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I’m not sure whether to be terrified or giggle.
Ryan and I exchange a look.Love Muffin? It reminds me of when he said that thing about Love Butter.
“What happened?” Magnus grinds out.
“I was walking the dogs on the beach. Madame and General were fighting over a bone. Well, a bunch of them, actually. Tied around an especially big one was a note.”
My heart leaps into my chest.
“Are we talking like biscuit bones or like—?” Ryan asks.
“The second one.”
“Animal? Human?” Magnus asks.
“Animal. They weren’t human bones,” CJ says dismissively.
A chill works around my spine.
“What did the message say?” Magnus asks.
Lally pulls it from her pocket. Typed on a crinkled piece of paper are the words:
“Say a word, get tossed overboard. Stop the pursuit, or you’ll get the boot. Let it go, or get the heave-ho. It’s not yours or hers, so I suggest you leave the heirs. You’ve been warned, so leave it alone or you’ll soon be mourned, and remember, loose lips sink ships.”
Isla shrugs. “Could be Glandman or Mr. Higbee.”
“Or not,” CJ grumbles as if supremely annoyed.
“Do you think it’s Captain J?” I ask.
CJ shakes his head. “No. Not at all.”
I sense he knows something he’s not saying, and by the sharp look across Ryan’s brow, he agrees.
Speculation circles the room and we go round and round about everything from the stones, to the crown, the map, the postcard, and now someone trying to scare us off the treasure hunt.
By the time everyone leaves, I can hardly lift myself off the couch.
“Would it be the worst thing if I just slept right here?”
Ryan kisses my cheek and then my neck before working his way back to my lips. We share a sweet if not sleepy kiss.
“It’s been a big day,” Ryan says. “How’s our mini nugget holding up?”
I lovingly rub my belly. “He loves the excitement.”
“I hope we solve this mystery and wrap up the treasure hunt soon, otherwise, we’ll all be off the case.”
“I have a feeling CJ knows more than he’s letting on,” I say.
“Much more.”
“I heard that,” he hollers from somewhere in the house.
“I’m literally buying the first house I see tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll be out of your hair by the end of the week,” the youngest McGregor calls.
“Where are you going?”
“Back home.”
“For goodness’ sake, where is that?” Ryan asks.
But CJ doesn’t answer, at least I don’t think so, because I nestle into Ryan’s arms; my favorite place to be—and somewhere I never expected to be, but it’s perfect—and start to drift to sleep.
He drops a kiss onto my cheek and says, “I love you, Nugget.”
“I love you, Hot Shot.” And that’s the last thing I remember before I dream about the future and our happily ever after.
