Tangled by Temptation (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 7)

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, honey.”

Chapter Eleven

Shane stood in the hallway with Corey, their parents, and sister just outside Juan’s room. “Doc says it will be another day or two before he releases our boy.”

“It’s been three days, and Juan is fit to be tied.” Corey smiled. “Christmas is in a few days and he wants to be home.”

“I bet he does,” Dad Curtis said.

Her mother smiled. “Juan reminds me of you two when you were that age.”

“Oh boy, Mom. That means they’ve got their hands full, doesn’t it?” Phoebe stood next to Jason, who, like Shane and Corey, had been relieved from guard duty thanks to the arrival of the three new agents.

Once Juan was back in full commission, Shane and Corey would return to the rotation, but Jason would not. Black had determined that with his other duties as sheriff, it was best to let Jason off the hook.

There had been no new developments on the Kip Lunceford issue. Nothing. Nada. Black had mentioned to Trollinger that he wanted to move her to the Dream Hotel because it had been so quiet. Cindy had seemed frightened by the prospect.

He glanced over at Trollinger’s door where Jo and Brock Grayson, one of the new agents, were standing. He’d not had any time to get to know Brock or the other two, since he, Corey, and Belle hadn’t left Juan’s side the entire time, but they seemed like really great guys.

“How is Belle holding up?” Jason asked.

“Good.” He smiled. “She’s asleep now, thank God.”

His mom looked at her watch. “Ten in the morning. I bet she’s having trouble sleeping at all.”

“That’s true.” Corey nodded. “Any movement or moan from Juan at whatever hour, she jumps to her feet to make sure he is okay. She’s so good with him.”

“She’s his mother. It doesn’t matter if she gave birth to him or not, he’s deep in her heart. Of course, she’s good with him.” Their mom grabbed both their hands. “That little hero is in your hearts, too, isn’t he?”

He and Corey nodded.

“That’s because you’re his dads, boys.” Dad Eddie grinned. “It was hard to find a damn paper that next morning. You two bought them all up.”

“So, Belle is his mom and you are his dads. You know what my next question is, don’t you?” Their mom never did beat around the bush. “When are you going to ask Belle to marry you?”

“It’s complicated, Mom.” Shane turned to Corey, who was clearly in agreement. They’d talked over the past few days about how to proceed with Belle.

“She’s a woman, son.” Dad Curtis put his hand on his shoulder. “That’s the definition of complicated.”

“Hush up, Curtis.” His mom smiled. “But your dad is right. My gender is difficult to understand sometimes. Tell us what’s going on with your sweet Belle.”

He and Corey shared with them how Belle had been holding back. They knew she cared for them but they also knew something was troubling her because she wouldn’t open up to them.

“She might even break up with us.” Shane’s gut tightened at the thought.

Phoebe shook her head. “I don’t believe that. Sometimes a woman says one thing but in her heart she feels another. I know.”

“It’s obvious she’s in love with you both.” Their mom smiled. “If she wasn’t, she would’ve asked you to leave Juan’s room. She hasn’t. In fact, she’s been clinging to you for dear life. Everyone in town sees it.”

Dad Eddie turned to him and Corey. “What is in your heart for her, boys?”

“She’s the one, Dad.” Corey put his arm around his shoulder. “Our true love.”

Shane nodded. “We couldn’t bear not having her in our lives.”

Dad Curtis jumped in. “Then don’t let that happen. You’ve got to get her to see that future you want to build with her and Juan. No matter what, you have to help her overcome her doubts and fears.”