A knock on Sunny's door sent her scurrying to open it. Was it Jason? She opened the door to a grinning Angelica holding a box of pastries. The jovial woman said, "If you've got the coffee, I've got the sweets."
Sunny laughed and motioned her friend inside. "Angelica, I'm so happy you're here. I was going to stop by the motel today." She glanced outside. "How did you get here? I don't see a car."
"My granddaughter dropped me off."
"Well, come to the kitchen so I can pour us coffee to go with those pastries."
Angelica smiled and followed Sunny inside, saying, "You're positively glowing. What's up?"
Sunny reached for mugs on her cup tree and started updating Angelica on the latest happening. Ten minutes later they were ensconced in lounge chairs on the deck and enjoying a beautiful summer day. A gentle breeze swayed the tops of tall ponderosas while birds sang a cacophony of tunes. Several hummingbirds flitted around the many feeders dangling from patio beams, and a squirrel darted along the railing.
While munching on an apple fritter, Sunny excitedly related her discovery of treasure only the day before. As she talked, Angelica's eyes widened.
Sunny said, "After we got the box back to Jason's house we carefully removed each item and laid them out on his countertop." Tears pricked her eyes when she said, "There were twelve precious stones, eighteen semiprecious ones, fifteen leather pouches filled with gold dust, and various bills and coins."
Angelica moved her hand to squeeze Sunny's and Sunny lifted tear-drenched eyes to meet her friend's. There was such compassion in Angelica's gaze that she wanted to bawl like a baby. Instead, she choked back tears. "I want to show you the treasures."
Angelica's own eyes glistened when she replied, "I'd love to see them."
Sunny excused herself and went to her bedroom to retrieve the metal box. Returning to the deck, she set the treasure on the table in front of their chairs. Goose bumps covered her arms as she lifted the lid, and her heart expanded knowing that these objects had once belonged to her family.
Angelica said in a reverent tone, "It's wonderful that these precious possessions are back in the family."
Sunny met her gaze and again felt the sting of tears when she saw the tenderness in the elderly woman's eyes. One-by-one, she lifted the precious objects from the box and handed them to Angelica, who marveled over each one. The last item was the gold nugget. Sunny held it a moment before handing it over. When she did, she saw tears shining in Angelica's eyes.
Angelica held the nugget in her palm and whispered, "So much history in this stone."
Sunny replied, "I know. I feel it too."
After the women dried their eyes and the treasures were returned to the safety of their tin box, Sunny and Angelica warmed their coffees and continued visiting on the patio.
Angelica asked, "So, what's next on your agenda?"
"I'm not sure. My manager wants me to write another song, but I'm not inspired to do so. He's not pushing, but I feel guilty for not spending more time on my music. For years it was the only life I knew and I'm reconciled to the fact that it was a factor in the breakup of my marriage, so now…" she shrugged and her voice trailed.
Softly Angelica laughed. "So now you want to relax and do nothing."
"Exactly."
Angelica's eyes twinkled.
"What are you thinking?" asked Sunny.
Angelica reached and clasped Sunny's hands. "Since you found these heirlooms, why not look for something else?"
That got Sunny's attention. "Like what?"
Angelica raised her eyebrows and waited.
Sunny said, "It's that obvious, huh?" She bit her thumbnail while her mind raced, but she couldn't think of anything.
Angelica smiled and gave a hint. "From what you've shared with me, it's mentioned often in the journals."
Sunny puffed a breath and wracked her brain. Then it hit her. She practically jumped from her chair. "Yes! The Spirit Tree!"
Angelica nodded and laughed. "It probably isn't far from the cabin."
Sunny questioned, "Why didn't I think about that before?"
"Eventually you would have. I just gave you a little prompt. So, do you think you can persuade Jason to join in the search?"
"Maybe. He was really excited about this find. If he doesn't want to join up, I'll just have to get his permission to traipse across his land."
"Are you still trying to force him out?"
Sunny cast her gaze downward. "No. But I've decided to buy as much land next to my family's homestead as I can. I want to preserve the area from development."
"Does he know that?"
"No. He thinks I'm a spoiled rich girl who buys her way into anything she wants."
Angelica laughed. "I hardly think he believes that. In fact, the last time I was with both of you, I got the distinct impression you were breaking down the barriers around his heart."
Sunny's eyes widened and she waved a dismissive hand. "Angelica, you're a romantic." She hastened to add, "But I don't fault you for that. I wish I could crumble his defenses, but circumstances have made me just as cynical as he."
Angelica said as she stood. "Perhaps you're not as cynical as you think. Perhaps your heart has other ideas. Perhaps your future is brighter than you think. Perhaps…" Her voice trailed.
Sunny grinned at her optimistic friend. "What?"
With a grin, her friend replied, "Perhaps we should continue this discussion another day. Can you drive me back to the motel? My granddaughter has her hands full today."
"I'd love to." Sunny stood and hugged Angelica. "I'm so happy we met."
Angelica hugged her back. "I wouldn't have had it any other way. I believe it was destiny, my child."
After Sunny returned from the motel she went to her office and, with notebook in hand, began rereading the journals. By evening she had jotted down every clue she could find indicating the location of the Spirit Tree.