Page 87 of A Tempting Seduction

“Okay, Mama. But she still shouldn’t swear.”

“You’re right, Bella. I shouldn’t. Maybe you can start training your little brother when he learns to talk.”

I watched as the little girl’s eyes lit up. “I could help him. On any dollars I got for him, maybe I could get a part of it.”

I almost busted a gut. “Sh—” I stopped myself before saying trash. The Avery family had it going on.

“Now, why is it you were swearing, Ruby?” Miss Gladiola asked.

I tilted my head to listen.

“I just realized something. Ford, can you get Simon and Roan in here?” Ruby called out.

“On it, beautiful.”

I motioned for Simon and Roan to come into the kitchen. When they were standing beside their wives, Ruby started to speak.

“I screwed up. I told you that I didn’t bring anything but clothes and things like my toothbrush when I left town and my identity papers and cash. I was just thinking about what Dad gave me. But I also brought my mom’s journals and her recipe box. I've had them this whole time, and it never occurred to me that Dad might have left me information in them.”

Simon immediately perked up. “Ruby, that's excellent news. If your father was trying to leave you clues, he might have hidden them in your mother's things.”

“I really want to get my hands on those journals,” Roan added, moving to Ruby. “There could be notes in the margin, anything your father added after your mother died.”

Miss Gladiola shook her head. “I've read them front to back, boys. Every single page. It's all Edith's handwriting, and there's nothing there about corruption or politics or anything dangerous. Just a mother writing about her daily life and her love for her family.”

Simon and Roan's faces fell, and Ruby looked crestfallen.

“Gladdie, what about the recipe box?” Little Grandma asked.

Ruby perked up. “You’re right. I should have thought of that. Ruby hurried to retrieve the wooden recipe box from where she'd set it on the counter. The box was held together with rubber bands that had probably been there for decades, and the top was carved with delicate flowers.

“Ma'am,” Simon said respectfully, “you might have just solved our puzzle.”

Simon picked up the wooden recipe box and studied it carefully. “Roan, come look at this.”

Roan moved closer as Simon pointed to something on the bottom of the box. “Feel this.”

Roan ran his fingers along the bottom panel. “There's something here. It feels like...”

“A false bottom,” Simon finished. “Ruby, do you mind if we try to open this?”

Ruby nodded eagerly. “Do whatever you need to do.”

Roan and Simon worked together, carefully probing the edges of the wooden box until they found a small release mechanism. The bottom panel slid away, revealing a hidden compartment.

Inside was a single folded piece of paper.

Ruby's hand shook as she reached for it. The paper was crisp and white, clearly much newer than the aged recipe cards above it. She unfolded it carefully, revealing typed text in what looked like her father's precise handwriting.

“What does it say?” Miss Gladiola asked gently.

Ruby's voice was barely a whisper as she read aloud. “Ruby, if you're reading this, then I've failed to protect you and you're in danger. Find the key to safety deposit box 947 at First National Bank of Beverly Hills. With your ID and the codes, you can get in and get all the proof you need. Hand it over to Special Agent In Charge, Glenn Isaacson, out of the Los Angeles FBI office. He’s building a case. Angel, I know you’ll find the information you need to get into the box. Trust no one from our old life. I love you more than words can say. Dad.”

The kitchen was dead silent.

“What is he talking about?” Ruby cried out. “How will I find the information I need?” I could see she was on the brink of falling apart.

“Sweetheart, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” I put my arms around her and pulled her against my chest. She gripped the front of my shirt.