Six weeks later...
Dana was running late, partially because they’d gotten a critically ill patient in just as her four-hour shift was about to end, then also because she’d taken the time to shower and change out of her scrubs in the woman’s locker room.
She didn’t like missing church services, but unfortunately weekend shifts were part of the job. And she was grateful that she was scheduled for only a half shift, which meant she was still able to join the family brunch.
The drive to the Callahans didn’t take too long, although the driveway was already lined with cars. No doubt she was the last to arrive. She hurried into the kitchen, where a few of the wives were gathered. She greeted Mitch’s mom with an apologetic smile. “Sorry I’m late. Is there something I can do to help?”
“Hi, dear.” Mitch’s mother gave her a quick hug. Dana had learned the woman hugged everyone, and secretly loved being included. Margaret Callahan’s warmth reminded her of her grandmother. “I think we’re about ready.”
“Dana, can you take Maggie for a minute?” Kari thrust the squirmy pink bundle into Dana’s arms. “I’ll be right back.”
“Um, sure.” Nonplussed, she looked down into the wide blue eyes of the little girl. Maggie smiled and waved her arms as if she wanted to say something, but couldn’t.
It was the first time she’d held any of the Callahan babies, and at this moment, she realized how foolish she’d been to avoid it for so long.
Her baby was gone, but that didn’t mean life didn’t go on. The Callahan clan was proof of that. And how could anyone resist the smallest members of the family? One of Maggie’s hands lightly batted her cheek, making her smile.
“You have to save that move for when a little boy gets too close, right?”
Maggie smiled as if understanding her words.
“Thanks,” Kari said, returning to pluck the baby out of Dana’s arms. “Mitch said to send you into the living room.”
“If you’re sure you don’t need any help.” Dana looked at Mitch’s mom for confirmation.
“Go ahead, tell everyone brunch is ready.”
“Dana!” Mitch looked delighted to see her. He leaped from his seat and came over to give her a hug and a kiss. “Glad you made it.”
“Of course.” She blushed, still not accustomed to Mitch’s displays of affection in front of his family. Not that anyone seemed to notice. “Your mom said brunch is ready.”
“Best not to keep Mom waiting,” Miles said, easing past her.
“Mitch, the DA’s office is bringing the case against Alice Petrie, Oliver Shelton, Paul Roscoe and Tyler Pitrowski—his prints were officially identified on the gun used to try to kill you—to the grand jury next week,” Maddy said, squeezing in beside Noah. “We think it’s just a matter of time before they start turning against each other in hopes of getting a lighter sentence.”
Dana was glad to know Mitch’s name had been cleared once and for all. And given Alice’s impending indictment, and Edward’s involvement in the deals as well, she had decided to sell the house and to donate most of the proceeds to a new drug addiction rehab facility.
It was the least she could do make amends for the horrible drug manufacturing her former husband’s family had been secretly supporting.
The meal was noisy, fun and wonderful. Afterward, she jumped up to help clear away the dirty dishes, since she hadn’t been there to help cook, but Margaret Callahan and Nan shooed her away.
“Dana, will you come outside and take a walk with me?” Mitch asked.
“Sure.” She should have insisted on staying to help, but she took Mitch’s hand and followed him out into the sunny summer day. He headed out into the backyard, where there was a swing beneath the trees, wide enough for two.
She sat and scooted over so he could sit next to her, but he didn’t. Instead, he dropped to one knee and took her hands in his.
“Dana, over these past six weeks, I’ve learned to love you more than ever. The way you stood beside me while I cleared my name makes me realize I can’t live without you. Will you please marry me?”
Her eyes filled with tears that she tried to blink away. “Oh, Mitch, I love you, too. And I don’t want to think about what my life would be like without you, so yes. Yes, I’d be honored to marry you.”
He pulled out a ring, but her vision was too blurry to see it clearly and she didn’t really care. Whatever he’d gotten for her, she’d love and wear the rest of her life.
“I love you, Dana.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “I don’t need a family if that’s too much for you. All I need is you.”
He kissed her, and after several minutes she pulled away to breathe and to look up into his handsome face. “Mitch, I love you, too, and I want to have a family with you. If it’s part of God’s plan.”
“There’s no rush, Dana,” he said, concern darkening his blue eyes. “I want you to be sure. I’ll be happy enough with you.”
That was the sweetest thing he could have said, but she knew her own heart and understood that his family was important to him. And to her. “I am sure. Very sure.” She reached up to kiss him again, knowing he was the one she was destined to spend the rest of her life with.
Mitch and the rest of the Callahan family.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, look for the other books in the CALLAHAN CONFIDENTIAL series:
SHIELDING HIS CHRISTMAS WITNESS
THE ONLY WITNESS
CHRISTMAS AMNESIA
SHATTERED LULLABY
And pick up these other exciting stories from Laura Scott:
WRONGLY ACCUSED
DOWN TO THE WIRE
UNDER THE LAWMAN’S PROTECTION
FORGOTTEN MEMORIES
HOLIDAY ON THE RUN
MIRROR IMAGE
Available now from Love Inspired Suspense!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from RODEO STANDOFF by Susan Sleeman.