Her brothers stood as Colin stepped forward.
“Colin Hale,” he said, extending his hand. “Maren’s told me all about you.”
The room seemed to shrink around the three men.
Maren closed her eyes briefly.
Of course this is happening less than five minutes after the hugging.
Reid shook Colin’s hand first. The handshake lasted exactly one second too long.
Beckett watched Colin like he was checking for loose bolts. “You the one who protected them?”
“That’s me.” He extended his hand to Beckett, who shook it.
“My niece just called you Dad.”
Colin’s gaze flicked to Juni, then Maren, then back to Beckett.
“Her choice and I’m good with it.”
Maren grinned at his understatement of the year. “Will you guys please cut it out?”
Reid’s gaze stayed on Colin. “You planning to stick?”
“Yes,” Colin replied without any hesitation.
Maren’s heart flipped over.
Beckett studied him for another moment, then looked at Maren. “You love him?”
“Yes.” She lifted her chin. “I do.”
“You love her?” Reid asked Colin.
“Completely.”
Beckett’s eyebrows went up.
Colin didn’t blink. “I love both of them.”
Juni beamed. “Daddy,” she said quietly, as if affirming it to herself.
Maren lost the ability to breathe.
Reid and Beckett stared at Colin for another two seconds.
“He’ll do,” Reid said, nodding.
Maren snorted.
Beckett frowned. “We haven’t checked his teeth yet.”
Colin’s mouth twitched. “Excuse me?”
“Or kicked the tires,” Beckett added.
“Mama?” Juni looked up at Maren. “Is this a Marine thing?”
