Finally Found (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 10)

“Yes.”

“Good. Would you boys mind going to the sheriff’s office and reporting for security duty for the midnight shift? Jaris and Chance were assigned to that shift, but Sugar is delivering her puppies right now. Jaris and Chance need to be there with Kaylyn for Sugar.”

“Yes, they do.” Sugar was Jaris’s black German shepherd and had been by his side during his temporary blindness. Chance, who had been blind since birth, had helped Jaris through the roughest parts of it. The two men had married Kaylyn, who was the singer for Wolfe Mayhem and the owner of the kennel that trained service dogs where Sugar had come from. “We’ll take Jaris’s and Chance’s

shifts, Aunt Melissa. No problem at all.”

* * * *

Holding the helmet in her hand, Carrie stepped into the kitchen. Jena, Matt, and Sean were sitting at the table. Janet was at the stove, cooking breakfast. “Something smells really good.”

“And someone looks good, too,” Jena said. “I knew my paintball gear would fit you.”

She grinned, donning the helmet. “I feel like a soldier in these camos.”

“That’s the whole idea,” Sean said. “By the looks of you I can see that Ethel O’Leary is in for trouble.”

“You’re just saying that. I’ve never played paintball in my life.”

Matt laughed. “Sounds like you’re getting game-day jitters. You shouldn’t been bragging so much, sis. Everyone is expecting you to kick butt.”

She took off the helmet and sat down. “What have I gotten myself into?”

“You’ll have fun no matter what,” Janet said, placing a plate in front of her. “Two eggs over medium. Two slices of buttered toast. Crisp bacon. And a bowl of fruit for our family’s only competitor this year.”

“She’ll make us proud,” Matt said. “I have no doubt.”

He and Sean would be working as security. Jena had volunteered to man the information booth with some of the other local women.

“What about you, Janet?” Carrie took a bite of the bacon, which was cooked perfectly. “It’s not too late to put your name on the list of players.”

Janet poured her a cup of coffee. “I’m going to stay here with Kimmie and we’re going to be baking all day for the closing ceremonies.”

“Where is Kimmie?” she asked, taking a sip from her cup.

“Still in bed,” Jena said. “We let her stay up and watch that kid’s movie about the rabbit family.”

“She sure was excited about seeing it,” Carrie said. “I peeked in on her a little before midnight when I got home last night. She and Happiness were asleep.”

“We’d just put her to bed. I have no idea how our little girl was able to stay awake for the whole movie,” Matt said. “Which reminds me, Carrie, how did your date go with Josh and Jacob?”

“It was incredible. My first time on a plane and first time in New Mexico.” She smiled, looking around the table. Jena, Matt, Sean, and Janet cared for her. They were her family. She wanted them to know how happy she was. “And it was the first time for Josh and Jacob to tell me they love me.”

She could tell by the looks on their faces they were shocked and excited by her news.

Janet grabbed her hand and squeezed. “And what did you say to them?”

Bursting with joy, she blurted out, “That I love them. That I love them both very much.”

“This requires a toast,” Sean said, grinning broadly and holding up his cup.

She and the rest lifted their coffee cups.

“To our dear Carrie,” he said. “May you have continued happiness with Josh and Jacob in Destiny.”

“Here. Here.” Jena clinked her cup to hers.

Matt smiled. “Sis, Josh and Jacob are great guys. I know they will make you very happy.”