Page 97 of Ghost Walk
…And help to keep her out of trouble. The woman needed him, after all.
“Wearing the crazy clothes you do, you’d frighten away everyone who came to the door.”
Jamie looked down at his vividly patterned shorts and shrugged. He’d adapted to modern-style clothing quickly enough, but he still liked a bit of color in his wardrobe. “I’m a fashionable fellow, regardless of the century.”
“You’re a raving lunatic, regardless of the century. In fact, I don’t trust you not to rob all our customers, just for the thrill of it.”
Well, hewasa pirate…
Jamie grinned. “Come now, lass.” He cajoled. “Riordan and Riordan Investigations has such a lovely ring to it.”
“Riordan andRiveraInvestigations.” She corrected.
Jamie pretended to ponder that for a beat and shook his head. “Doesn’t trip nearly so easy off the tongue.” He didn’t care what modern customs allowed, he wanted her to have his last name. The woman was his and everyone should know it.
“If you don’t like the company’s name, you could always get yourownjob. But I’d better warn you, pirates in this century just bootleg DVDs.”
Jamie snorted. They’d see about that. “Riordan and Rivera-Riordan.” He offered, focusing on one battle at a time. “Triple R Investigations.”
“What are we? A dude ranch? There’s no way…”
The shovel clanged against metal, cutting her off. Jamie and Grace’s eyes met for a beat and then he was hurrying to clear away the sand covering the treasure chest.
She leaned over the side of the hole, trying to get abetter look. “Do you see it? Is it there?”
“I see it! It’s here!” Jamie beamed at her. “I told you it would be!” He leaned up to give her a smacking kiss.
“You know we’re going to have to give some of this to the government.” Grace warned, one hand on her hat so the force of his kiss didn’t knock it right off her head.
“Bullshit! I stole most of it before Virginia was even a state.”
“And you buried it on public land. They’re going to want a cut of everything we find.”
That was preposterous. “It wasn’t public when I buried it. I think it belonged to the Indians.”
“It’s ‘Native Americans,’ now. And none of that is going to matter to the nice IRS auditors.”
“No one else even knows it exists, Grace.”
“That’s not the point. Honest people report financial windfalls.”
Jamie snorted at that idea. “Fuck it. We’re pirates and pirates donea share our treasure. Everyone knows that.”
“I’m not a pirate, Jamie.”
“Of course you are! Pirating is in your blood, lass, same as magic and investigating. No sense in pretending to be normal, at this late date.” He winked at her. “Besides, I fought against taxation in the War. I’d be a hypocrite to start paying them now.” He pried the lid open with the shovel, laughing with glee at the sight of his gold.
“That is absolutelynotwhy the Revolution…”
She trailed off as her eyes took in the mountain of golden coins, emerald necklaces, ruby brooches, silver chalices, diamond pendants, and sapphire rings shining up at her from the box.
Freed from their wooden tomb, the treasure glistened in the summer sun with a magic all its own. It was a large enough haul to see them set up for the rest of their lives. Large enough that even Jamie was impressed and he was the one who’d stolen it all.
Jamie smiled as Grace’s lips parted in astonishment atthe fortune he’d just uncovered. “There’syour engagement ring, love.”
“Oh myGod.”
“I thought you’d like it.” This treasure had belonged to Grace long before she was even born. He’d always meant for it to provide security for his wife and family. Every cent had been gathered for this very moment.
