Her Outlaw (41 page)
“I’ll bet…” Kat flipped the lid on the box nearest her. “Yes.” Emeralds filled the box. Kat swallowed hard, then said, “Emma, you know you’ll have rubies.”
Emma’s hand trembled as she flipped back the lid to reveal a cache of red stones. Behind her, Dair sucked in a breath. A bubble of laughter escaped her. “I guess Governor Culberson will be happy. You’ll have to quit calling Dair an outlaw, Papa. He’ll be able to buy his pardon now so Luke won’t have to feel guilty any longer.”
“Nah. He’ll always be an outlaw to me,” Trace observed. “Just like Kimball will always be a scoundrel and Garrett a thief.”
“A thief? I wasn’t a thief. I was a bodyguard.”
“You stole my precious Mari-berry from me.”
“Oh, for God’s sake.”
Jenny interrupted before the men came to blows. “What is in the portfolio?”
The girls looked at one another. Mari suggested, “You look, Emma. You’re the oldest.”
Emma’s mouth was bone-dry as she flipped back the cover to reveal a letter written in beautiful flowing script. Conscious of her family’s anticipation, she read aloud:
To my Jewels
You have traveled a long, difficult path to reach this point, but the rewards are great. Through your dedication and perseverance you have earned the right to collect the Sisters’ Prize.
My Emerald: Your stone is a power stone for life. It opens the door to the deepest scars of the heart, allowing cleansing and healing and the achievement of greatest heart’s desire. You hold the power in your hands. Use it to bring clear vision, tranquility, serenity, faith, inspiration and joy to the suffering. Use your treasure to heal.
My Sapphire: Your stone is a power stone for truth. It draws protection, offers wisdom, intelligence and purity of motive. You hold the power in your hand. Use it to instill hope, encourage faithfulness, focus loving energy and promote sincerity in those in need. Use your treasure to seek what is real.
My Ruby: Your stone is a power stone for light. It illuminates the dark places and helps in the transition from the one of the past to the one meant to be. You hold the power in your hand. Use it to aid in following dreams, searching for wisdom, and finding bliss. Use your treasure to transform.
Remember, my jewels, the lessons you have learned along this long and arduous journey. Never forget those lost along the way. Always hold your accomplishments and achievements in well-earned regard.
You were created in Love. You are meant to be happy. Live it. Believe it. Spread it to every precious life you touch.
The three of you, sisters, daughters of my blood, have proven my word and defeated forces beyond imagining. By the fact of your presence here today, you have ended the Curse of Clan McBride. Look to your hands to prove that you have the promise of Roslin that from now until the end of time, you and yours will forever be lucky in love.
Ariel MacRae McBride
For a long moment after Emma’s voice faded away, no one spoke. Then Mari opened her right hand. “Oh, my.”
Kat looked at her right hand. “Oh, my.”
Emma glanced from one sister to the other, then stared down at her right palm. “Oh, my.”
“Have you noticed how they all say that?” Jake observed.
“What is it, girls?” Jenny asked.
The sisters shared a look, then Mari explained. “It’s gone. The mark of Ariel.”
“Because you found both Luke and yourself,” Kat said. “Mine’s gone because I found Jake and forgave myself.”
“And I found Dair and freed myself,” Emma added. She held out her hand for the others to see. “Our Bad Luck Love lines have disappeared.”
Trace studied his daughters’ palms, then grasped his Jenny’s hand and blew out a sigh. “So. It’s done. The curse is broken. The Bad Luck is behind the McBride family now and forever.”
Emma, Mari and Kat each smiled at their husbands, and then at their parents. As one, they said, “Amen!”
ISBN: 9781408976470
Her Outlaw
© Geralyn Dawson 2011
First Published in Great Britain in 2011
Harlequin (UK) Limited
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