Page 50 of The Romance Adventure

“You’d just hoard it in your tower along with the rest of your riches,” Ryan says.

Isla turns to her sister. “It’s like this, Royal is the businessman. He’s mature, logical, serious, and efficient. Sense of humor uncertain. Doesn’t get involved in emotions. Stays away from them like hot coals.”

We’re all suddenly silent, intrigued by that somewhat accurate assessment.

I nod because she’s not wrong about me. But she left something out. I can’t deny that her touch does something inside, makes it easier to breathe, to be. To touch those emotions without getting burned.

Despite Strawberry Shortcake, aka Miss Pratt, aka Isla Courage’s deception about her name while reading the will, being around her makes me feel better and makes life easier. If she hadn’t splashed me with the smoothie, gotten her truck stuck in front of my car at the gas station, and wasn’t there yesterday when I received news that changed my life, I might be adrift on a raft in the middle of the ocean somewhere, seeking escape.

She goes on, “The older brother is Magnus. Move over, Maverick. He’s a Navy pilot who considers himself broken yet remains strong. Look up the word stoic and his face is in the dictionary.”

He runs his hand along his jaw. “I’m retiring.”

“That’s news,” Ryan says.

“Coming up on my twenty years. I’ll stay in the reserves, though.”

Ryan gives him a fist bump.

“Thanks for your service,” Bean says as if realizing we’re not all as bad as she thought.

Isla continues, “Then we have the athlete, Ryan. He’s a flirty rascal. Not always considered reliable, but he’ll be there for you when you need him. Also, he has a huge appetite in every imaginable way.”

He waggles his eyebrows in confirmation and Magnus swats the back of his head.

“Last but not least is the wildcard, the Rogue, Chip Junior, aka CJ.”

I didn’t even notice CJ join us. His smile is faint.

“He’s a rogue treasure hunter and has been everywhere from Grenada to Guyana. It’s hard to keep track of him. What happens in CJ’s life stays in CJ’s life. And his brothers underestimate him because he doesn’t so much keep his cards close to his vest, nobody even knows where they are.”

To my surprise, CJ wears a perfect poker face. No tells.

Isla turns to him. “How’d I do?”

My baby brother makes a zipping motion along his mouth. “My lips are sealed.”

“See? Cards. Concealed.”

“I don’t think that’s how card games are played,” Ryan says.

“It’s a figure of speech.”

“Someone is missing,” Ryan asks.

“Ah, yes, the secret sister,” Bean confirms.

Magnus springs to his feet. “What do you mean Emmie is missing?”

“Chill, bro. I mean, she wasn’t included.”

“About that, did she ignore the invitation or—?” Magnus asks Bean.

“That would be a question for Mr. Edmonton, but there were only the four of you named in the will. I did everything exactly as my boss said.”

“Except read the will yourself,” I murmur.

Isla slips her arms in front of her chest. “I did a great job for a first-timer.”