Bella opened her eyes and reached for Lucas’ face. She looked into his stunning green eyes and surmised that she had to have been completely nuts to push such a beautiful man away. Fear had ruled her. And it was that fear that would’ve caused her to miss out on someone so wonderful.
“Kiss me,” she demanded softly.
Without hesitation, Lucas leaned over and placed his lips on hers. Bella moaned from the pleasure of his tender kiss.
“Awwwwe, y’all so cute,” Donatella crooned.
Sadly, the sound of the hospital door opening prompted Lucas to sever their connection.
“Well, I see somebody’s feeling better.”
Bella looked over to find Lucas’ mom standing in the doorway.
“I’m fine, Mom,” Lincoln joked.
“Shut up, boy! I’m talking to your brother.”
Lucas stood upright as him mom crossed the room. But, to Bella’s surprise, she bypassed Lucas and headed straight for Bella.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said softly. She smiled and cupped Bella’s face in her hands.
Bella covered her soft hands with her own. “Thank you, Mrs. Creed.”
Tabitha Creed had beautiful skin, a beautiful smile, and eyes the color of the Caribbean Sea. She narrowed those pretty eyes as if she were in deep contemplation. “You are gonna give me some beautiful grandbabies someday,” she queried.
“Mom!” Lucas barked. “Are you trying to make her get up and run out of here?”
Bella laughed, clutching her sore chest immediately afterward. “Mrs.—”
“It’sTabitha, dear.”
“Tabitha, Lucas and I just started seeing each other, so can we hold off on the babies for now?”
Tabitha smiled down at Bella and gently rubbed the top of her head. “For now,” she whispered with a mischievous glint in her eye.
“You’re up!” a voice yelled from the doorway.
Bella froze at the sound of her mother’s voice. She looked at Lucas and hoped that he didn’t see the panic in her eyes. Bella was definitely not looking forward to her parents meeting Lucas or his family. In both of their communities, Native American and African American, the “white man” was the oppressor.
Tabitha graciously stepped aside as Bill and Winona Devereaux made a beeline to Bella’s bedside. Her mom looked down at her with a troubled expression.
“Baby, how are you?”
Bella tried to reassure her mother with a smile. “I’m good, Mama.”
Winona kissed Bella’s forehead. “Are you sure?” she asked in a whisper.
“I promise. I’m fine.”
Winona looked from Bella to Donna and shook her head in disgust. Her expression turned quickly from worry to agitation. “Between you two and that damn police department, I’m just a nervous breakdown waiting to happen,” she fussed.
“Why are you lookin’ at me? I didn’t get shot,” Donatella squealed. “I’m thegoodtwin.”
Bella, her mom,andher dad glared at Donatella with disbelief.
“What? I am!” she exclaimed.
Bella chuckled and rolled her eyes at her lying sister. Since her mom was already irritated, Bella decided to rip off the proverbial bandage and introduce Lucas to her parents. Lucas eased around his mom when Bella held her hand out for him.
