Unveiled Treasures by Kayla Janz

bounded into the house.
    “I’m going to feed you and then get myself cleaned up. I have a date with an older man!” she said to him as she poured kibble in a bowl. He barked in response. “It’s scandalous, isn’t it?” she said laughingly. “What will the neighbors think?” He didn’t answer, just buried his head in the food bowl. “You’re right. I don’t have any neighbors to worry about, do I?”
    Rachel raced through a quick shower and wrapped in a towel, hurried into her room to get dressed. Getting into a pair of black dress slacks and a light blue knit sweater. Expertly and efficiently, she braided her waist length hair. “I think it may be time to cut it off”, she said to her reflection. “I don’t know, I’ll probably regret it if I do.” She quickly applied some mascara and lipstick. One last glance in the mirror and she decided she was ready to go. Stopping to pet Brutus on the way out, she said, “Don’t let anyone in while I’m gone, okay?” He barked once, circled three times and lay down in front of the door as if he understood. “That’s my boy,” she said lovingly as she closed the door and locked it.
    “You ready to go?”
    “Yes. Do we take your car or my truck?” she asked.
    “I’ll drive. My car is at the end of your driveway, remember?”
    “Oh yeah.” She giggled. Linking her arm with his, they walked down the driveway together. “Thanks again, Dad,” she said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
    “Don’t mention it. By the way, your garage door opener has been installed and is fully operational. You won’t have to come down and get it after all.”
    She looked up at him. Blue eyes looked directly into blue eyes. She smiled and simply replied, “Thanks, Dad.”
    The drive to town was short and exhilarating. She itched to get behind the wheel of his 2004 Mustang Mach I and find out for herself what it could do. Parking in front of the restaurant, she thought about missing breakfast with him on Sunday mornings. Going to the diner near his house every Sunday morning had been a standing date of theirs for years.
    “What caused the long face, kiddo?” her father asked as they walked inside.
    “I was just thinking of missing Sunday breakfast, that’s all.”
    “Rachel, it’s time to move on. You left the nest a long time ago; but now it’s time for you to move away as well. Think of this as a new beginning, it’ll be good for you.”
    “I know. I’m still going to miss it though, you too.” She pouted.
    “No time for pouting. You’re not that far away, Rachel. So you come down and see me every so often. If you get your driveway fixed, I’ll come back to see you too.” He smiled.
    “Thanks, Dad. You always know how to make me feel better.”
    “Good. Now let’s grab a table. I’m starving.”
    Ed Templeton sat and observed Rachel and her father enjoying their meal together. He watched them from his corner stool at the bar. Slowly sipping his scotch and water, he devised a plan to get back into Rachel’s cabin.
    The ride back to the cabin was even better because she got to drive. “Oh man, I want one of these!” she squealed as she rounded another sharp S curve in the road.
    “I think your local police force would rather you didn’t.” Her father chuckled. “You don’t need anymore fast driving awards.”
    “Party pooper,” she teased. “Did you bring an overnight bag with you?”
    “No, I didn’t. I’ve decided I don’t care to sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor. It’s only a two hour drive at the most, so I’m going to drive home tonight,” he answered.
    “Oh,” she replied, the disappointment clearly visible on her face and in her voice.
    “Now stop pouting. You’re a big girl now. Besides, you’ve got Brutus waiting for you, so you won’t be alone.”
    “I know. I just thought you would stay awhile. That’s all.”
    “You call me if you need anything or if you have any more trouble. Take care of yourself and that