Finally Found (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 10)

“The proceeds are earmarked for charities chosen by a board of ten of our citizens.” Josh smiled. God, how could any woman resist such a smile? “This year’s list includes my mom and dad again. They’ve been selected for the past ten years.”

“Do you two play in the tournament?”

“Sometimes, but most years we end up helping or being security,” Jacob said.

“How long will you be in town, Carrie?” Josh asked. “Maybe you might want to try your hand at paintball. It’s really very fun. I’m sure that Ethel and Gretchen would be happy to give you lessons.”

“Not sure,” Carrie said, remembering why she was here. To meet my brother. She felt her gut tighten. Had coming here been a mistake? When was Jena going to return with her car? And my red suitcase? What if Jena had opened the trunk and looked inside the suitcase? Oh stop it. You know Jena wouldn’t be that nosy. Besides, it’s locked.

She brought her hand up to the chain around her neck that held the key.

“How about we head in and get something to eat?” Josh said. “We can give you more on the history of Destiny inside.”

“You and your stomach,” Jacob said with a laugh. “It rules you too much.”

“Hey mister,” she teased. “It’s not just him who is hungry. I heard your stomach growl during the ride. Besides, I can’t wait to try that sesame chicken you two have been talking about.”

“Okay. You got me. But I’m more thirsty than hungry.”

She liked how well Josh and Jacob got along. Even though they were only cousins, they acted as if they were brothers.

When they walked into Phong’s, she noted the exit out the back, like she always did. It was a habit that she would never break. It was a quaint place that could seat about forty customers. On the walls were paintings of pandas and dragons. By the door was a statue of a golden cat with its paw raised in a sign of welcome.

“Let’s sit in one of the booths by the window,” Jacob said. “That way we can look out.”

When he motioned for her to sit with her back to the front door, she felt uneasy but didn’t want to make a scene. “I’m a lefty, Jacob. It might be better for you to sit on the inside.”

“Sure thing,” he said, moving into the booth. “I’ve always heard that left-handed people are the smartest people in the world.”

“You’re absolutely right,” she said with a grin. She moved next to him and Josh sat in the booth across from them. Since she had an unblocked path to the back exit and could see out the window, she felt a little better about her position. Plus, she would make sure to keep glancing back over her shoulder at the front door. Another old habit, but one that had kept her safe for a very long time.

“Josh, where are your parents?” she asked.

“Probably in the back. I’ll go get—”

“There are my two boys.” A middle-aged woman with gorgeous dark hair came out from the kitchen. She wore black slacks and a red pullover with the restaurant’s name on the side. “And who is this pretty girl?”

“I’m Carrie,” she said, taking an instant liking to Josh’s mother, who had obviously given her son and nephew their radiant smiles.

“Melissa Phong,” his mother said, taking her hands and squeezing them.

Human touch was so foreign to her, but the sweetness of Mrs. Phong somehow put her at ease. “Nice to meet you.”

“You kids look starved to death. I’m going to put in an order with your dad for three plates of sesame chicken, eggrolls, and crab puffs. And after you eat that, I have a special surprise. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back. I can’t wait to learn how you three met.” Mrs. Phong spun around and headed back into the kitchen.

“Josh, your mom is quite something.” She wondered what her own mother might have been like. “I bet your dad is pretty special, too.”

“He is very special, and a very hard worker. I am proud of both of them. Mindy and I are very lucky to be their children.”

“You have a sister?” That was one detail he hadn’t mentioned on the ride.

“She’s a couple of years younger than me. She actually just left town for law school. She had been working as the county court reporter and fell in love with the justice system. I’m proud of her, too.”

Would Matt be proud of her like Josh was with his sister? How could he be if he ever learned of what had happened while she’d been with Willie? Navigating the troubled waters of this reunion would be difficult. Why had she agreed to come to Destiny with Jena? Because she was so lonely, she craved having a family like Josh and Jacob had, people that had your back no matter what. That is why.

Wanting to get her mind settled down, she looked out the window. “What’s with the two dragon statues?”

“There’s actually four of them,” Jacob told her, pointing to the o