect me to do that. It’s against regulations.”
    Lucas leaned against the closed door of OSBI Division Director Brandon Marshall’s office, arms crossed, a mocking lift to one brow. “I hope you’re not telling me you’ve never broken a rule?”
    Bran waved to one of the black leather chairs in front of his desk.