“It’s really ours?” She got out, still gazing down at the pile of gold and jewels.

“Aye. No more need for peaceful green cornfields to feel safe.” He climbed out of the hole to cradle her face between his palms. “It’s azure blue waters, now. You and me and a pile of money, doing whatever we wish. Now and forever.”

She tore her eyes away from the treasure to meet his gaze. “Youmake me feel safe, Jamie. I don’t need peaceful green cornfieldsorazure blue waters for that. And I don’t need a treasure chest full of gems as an engagement ring. I’d marry you if we had to spend the rest of our lives giving Ghost Walks every night.”

Jamie adopted a considering expression. “Those dreadful tours you hostedwouldbe a great deal livelier with me lending a hand. I could help you get the stories straight.” He kissed the top of her head. “Or at least I’d help you concoct better lies.”

She gave him a playful swat. “You really are a scoundrel.”

“That I am.” He slung an arm around her shoulders. “And so are you, at heart. Now, do you really want to pretend we’re some drearynormalfolks? Hand over our scads of riches to people who had no part in winning them?” He arched a brow. “Or do you want to take our loot, set sail for Jamaica, and spend our days looking for mermaids and solving crimes?”

A huge grin spread across Grace’s face. Just as he knew she would, his uptight Sunday school teacher of a bride threw her lot in with the odd-ducks and scoundrels of the world. The lass would never be normal, thank the Good Lord.

“Fuck it.” She said happily and his heart filled with joy. “Let’s be pirates!”