Read Online A Gift from the Past by Carla Cassidy - Free Book Online Page A

what they might find.
    â€œI’ll never forget that little face smiling at us from beneath the crib,” Joshua said. Sammy had been under the crib, clutching Mr. Peaches, his favorite stuffed animal and laughing that he ‘go boom.’
    Claire stopped walking and faced him, her features a mix of both bittersweet joy and a whisper of sadness. “We made a beautiful baby, didn’t we, Joshua?”
    â€œWe did, Cookie.” He reached for her and she went willingly into his arms. He smelled the sweet sunshine in her hair, felt the warmth of her body and realized this was the first time since they’d buried their son that he’d held her in his arms.
    They stood there on the sidewalk for long moments, wrapped in an embrace that felt as medicinal, as healing as a hot poultice on a congested chest.
    She pulled away first, stepping back from him, an irritated frown creasing the center of her forehead. “We need to get to Hazel’s and see if the treasure is there. I don’t like leaving Sarge for too long.” There was a steely strength in her eyes, the same strength that had attracted him to her when they’d been young. It was also the same strength that had eventually driven him away.
    Â 
    As they finished the walk to Hazel’s place in silence, Claire tried to forget how it had felt once again to be held in Joshua’s arms. His body against hers had been so achingly familiar, and, for just a moment, as his arms had enfolded her close, she’d felt safe and loved.
    Illusion, she reminded herself. It had been memories of Sammy that had made them seek each other’s embrace. She wasn’t sure what Joshua was doing—holding her and kissing her—but she knew it had nothing to do with love.
    If he’d loved her, he never would have walked away from her five years ago. If he’d really loved her, he never would have stayed away for so long.
    She knew the truth in her heart. He’d married her because she was pregnant. While he’d been a good husband and father while Sammy was alive, once Sammy was gone there had been nothing to keep him with her.
    She could not allow herself to become vulnerable to Joshua. Besides, the decisions she’d made for herself concerning her own future had left no place for a man. She tamped down her thoughts and focused on the surroundings.
    There was very little left of Hazel’s house. What had been a grand two-story Victorian home was now nothing more than a pile of rubble. The only thing left standing was a stone chimney that rose high in the air.
    â€œWhy hasn’t the city removed this mess?”Joshua asked as they walked around the skeleton left by the fire.
    â€œWho knows? I’ve heard that Hazel refuses to allow anything to be done because she believes that fire spirits are now living here. I’ve also heard that Mayfield doesn’t have the money in its coffers to take legal action to get something done.”
    â€œSarge said the old flagpole was in the backyard by the patio,” Joshua said, motioning her to follow him around the side of the house.
    Despite the weeds that scratched her bare legs, a new sense of excitement rose up inside Claire as she thought of the possibility of digging up the money.
    Maybe with a little of the money she could start to take a few classes and begin working toward a teaching degree. She’d always wanted to teach history. She and Joshua had agreed that when Sammy was old enough for preschool, Claire would get the college education she desired. But, of course, fate had intervened.
    The backyard was hopelessly overgrown and bordered on three sides by ancient woods. “I think maybe I should have packed a machete along with your trusty trowel,” Joshua exclaimed.
    Claire frowned, slightly dismayed as she gazed at the landscape. “I can’t imagine Clark Windsloe crawling around in these weeds to bury anything back here.”
    â€œAh, but