Page 100 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
“All in due time,” Darin said.
“Meaning?”
“Nothing,” Darin said.
He didn’t believe that and wondered what might be going on and if Alana knew.
Saying something to her might cause friction with her family and he didn’t want to get in the middle of that either.
The door opened and he turned. Alana was standing there with her arms crossed. “You’ve had enough time to give him the third degree,” she said. “Let’s go.”
He remained rooted to the spot, unwilling to give the impression that she controlled him to her family.
He’d experienced that enough times.
“We are not done yet,” Darin said.
“Yes, you are,” Cindy said. “Out, everyone. We let you have your way and now it’s over. Alana can handle her life just fine.”
He stayed where he was when Darin and Kirk left, Alana moving into the office.
“Where is Becca?”
“I filled a basket full of coloring books, puzzles, and games. She’s lining them up in order of what she’s going to do first and we ran down here to save you.”
“You don’t need to save me,” he said. “Your father and brother weren’t saying anything to me I won’t do to any man that is in my daughter’s life.”
She smiled and moved into his arms. “That is why I told my mother to let them have a few minutes. I knew you’d understand, but if they had enough time, who knows what buttons they might have pushed?”
“I’ve got patience,” he said. “Or I will for you. I know it’s out of concern and after what you went through, I don’t think I blame them.”
“I can blame them,” she said, giving him a kiss. “But I also know I only have so much control over their actions. Giving them this little bit might have been enough to get it out of their system.”
He wasn’t so sure based on the comment regarding Jonathan, but he wasn’t going to share that. He could be reading more into it.
“I guess we’ll find out,” he said. “My mother might do the same to you. I suppose I should warn you.”
Her jaw dropped. “Really?”
“You’re not the only one who was hurt before. There is more on the line than my feelings.”
He hoped she understood he had to put Becca first.
It’s not something he wanted to verbalize often and make her feel badly about though.
Other women in his past normally threw a fit when he said it, halting any shot he had.
Alana knew, they’d had the talk, but bringing it up repeatedly wasn’t healthy for either of them.
“I know,” she said. “I’m never going to make you choose. Please, don’t think that. I just hope there is room for me in there.”
“Lots of room that you’re filling,” he said. “More for you to take up too. I mean that. This is hard on me and I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“I’m tough,” she said. “And I’m positive I’ll be able to handle your mother.”
He tugged on a lock of her hair. “You will. And like your father and brother, she means well and will draw the line.”
Because he wouldn’t let his mother cross it.
