Even though she was alone in the car, Madison Wallace groaned loudly as she drove past the Camden County sign. It may as well have been flashing a “Welcome back home, Loser” message. She’d fought hard to keep this day from coming. Except for a couple of brief visits, she’d managed to spend the past twelve years flitting from city to city. First St. Louis, then Chicago, and most recently Atlanta. And life had been great.
Mostly.
Until two weeks ago when the nonprofit she worked for had lost some expected grant money. As luck would have it, Madison’s job as marketing coordinator had been one of the first to go. With no job in sight and the lease up on her apartment, there was only one thing to do … head back to her tiny, backwoods, Missouri hometown and regroup.
Her older sister, Brook, had been ecstatic. She’d promptly signed the two of them up for some two-month-long treasure hunt her church was sponsoring. Geocaching she’d called it. It sounded hopelessly dull to Madison.
Yet here she was, risking a speeding ticket to get to the opening session. She glanced at the clock on the dashboard of her Nissan Altima. She’d promised Brook she’d be there by now. Although it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that she was late. Their mama used to say that Madison ran on her own time. She’d been born six days late and had been running behind ever since.
She careened into the church parking lot and slowed down as she searched for a place to park. The nearly full lot told her she was definitely late. An empty space beside an ancient green hatchback beckoned. She turned off the engine and checked herself in the mirror. Not bad, considering how many hours she’d been on the road. She dabbed on some lipstick and fluffed her dark-brown hair. If she ran into anyone she used to know, she wanted to look her best. No need for them to know that she was coming home a complete failure. Even if she wasn’t the successful advertising executive she’d always aspired to be, she could still look the part.
She hurried toward the park across the street from the church, her high heels clacking against the pavement.
“Madison!” a voice called.
She whirled to see Brook, and her brother-in-law, Scott, hurrying toward her.
“Hey there, stranger.” Madison embraced her sister, unable to hide her grin. She hated the idea of being back in her hometown but had to admit she looked forward to spending time with Brook.
“You look like a movie star,” Brook said. “Couldn’t you have cut us country bumpkins some slack?” She gestured from her own running shorts, faded T-shirt, and tennis shoes to Madison’s dark-red dress and Jimmy Choos. “Of course, I’d fall flat on my face if I tried to wear those shoes.”
“You look beautiful, hon.” Scott pulled Brook to him and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Just as pretty as the day I married you.”
Madison rolled her eyes. If only spending time with Brook didn’t mean being subjected to a nauseating lovefest all summer. Her brother-in-law had always bordered on cheesy, and it appeared not much had changed over the past few years. “Nice to see you again, Scott. Thanks for letting me stay.”
He smiled warily. “You, too. We’re glad for you to visit. Besides, with Joshua at my parents’ house in Arkansas for most of the summer, we have an extra room.”
Madison barely knew her six-year-old nephew. The plan had been for her to get to Osage Beach a couple of days earlier so she could spend time with him, but it hadn’t panned out. “Sorry I missed seeing him. Packing took a lot longer than I expected.” She’d put most of her earthly belongings in storage. There had certainly been no point in hauling them to Osage Beach. It would be a miracle if she lasted there the whole summer. Please Lord, help me find a job, and get me out of here quickly.
“We’d better hurry up.” Brook ushered her toward the crowd. “They’ll be giving out directions soon, and we don’t want to miss it.” She held up a box. “This is our GPS. I got it at Communication Location, a new shop in town. It was kind of expensive, but they offered a discount for Rainbow’s End Treasure Hunt participants.” She beamed. “This is going to be so much fun.”
Madison raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Spending time with Brook sounded fun. Traipsing around the Ozarks looking for hidden treasure did not. “How’ve you been?” She and Brook fell into step next to each other and followed Scott toward the registration table.
“Wonderful. I’m teaching kindergarten now, and Scott is teaching sixth-grade science. We love it.” She grinned. “Especially since we have summers off to spend together.”
Brook and Scott were one of those couples who’d been joined at the hip since middle school. Madison could barely remember a time when Scott wasn’t hanging around. “I’m sure that’s fun.”
They filled out the required paperwork at the registration table. I feel like I’m signing my life away.
“Thanks for your participation.” The dark-haired girl manning the table grinned. “It should be a great summer. I’m Lyssa Quinn. If you have any questions about the treasure hunt, feel free to call me at the church office.”
Brook smiled and took the paperwork Lyssa held out. “Thanks.”
“And don’t forget to come to the midpoint rally and the wrap-up party.” She tapped the papers in Brook’s hand. “The information is in there.”
Madison scanned the crowd. No familiar faces. Thank goodness. Just being back in Camden County was enough of a walk down memory lane for one day. She was already dreading the inevitable visits with various family members she knew would be in her near future. “How’s Grandma?”
Brook narrowed her eyes. “If you ever called her, you wouldn’t even have to ask.” She sighed. “But she’s doing well. She gets around a lot better since her hip replacement last year.”
“I sent flowers.”
Brook shook her head, and her ponytail swished. “That’s not the same as a call. Or a visit.” She motioned toward the stage. “Looks like it’s starting.”
Madison listened as the guy onstage introduced himself and went over the rules of the treasure hunt. Seemed like an awful lot of trouble, considering they weren’t hunting real treasure, just trinkets. She tuned him out and continued to check out the crowd. There were a couple of people in the back who looked familiar. Maybe high school classmates, but she wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like she’d made it to her ten-year reunion.
Brook nudged her. “Did you hear what he said about Common Grounds offering coffee for participants? I love that place. I ran into Darcy Smith there the other day. She was excited when she found out you’d be here for the summer.”
Madison frowned. “I guess I missed some of his announcements. I must be tired from the trip.” She managed a tiny smile. “But that’s nice about the coffee place and Darcy.” She had a vague recollection of Darcy from the year she’d spent on yearbook staff during their junior year.
Brook’s face lit up as she spotted someone in the crowd. “There’s someone I want you to meet.” She clutched Madison’s arm and pulled her past a trio of geocachers huddled around their GPS. They looked as befuddled as Madison felt. Glad I’m not the only one not sure what I’m doing here.
Madison bristled as they walked through the throng of people. This had better not be some kind of matchmaking effort. Relief washed over her as they approached an elderly man sitting in a folding chair. She couldn’t help but laugh at herself for worrying that Brook would try and set her up with a local. I seriously need to learn to relax.
The man looked up and grinned. “Well, well, well. It’s my favorite neighbor.” He stood up and clasped Brook’s outstretched hand.
“Mr. Simmons, I’d like for you to meet my sister, Madison.”
He nodded. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Madison. Your sister and grandmother speak highly of you.”
Madison grinned. “It’s nice to meet you.” He reminded her a little bit of her grandpa. Even though he’d died when she was in junior high, her memories of him were still vivid and full of happiness.
Mr. Simmons hung on to her hand tightly after he shook it. “Have you been to see Clarice yet?”
Madison bit her lip. “No sir. I came straight here. But I will soon.” She planned to stop by her grandma’s house later. Maybe tomorrow. Or maybe Grandma would just come over to Brook’s. That would be even better.
“Lookie who’s finally here,” Mr. Simmons said, dropping her hand. “I want you to meet my grandson, Grant.”
Madison turned to see a tall guy walking toward them. Sauntering was more like it. Grant clearly thought he was hot stuff. His cargo shorts and faded camouflage T-shirt were a far cry from the business suits she was used to seeing on men. A baseball cap topped blond curls, and his blue eyes danced playfully as they landed on her.
She quickly looked away. He hadn’t even opened his mouth, but she knew enough already.
Grant patted Mr. Simmons on the back. “Hey, Grandpa. Sorry I’m late.” His mouth twisted into a grin. “I was tied up at the office and couldn’t get away.”
Mr. Simmons, Scott, and Brook burst into laughter.
Madison stared. She hated feeling like an outsider. “Did I miss something?”
Grant gazed into brown eyes the color of his grandpa’s homemade root beer. He let his eyes travel from her dark, glossy hair down to her high heels. She was trouble. With a capital T. “I was out on the lake. Fishing.” He shrugged. “My office.”
She smiled thinly but not before he caught the flash of disdain on her pretty face.
He turned to Grandpa. “Are we all set for the treasure hunt?”
The older man nodded. “They gave a few instructions and a pep talk. I guess we’re on our own now.”
“Common Grounds is offering a free coffee hour for everyone participating in the hunt,” Brook said. “Sounds kind of fun.”
“I guess.” Grant patted Grandpa on the shoulder. “If you like those frou-frou coffee drinks that are more sugar and milk than coffee. Me, I like my coffee black. No fuss.”
“A little sugar never hurt anybody,” Grandpa said with a wink.
Grant looked up to see the dark-haired girl watching him. She might be pretty—okay, downright beautiful—but he’d seen that I’m-better-than-you look before. He motioned toward the GPS in Brook’s hand. “Y’all may as well just concede now. In fact, they should just cancel the whole thing.” He draped his arm around Grandpa’s shoulders. “Because Team Simmons is going to bring home the victory.”
“Don’t sell the Wallace sisters short,” Scott warned. “These two might surprise you.”
Grant grinned and turned his attention back to the brunette. He’d been so irritated that she seemed to think he was a mannerless lout that he was proving her right without meaning to. “Please excuse my manners. I’m Grant Simmons.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m guessing you aren’t from around here.”
She eyed his hand for a moment as if she were trying to decide if he’d washed it since baiting a hook. She gingerly placed her dainty hand in his. “Madison Wallace. I’m Brook’s sister. And I’ve been living in Atlanta for the past two years.”
Her skin was soft. She probably spent an hour every day with her hands soaking in lotion or some other weird female ritual. “Well, welcome to the Ozarks, Madison Wallace.” He realized he’d been shaking her hand for a moment too long and quickly let go.
Madison stiffened. “Thanks.” She hoisted her oversized handbag onto her shoulder.
What could she possibly keep in that bag? For the millionth time, Grant wished he’d grown up with sisters. Maybe then he’d understand women better. Women just didn’t make sense. In fact, they might as well be from another planet. He turned to Scott. “Are you part of the treasure-hunt team?” Scott and Brook looked in on Grandpa often, so he’d gotten to know the couple pretty well over the years.
Scott shook his head. “Nope. Brook and Madison are on their own.” He grinned. “Although Brook and I have been doing some hiking to help her get ready.”
Madison frowned. “You have?” she asked her sister. “I didn’t know this was the kind of thing I needed to prepare for.”
“You mean you haven’t been studying the trails and maps each night?” Grant asked.
She looked at him with wide eyes. “No.”
He chuckled. “Good. Us either. We’re going to rely on natural talent.”
“There’s the guy who sold me the GPS,” Brook said, motioning toward a tall guy standing at the edge of the crowd. “Let’s go see if he can give us some tips on how to use it.” She linked arms with Madison. “Good to see you, Grant. Maybe we’ll see you out on the trails. And Mr. Simmons, why don’t you come over for supper one night soon?”
Grandpa nodded. “You don’t have to ask me twice. Just give me a call whenever you want me. Preferably when you make some of the chocolate cake I like so much.” He chuckled.
Grant watched the sisters walk off, Scott trailing behind them. He turned to Grandpa, who was watching him curiously.
“She’s a looker,” Grandpa said.
Grant shrugged. “Yeah, but she’s married.”
Grandpa frowned. “I’m talking about Madison, and you know it.”
“She might be a looker beneath that perfectly made-up exterior. It’s hard to tell.” Fancy clothes and a lot of makeup, plus those skyscraper heels, screamed high-maintenance. Grant had been down that road before.
And it wasn’t an experience he planned to repeat.