Created In Fire (Art of Love Series) by Donna McDonald Read Free Book Online

mother said you were all fired up to marry some Tom something or the other, not that any relationship so far outside the natural order of things is ever going to work out for you,” Ethan stated, reaching out a hand to rub the arm Michael wasn’t touching.
    When Carrie moved away from him and further into Michael’s arms, Ethan swallowed hard. “Well, I won’t be blessing this relationship either. You can marry this man, who’s practically a stranger to you, but it’s not going to work out any better than the others.”
    “That’s an awful lot of judgment,” Michael said, wrapping an arm around Carrie’s waist and pulling her protectively against his side. “She came to tell you about us today. Why can’t you stop fussing at Carrie long enough to listen to her explanation?”
    “Now who’s being rude,” Kevin said sarcastically. “And you should keep your hands to yourself until you marry my sister. She’s not your wife yet, Larson.”
    Michael looked at Kevin, anger at her brother’s hateful comments making his face flush with temper. Shane would have already been panicking to see his rising color. His father would have been reminding him to make calm decisions.
    Thinking of the men in his family helped Michael swallow the venom that was just waiting to pour out on these two.
    “Carrie is her own person,” Michael said carefully, working hard to keep an even tone. “But she’s definitely mine to protect. Don’t ever doubt it.”
    “Michael,” Carrie said tightly, finding her voice at last and pulling on his arm. “Take me home. It was a mistake to bring you here.”
    “Carrie, you need to sit for a while first or the car ride will make you sick. Let me take you back to your sisters. They can take care of you for a few minutes while I finish talking with your father and brother,” Michael said, running a gentle hand over her hair.
    “No. Absolutely not. I’m not leaving you alone with Dad and Kevin,” Carrie said, her stomach churning with humiliation as her eyes welled with tears.
    “I’m tough enough to deal with their true thoughts about us. You don’t have to fight my fights for me,” Michael teased, keeping his tone light, trying to reassure her, smiling gently at her concern.
    “You shouldn’t have to fight mine either,” Carrie said tightly, rapidly losing the one that was letting the waterworks start.
    “Dad asked you a question, Carlene. Why are you so sick? You haven’t talked to anyone but Mom in months,” Kevin demanded.
    “Why are you still so mean, Kevin?” Carrie asked instead of answering.
    “I’m not mean. I’m just looking out for you,” Kevin protested.
    “No. No you aren’t. If you genuinely cared about me, you’d be nicer to Michael. Whether you or Dad like it or not, I am going to marry him,” Carrie said, stepping away from the protection of his arm and tugging instead on Michael’s hand. “Come with me. Leave with me. I should never have brought you here.”
    “Carrie—maybe they just need convincing,” Michael said softly, and then he turned to her father. “What will it take for you to believe that I love your daughter, Mr. Addison?”
    Ethan saw the paleness of his daughter’s face, saw her hand cover and hold her stomach. She looked so much like Maggie did their first year together. It was like seeing the past come to life again.
    And then suddenly Ethan knew what was going on with his daughter. His mind reeled from it.
    “Are you expecting this man’s child, Carlene?” Ethan asked, his face ashen with the realization that despite all the years of teaching them better, yet another grandchild of his had been conceived out of wedlock.
    Carrie stopped tugging on Michael and froze. There was no getting out of admitting a truth that would be all too apparent in a couple of months.
    “Yes. I am. I’m having Michael’s baby and we’re getting married. That’s what I came to tell you,” she said, lifting her chin again.
    Michael turned from