Finally Found (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 10)

ne directly opposite Phong’s Wok. “That’s the Green Dragon. It has a shamrock on its chest and most around her believe if you touch it you’ll have good luck all day long.”

“Then right after we finish eating lunch I’m going to get my hands on it. I could use some luck.”

“Back in the late 70s, the four statues were commissioned as gifts for New York City’s Central Park by the O’Learys and other prominent citizens of Destiny,” Josh told her. “But the gift was rejected and the statues were returned. That’s when the battle to change the name of our park began.”

She grinned. “Don’t tell me that it’s called Central Park, too.”

“But it is, Carrie. There’s a grassroots movement in the town to rename the park Destiny Square Park. Dad supports that group. Mom is with the opposition to keep the name the same.”

“Why dragons?”

“Patrick O’Leary is the reason,” Jacob said. “And speak of the devil, here he comes with his brother and their wife, Ethel.”

Ethel O’Leary, the eighty-plus-year-old woman who plays paintball that I want to meet. She turned around in the booth and looked at the entrance to the restaurant.

The woman standing between the two distinguished men had beautiful silver hair and deep blue eyes.

“If that’s Ethel, you must be wrong about how old she is. She’s absolutely stunning. She must be in her sixties. And those two men can’t be much older than her either.”

The man on her left had a thick head of gray hair and a smile a mile long. The one on her right was bald with a beard. He, too, had warm eyes and a sweet grin. The trio walked up to her, Josh, and Jacob.

“Were your ears burning, Patrick?” Josh asked.

“Why yes. You’ve been talking about me with this lovely lady, right?” Patrick’s rich tone only added to his charm. He extended his hand to her. “Patrick O’Leary. And you are?”

“Carrie,” she said.

“It’s about time these two found a pretty girl like you.”

Feeling heat fill her cheeks, she said, “We only just met. I’m a friend of Jena’s.”

“I’m Sam and this is our wife Ethel, Carrie.” Something in his blue eyes told her that he understood how she felt. Or was she just hoping he did. She needed an ally to change this conversation around.

She wasn’t used to people being so welcoming and open. But playing a role was something he had taught her. Pushing down her worry, she put on her best smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“If you’re a friend of Jena, then I’m sure you must be a sweet young girl, too,” Ethel said. “We’re so glad you came to Destiny. I hope you stay long enough to play paintball with me. I’m a champion, you know.”

“Where are you from, Jena?” Patrick asked innocently.

Innocent or not, his question was something she couldn’t answer. She had no real memories to speak of.

Before she could make up some story, Sam said, “Let’s leave these three to their lunch, brother. We’ve intruded enough today.”

She looked directly into Sam’s eyes. He does understand.

“We’d appreciate that, Sam,” Jacob said.

She turned to him and saw in Jacob’s eyes the same thing she’d seen in Sam’s. Understanding. And something else, something she’d never known before. What was it?

She didn’t get these people. They were so different. They actually seemed genuine.

“We can all talk later, Sam.” Jacob put his arm around her shoulders, making her feel safe.

That’s it. That is the other thing in his eyes. He wants to protect me. Never in her life had anyone tried to protect her. She didn’t know what to make of all of it.

“I hope to see you on the battlefield, Carrie,” Ethel said, and then the charming trio went to a table near the front door.

“Carrie, please forgive Patrick for being so curious,” Josh said, letting her know that he, too, was aware of her discomfort. “He’s harmless and loves everybody.”