Page 128 of Nothing to Win

“Carver took care of the important stuff.”Roxie leaned back to call toward the door.“Twyla, honey, you’re not a Sear.Crimson will look after you, if you’ll have us.”

It didn’t always appear that Roxie was paying attention.She was.Always.It wouldn’t be right to leave anyone to her family after that night.Twyla was the only person she’d loathe to abandon.

And her friend took care of that.

Twyla ran down the stairs, falling into step with Roxie and Ballard as they headed for a car.Brogan led her away from her glaring father into a car all of their own.

Inside, reassurance and relief came in forward motion.They were leaving together.Together!

“Where’s Tripp?”Because this was exactly his scene.“He’ll be mad you didn’t call.”

Brogan was pouring wine.“He’s been in Mexico most of the last two weeks.Tonight we sent him back to the airport with Shanna to meet Jarrod’s plane.”

She took the glass he put in her hand.It wasn’t champagne, it was—wait, what did he say?

“Jarrod… You found him?”

“I told you I would,” he said, putting the decanter back in its holder.“Don’t worry, I’ve got a lifetime to prove to you I’m worth my word.”

Her cheeks plumped as she put her glass aside.“You are worth the world,” she said, freeing him of his drink too.“I don’t want to drink.”

“You sure?‘Cause that’s the ‘45 Pinot Noir.”

“Which you opened before you proposed?”

“I’m a confident guy.Yes was the only possible outcome,” he said.“And you’d notice if I didn’t let the wine breathe.It’s good wine.At its best for you.”

“Thank you,” she said, intoxicated by the man, not the label.“But right now?I don’t care.”

“If you don’t want to drink…” he asked, hand already sliding up her leg.“What do you want to do?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“You can’t tell me?”

“You have to quid before I can quo…”

“Leaving your family for me is quid enough to last me a lifetime.”He raised her hand, adorned by the ring.“If we’re going to do this right, Mrs.Spurn…”

“We don’t have to get married,” she said, splaying her fingers to admire her new gem.“I know Spurn men take care of their women.Marriage is unnecessary.”She knew he was good for it, for them, for the rest of their lives.“I would like to wear the ring though, it’s breathtaking.”

“Matches its owner.I like certainty.”And contracts.“We’re getting married.”

“With a prenup.”

His exhale was almost a snort.“Irish, if you wanted the whole damn lot right now, I’d sign it over.I’m not worried about giving half up to you one day.”

“No?”

“I’ll have to give it up to our kids eventually.”

“Maybe you’ll change your mind about freedom if we have daughters.”

“Maybe,” he said.“Which reminds me, you have a little sister?”

“Mm,” she said with a nod.“Sent into exile.”

“That’s a story I’ll need to hear one day.”