Page 203 of Ice Princess

“Mom, you didn’t read the rest of the email.” I lift the paper up and continue where she left off, “‘She—Clay Kinsey’s talking aboutyou, mom—is small of frame but large in heart. It is no easy feat to dedicate your time and effort to someone else’s comfort, and yet, she’s done so with unwavering kindness anddiligence. Her hard work often puts mine to shame. If someone outside of my blood relatives must be a benefactor, I can choose no one but her’.”

I hand mom the email so she can drink in the words for herself. “You deserve this money and more. Clay Kinsey gave you the land and it rightfully belongs to you.”

“Aren’t you worried about you and Gunner?” Mom asks, peering up at me. “This may make things very complicated for you two.”

“Gunner and I will get through this. Don’t worry about anything else butyou.”

Mom pats my hand twice and then she heads to the door. “Gunner, Sheriff?”

Both men return to the room, looking somber and thoughtful.

Sheriff Kinsey clears his throat. “Mrs. Hart, I—uh—I know words won’t fix this, but I assure you that, on behalf of the Kinsey family, I will do everything to make this right.”

Gunner nods along.

“We,” his throat bobs, “we’ll return the land to you immediately. Now, about the matter of the oil and the repayment for that, if you could give us some time…”

“It’s alright, Sheriff.”

My eyes widen.

Gunner’s head whips up.

Mom smiles and loops her arm around mine. “I’m not the type who needs a lot. Rebel knows this. My heart’s full because I get to live in this beautiful town filled with lovely people. I’m rich with a nice home, a beautiful daughter, dear friends, and kind bosses.” She glances with a fond smile at the box. “Some would say too kind. I don’t need anything more.”

“Mom…” I whisper.

Gunner steps forward. “Mrs. Hart, we can’t let this pass by without paying you back. That’s not right or fair.”

“I agree,” Sheriff Kinsey says in a deep, firm voice. “Stewart knew about what Clarence had done and he kept you close in his shop to keep an eye on you. The harm done by our family can’t be swept under the rug. A crime was done. There are consequences for that. We’re willing to pay for our sins.”

“But it’s really fine.”

“Mrs. Hart,” Gunner declares, “my dad and I have discussed it and, while we don’t have all the money now, we’d like to propose a payment agreement.”

Mom gasps. “A what?”

“We’d like to sign a settlement,” Sheriff Kinsey says. “The Kinseys will repay you the oil in perpetuity until every cent is paid. In a sense,” Gunner’s dad blushes, “you can say that the entire Kinsey family now works for you.”

Mom swallows hard, dumbstruck.

“Would that be okay with you?” Gunner asks mom.

“Um… I… I guess,” mom stammers, looking at me.

“Then let’s head outside and set up a meeting with the lawyers,” Sheriff Kinsey says, gesturing for my mom to leave first.

As their voices get fainter, I walk over to Gunner. “Was the settlement your idea?”

“This way, your mom gets what’s owed to her, but my family doesn’t have to lose everything all at once. What do you think?”

“I think…” I glance at his grandfather’s will and then wrap my arms around his neck, “that I’ll enjoy bossing you around.”

He laughs softly and nuzzles his nose against mine, “Any time, princess. I’m at your service.”

CHAPTER

SIXTY

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