Jason’s heart beat harder. Faith was going to be so happy she’d have this piece of her mother back. “Thanks. That’s great news.”

“I love results,” Renault said. “And your girl is fine. I’ve got eyes on her now. So everything’s good. Check in with you later.” He disconnected the call.

Your girl.

The words stayed with him, even as he collected the necklace from Renault’s associate and headed over to return it to Faith.

* * *

Faith had just finished a batch of strawberry lemonade truffles and placed them in the front case when the bell over the front door rang and Jason walked in. Whenever she looked at him, it was like seeing him for the first time, and that ripple inside her was just as potent.

Kelsey came out from the back to see if she could help and stepped close to Faith. “You’re one lucky woman,” she whispered, eyeing Jason, then returned to the kitchen in the back.

They’d just had a busy spurt and now things at the shop had died down, so she headed out from behind the counter and strode up to him. “So what brings you by?”

“Good news.” His eyes sparkled with a happiness she hadn’t seen there before.

“What is it?”

He grasped her elbow and led her to a set of chairs, nowhere near where Renault lingered in his own corner. The man acknowledged Jason with a tip of his head and gestured toward the door. Since Jason was here, he was obviously going outside. As much as Faith appreciated the security, she was beginning to feel smothered by people constantly being in her space.

Not Jason, though. “So are you going to tell me?” she asked.

“Look what turned up.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled something out. She noticed a flash of gold, and then he dangled a very familiar necklace in front of her.

“Oh my God!” She held out her hand and he dropped the piece into her palm. Tears welled in her eyes as she curled her hands around the cool piece of jewelry. “This means everything to me.” She looked up at him in disbelief.

“I told you I’d do everything I could to get it back to you,” he said in a gruff voice.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, breathing in his masculine scent as she hugged him tight. “Thank you.”

Stepping back, she asked, “Will you put it on for me?” She didn’t want to take the heart necklace off again for a long time.

“Sure.”

She lifted her hair and turned, her back facing him so he could wrap the chain around her neck and hook the clasp. His big hands fumbled a little and he grunted before finally succeeding. “Got it.”

She was about to release her hair when he leaned down and brushed his lips over the sensitive skin on the nape of her neck. She shivered, her nipples puckering and a sudden swell of desire rushing through her veins.