Page 79

Story: Pick Your Battles

Burke rolled his eyes and then flicked his gaze around the room.

Before he could say anything else, Jolie took Ford’s jaw in her hand and gently turned him her way. Her eyes sparkled, and he was grinning before she reached up to kiss him. Not a quiet brush of the lips, either.

Lawson groaned. “No PDA around the brothers, Jolie. I beg you.”

Laughing, he and Jolie broke apart. She leaned into his side before looking at her brothers. “Get used to it.”

On the screen, Amber had the widest grin he’d ever seen on her. The two men didn’t smile, but their eyes were full of affection for their sister.

They’d all be okay.

Knox rubbed his hands together. “Okay, any questions about yesterday before we find out what Jolie’s news is?”

Lawson looked surprised. “You don’t know either?”

“Not yet, but baby sister is beaming, so it’s good.”

All the attention turned to Jolie, and he watched her smile at each of them individually. “It’s really news for Knox and Thea, but there wasn’t enough time to tell them before our chat.”

Knox frowned. “What is it?”

She grinned. “Marcus Ramirez, the police chief from Phail, was here this morning. He came to collect the game cameras for evidence.”

Everyone nodded, knowing that wasn’t the news. Ford could feel Jolie vibrating with excitement. “He also had some information on the investigation.”

She paused dramatically, and Ford was sure everyone leaned in closer to hear her news. She grinned at him. “He mentioned how thrilled the company is to have their diamonds back. All seven million dollars’ worth.”

Everyone nodded like bobbleheads.

“He also said there was a reward.”

Lawson frowned. “For the diamonds? Don’t tell me that asshole McConnell gets to collect it after he stole them.”

Jolie shook her head. “Nope, although that was our first thought, too.”

She turned back to Knox and Thea. “The reward is for the return of the diamonds to the company. It’s being evenly split between the four of us.”

Ford grinned at the stunned silence. Then everyone spoke at once, asking questions.

Jolie leaned into him and looked up. “Your turn.”

Because she wanted him to have a part in telling her family the good news. She wanted him to have a happy moment with them.

He kissed her hair and then turned to Knox. “The reward is a hundred thousand dollars, divided between the four of us.”

Another beat of silence, then the group erupted in cheers. Knox hugged Thea, and they spent a moment wordlessly studying the other.

The four of them shared another look, and he knew they were all in agreement. Knox nodded at him, so Ford turned to the ones on screen. “We’d like to invest the money into the farm.”

Amber rolled her lips together and shook her head. “That’s your money. You’ve all earned it. After yesterday’s events, you should take that money and have a fabulous vacation somewhere safe.”

Lawson nodded. “That’s bonus money for you guys. Have fun with it.”

The four of them laughed, and Jolie looked at them all. “Maybe we’ll keep aside a little, but we want this. The farm is important to all of us. We love living here and working on it. It’s incredible to see it coming to life even with the improvements we’ve already made. We’ll take some time and figure out where to invest it, but helping the farm is what we want to do.”

Burke had said nothing yet. Instead, he studied the four of them one by one. “Take your time to decide. Don’t rush into anything. And don’t worry if you change your mind. It’syourmoney.”

Jolie nodded. “We will, but we love the farm. We love living here. When are you coming to see the place?”