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“Nope Just a bunch of junk—some toys, an old VHS player, kitchen stuff, receipts in one box, and old bills, but that’s it What I did see frorandparents since their name is on some of this stuff”

“Yeah, saeted with the pile of old books in front of her “There’s got to be so in here Ione of therandfather found a clue, so to lead hi a secret But at what length? Burying the key is a little excessive, unless there’s sorandh evidence to out the secret But maybe she hid what little she did have here? Gah! I e knee were looking for”

Kaden glanced over at her, his mouth a firrandoing to go in there and steal her stuff All she has is an old mower that doesn’t even work, a radio, and soht And every ti new has been stolen”

“There’s soh I can feel it”

Her gaze surveyed the unit with fresh eyes, stopping on a dark object in the corner of the unit, surrounded by boxes and ancient stereo equiprih the boxes toward the object She squinted at the ite it An old rocking horse, a giant duffle bag, and what appeared to be an old set of dry-rotted drapes hid it from view

“Hey, help me move this stuff,” she said

Kaden came to her side and pushed some of the junk out of the way, so she could remove the old stereo equipment Once they had a hole in front of the object cleared, Abby readied herself She stood in front of it, her shoulders squared and jaw set, and lifted the yellow drop cloth

Her stomach clenched as she stared

“A chest,” she whispered

So ominous about it pricked her nerves She needn’t be an expert to know the chest was old Very old The large oak trunk was stained a dark walnut and covered in ethe back of the lid There was no lock

Her fingers tingled with anticipation as she placed them under the lip of the lid With a deep breath, the chest creaked,with the hum in her veins as she lifted

Aback at her, then gasped Stu rhythm

Next to her, Kaden stepped closer “Holy Crap”

Raising a shaking hand toward the chest, she reached inside

CHAPTER TWENTY