“You stole a dog?” I held my stomach laughing as I imagined the whole scenario. Big angry cop with a small dog under his arm. It was so out of character for my brother that I knew he was smitten beyond anything I’d ever known. Even Ryder laughed out loud.
To my surprise Harrison didn’t react like he normally would have. He didn’t get angry —instead he took a playful bow. “Anything for you, Eva,” he said, a twinkle in his eyes. I didn’t doubt that he meant it for a minute. I hadn’t seen him smile this much in years. It made a pleasant change—one I'd welcome any time.
“Tomorrow we’re going to look at the house, Princess. And if you like it, we sign on the dotted line.”
I clapped my hands with glee. “Where is it?”
Ryder shook his head. “That’s a surprise. But I have a good idea you’re going to love it. It fits the bill perfectly. You may want to redecorate a few of the rooms though.”
“Oh, she’s going to love it,” Mom said, winking at Ryder. “Guaranteed.”
Ryder winked back at her. “How do you know? Wait—” I narrowed my eyes and studied their broad smiles for a moment before I gestured between the two of them. “You’ve been planning this behind my back?”
“You were in hospital, honey,” Mom said, “and Ryder called me to ask my advice. Let’s just say, your man knows what you like.”
“Give me a clue? You can’t leave me hanging like this—” I pouted, secretly loving that Mom and Ryder were getting on well enough that he’d ask for her opinion.
Ryder stroked his chin playfully. “Well, it's in a lovely neighborhood. It has a chef’s kitchen and the perfect garden for kids to play in—”
“Oh my god, are you serious? The house in Beverley Hills? You’re buying that house?”
“Well, yeah. I know the owners; they’re letting me have it for a steal. And I'm paying cash too—uncle Eric likes that.” He wiggled both eyebrows at me.
I gasped. “It's way too expensive, Ryder.”
“Princess, you let me worry about that stuff, okay? Some of my best memories of us are in that house, and it has everything a princess needs—including gigantic showers. Besides, it's close to where we’ll be opening the first steakhouse, so the commute to work will be easier.”
“Can we have the wedding in the garden? I'd love that.” I said as I let it sink in that I would be living in the house that Ryder first rented from our agency. It was the perfect house in which to raise kids and I’d always liked it. My throat burned as tears welled up in my eyes.
“Jade, what’s wrong?” Ryder quirked an eyebrow at me. “Why are you crying? I thought this would make you happy?”
I swallowed hard, nodding as I gazed at him through blurry eyes. “If only Ratbag could be there too. And little Jamie. He loved that garden.”
Ryder pulled me to him and hugged me, then kissed my lips in front of everyone. “Ratbag will be there in spirit—we’ll plant a tree for him. And for Peanut. As for Jaime—” He looked over at Harrison, a frown marring his brow. “Harrison and Savage are going to help us get him back before the wedding. Isn’t that right, Summers?”
Scowling, Harrison let out a long breath. Everyone had their gaze pinned on him. He looked at me and a slow smile spread across his face. “If that’s what Jade wants, then yes. I’ll work with you to find the boy.”
Eva and I looked at one another. “Oh my god, really?” we said, virtually in unison, then burst out laughing.
He nodded, not a trace of a smirk or sarcasm on his face. “Yes. I give you my word. If it’ll make the women in my life happy, I’m in.”
“Promise?” I asked, still not believing what he’d said. It was so much more than just about Jamie. It was about working together as a team—with Ryder.
Will it really happen?
Just as well I believed in miracles. Harrison had gone from being a man on the edge to a man who showed how much he cared for those he cherished.
And Ryder? Finally we were getting married and we’d be together, against the odds. We’d have our happily ever after in the house where it all began. My heart filled with so much joy, I feared it might explode with happiness.