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“I have to give back quite a bit of money. More than I was given at the outset, in fact. Therefore, I’ll have to relinquish my house and my membership with the owners to pay back what my family feel like I owe them.”
Kendall frowned. “Why do you have to move or relinquish anything?”
“I won’t have enough capital left over to be an owner.”
He snorted. “That’s not true.”
Warrick squinted. “What do you know that I don’t?”
“For one, you didn’t read the fine print in the owner’s paperwork. You had to put up a hefty membership deposit to buy in.”
“Yes. So?”
“So…we invested the stake you gave us and grew it ten-fold in the first couple of years. Then we banked it all. You’re still in. That’s why we did it. We didn’t want anyone’s fortune tanking, forcing them out.”
Warrick pondered that for only a few seconds before asking, “When were you going to tell me?”
“Um. Now?” He shrugged. “Figured you already knew. You’re a lawyer. Aren’t you the ones who read the fine print?”
“I did read the fine print.”
“What about the addendum’s fine print?”
“There was no addendum when I signed up.”
Kendall nodded. “Oh right. I guess it was an addendum we added later on for the benefit of all members. Every owner grew their membership stake ten-fold. No one can be forced out if their regular finances are threatened.”
“So bottom line, I’m still an owner regardless of my personal wealth?”
“Yep. Plus, you paid cash for your house. Guess you’re stuck with us.”
“Outstanding.” Warrick looked like he’d been struck dumb, but was grateful not to give up his home in order to have his woman. Or worse, choose between them. He loved his home. He loved Isabelle more. He would live in a shack with her if needed.
Isabelle said, “You were going to give it all up, weren’t you?”
“I was.”
“For me?”
“Of course. I’m in love you. And I want to marry you under my own terms. Not anyone else’s.”
Isabelle threw her one good arm around him, hugging him tight. Then she released him and promptly hugged Colton, too.
The doctor came out right then, telling the group that Ari was out of recovery and could have visitors. He said she could only have one at a time, but Isabelle, Sven, Warrick, Colton, and Duke all marched back to see her, daring the doctor to kick any of them out. He didn’t.
Ari looked pretty good considering all she’d been through. She opened her eyes, looked straight at Sven, and said, “I was only kidding when I said it was your turn next time, Viking stud.”
“Thanks for recommending the body armor,” he said in a low tone, bending down to kiss her forehead. “Saved both of our asses the second time.”
“I’m thinking of retiring in Montana. Think I could get a job here somewhere in security?”
Isabelle said, “Well, as long as you can hit the broad side of a barn from ten feet away, you should be fine.”
The room broke out in laugher so loud, they all got kicked out of her room for disturbing other guests.
Epilogue
Two months later
During the second attempt to host the seventh annual Old West Town sharpshooting contest, these final results were posted around all around town.
First place: Tie match
Isabelle Anderson & Ari Anderson
Second place: Tie match
Colton Landry & Duke Stanton
THE END
