“You can’t smoke in here,” Katy snapped.
Doc held up his hand. “Relax, nurse. Cindy is our patient, not our prisoner.” He turned to Black. “What if your agents escorted her to the side entrance to smoke?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem at all.”
“Perfect.” Doc handed the blood test to Paris. “Miss Trollinger, I want to run a few more tests.”
“Do you think that’s necessary?”
“It’s only a precaution to make sure everything is fine with you. For now, I want you to stay here. We will make it as comfortable as we can.” He turned to Paris. “I’ll talk with you out in the hall about the tests I want to run.”
“Yes, sir.” The tension between Paris and Doc was easy to see.
Cindy sighed. “May I ask for another favor?”
Easton nodded. “Of course.”
“Find Kip. Put him away. If you can use me to get to him, I’m willing to do whatever you want.” Tears welled in Cindy’s eyes. “Just don’t let him hurt anyone ever again.”
Chapter Five
Belle took one more look at herself in the mirror. She wore her hair up. The sweater she’d chosen was a pale blue. “Not bad for a break-up date.”
God, she hated what she had to do.
Shane would be arriving any minute to take her to the Thanksgiving dinner at the Dream Hotel. She still found it odd that Destonians still called the event “Dinner” since the meal actually started at nine in the morning with donuts and coffee from Lana’s Bakery Palace on the town square.
Belle had learned the tradition had gotten started several years ago because of Gretchen and Ethel. The two women always went early to set up and to start cooking. One year, Ethel’s two husbands, Patrick and Sam, had brought them donuts. The next year, more men and women showed up to help and to enjoy the breakfast fare. Year after year, it grew until the whole town came.
She and Amber hadn’t enjoyed many Thanksgiving meals after their parents’ deaths.
She’d been looking forward to the all-day event that went into the night, ending in a dance, for some time. Now, she dreaded it.
Ending it with Shane and Corey had to be done. It was the right thing to do. She wished the two handsome men could accept something casual, but both of them, especially Shane, seemed to want more from her.
She’d never been alone with Shane or Corey. They always came as a duo for all their dates—all three of them. But Corey was on guard duty for Cindy Trollinger with Jo Black until two.
Why am I so upset about breaking it off with Shane and Corey? The truth was that they’d really only just gotten to know a little about each other.
Because, like Amber says, I always lead with my heart.
Juan came into her bedroom. “Mom, Mr. Shane is here for you.”
“Are you ready to go, young man?” She put her arms around her boy and gave him a hug.
“Yes, ma’am. I also made sure all the other boys were ready, too. Aunt Amber told me we’d be leaving in fifteen minutes.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “You and the other boys line up at the van and wait for her and your uncles.”
“Can I talk to Mr. Shane first? Is that okay?”
She nodded, feeling a little ache in her heart. Juan cared about Shane and Corey very much. Even though she would not be dating the two brothers after today, she hoped they would still visit Juan and the other boys. They were so good with them.
She and Juan walked out of the house and onto the porch. Shane was tossing a football around with five of the orphans, who were smiling ear to ear.
“Hey beautiful,” Shane said, causing a round of giggles from the boys. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, I am.” As much as I can be.