Page 142 of Enticing Her Love

“Did you ever have any doubt?”

“I didn’t remember the lists until just now. I love that it started with us.”

“Me too.” Her mother leaned in and hugged her. “I treasure those times.” As they sat back, she said, “I hope I didn’t scare you about having children.”

“You didn’t. I’m glad you were honest with me, so when I feel like that, I’ll know it’s normal.” Sutton grabbed a gift tag and a pen. “But I don’t think I need to have six.”

Her mother laughed.

Sutton heard the kitchen door open, and Flynn’s deep voice rang out. “It’s cold out there.” It had snowed last night.

“Right on time,” her mother said quietly as they pushed the gifts under the Christmas tree, which Sutton and Flynn had helped decorate last weekend with their siblings.

Flynn walked into the living room wearing a blue hoodie and jeans. His face was scruffy, his cheeks pink from the cold, and it made the love in his eyes shine even brighter.

“I told you they didn’t run off to Pythons,” her father said.

“Pythons?” Sutton asked. “Why would I do that when I have my own personal Miles Long?”

“That’s what I said.” Flynn reached for her hand, drawing her into his arms. “How’s the present wrapping going?”

“We just finished, and I found this under the tree.” She handed him the envelope containing the gift she’d made for him.

FLYNN LOOKED OVER the envelope. Sutton had very distinguishable handwriting, and it looked like she’d tried hard to disguise it. “You found it, huh?”

“Mm-hm. Open it.”

She was so cute, all bright eyed and excited, he kept his hunch to himself. “Shouldn’t I wait for Christmas?”

“No. It’s not a wrapped gift. You should open it now.”

He glanced at Steve and Shelley. Steve shrugged, and Shelley nodded.

“Okay.” He opened the envelope and withdrew a tourist map of the island calling out all the major landmarks, with a single handwritten line that read, Listen carefully. He looked up from the map and saw Sutton holding up her phone, and his mother’s voice rang out.

“Hi, honey. Where would your father and I feel most at home on the island?” His father’s voice took over. “Don’t forget to follow the rules, Flynn.”

Flynn realized with a burst of excitement what this was, and an unstoppable grin tugged at his lips as he met Sutton’s happy gaze and said, “Are we going on a treasure hunt?”

“Sounds like it,” Sutton said.

“How fun!” Shelley exclaimed.

“You’ll need these.” Steve held out his car keys.

“Thanks, Steve.” Flynn took the keys and hugged Sutton. “What have you done, Glamour Girl?”

She giggled. “Let’s go!”

They grabbed their coats and headed out to the car. The brisk air stung Flynn’s cheeks. He studied the map as they climbed into the car. “The wildlife refuge.” He started the car. “I need directions, sweetheart.”

“This is your treasure hunt. Use those skills you’re always flaunting around to figure it out.”

“Flaunting? Really? You’re a wicked girl, and I love you so much.” He leaned across the seat and kissed her. Then he pulled out his phone and set the GPS for the refuge.

Twenty minutes later they pulled up to the wildlife refuge. As they got out of the car, Flynn said, “Doesn’t Tara’s brother manage the refuge?” They’d met Robert Osten, a sandy-haired athletic guy, when they’d come to the island for Tara and Daphne’s joint baby shower.

“Yes. Why?”