It was like trying to find a thumbtack at a garage sale, and for the first time since opening the initial clue, Finley wanted to embrace her father for making the treasure hunt so difficult.
Because here’s the thing. Luke’s technological contributions to Furry Tails were of value. The treasure hunt was of value. Buthis presencewas of far greater value. If the end of the hunt meant he’d move away, then she wasn’t ready for the hunt to end. She’d lost Chase with the suddenness of an axe falling. An emphaticnofilled her every time she contemplated losing Luke with the same swift finality.
She needed more time with him. His family needed more time with him. She began praying that God would give them more time.
But on Friday night.. .
Time ran out.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Luke had become so used to staring at online maps and finding nothing that when he finally did view a body of water shaped in a familiar way on Friday night, it took him several seconds to recognize what he was seeing.
He leaned toward the computer, his boredom and tiredness vanishing. Had he found something that resembled Ed’s drawing?
He had.
Lake Trahlytawas written in the center of the blue mass. A narrow lake, it rested in a diagonal direction. Round like the head of a club at the top, jagged at the bottom.
It was nine thirty. He’d been reclining on the sofa, feet on the coffee table, laptop balanced on his abdomen. Now his bare feet hit the floor as he sat up and reached for his photocopy of Ed’s map.
He compared the page to his screen. A match.
Adrenaline pumped through his body, giving him a taste of what it must’ve felt like for Finley when she’d figured out each clue.
He zoomed in and out on the digital map until the other elements included in Ed’s drawing came into view. The roads, check. The streams, check.
He’d found the location of the treasure.
He pushed the heels of his hands against his eye sockets, then dragged his hands down his face and dialed Finley. He couldn’twait to end this hunt. Only by ending it would he be able to ensure her safety.
“I found it,” he told her before she could even say hello.
“You found the location of the treasure?”
“Yes.”
“Luke! You rock star!”
“It’s at Vogel State Park.” Which was located just under an hour away. “Pull up a map of that area and tell me if you think I’m right.”
“Will do. Hang on.”
He smiled at the muffled noises on the other end of the line. He liked being on the phone with her, even when they weren’t saying anything. In the same way, he liked being in a room with her at the Center. It didn’t matter if her attention rested on something else. Her nearness meant his breath could ease, his heartbeat could steady.
“You’re absolutely right,” she whispered. “It’s exactly like Dad’s drawing. You know.. .” Her words drifted to nothing.
“I know I’d like to be making out with you right now,” he said.
She laughed. “Then drive over.”
“I can’t.” Which actually meant,I won’t. He was way too into her. So much so it was dangerous, and he knew it. He was trying to protect himself from her, and he was also trying to protect her from him.
“I was going to say ...you know, I’m pretty sure my dad and I visited this state park. Is it the one with a waterfall at one end of the lake?”
“I have no idea.”
“Let me check.” She made cute thoughtful sounds.Mmm. Andoh. “Thisisthe park with the waterfall. He took me there once during my college years. We stretched out on the beach for a whole afternoon, reading. Then we got back in the car and drove to a more remote section of the park. We hiked off-trail until we found a spot on the hillside where we could eat the dinner we’d packed and watch the sunset. The view was stunning.”
