Finding Her Son(66)

Mitch held out his hand to her son. Joshua grasped his finger and gave Mitch a toothy grin. His heart melted. “I’m not the man I used to be. I’ll never be SWAT again,” he warned. “I probably don’t have a job after this.”

“Do you think your injuries matter to me? Or to Joshua?” She laid her hand on his chest. “I fell in love with the man you are inside. I fell in love with your heart and soul and mind.”

The dark cloud encasing Mitch’s spirit broke free. He pulled Emily toward him and buried his face in her neck. “I love you,” he whispered. “I’ve loved you forever.”

She turned her lips to his, and he kissed her with every promise deep within him. His heart raced as she let out a small groan against him. She pulled away, her eyes sparkling with joy, her breathing fast. “I want you well soon, so you can fulfill the promise of that kiss, Officer Bradford.”

A tentative knock sounded at the door.

“Is it safe to come in?” Dane Tanner pushed open the door. He walked in, leading a parade of Ian, Noah, his other brother, Chase, and his sister, Sierra.

Lastly his father wheeled into the room. “So, Mitchell. You finally got the job done right,” his father barked, the intensity belied by the relief in the older man’s eyes.

“Hardly,” Dane said, stepping forward. “He went against direct orders. More than once.”

“He blew up his car,” Chase and Ian chimed in together.

Noah crossed his arms and gave Mitch a half-frustrated grin. “He got my SUV shot to pieces.”

Sierra ran across the room and kissed her brother on the cheek. “He almost got himself killed more than once.” She scowled. “Don’t ever do that again, big brother.”

“If you’d just waited,” Dane said, his expression unsmiling. “I could’ve made the shot before things got out of hand. Instead, you had to go all hero. Again.”

“Are you saying I’m fired?” Mitch asked.

His boss looked him over. “Do I look like a fool? You did a slam-dunk job, Mitch. I don’t know anyone else who could’ve followed those leads. You’ve got instincts. In fact, I think you’re a better detective than you ever were at SWAT entry.”

Mitch stared at his boss, stunned, and clutched Emily’s hand. “I’m not fired?”

“You may want to quit, but if you want a job on my unit, it’s yours for the taking.” Dane gave him a small salute. “As long as you work on following procedure a little better in the future.”

“That’ll be the day,” Noah said. “So, little brother? Did you fix things?” He nodded toward Emily.

“Did you grovel?” his father asked with a wink.

Mitch took Emily’s hand in his and kissed her palm. “Dad, everyone. Meet Emily and Joshua Wentworth. We’re going to be a family.”

At the loud shout of approval, Joshua let out a squeal. Noah grabbed his soon-to-be nephew and threw him up in the air, then caught him in his arms. The boy giggled and wrapped his arms around Noah’s neck.

Mitch laughed and tugged Emily close. “You’ll marry me, right?” he said softly in her ear.

She turned her face, her lips hovering over his. She met his gaze, and Mitch’s breath caught at the love in her every feature. She loved him. Truly loved him.

He knew. He believed. He had faith once more.

“I will,” she whispered. “Together. Forever.”