Love Me if You Dare by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online

coincidence. “I’m here to visit a friend. Rafe Mancuso?”
    The other woman’s eyes widened in recognition. “Rafe is my brother-in-law!” Angel said. “I’d say it’s a small world, but around here everyone knows everyone and is potentially related somehow.” Angel laughed. “So, do you know Rafe from the city?”
    Sara nodded. “We used to be partners.”
    Angel studied her, her eyes narrowing. “Actually, you look familiar.”
    “I can’t imagine why. I’ve never been here before.”
    The other woman paused in thought. “I know!” Angel snapped her fingers. “You’re the one Rafe was with the night he was injured! My mother-in-law showed me the articles from the hostage crisis. You’re prettier in person.”
    “Thank you. Those department-issued pictures aren’t very glamorous,” she said, laughing.
    “The whole family appreciates how you took such good care of Rafe, staying by his side and all.”
    A heated flush rose to her face. “We used to be partners. He would have done the same for me.” She turned away, taking in her surroundings. Paintings adorned the walls; an area rug covered the hardwood floor in the entryway.
    “So, do you and your husband live here?” Sara swept her arm, gesturing at the lovely house.
    The light in Angel’s eyes flickered and dimmed. “No. I’m afraid we’re separated,” she said, obvious pain in the admission.
    “I’m sorry.” Something about Angel inspired an easy rapport, and Sara reached out, touching the other woman’s shoulder in comfort.
    “Thank you. Why don’t you come on in and get settled?” Angel asked.
    Sara nodded. “First I need to get my bag from the car.”
    A few minutes later, bag in hand, she followed Angel upstairs to a floral-wallpapered bedroom. Fresh flowers filled a small vase on the dresser, and an antique lamp sat on the nightstand.
    “This is beautiful,” Sara said, running her hand over the lemon-colored comforter on a four-poster bed.
    “Relax and enjoy.”
    “I intend to! I desperately need a nap,” Sara said. “And can I bother you for an ice pack or a bag of ice?” She pointed to her knee, over which she now wore a lighter brace than the original one given to her in the emergency room.
    “Of course!” The other woman turned to go.
    “Angel?”
    “Yes?” She braced her hand on the door frame and turned back around.
    Sara swallowed hard. “Can you possibly tell me where to find Rafe? I tried to reach him to let him know I was coming, but I couldn’t get through to his cell. I’d like to stop by after dinner.”
    Angel smiled. “Of course. I’ll write down the address where you can find him, along with directions.”
    “Great. I’d appreciate it.”
    “So, dinner is at six. I hope you like fried chicken and mashed potatoes.”
    Sara’s mouth watered at the thought. “Perfect.”
    “Okay, then. I’ll be right back with the ice.” She stepped out, leaving Sara alone.
    She collapsed onto the comfortable bed. A light lemony scent permeated the room, and she relaxed, allowing her body to absorb the softness surrounding her, feeling calmer and safer than she had in New York City.
     
    R AFE’S PARENTS STILL lived in the house he’d grown up in. Except for some updates and renovations, everything remained the same. Until the family descended. Then the noise level and chaos exceeded anything he remembered or could tolerate. Rafe was thirty-one and ready to settle down, while his sisters were married and lived within half a mile of their parents and each other, as did Nick. With the exception of Nick, they all had children. To most people, the sheer numbers would be confusing. To Rafe, it was normal.
    His oldest sister, Joanne, had six years on him and always acted like his mother. She had a thirteen-year-old daughter and two rambunctious ten-year-old twin sons who currently wrestled in the den. Nick came next, then Rafe. Carol was three years younger than Rafe and had gotten an early start on her