Cavanaugh Reunion by Marie Ferrarella Read Free Book Online Page B

Martian. “What woman? Where?” Before Brian could elaborate, Andrew cut in, concerned. He knew how hard Brian worked. “Brian, maybe it’s time to start considering early retirement. We both know that this job can eat you alive if you let it. You have a lot to live for. Lila, your kids, Lila’s kids—”
    This time Brian cut Andrew off. “This has nothing to do with the job, and I’m well aware of my blessings. I’m just concerned that maybe you’re taking yours for granted.” He hated being his brother’s keeper. Andrew was always the moral standard for the rest of them. But after the other day, he knew he had to say something. “I know what I saw.”
    Andrew sighed. “And what is it that you think you saw?”
    He’s actually going to make me say it, Brian thought, upset about having been put in this position. “You, walking into the Crystal Penguin, with another woman.”
    “The Crystal Penguin?” Andrew repeated incredulously. The Crystal Penguin was an overpriced restaurant that didn’t always deliver on its promises of exquisite dining experiences. “Why would I go to a restaurant? And if I did go to one, it certainly wouldn’t be a restaurant that overcharges and undercooks.”
    That’s what he would have thought if someone had come to him with this story. But he’d been a witness to this. “I saw you, Andrew.”
    Andrew didn’t waste his breath protesting that it wasn’t possible. “And just when did this ‘sighting’ occur?”
    Brian had been sitting on this for several days now, and it was killing him. “Last Friday evening. At about seven-thirty.”
    “I see.” His expression was unreadable. “Why didn’t you come up and talk to me?”
    He almost had, then decided to restrain himself. “Because you’re my older brother and I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
    And then Brian delivered what in his estimation was the knockout blow.
    “Some of the others have mentioned seeing you around the city with this woman. I told them they were crazy, but then on Friday I saw you myself, and now I’m begging you,” he entreated, putting his hand onAndrew’s arm, “break it off before Rose gets hurt. You spent all that time looking for Rose when everyone else, including me, thought she was dead. Don’t throw all that away because of some middle-aged itch you want to scratch.”
    “You done?” Andrew wanted to know.
    “Yes,” Brian said quietly. “Just promise me you’ll break if off with her.”
    “It would seem like the thing to do.” To Brian’s surprise, his brother got off the stool, walked to the doorway between the kitchen and the living room and called out, “Rose? Would you mind coming here?”
    Brian hurried over to him. “What are you doing?” he whispered into Andrew’s ear. He knew that for some, the need to confess was almost an overpowering reaction, but he would have never thought it of Andrew. This had all the makings of a disaster. “Don’t dump this on Rose. Don’t tell her you’ve been cheating on her just to clear your conscience.”
    “Good advice,” Andrew quipped.
    Before Brian could ask if he’d lost his mind, Rose walked in. “Hello, Brian. Nice to see you.” She turned toward her husband. There was no missing the love in her eyes. “You wanted me, honey?”
    “Only every minute of every day,” Andrew said, a gentle smile curving the corners of his mouth. He slipped his arm around her waist. “Rose, could you tell Brian where we were last Friday?”
    Rose sighed, shaking her head. “Don’t see why you would even want to admit to it.”
    He laughed, giving her a quick hug. “Humor me, my love.”
    “Okay.” Rose turned toward her brother-in-law. “We saw the most god-awful movie. Heaven Around the Corner. Quite honestly, I still can’t figure out how the people behind that silly thing managed to get funding to produce it.” Her eyes crinkled as she slanted a glance and a grin in her husband’s direction. “Even Andrew could have