Page 49 of Tino
“But why would someone bury gold bars underneath a gas station?”
I shrugged. “Maybe they wanted them hidden and then forgot about them or died. How long have you owned the place?”
“Since I was twenty-two. The last owner died and left it for me in his will. I’d worked for him since I was seventeen.”
“So, maybe he knew? Did he have a family?”
Jerry shook his head. “He only had friends in town, no family left. Which was why I believe he left it for me.”
“And all this gold,” I gestured to the few bars we could see amongst the rubble and dirt. “They’re yours, too.”
Jerry visibly shook as he began digging out gold bars, then handing them to me so I could stack them.
“You could rebuild this place,” I said, allowing my plan to manifest in his mind. “Maybe add to the building and make Betty’s flower shop here too, maybe a sandwich shop. Everyone drives past herebefore going into town, it could be a bigger place, a better place. Or you could retire.”
“I wouldn’t keep all of these for myself.”
“Why not?” If he decided to donate some, that would be his choice, I’d only done this to help pay him back for all he’d done for Niam.
“You, Niam, my mom. I’m not about having lots of money and spending my days scratching my balls and doing nothing.”
I laughed, then made a few more gold bars under the others for him to find. We wouldn’t say no to gold bars from him, since it would seem rude and if he slept better knowing we had more money then so be it.
“Do you have a shovel?”
Xarius
After saying goodbye to Jerry and Betty, who had decided together that they would rebuild and make room for Betty too. Jerry’s wife had wanted a change in career anyway, so she would work with Betty. They would have the perfect family business very soon and both Niam and I were pleased knowing they would be fine. We’d promised to come back in five years, and after Niam had fully healed Betty, we knew she would be there waiting eagerly for our return.
“Where to now?” I asked. We’d told Jerry that we had our friends drop us off earlier and that we would walk back to where they were staying with our RV. He didn’t question it and as soon as he’d left to drive Betty back to town, we’d left the parking lot. We were now walking into the forest so we could create a new portal.
“Oh,” he said. “I forgot it was my turn. I thought we would stay here for a few days?”
I shook my head. “I have plans for you at home too. I just figured we could do your location first and the rest of our free week will be spent relaxing with me buried inside of you at every opportunity.”
He stumbled. “Fuck,” he muttered. “Okay, deal. Let’s go.” He grabbed my arm instead of my hand and tugged me behind him as he power-walked faster into the forest. I laughed at his eagerness.
My laughter died as we went through Niam’s portal. We were in an alley, and I knew that alley. This was where I’d once parked my van. Where I’d slept and lived in my van for years.
Julie’s coffee shop.
I swallowed, not truly able to figure out how I felt being back here. But I guess Niam had sensed that I, too, needed closure. Losing Julie had been horrible, even more so when the horrible thought had entered my mind at the funeral, that if I’d never met her, she’d likely still be alive. I hadn’t even told Niam about that passing thought.Passingwould be a stretch since it came and went whenever I thought of her, which was every day.Severaltimes.
“Is this okay? Should I have waited a few years? I got the location and thought it would be a good idea. Was that wrong of me? I’m sorry.” Niam’s worried voice pulled me from the horrible thoughts running through my mind.
“It will always be hard to return, no matter how many years we wait. I’m glad we’re doing it now.” I took his hand in mine, and now that I’d reassured him, he seemed to relax beside me.
Because I no longer worked there, we couldn’t just walk in from the back like I’d used to. So, we walked around the corner and enteredthrough the front door. The man behind the counter smiled as we walked in, but both his smile and mine faded as our eyes met.
Declan.
What was Julie’s ex doing behind the counter, wearing an apron like he worked there? Declan, the man who had left Julie so he could keep being rich from his family’s money. Why onSutinerwould he be here,working?
“Xarius,” Declan said, rounding the counter and nearly running over to us. “Where’s Julie? Have you seen her? Is she okay?”
His questions threw me. He didn’tknow. Of course, he didn’t know! Nobody knew. No one here had been told, because only we knew. Fuck. I might’ve hated Declan for what he’d done to Julie, but he had helped her escape so she could get to us. And his eyes right now. Those eyes showed true fear and worry.
Fuck.