Page 401 of The Romance Adventure

“Because you got ice cream for all the guys in your program.”

“Yeah, but you charged for my ice cream, too.”

“A guy has to make a dollar. Sheesh,” Ryan says.

Harley tilts her head. “Says the multi-millionaire. Everyone in this room gets free ice cream.”

“Shouldn’t you consult me?” Ryan asks.

Finally, I do look up, I look at my family. “This is why Chip did this.”

“So we’d argue?” Ryan asks.

“Squabble,” Royal says.

“Who uses the word squabble?” Magnus teases.

“No, Chip did this so we’d be together again. Whether we get along is up to us.”

Ryan nods slowly.

Magnus wears a half smile.

Royal shrugs. “I suppose you’re right.”

I lift my arms in the air in triumph. “World, let it be known on this day, Royal McGregor said I was right about something. It’s a first in history.”

“Oh, stop. Don’t gloat, it’s not a good look,” Royal says and then pulls me in for a bro hug with a slap on the back.

Magnus gestures for me to bring it in. We also hug.

Then I trade one with Ryan.

Isla shouts, “Family hug.” Even as the smallest but mightiest member of the team, she somehow manages to wrangle us all together and we do a big group hug. Even Jolie joins us and I want more than anything for her to feel this surge of familial affection.

Like what I said about Chip bringing us together and it being up to us whether we get along, it’s up to her whether she accepts family life.

When we part, I smile and then say, “I figured out the message.”

“Why didn’t you tell us before?” Royal asks.

“So we’d have that moment.”

“Well, what does the message say?” Ryan asks, exasperated.

“I figured it out, mostly. One letter is stumping me. It either says The crown is in the cave. Or The crown is in the cove.”

“Cave or cove?” Jolie asks.

“Since you already have the letter O from crown, wouldn’t it be the same in the sixth word of the message?” Magnus asks smartly.

“Not for a code like this. Each word is a unique combination of letters, numbers, scratches, and symbols.”

“And our Mom knew this kind of high-level cipher stuff?” Ryan asks.

I beam a smile. “She sure did.”

“Why didn’t we know this about our parents?” Royal asks.