Page 57 of Protect My Heart

He released the breath he held. He could deal with that, and relaxed his shoulders as his arms slid around Rosa. His face dipped to the top of her head. The rose scent filled his nose and had the tension in his body slipping away. She smelled like his mom. His lips tipped up in contentment.

Rosa’s iron grip loosened and she stepped back, wiping her eyes.

“Mami, why don’t I help you and Walt with your luggage?”

“I have that, Lizzy.” Walt picked up the small suitcase. “We packed light.”

“Mami packed light?” Doc’s head swiveled between her parents.

“Oh you, I have everything I need.” She framed Doc’s face in hands that showed years of hard work despite the spa visits. “No worries, mi hija. We aren’t staying long, just a few days. I needed to see you were alright with my own eyes.”

Walt cleared his throat. “Rosa, let’s you and I settle in upstairs then Detective Swenson and I can talk. What rooms are you two staying in?”

Rooms? Jim swallowed. Just when he thought things were going good, a simple question derailed the whole pleasant conversation.

“Uh, I’m in my old room.”

Rosa and Walt turned their inquiring gazes toward Jim. An audible gulp cut the silence in the room. Jim couldn’t say if it was his or Doc’s. He opened his mouth to answer, but Rosa touched her husband’s arm. “I bet he’s staying in that camper in the driveway. Am I right, Detective?”

Jim really didn’t want to lie to this woman that moments ago enveloped him in the Mack Daddy of all hugs. If she’d held on a minute longer, Jim would’ve confessed all his sins. But he knew that warm loving look on Doc’s mother’s face will fall if he told her where he’d been sleeping and with whom. Just nod and agree. His head bobbed, and he opened his mouth. “Yes, it’s my ice fishing house/camper.”

Rosa turned and smiled at her husband. Doc released a massive breath. He wasn’t sure how all that air fit in her lungs.

“But after Doc’s stalker threw a statue through the patio door I moved inside.” He’d worked undercover in narcotics for months. Infiltrated a local operation and arrested the dealer, so why couldn’t he lie to a sweet old lady? Dang, Catholic guilt.

Sweat rolled down his back, his eyes darted from Rosa to Walt. Jim didn’t look at Doc. He could sense the steam coming off her. “I’m staying in Doc’s room. With her.”

Clenching and unclenching his fists, he wiped them on his thighs. He fully expected to be thrown out at any second, as soon as the implications of his statement settled in. Doc stood motionless. He had really screwed up now. She didn’t want her family involved in her problems, she sure as hell wouldn’t want them giving their input on her love life either.

Keeping his eyes focused on Walt, the biggest threat, he waited.

A hand slid into his. Ice cold, but firm. “Yes, he’s staying with me.”

The tension hung thick and hot in the room. His shirt stuck to his back. Why was he so nervous? Flashes of a lifetime ago had him gripping Doc’s hand with too much force, but she didn’t flinch.

Walt looked at his wife, a silent communication transpired in a split second. With a nod, he turned to Jim and said, “Okay. Give me a minute to put these things away, I’ll pour us some scotch, and you can fill me in on what the police are doing to catch this bastard. And if there is anything I can do to help.”

Jim nodded and the couple left the room, leaving him and Doc standing in the kitchen, holding hands.

They didn’t have a problem with their daughter dating a cop? Maybe they weren’t as stuck up as Kari’s parents? He looked at her and blinked. Dare he hope?

Eyes, white-rimed and large as saucers stared back at him. She blinked back at him. “Well, that’s not how I saw the evening proceeding.”

“Good thing I hadn’t got you naked on the couch, yet.” Jim’s lip hitched up.

“Good thing.” A blush flushed her cheeks.

“And with those sexy noises you make when you come, I’m thinking we won’t be fooling around while your parents are in the next room.”

A wicked grin crossed her face and her brow quirked up. “Not unless you want to gag me.”

Oh, yeah. Doc had a wild side. His dick twitched. This could get very interesting, but first business.

Chapter 18

Just over two weeks. That’s how long Liz had been home, and in that time, she had reverted back to the scared, helpless child. Well, not any more. Sitting on the couch, she reached for her mother’s hand. “Mami, you and Walt didn’t need to come running home. I’m fine. Jim and CJ are handling the situation.”

“You’ll always be mi bebe. My child. I will be here for you always.” Rosa squeezed Liz’s hand. “Besides, I had to come meet your new beau.”