Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 322

"Of course. That's a beautiful way to honor your mom." Ryder kissed my forehead. "Ready to see what's inside?

"I'm ready." I set the letter down and opened the car door, stepping into the humid Florida air. By the time I walked around the car, Ryder already had the key and was working on the lock. After years of weathering, the lock was a bit rusty, but he managed to open it.

Click. The lock opened, and Ryder pulled the door up. Everything was covered with sheets. Ryder grabbed the first sheet and pulled it off. It was hand-painted artwork in gold frames. They were of different people or landscapes. Ryder and I looked through the paintings until he stopped.

"Look at this signature." He pointed to the bottom. In the bottom right corner, Greer Harris was signed.

"Mom painted these?"

I had never known Mom could paint. These paintings... they were beautiful, with smooth lines and perfect use of color. Did I inherit her talent?

"I think this is where your artistic talent comes from." Ryder smiled. He let me continue looking through the paintings while he continued pulling sheets off other items.

• Behind the paintings were more art supplies, easels, and many different art books. It looked like Mom had studied art in college.

She had so many secrets... I knew so little about her. If she were still here, we could paint together, and she could teach me techniques. Now I could only learn about this other side of her through these remaining items.

"Xena, look at this." Ryder called from the back.

Walking to the back, there was a huge mirror. When Ryder opened it, it was filled with jewelry. "What's that envelope?" I asked, seeing an envelope taped to the top.

the envelope and opened it. "These are appraisals for each piece of jewelry." Ryder flipped through them. "That ring

you serious?"

a million. Today it would be worth much

I looked at another stack of manila envelopes in a box next to the mirror. Opening the first one, it

one in

"Now it's all ours."

opening more boxes. Some were just clothes or different vases. There were fur coats and

hundred different paintings Mom had done, and some that were definitely done by

up some of them. Give Logan some. Keep the jewelry safe. We don't need the money. I put away the five million that went into the bank after your father died. We can do whatever we want with it.

to keep it secret so no one

buy a bank to store them in Ryder

Chapter 322

not a bad

joking, but we actually could do

beach to talk about this. That was my mom's last wish, and I want

in the sound of the waves, I could feel her

and carried me toward our car. Watching Ryder lock up the storage unit,

because of Ryder, because of our upcoming child, because

he put his hand on my belly, and

END. THANKS FOR