Chapter 17
Nash had spent much of his life in wide-open spaces—the rolling hills of Wyoming, the sprawling cattle ranges of Cross Creek Ranch, the vast Utah mountains.
But here, cruising along South Carolina’s coastal highway with the windows down and the air thick with salt and humidity, everything felt different.
He glanced at Amy in the passenger seat, smiling when he caught her leaning forward, eyes wide with wonder as they entered South Port. Micah had loaned them his truck while the rest of the family went ahead of them. He had given her a little tour of the town.
“It’s beautiful,” Amy breathed, taking in the historic downtown with its colorful shops, hanging flower baskets, and glimpses of marina between buildings.
“Wait until you see the inn,” Nash said, making a turn toward the waterfront. “The Stone Family Inn is something else.”
After the tense flight from Utah, during which Amy had sat gripping his hand tighter with each bout of turbulence, Nash welcomed this moment of pure discovery on her face.
Despite everything—the danger, the uncertainty, the lingering disappointment over Porter Rockwell’s gold being a myth—she looked genuinely happy.
The road curved, and suddenly the Stone Family Inn came into view, perched majestically on the waterfront.
Amy gasped. “Oh my goodness.”
The inn stood like something from a coastal dream—weathered blue exterior with crisp white trim, wide wraparound porches supported by elegant columns, and meticulously maintained gardens bursting with colorful flowers.
American flags fluttered from both corners of the roof.
The late afternoon sunlight painted the entire scene in a golden glow, reflecting off the numerous windows that faced the water.
“I knew it would be impressive from everything you told me,” Amy said, “but this is breathtaking.”
Nash smiled, pleased by her reaction. “Wait until you see inside,” he said, pulling into the circular driveway where several vehicles were already parked.
As they stepped out of the truck, the front door of the inn burst open, and Cheyenne came running down the steps, her face alight with excitement. Behind her, the veranda was filled with people—the entire Cross and Stone extended families had gathered to welcome them.
“What do you think?” she asked Amy.
“It’s incredible.”
Nash watched as Amy took in the scene—Porter standing with his arm around Sadie, little Denver at his side while Little Rock ran circles around them; Colt and Sierra sharing a private laugh; Blaze and Eden holding hands; Chance and Kelly chatting with Tim; Trey with his commanding presence, Ava beside him with her gracious hospitality; Brooks with his analytical gaze; Trent and Liberty holding hands.
Marshall holding the baby with Kat by his side. Hunter and Cheryse grinning at them.
“It’s like a small army,” Amy murmured to Nash.
“And they’re all on our side,” Nash replied, placing a reassuring hand at the small of her back.
Ava stepped forward, greeting them warmly. “I’ve got the Mermaid Room all ready for Amy.”
“The Mermaid Room?” Amy asked, raising an eyebrow at Nash.
“All our guest rooms are themed,” Ava explained with obvious pride. “Ocean view, double oh six room.”
“It’s even more elaborate than it sounds,” Nash whispered in Amy’s ear as they walked inside.
“This place is incredible,” Amy said, turning slowly to take it all in. “How long has it been in the Stone family?”
Ava grinned and began telling her the story of the Stone family inn.
They began walking up the stairs.
“Nash.”
He turned and Porter and Trey stood at the bottom.
“I’ll take her,” Ava said.
He waited.
Amy nodded at him. “It’s good.”
He moved down to them.
“Meeting in thirty minutes,” Porter said without preamble, his ranch-boss efficiency in full force. “The library. Brooks has updates.”
Nash nodded, his eyes following Ava as she led Amy up the magnificent staircase, pointing out various historical features of the inn. “Let me just make sure Amy’s settled first.”
Trey’s mouth twitched with amusement. “She’s in good hands with Ava. The Mermaid Room is one of her masterpieces.”
“How bad is it?” Nash asked, dreading the answer.
“It’s tasteful,” Trey defended. “Just … enthusiastically aquatic.”
“Thirty minutes,” Porter reminded him firmly, checking his watch with that same determined focus he used to manage the ranch’s operations. “We need to finalize the plan for Bird Island.”
Porter moved back outside.
Trey lingered. “Everything okay with you and Amy?” he asked, his normally commanding tone softened with genuine concern.
Nash considered the question. “Yeah, I think so. It’s just … a lot. For both of us.”
“Finding someone in the middle of all this craziness isn’t easy,” Trey said. “When I met Ava, I was convinced the timing couldn’t be worse.”
“But?”
“But timing is rarely perfect,” Trey said simply. “And sometimes what seems like terrible timing turns out to be exactly right.” He clapped a hand on Nash’s shoulder. “Just something to think about.”
Nash grunted. “You and Porter said the same thing.”
Trey winked at him. “That’s ’cause big brothers are the smartest.”
Nash laughed.
Someone called his name.
He moved out the front door. “Make yourself comfortable.”
Nash wandered through the main level of the inn, taking in the elegant details that somehow managed to blend coastal charm with historic gravitas.
The Stones had preserved the original hardwood floors and crown molding while updating the space with comfortable furnishings and modern amenities.
Family photos covered one wall—generations of Stones.
There was a whole wall dedicated to the treasure.
After sampling some of the appetizers laid out on the massive kitchen island, Nash headed upstairs to check on Amy.
He found her on the balcony outside her room, gazing out at the ocean. She’d changed into a light summer dress and her hair was pulled back in a loose braid.
Sensing his presence, she turned and smiled. “The Mermaid Room is something else,” she said with a laugh. “There must be at least fifty mermaid figurines.”
Nash joined her at the railing. “Trey always says that Ava doesn’t believe in subtle themes.”
“I heard that!” came Ava’s voice from somewhere down the hall. “Those are premium collectibles, Nash Cross!”
“They’re beautiful,” Amy called back, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “And slightly terrifying in their numbers.”
Nash laughed, leaning closer and taking her hand.
She stared into his eyes, then turned back to the ocean. “This is almost like out of some kind of fairytale.”
“It is a cool place.” He squeezed her hand, then leaned down.
She quickly kissed his lips.
“Meeting time!” Porter boomed down the hallway.
The Stone family library was magnificent—walls lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a massive oak table in the center, comfortable leather chairs scattered throughout, and large windows overlooking the ocean.
It had the feeling of a place where important decisions had been made over generations … which, Nash supposed, they had.
By the time he and Amy arrived, most of the others were already there.
Porter, Colt, Blaze, and Chance sat on one side of the table with their wives. Trey, Marshall, Hunter, Trent, and Brooks occupied the other side, with spaces left for Cheyenne, Micah, Nash, and Amy. A large nautical chart of Bird Island and the surrounding waters was spread across the table.
Nash guided Amy to a seat between himself and Cheyenne, who gave her an encouraging smile.
“Alright,” Trey began once everyone was settled, “let’s get down to business. Brooks, updates?”
Brooks leaned forward. “First, the good news. Dr. Martinez and his brother are fully cooperating with the FBI. We’ve put them in a secure location, and they’re providing valuable information about the Ferrantes’ operations in Utah.”
“And the bad news?” Porter asked.
Brooks’s expression darkened. “We’ve confirmed that the Ferrantes have operatives in South Carolina. At least two known associates have been spotted in Charleston in the last forty-eight hours.”
A tense murmur ran through the group.
“Do we think they know about Bird Island yet?” Blaze asked.
“Uncertain,” Brooks replied. “But we have to assume they’re working on the same information we are.”
Trey shifted in his seat. “Which brings us to our plan for tomorrow. Marshall?”
Marshall stood, moving to the nautical chart. “Bird Island at dawn,” he said, tracing his finger along the eastern shore. “We’ll use two boats—the Stone Cutter and Trent’s new vessel—to approach from different angles.”
“The underwater cave system is extensive,” Trent added. “We’ve mapped some of it in previous expeditions, but with the new, combined symbol combination, we’re focusing on the deeper structures here.” He pointed to an area marked with red circles.
“What about equipment?” Chance asked.
“Already handled,” Marshall assured him. “Full dive gear, underwater comms, sonar mapping tools, and some … specialized equipment for dealing with obstacles.”
Nash noticed Amy watching the exchange with fascination.
“What about security?” Porter interjected, his protective instincts clearly engaged. Always the big brother, always the guardian, Porter couldn’t turn off that part of himself even if he tried. “If the Ferrantes have people in the area …”
“We’ll have lookouts,” Trey replied. “All of the Crosses plus Raine, Oliver, and Matt have volunteered to maintain a perimeter while we dive. And Brooks has arranged for discreet FBI surveillance of the island from shore.”
“I want to go,” Amy said.
Everyone got quiet.
“She should be allowed to go,” Nash said quietly.
All eyes turned to him, and he felt a flash of embarrassment.
“I mean, she’s the one who made the connection with the symbols. She should be involved, but …”
“But she hasn’t had dive training,” Trey finished for him. “We’ve thought of that.”
Amy straightened in her chair. “I can learn. I want to be part of this.”
Nash felt a surge of pride at her determination, even as concern flickered through him.
“Actually,” Trey said, “you might be most valuable on the Stone Cutter with the sonar equipment. Your expertise with the symbols could help us interpret what we’re seeing beneath the surface.”
Relief and gratitude washed through Nash. This way, Amy could be involved without putting herself at unnecessary risk.
Amy nodded, clearly pleased with the arrangement. “I can do that.”
The planning continued, with specific roles assigned and contingencies discussed. Nash found himself impressed, as always, by the military precision with which both families approached these operations.
As they all dispersed for bed, Nash took Amy’s hand. “Let’s go for a little walk. I want a little time with you before … everything.”
She leaned into his side. “Okay, let’s go.”