Page 60 of Holiday Hook Up

Emma stood and pointed to the chest. “In there.”

Bethany stared at the beautiful oak chest, heart racing. “Why is it here? I thought you were going to have it moved to Brandon’s office.”

Abby came up beside her. “I did. Emma was the first to realize it was missing. When Brandon said he hadn’t moved it, we went looking for it and found it here.”

“Wow.” Bethany couldn’t help but reach down and touch it. The minute she did, a prickly sensation ran through her fingers straight up her arm.

“Tingles?” Emma came up beside her.

“Yeah.” Bethany touched the chest with her other hand, but this time felt wetness. “It’s lake water, isn’t it?” she whispered.

“I think so,” Emma said.

“And it spilled out when you opened it?” Caitlin asked Abby.

“It wasn’t me,” Abby admitted.

“I did it.” Brandon leaned his mop against the wall.

Josh bent down to inspect the hope chest. He looked behind him. “You made all this water pour out? How is that even possible?”

“What? You think the Stevens and the Reeds are the only ones that can possess magic in this town?”

Josh chuckled. “I am happy to share anything that I can do with my brother-in-law.”

“Thanks, man.” Brandon chuckled.

“You’d make a good wizard.”

Brandon straddled the mop and pretended to fly. “I think so.”

Abby knocked on the wall to get everyone’s attention. “If my brother would stop his bromance with my husband, I’d like to see something.”

“What’s that, Abs?” Josh stood.

“Open it.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. When Jason did, it was empty. Let’s see if anything is in there for you.”

“Okay.” Josh opened the top, and they all gathered around and peered in.

Bethany let out the breath she’d been holding.

Nothing.

“Now, Babe, you do it.” Abby grabbed the mop out of Brandon’s hand. “Everyone should take a step back—and maybe kick off your shoes.”

Bethany moved into the doorway, bracing for any water; however, when Brandon lifted the trunk, something other than water gushed out, causing everyone to move to the side.

Hundreds of small gold and silver rings spilled out of the hope chest, blanketing the floor in no time.

“Shut it!” Caitlin screamed, and Josh came over and slammed the hope chest closed.

Where on earth had all this jewelry come from? Bethany moved back into the room, relieved it wasn’t lake water, but still. Careful not to step on the rings, she bent down next to a crouched Emma. “What do you think is going on?”

Emma held a silver band up. “I think they’re wedding rings.”

Abby’s hands went up in the air. “And what are we supposed to do with all these? Mary, if you’re in here, I think you need to clue us in on your intentions.”

“Oh, my gosh,” Emma gasped and handed Bethany the silver ring she’d been inspecting. “I think this might be yours.”

“For me?” Bethany took the ring, her eyes widening at the inscription.

Bethany, This life. Adam.

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