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Leila took them. She sniffed the white rose and poinsettia arrangement. “She’ll love it.”

“She’ll love it even more if you invited the boy inside out of the cold.”

Leila looked over her shoulder at her mother and blushed. She turned back to Linc. “Dammit, where are my manners? Come on inside. We have coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for you.”

Linc chuckled as he stepped inside.

“Hello, Lincoln, my name is Miray Cloud. Please come in and sit. My husband is on a phone call, but he’ll be with us shortly.”

“Here, Mom,” Leila said as she thrust the bouquet at her mother. “These are for you. Linc brought them.”

Her mother laughed. “Yes, I know, Bebek.”

Leila peeked over at Linc. She would have felt embarrassed except he had a huge grin on his face too, so she knew he was just as excited to see her.

But gah!

Could she sound any more like a sixteen-year-old going to a prom?

“Bebek, let’s get your young man in out of the cold.”

“Come on in, Linc. We’re in the kitchen.”

“That’s where my family usually huddles.” He smiled. “Mom, my little brothers and sisters, and my dad are always in the kitchen eating whatever she’s cooking, even now that we’re adults. And don’t worry about the cold. I’m from Minnesota, so this is nothing.”

Mrs. Cloud led the way to the kitchen and Leila watched Linc’s face as he studied the windows overlooking their big backyard. Even in February, her mother managed to make the entire area look nice, with fairy lights in the trees and potted plants.

“This is a great space,” Linc said.

“My mom does it.”

“Miray has a green thumb, that’s for sure.”

Leila and Linc turned around as her father walked in from the other side of the kitchen. He was only one or two inches shorter than Linc, but he had the same kind of presence.

“Dad, I’d like you to meet Lincoln Hart. He’s one of the men who rescued me in Syria. I know I’m not supposed to talk about it, but I am to you and Mom. He saved my life.”

She watched as Linc blushed.

Too cute for words.

“You will have my undying gratitude,” her dad said as he walked up and held out his hand to Linc. “I’m Grant Cloud. I’m sure Leila’s told you. I work for the FBI.”

“Sit. Everyone sit. I have the drinks ready. What would you like?” Miray asked.

“Coffee would be great,” Linc said.

“How do you like it?”

“Black.”

“It’s very strong,” Leila warned.

“Even better,” Linc said as he stood standing until both Miray and Leila were seated. Leila could see her dad’s smile of approval.

“Aren’t the flowers nice? Linc brought them for Mom.”

“They’re very nice.” Her father smiled. “So Linc, it’s a little odd for you to be dating my daughter since you met her on one of your missions, isn’t it?”