Treasured Past Read Online Free PDF Page A

hadn’t heard Annie sneak up on me.
    “It’s beautiful. Pricey, too. Is this a rare item?”
    Annie’s head dipped back and forth. “Yes and no. The old vending machines are somewhat rare. But the Coke ones are the easiest to find. This one’s been completely restored. There’s a guy down on the Cape that does a lot of work for me on some things that I find.”
    I nodded, standing quietly while I admired the machine. “Do you ever see a 7UP machine? Or Pepsi?”
    Her eyes lit up. “Much harder to find. And double the price tag, easily.”
    I shook my head, admittedly feeling greedy. I suddenly wanted one, and had to laugh.
    “I had no idea you could find stuff like this anymore,” I muttered. “I’m afraid I’ve led a sheltered life.”
    Her raised brow told me that she didn’t believe a word of it.
    “No, no. I mean that for so many years I barely set foot outside of my office. I was never home, and I never even bothered to buy real furniture until about a year ago. My house is practically empty.”
    She looked at me oddly, and I realized I wasn’t making any sense. “A year ago I realized that I was completely burned out and quit my job at the time. It wasn’t until then that I started noticing things like this, and the oak office furniture. Does that make sense?”
    “Sure, I suppose.”
    “I’m finding so many things that are new to me. I started out with a few pieces here and there. Mostly functional things like furniture and bookshelves. But looking around your shop, I can see that there’s a whole other world of antiques and collectibles that I didn’t even know about.”
    My eyes flitted across the narrow room, taking it all in. They focused on an old brass candlestick phone, and I heard myself gasp. “My god, is that real?” I turned and covered the eight steps between Annie and the tall display case behind her.
    She laughed when she saw me staring at the phone, just inches from my face now. “It better be. I paid enough for it.”
    “Does it work?” I let one index finger trail along the shaft.
    “Yes it does, actually. All my phones do.”
    “All?” Curious, I let my eyes go back to hers. Her grin was somewhat sheepish.
    “You’ve discovered my real weakness. I collect phones. Every one ever made. They only make it to the shop if I already have one in my personal collection. And of course whenever I see one that’s in better shape than the one I already own, I have to buy it.” She seemed embarrassed now. “It really is my weakness.”
    I let my eyes wander over her face.
    “I’m glad to know you have one.”
    She laughed. “Why?”
    “Because until now I thought you were almost perfect.” I said the words before I realized how they might sound, and saw the color rush to her face.
    She ignored me. “This one is a Western Electric. All original parts. The patent on it was nineteen-twelve.”
    Trying to recover, I tried to pay attention to what she was telling me.
    “It’s gorgeous,” I muttered, picking up the price tag and flipping it over. Three hundred dollars. I whistled low.
    She laughed at me. “Only two-fifty for you.”
    I caught the small crinkles around her eyes and felt my heart sink.
    “Deal.” The word was out before I could take it back.
    “What?”
    “Sold. I’ll take it.”
    She raised a brow, and I could almost read her thoughts. She was probably thinking that it must be nice to be the daughter of wealthy parents. I wanted to change my mind, but it was too late. I honestly didn’t like to flaunt money. But I couldn’t help thinking that it seemed every time I was around Annie I was spending ridiculous amounts of money. “Like I said,” I hastened to explain, “I’m really just beginning to decorate my home, and it’s actually kind of stark.” It was true. My walls were bare and my shelves empty.
    She was smiling again. “Then you should come shopping more often!”
    “Maybe I will,” I told her. “Now that I know what wonderful stuff you