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Jess jabbed an elbow into Brett’s side, but he’d been expecting it. If Jess could say what was on her mind, he could too.

“I can’t believe I had to hear about your wedding from Linc,” Jess said.

“We wanted it to be a surprise for everyone,” Brett said. “Did he also tell you that we have a sister?”

Jess’s and Linc’s eyes widened at the same time, and she whirled around. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Linc held up his hands in surrender. “It slipped my mind.”

“No, he didn’t want to hear you yelling about it all the way over here,” Brett said.

Jess whipped back around to face him, and her blonde hair fanned out around her. Despite her girly, innocent looks, Jess’s eyes held a thunderstorm no one could ignore.

“What are you talking about?”

Brett jerked his thumb at Emerson, who looked ready to blend into the gray walls.

“Her?” Jess said, high and squeaky. “No way.”

“Yes, way,” Brett said. “Apparently, good ol’ dad got around with one of the Howards.”

Jess huffed and threw her head back. “While that doesn’t seem unlikely, I still can’t believe it.”

“Trust me, it wasn’t the best news for me either,” Emerson said, holding her head high.

Jess opened her mouth to say something, but Brett cut in first.

“Emerson helped Linc get in when we needed help, and she just finished an interview with the detective telling him all kinds of things about the Howards that might get them locked up for life. Be careful what you say next, sis.”

Jess clamped her mouth shut and huffed out of her dainty nose. “Okay.” She held up a finger. “But we’ll talk about this later.”

“I suspect we won’t,” Brett said, knowing his sister’s inclination to ignore him when she didn’t have anything nice to say to him.

“But here’s some more good news,” Brett said, smiling at his bride. “Mr. Chambers said we could move into one of the new cabins on the ranch.” Brett held his hands out and smiled, hoping to lift Thea’s spirits again.

Thea sucked in a breath and winced before placing a hand on her chest. “Really?”

“Really, really,” Brett confirmed. “Sorry, Linc. This means I’ll be leaving you.”

Linc stood propped against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He rolled his eyes at Brett’s announcement. “Whatever will I do on my own?”

“You’re gonna miss me, and you know it,” Brett said.

Linc scoffed. “If that’s what you need to tell yourself.”

Thea lifted a finger, coaxing Brett to her side. He leaned down so she could whisper in his ear, and he was already smiling as she began the question.

“Of course, your mom can live with us,” he whispered back before pressing a kiss to her temple. He’d been excited about starting a life with his wife on the ranch, but having her mom with them would multiply her happiness. There was no way on earth he could say no.

“Thank you. I love you.” Thea pulled him closer and sealed her lips with his.

And he didn’t want it to end. What was left of their families were getting along, and he had Thea by his side forever.

“I love you too.”

There was a quick knock at the door, and the nurse stepped in.

“Oh, the whole crew decided to show up, huh?”