She paused, grabbed the end of a flaming bone from the fire, and held it over the opening. The light illuminated the hiding spot. Approximately two feet deep, it was shadowed with dust and debris. But at the bottom sat two satchels.

Before he could stop her, she grabbed one and hefted it up. The leather was crinkled and worn, a knotted drawstring at the top. “It’s heavy.” She plopped it onto the cave floor, and something inside clanked.

“This has gotta be the treasure.” She fumbled at the drawstring. “What else could it be?”

He sat back on his heels and waited. The leather knot wouldn’t budge, and Ivy grew flustered the more she worked at it. Finally, he reached over and sliced the strip with his knife. The binding fell away, and the bag opened.

She grinned. “What would I do without you, Jericho Bliss?”

“Land yourself in trouble up to your neck.”

“I can manage just fine, and you know it.”

She was capable, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tease her. “Then why are we trapped in a cave in the middle of a forest fire?”

“Because I need this.” She patted the bulging bag.

“Treasure or not, you can have Steele’s land.”

She paused in peeling back the satchel. Her brows rose above her expressive eyes.

“I don’t need the land, was only buying it to keep up appearances so no one would grow suspicious of why I came back to South Park.”

“You put me through all that worrying for nothin’?”

“Figured a little hard work and sweat wouldn’t do you any harm.”

She shoved his arm.

He toppled back in an exaggerated fashion, pretending her playful push had more power than it did.

Her expression was somber, anything but playful. “I was real worried.”

“I know and I’m sorry.” He sat up. “You don’t know how bad I wanted to tell you that day after meeting at Steele’s office. But I knew then I’d have to explain the nature of my work.”

“I wish you would’ve.”

“I can’t chance anyone knowing what I’m doing here. It could ruin everything. And, worse, it could put you in danger.”

She watched him, questions flickering in her eyes. She likely had a thousand of them as usual.

“Don’t ask.” He’d already said too much and wouldn’t say anything more.

“You know you can trust me.”

“The less you know, the better.”

She pursed her lips, then began to tip the bag. Small pebbles slid out first, then larger uneven stones followed by a big piece. In the shadows of the cavern, the rocks didn’t appear to be extraordinary at first glance. But as Ivy lifted a flame above the heap, the specks in them glittered.

“Is it gold, Jericho?”