Page 132 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

I opened it, and blue eyes ringed in gold stared back at me.

“Good evening. Are you Miss Jennifer Cloud?”

“Yes.” My heart performed a cliff dive. Did something go wrong?

“I’m Alexander Hamilton IX.” He extended a hand. I shook it and felt the hard calluses of a working man’s hand. “This may sound strange, but I have a three-hundred-year-old delivery for you.”

“Please come in.” I stepped aside, allowing Alex to enter my home. Less than a week ago, he was wearing an expensive suit. Now, he wore jeans, a sweatshirt, and hiking boots. He carried a backpack and a shopping bag.

Uh, boy.Had he lost his inheritance thanks to my meddling? Or my unmeddling, to be exact?

“Hi, there.” Gertie reached us, and I introduced him.

“LiketheAlexander Hamilton?” Gertie asked.

I experienced a creepy déjà vu and brushed it aside, hoping this meeting turned out better than the first one.

“Yes, he was in my gene pool.” He handed me the shopping bag, opened his backpack, and pulled out a manilla envelope. “I was given strict instructions to deliver this to you. In fact, my entire inheritance depends on it.”

“Your inheritance?” I looked down at the envelope and shopping bag.

“Yes, my, well, my many greats grandfather left me a fortune. My family has lived off the generous interest for centuries, but I stand to inherit the bulk. That is, if you’ll sign the paper in that envelope stating I delivered this box to you.”

I handed off the shopping bag to Gertie, read and signed the letter. He placed it in his backpack, then turned to leave.

“Don’t you want to see what’s inside?” I asked.

“No. I’m heading off to hike the Inca Trail in Peru. I’ve always loved an adventure. I’m told my grandfather did too. You see, he was a pirate.”

“Smuggler.” I spilled out before I stopped myself. “I heard Alexander Hamilton’s grandfather was a smuggler.”

“Ah, right. Maybe I heard that too. I don’t need the money, but I’d like to fund more charities, so thank you for signing.” He paused and scratched his chin. “I find it funny my ancestor named me specifically in his will. It was like he knew I was to be born. I almost forgot, there’s trust paperwork in that envelope for one Maximillian Smith. Do you know him?”

“Yes. I do.” I grinned wide.

“I assumed so since the entirety of the package was to be delivered to you on this date. No exceptions.” He slung his backpack over his shoulder. “Mr. Smith will be well taken care of.”

“I’ll make sure Max gets it.”

I walked Alex to the door. He paused on the way out. “I hope whatever my ancestor left you will help you in some way. Take care.”

“Thanks, me too.” I closed the door, leaned against it, and hugged my arms around me. Alex had turned out just fine, which meant Rowan had as well.

“Let’s see what’s inside.” Gertie held up the shopping bag.

We moved into the kitchen and a crack sounded from the backyard. I smiled to myself. Caiyan slid the glass door open and entered my house. His dreads were gone, and dark waves framed my favorite green eyes.

“Gertie.” He nodded at Gertie. “Sunshine. Is this a good time?”

“Sure. Alexander Hamilton IX just left.”

“He dropped off a gift for Jennifer.” Gertie held the same treasure chest that had brought me news of Marco’s demise. “Isn’t it cool?”

Caiyan’s eyebrows furrowed, and his jaw tensed.

“It’s not from Alex,” I told Gertie. “It’s from his ancestor, Rowan. The pirate, I mean smuggler, I told you about.”

“The sexy one?” Gertie asked.

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