Family Matters (DiCarlo Brides book 4) (The DiCarlo Brides) by Heather Tullis Read Free Book Online Page B

he was going to show up on Rosemary’s doorstep to check up on her—risking her wrath—it was best if he came with a peace offering. Not that she was likely to eat much of the food, but maybe Cleo would like it, anyway. There was a rental car in the driveway, so he knew Rosemary had to be there.
    His stomach felt tight and a little unsettled as he walked to the front door, switching the bag to the hand with the pizza so he could knock.
    “Who is it?” a young girl’s voice asked through the door.
    “My name is Harrison. I know Rosemary,” he said in return.
    Little feet pounded on the floor and then the girl’s voice called down the hall, her mother’s name the only word that was distinguishable.
    A long moment passed as he felt himself starting to sweat and then the door opened. Rosemary pushed the fall of blond hair over her shoulder and stared at him in surprise. “Cleo said you were here. I thought I heard wrong.”
    A cute blond head poked out from behind Rosemary. “You know him?”
    “Yeah, he’s Sage’s brother,” Rosemary said, guardedly. She looked at the pizza and bakery bag. “What are you doing here?” she asked him.
    “I had to come in to the local resort and thought I’d pop by to see how things are going. I figured you probably haven’t eaten dinner yet.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “You came to check up on me?”
    He braved her possible wrath and smiled. “Sage worries. I knew she would feel better if I could reassure her that you’re still eating and seem to be holding it all together.”
    She stared at him for a long moment, as if unsure whether to believe him or not, then opened the door wider and gestured for him to enter. “Right, because I’m so delicate.”
    He flashed her a grin and pushed through.
    Cleo stood out of the way, watching him, as she had the whole time. She looked over at Rosemary thoughtfully, then back at him again. “You’re Sage’s brother, but not Rosemary’s?”
    “That’s right. Sage and I have the same mom, and Rosemary and Sage have the same dad. I’m kind of part of the family, but not really.”
    “Like me,” Cleo said.
    “Oh, no, you’re really part of the family. All the way. I hope you like pizza.” He set the box on the dining room table.
    Cleo ran over. “I love pizza! It’s my favorite.” Her nose wrinkled. “You didn’t get anchovies did you? My Uncle Mike always gets them and they smell yucky.”
    She was a doll. “Nope, no anchovies. I don’t like them much, either.” He opened the box and gestured inside so they could see it. “Just pepperoni and olives this time. What’s your favorite?”
    He kept his eyes on the little girl as Rosemary moved to the cupboard and pulled out plates and glasses. He knew where she was every moment, acutely aware of the wariness in her eyes and the way she seemed off kilter. He kept up a steady stream of chatter with Cleo though, finding that easier than facing Rosemary—and it gave her a chance to get her bearings again. The longer he was there, the less likely that she’d kick him out.
    She brought over the stack of plates and handed one to him. “How are things at home?”
    She’d only been gone two days, but he understood that she was nervous, more than concerned. “Great. Lana and Blake are unbearably happy and Jonquil is scarfing down Ho-Hos again.” He met Rosemary’s eyes, well aware of her on-going battle against Jonquil’s love of preservative-filled snack cakes.
    “Sounds about right.” She touched her daughter’s head, smoothing the hair down in back. “Eat your pizza, bug.”
    Harrison changed the subject to something funny that happened at the hotel. He stayed through dinner and the cookies, drawn to both mother and daughter, and impressed with how Rosemary handled things, but concerned by the worry lines on her forehead and how tired she looked. She ate some pizza, but not even a full slice. He hung around as long as he dared, then decided it was time to make his excuses