Page 35 of The Secrets We Treasure
Cherry gave her a pointed look. “It sounds like the drama in your life can be summed up in two words … your manager.”
“Amen,” Treasure muttered.
“Don’t feel obligated to stay here because of me,” Barbara began. “I don’t want to undermine your career.”
“You’re not,” Treasure protested, her voice rising. “I want to be here. This whole documentary thing came out of nowhere. It was never part of my plan.”
“Like the proposal?” Cherry harrumphed.
Treasure nodded.
“I’m not one to butt into other people’s business,” Cherry sassed, wagging a finger, “but if you’re asking me, your manager seems to be causing you lots of unnecessary stress.”
Cherry was one of the most opinionated people Treasure knew, but she didn’t mind Cherry’s frankness.
Treasure’s phone buzzed. She looked down at it, frustration boiling in her chest. “Not again,” she muttered. All three looked at the name on the screen. This time, it wasn’t Ethan.
Cherry’s eyes rounded to full moons as her hand went to her hip. Her head moved in sync with her words. “Greer Nash? Why’s he calling you?”
Treasure met gazes with her mom, who was as surprised as Cherry.
“I didn’t realize you and Greer kept in touch,” Barbara said.
“We’re friends,” Treasure squeaked. Jiminy Cricket, her cheeks were flaming so hot she wondered if they would melt off her face.
A look passed between Cherry and Barbara.
“What?” Treasure asked. “Tell me,” she demanded when Cherry and Barbara remained quiet.
The timer on the oven dinged. Cherry went over to the stove, picked up an oven mitt, and slid it over her hand before opening the door and removing the skillet.
Treasure homed in on her mom. “What is it that you’re not telling me?”
“Don’t be pressing your mama,” Cherry chided. “She’s not up to dealing with stress.”
Barbara made a face. “I’m perfectly fine.” She turned her attention to Treasure. “People have been talking about Aimee’s accident.”
Treasure tensed. “What about it?”
“Some folks are saying that Aimee’s death wasn’t an accident.”
So Doris wasn’t the only one spreading gossip. “That’s ridiculous.” Treasure bunched her brows, feeling intensely protective of Greer. “Of course it was an accident.”
“Just because you’ve been sweet on Greer Nash for the better part of your life don’t make him no saint,” Cherry muttered.
“I—I’m not sweet on him,” Treasure blustered, wondering why she felt the need to refute the obvious. She threw her mom a challenging look. “What makes you think I have a thing for Greer?”
Barbara’s voice was gentle. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
Treasure’s eyes misted. “Is it that obvious?” she asked miserably.
“True love comes along once in a lifetime,” Barbara answered. “And unfortunately, the heart is not always the best judge of character.”
The words were spoken with such a depth of emotion that Treasure wondered if her mother was referring to Oliver Chasing. She straightened her spine as she narrowed her eyes. “Greer is a good guy. He was devastated by Aimee’s death and never would’ve done anything to hurt her.” The conviction of her words rang true in her ears. Greer had to be good. That was the only thing that made sense. “Maybe Aimee’s death was an accident, and maybe it wasn’t. But I’d stake my life on the assertion that Greer had nothing to do with it.” Treasure looked at Cherry and her mom, daring them to disagree.
Cherry brought her hands together, her voice overly cheerful. “Well, on that note. Shall we have the blessing on the food so we can eat?”
Barbara reached and squeezed Treasure’s hand. “Just promise me that you’ll be cautious. That’s all I’m asking.”
