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The lid feels stuck, and I groan, straining to open it. I pry at it until my fingertips are sore, making no headway.

Desperate to reveal the contents, I take the pickaxe to the wood. It feels like desecration, my stomach churning with each hollow thud the pick axe makes until I break enough from one edge to pull back to the lid. My heart drops like a heavy weight as I eye the contents.

Chapter Sixteen

ESMERALDA

My hands go to my mouth as I watch Reese’s head and shoulders bob back up. He’s dug down a good five feet at this point, and his ominous words fill me. The last thing I ever wanted to do is dig up dead bodies. But what do you expect when you start shoveling away in a cemetery?

A bag appears in his right hand, which he plops on the ground above him. With both hands planted on the side of the hole, he pulls himself out with one vigorous move, jumping to his feet on the ground above. His face looks grim as he walks towards me, sweat pouring from his rippling muscles.

“I don’t think this is anybody’s remains. Too heavy for that. But I can’t be sure. Do you want me to look first? Or do you want to? After all, this is your treasure hunt.”

“No, it’s our treasure hunt.” I inhale, steeling myself. “We’ll look together.”

The cowboy nods, his face covered in sweat and dirt from hours of labor. “Alright, Angel.”

Holding the dusty old bag between us, he opens the top, and we peer inside.

“Oh my God,” I whisper as sunlight glints off a tantalizing golden glow.

“Motherfucker,” Reese laughs, his eyes going to my face. “Are you happy, Angel? Is this what you wanted?”

I’m too busy staring at the contents of the bag to speak. A glittering trove of small, golden Aztec objects greets me, shining in the sunlight. Tears flood my face. Not so much for finding the treasure but realizing, after so many years of tireless work, that it really exists.

Reese’s brows furrow as he appraises my face. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I whisper, covering my mouth. “I just can’t believe we finally found it. That it really exists.”

“I’m no expert on Aztec artifacts, obviously, but that looks ancient to you. Right?”

“Absolutely. And it looks expensive, too.” I pause, shifting my weight, so much effort culminating in this moment. A moment I never thought would happen. A moment I’m entirely unprepared for. “What do we do now?” I ask, staring at the rugged rancher, his smile still ear to ear.

“Well, let me double-check to make sure there’s nothing else. And then we better get out of this hot sun. We could both use something to eat and drink, and I’d love to get you back home where we can take a slippery, soapy, sexy shower together. Then, you can drape yourself out on the bed while I indulge in the only meal I’ve really been dreaming about all day.”

“That sounds unbelievably amazing. All I want.”

Reese cocks his head. “Even more than this loot?”

“Far more. It’s not even a contest.” I long to sink into my husband’s loving embrace, surrendering my body and my heart to his wicked pleasures.

Grabbing a shovel, I head in his direction, setting the bag down beside the hole as Reese finishes searching it. Vaulting himself out again, he says, “On second thought. It’s way too hotto be out here. We’ve got all the time in the world to fill the hole later. Let’s head back to the Cadillac.”

I couldn’t be happier as we march in that direction. Reese carries the heavy bag of gold, a shovel, and the pickaxe. I carry two spades.

The rancher eyes my grin happily. “You look pleased, wife.”

“More pleased with you than any other part of this adventure,” I reply.

“Really?” he asks, scrunching his nose.

“Really.”

“Then, maybe you won’t think what I have to say next is so crazy …”

“And what’s that?” I ask, eyeing him as our pace picks up, the Cadillac in sight.

“This treasure has me feeling uneasy, Esmeralda. Like real uneasy. There’s something off about it. I don’t know how to explain it, but holding it, touching it. Well, I’m convinced now that it’s cursed. Just like you said. But what do we do about it?”