Possessed by Passion (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 9)

“A momma is allowed when her sons are grown.” She sat down between his dads. “And I love to do it, too.”

Dad Leo looked him straight in the eyes. “Is this just a casual visit or did you have something you wanted to talk to us about, son?”

“You don’t beat around the bush do you, Dad?”

“Not when I can tell something is on my son’s mind. What’s troubling you?”

“Mick. He’s wasting his life. Can’t you talk to him and get him to see what a mistake he’s making?”

Pop Larry shook his head. “Here we go again.”

His mom turned to his pop. “Larry, hush up. Can’t you see Dustin is struggling with this?”

“I can see it, but we’ve been over this time and again. It’s Mick’s life to do with as he pleases.”

Dustin sat down his glass of tea. “Pop, hear me out. We all care about Mick. He’s my brother and your son. He’s part of this family. Isn’t it our duty, because we do care, to help him from making the biggest mistake of his life? He should be using his degree.”

Dad Leo nodded. “When Mick went to law school we thought that was what he wanted with his life.”

“Yes, and he graduated with honors, too, Dad.”

“Yes, he did. Top of his class. When he told us that he wanted to go work for Jennifer Steele, we actually thought it was temporary. I can’t remember how it all started.”

“I do,” his mother said. “Remember the lawsuit Jennifer was battling back then? She had to leave town several times for depositions in Chicago. She needed his help.”

“Yes, Jennifer did.” Pop Larry put his arm around her. “We all thought when the suit was settled he’d return to the courtroom.”

“He was supposed to.” Dustin still couldn’t believe Mick had worked for the woman for almost a year now. “It’s way past time for him to get serious and get back to building his law career. That’s where he belongs.”

“Dustin, you’ve always been so serious and intense.” His mom smiled. “You get something in your head and you can’t let it go, a quality that makes you such a wonderful physician. But can’t you see Mick is happier than he’s ever been? Isn’t that what’s most important in life, honey?”

“I just don’t understand how he can be happy on a ranch with his knowledge. How are we ever going to win Paris back if he’s playing cowboy all the time?”

Pop Larry smiled. “Finally. The truth comes out.”

“What do you mean by that, Pop?”

“Deep down you want to blame your brother for the reason you three aren’t together. How’s that working for you?”

He grimaced, feeling his gut tighten. His pop knew how to zero in on the truth. “Not so good. I blew it with her. When Paris came back to the practice, I thought we might have another chance at a future together. But I can’t stop wondering about the years she was away. She’s so secretive about it.”

“A woman has a right to her secrets, honey.” His mom grabbed his hand. “I still believe you three are meant to be together.”

“I thought so, too, but it seems like every time I open my mouth we drift further and further apart. She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. Brilliant. Beautiful. Kind. The whole package.” He shook his head. “She would be such a better doctor than me if she only gave it a chance.”

“Same old song different verse,” Dad Leo said. “You know how much we love you son, so I’m going to be honest with you. You have to quit trying to run other people’s lives. Mick and Paris are adults. They can choose to do whatever they want to do.”

“So you’re saying the problem is me.”

“Quite frankly, yes, son. I’m sure Paris and Mick have a share in why you’re not together but you have the bulk of the blame.”

“We’ve been over and over this, Dustin,” his pop said. “We’re not trying to be harsh but it is time we lay everything out for you.”

His mom leaned forward. “Honey, the last thing we want for you is to lose the girl of your dreams, but if you keep pushing Paris you will.”

“The big question you need to ask yourself, young man, is why you keep trying so hard to get Paris to become a doctor and Mick to return to the law. You might already know, deep down, but are afraid to face it.”

Dad Leo asked, “Have you thought about talking to her father, son? He’s always been your mentor and he’s her dad. I bet Dr. Cottrell might shed some light on what you could do to work through this.”