Page 54 of Pay Dirt

Chapter 25

I walked out of the courtroom with a huge smile. Bill Tanner’s face would be seen on TV tonight, but it wouldn’t be on the ten o’clock news. Nope, he got more than a slap on the wrist for hitting me and pulling a gun. Especially when the FBI showed the surveillance videos. Mrs. Tanner’s divorce would be finalized tomorrow. Today was a good day. Had this been how Jenna felt when helping those women?

I pushed out of the courthouse, got into my car, and drove home.

Getting out, I smiled at Nathan sitting on my porch.

“How was court?” he asked as he rose from his spot and met me halfway.

“Justice was served,” I answered.

“Well, we were a major force in the apprehension of the weatherman.”

My mouth parted, and I tapped his stomach. “You weren’t even watching him. You were watching me watch him.”

Nathan chuckled and pulled me into his arms. “Watching you was the best job I ever had.”

I rolled my eyes, and he pulled me in and kissed me slow and melt-worthy until I leaned into his hold.

“Jenna’s Place?” he asked.

“You mom deserves to be remembered, even if she couldn’t publicly announce she was behind helping over a hundred women disappear.”

“Marty?” he asked next.

“Amanda loves him, and I figured you wouldn’t want her traipsing across the world following him. It’s better he’s nearby for everyone involved.”

“And Michael and Janet and the others. Those are some pretty cool little digs until they get back on their feet. You have a big heart, Cassie Bennett.”

I reached behind his neck and guided him to my mouth. “My sister had a premonition about us after I got back.”

“Are you sure it was a real premonition and not a little birdy that whispered in her ear?” He arched a brow.

“Well now, I don’t know.” I moved to sit on the porch swing that now served as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the view.

He didn’t sit beside me. Instead, he kneeled in front of me and opened the blue Tiffany box in his hand. “Did it have to do with a ring?”

My lips widened into a smile. “Maybe, but you know we could be all wrong for each other.”

“Or maybe perfect for each other. You’re my dimes. My hopes, my wishes. We can have a long engagement, and you can spend time getting to know me, but I already know I love you, Cassie Bennett.”

“You have this all figured out, don’t you?”

“You found my heart, Cassie. I’m hoping that you’ll keep it.”

I held out my trembling hand and smiled. “I plan to do just that.”

He started to slide it on my finger and paused. “Is that a yes?”

I nodded. “Absolutely, yes.”

Never in a million years had I believed I’d find true love just by working my job, and even now, with Nathan by my side, my sister’s premonition had been clear; we’d be helping a ton more men and women on our quest. I patted my pocket where an extra crystal was stashed, along with the decryption code. This was a new chapter in our life. One that promised things I would have never even imagined.

Two hours later, I left Nathan asleep in my bed and fixed a cup of coffee, staring at the map on the table and the ceramic stone sitting on top, engraved with the name Bennett.

I’d been trying for days to find our relatives without a hint of luck. Nothing to show where this other line might be.

Next to it was one of Talia’s friendship bracelets, which she’d always worn. Butterflies and fear had me waiting to try anything with that one. If Gwen was right, Talia was still alive somewhere in the world. She would have grown up believing… what exactly?

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