Page 30 of Chance

When they arrived at the inn, she was impressed at how big it was. She met Ava and Trey and their children, and as she looked around the inn, she was even more impressed with their style and the way they ran the place.

Ava took time to go over a whole wall devoted to the conquistador gold and the stories dating back to when they were young. “You said you want to do historical art. You are always welcome to look through our family journals.”

Kelly was touched by her kindness and acceptance. “Thank you.”

Trey led them into an office, where another person was waiting for them. The man stood and shook her hand. “I’m Trent Stone. I’ll be taking you guys out to Bird Island and scuba diving today.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said, slightly overwhelmed that she was on this gold hunt.

Trey shut the door, and they all sat down at a conference table. “You’ll notice the contract in front of you. A nondisclosure agreement. My FBI brother, Brooks, is getting on a call with us, and he wants to chat with you.”

“Is that necessary?” Chance asked.

Trey nodded. “It is.”

Kelly felt bad that her presence seemed to be causing tension. “I don’t need to be in on all this.”

Chance put his hand over hers. “Yes, you do. I want you here.”

She looked at their hands, and something familiar and right washed through her. She wanted to be on this adventure with this man, too.

Trey tapped a Zoom link on his computer. While they waited for the call to go through, Kelly looked over the contract in front of her.

A face popped up on the screen. “Hi, Kelly. I’m Brooks Stone, FBI. I’ve been briefed on the situation. It appears you’re a past family friend of Chance Cross.”

“I am.”

Brooks nodded. “Okay, and he says you’ll be working with him as he looks for more clues to this crazy treasure hunt of a puzzle we have going on. Anything that you two find needs to be disclosed to our family. Chance told me you are trustworthy, but I just want to make sure you understand there are lives on the line. I don’t know how much you know about what my family and the Crosses have gone through, but my family doesn’t know you. We can press charges if you disclose any knowledge about what is going on now or in the future.”

Kelly swallowed hard, suddenly hesitant. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not gonna say anything. I am just opening my shop, and I’d like to be able to study different hieroglyphs and artwork that is original to this area. I’ll create paintings and pottery and jewelry to sell. And maybe,” she said more quietly as she turned to Chance, “I can be of service to you all.”

Brooks squinted and then nodded. “Right. You will be privy to some conversations and activities going on. This contract is just making sure you know that you can’t disclose this to anyone or talk about what you find while you’re out with Chance. I’m doing this to protect Chance’s family as well.”

Chance cleared his throat. “Brooks, I looped my family in this morning. They trust her.”

Hearing that his family trusted her made a big difference. She knew his family well, and she was grateful. Maybe it was also because she was feeling emotional and she had no link to home, to Cross Creek, besides a few people. She wanted to hold on to that. “I’ll sign whatever you need me to sign. I just want to help. Chance’s family is important to me, and I want the heat off of everyone’s back. If I can be helpful in finding this treasure and put the whole matter to rest, that would be great.”

Brooks nodded. “Okay, I’ll let Trey talk you through everything. I gotta go. Bye, everyone.” The call went dead.

Trey let out a light laugh. “As you can tell, my brother is all business and not long-winded. It’s something I appreciate.”

Ava patted Kelly’s shoulder. “You’ll find that most of the men in this family are to the point.” She elbowed Trent, who was sitting next to her. “Except Trent. I would say he’s more long-winded.”

Trent dramatically put his hand to his chest. “What? Are you insulting me? Don’t make me put you in a headlock.”

Ava giggled, then shoved him. “I’d like to see you try.”

Trey laughed. “I’d like to see him try too. Because you have to get through the big brother, and we know that’s not going happen.”

Kelly couldn’t help but grin at their antics.

Chance pulled his hand back. “What do you think?”

Kelly began to sign and initial the agreement. She didn’t need to read it. “Like I told Brooks, I’m just along for the ride, and if I can be of help, that would be awesome.” It did feel awesome to have a purpose beyond herself.

Her mind flashed to her pregnancy. Had Chance told any of them? She hoped not. Guilt filled her, and she pushed it aside. She was keeping the baby, and she had to tell Chance soon.

Trent stood and let out a long breath. “Well, that’s over. We should get going with your tour. This gives me the perfect opportunity to make you guys my first scuba clients. Let’s go. I have the boat parked at the dock right outside.” He and Trey left.

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