Lighthouse Road (Cedar Cove #1)(55)

“I don’t know,” Charlotte said. It didn’t look as though anyone was there. “I have the key and the receipt.”

“Then we’ll go directly to the unit.” Olivia pulled forward until they located the number written on the receipt.

“This must be it.” Charlotte climbed out of the car, taking her time. She didn’t move as quickly as she once did, nor did she move as gracefully as she would have liked. It was especially difficult getting in and out of cars.

Olivia was waiting for her. The unit looked much bigger than Charlotte had anticipated. Olivia took the key from her and inserted it in the lock. The door swung upward. Inside the darkened space was one large trunk surrounded by assorted furniture. A sofa and chair, a saddle and what seemed to be a painting of some sort, covered by a blanket.

The painting interested Olivia and she lifted the blanket. Charlotte glanced at it; when she saw that it was a movie poster of a 1940s cowboy film, she quickly dismissed it.

Then, almost against her will, her gaze swung back to the poster. The man, on a rearing stallion with lightning flashing in the background, looked vaguely familiar. He should, she realized when she read the name. Tom Houston was “The Yodeling Cowboy,” one of the most popular of the trick riders and cowboy film stars of the era. Many a schoolgirl afternoon had been spent in the theater, watching the wild horseman dash across the screen.

“Tom Houston.” Olivia read the name aloud. “Have you ever heard of him?”

“Of course. You mean to say you haven’t?”

“Sorry, Mom,” Olivia said and released the blanket. It floated down over the poster.

That old movie poster must be worth something these days. It was a collector’s item, no doubt.

“Shall we open the trunk?” Olivia asked.

“Just a minute.” A thought struck Charlotte and she returned her attention to the poster. Throwing back the blanket, she took a second look. When she did, her knees started to shake.

“Mom!” Olivia was at her side instantly. “What is it?”

Sitting on the edge of the old trunk, Charlotte pointed with one hand at the poster while the other covered her mouth. “This can’t be.”

“What?”

“That’s Tom Harding!”

“Who? The man in the poster?”

Was her daughter dense? “Tom Harding is…was Tom Houston.”

“Really?”

Olivia clearly didn’t appreciate the significance of her discovery. Charlotte took a deep breath. “Tom Houston was as popular as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. He was as well-known as Gene Autry in his time. Oh my, I can’t believe my own eyes.”

“He could be a relative of your Tom,” Olivia suggested.

“No, it’s him…Oh my, he really was Tom Houston! You used to watch his television show when you were a little girl,” Charlotte informed her. “Don’t you remember? On Saturday mornings…Tom had his own television series for a couple of years in the nineteen-fifties, and then he faded from the scene.”

“Tom Houston,” Olivia repeated softly as though tugging at childhood memories. She shook her head and then it seemed to come to her all at once. “Tom Houston,” she cried. “That Tom Houston?”

Charlotte saw that Olivia was truly excited now. A moment later, though, she frowned. “Oh, Mom, this has to be some kind of joke.”

“No, that’s Tom. Oh, he was decades older when I met him, but it’s the same man, I’m convinced of that.”

“Should we open the trunk?” Olivia asked obviously a little hesitant.

“Yes.” Charlotte was adamant about that now. “I’m hoping we’ll find some evidence of family.”

“I thought you said Tom didn’t have any family.”

“That the state knows of,” Charlotte corrected. “Which doesn’t mean there isn’t any.” Everyone had family.

Olivia had a bit of trouble undoing the lock, but the struggle was worth it once they were able to pry open the trunk. Inside was a virtual treasure trove of memorabilia.

“Oh, my,” Charlotte whispered, staring at the contents. The first thing she noticed was Tom Houston’s signature white outfit. The good guys always wore white, and Tom was very definitely a good guy. His guns were there, too, along with a number of old television scripts that appeared to be originals. She also saw World War II medals, and remembered that he’d served in the military.

“This stuff must be worth a fortune,” Olivia said in awe.

Filled with purpose, Charlotte straightened. “This is why he wanted me to have the key.”

Olivia glanced at her as if she didn’t know what to say. “He never gave you a hint about who he was, did he?”

“Not even one. He obviously didn’t want me to know while he was alive.” Charlotte was beginning to understand. Tom must have sensed that he could trust her. He must have realized she would do whatever was necessary to get these things—this legacy—to the people who were entitled to it. She might have let him down earlier, but by heaven, she wouldn’t again.

“Mom.” Olivia apparently recognized this look.

“He’s entrusted me with his most precious items for a reason.”

Olivia frowned. “And what’s that?”