Page 59
“Shoes?”
She shrugged. “I’ve had more than a few hotel guests tell me they hide money and jewelry in their footwear because no one steals shoes.”
Lawson grinned. “Total strangers tell you where they keep their valuables? Only you, Amber.”
Burke figured that was true. There was something innately trustworthy about Amber. He imagined she knew plenty of secrets she would never tell because she never broke a promise, like Rissa.
Lawson laughed. “You called it, Sis. I’ve got another notebook in here in a work boot.”
Everyone stopped what they were doing as Lawson crossed and passed it to Amber. “You do the honors.”
Amber smiled and rubbed her belly as she took the small notebook. The financial notebooks were larger, but they’d found plenty of these smaller books where Jay had kept his to-do lists.
Amber stroked the cover and then flipped it open. She gasped softly, then read aloud. “You stole my girl.”
Tears filled Amber’s eyes, and she put her hand over her mouth. Lawson knelt beside her and put his arm around her shoulder while she passed the book to Burke. Boomer moved in even closer and lay his head on her lap.
Jolie leaned into Burke’s shoulder and Knox sat on the bed beside him.
Burke took a deep breath and then read. “She was supposed to be mine. You stole her.”
Jolie sighed. “We were right.”
Burke nodded and tilted the book so they could all see the next blank page. He flipped again and found more. “Can’t be around while you’re planning a wedding. How the hell am I supposed to be happy for you?”
The comments continued on every second page, probably added every time Jay thought about it. After a dozen similar ones, the tone changed.
“Hell, brother, I’m sorry.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I hope you’re happy.”
“Too many years have passed for me to come home.”
“Miss you both. Congratulations on Mato.”
Amber sucked in a breath, and Burke wasn’t surprised when Gray walked into the room. The man didn’t say a word, but moved to lift Amber into his arms, then sit with her cradled to him. The two had a magnetic attraction.
He felt the same with Rissa.
And suddenly he wanted her here. Wanted them all here.
Rissa picked up her phone when a notification popped up.
It wasn’t the Apple Gang chat, but it was from Knox to her, Thea, Ford, and Dani. Calling all Malssum partners. This is emotional. Could use some support from you.
“Everything okay?”
Olivia’s quiet voice broke into Rissa’s shock at Knox’s wording. Malssum partners. Knox saw her that way. Did Burke?
She hoped so.
Rissa angled the phone so Olivia could read the text. They’d been working for a few hours and had a solid foundation for her unit. “Do you mind?”
Olivia smiled. “Of course not. They must have found something. Go, be with Burke.”
Warmth spread through her at that. She scooped up a barking Frizzle and headed for the stairs, meeting the others on the way.
She followed the group into Jay’s room. Gray cradled Amber in the only chair while she patted Boomer. Knox stood from the bed and pulled Thea into his arms. Lawson tugged Dani to him. Ford moved to lift Jolie into his lap and take her place on the bed.
