Page 263 of The Defiant Curse

“Uh, one of Finn’s sisters works in the jewelry store in town. Catherine, as a matter of fact.”

Elizabeth laughed.

“Raise your hand if you have a Catherine in your family,” she joked.

They all actually did.

“We can go there and see if she’s working. She’s usually there until they close on certain days. That’s today. We’re going in to have dinner, so why not just head out a little earlier and stop in?”

That was a good idea.

“Gabby, way to come up with a solution,” Elizabeth said, eating the rest of her cookie. “I wouldn’t mind finding a souvenir in there to remember my time here.”

Ethan knew she was NOT buying her own jewelry.

That wasn’t happening.

“Could I maybe pick out something pretty for my gorgeous wife?” he asked. “So, we can both remember our time here? It’s not often you let me give you jewelry.”

Yeah, she’d busted balls about that, and now, she saw it had strained their relationships. Her love language was giving, and it was the same for the men in her life.

“You guys are now officially able to buy me whatever you want,” she said. “I’m not saying no anymore, or riding ass. I love flowers, jewelry, and apparently, haunted locations.”

He stared at her.

Then touched her forehead.

“I gotta make a call,” he said, pulling out his phone to call his brother.

It was early morning back in the states, but if they weren’t on a case, they were absolutely up working. Chris on paperwork, and Callen on writing.

They were all creatures of habit.

As he dialed, she just laughed.

Well, since the cat was out of the bag, and everyone knew they were there, there was no point pretending.

As the phone dialed, it didn’t take Callen long to answer.

“You okay?” he asked, suddenly.

Not even a hello first.

It made Ethan appreciate his family even more. It was clear they were worried about him.

“I’m good, CJ. I just wanted to tell you something. Well, a few things. Do you have time?”

Did he have time?

Was he kidding?

He was in bed with Chris, and Gene wasn’t far away. They were just getting up and preparing to start their day. Everyone had a bad case of blue balls.

When their queen was away, no one wanted to play.

“Yes, of course, but first, are you okay? Is Elizabeth? She’s not answering her texts, and we’re still stressed.”

Yes, they heard her voice, but they all wanted to reconnect to ensure all was well. Protecting her was second nature.