Untangle My Heart (Tangled Hearts) by Maria K. Alexander Read Free Book Online

small pot and turned on the stove, adjusting the flame so it wasn’t too high. She reached for a wooden spoon and started stirring.
    “Can’t sleep, Bella?”
    She glanced at her mother standing in the doorway, smiling at the nickname she’d heard all her life. When she’d been younger, her mother used to say Kate was “her little bellissima” because she’d been the prettiest baby girl in the nursery at the hospital—in her parents’ biased opinion. Over the years, the endearment had been shortened to Bella.
    “No, Mama. I have a lot on my mind.”
    “Here, let me,” her mother said, taking the spoon out of her hands. “You always let it burn.”
    Kate happily relinquished the dreaded stirring and grabbed two mugs from the cabinet next to the sink. She emptied the packets of hot chocolate into each and moved them closer to her mother.
    Carmen stirred intently. The sleeve of her robe was frayed and Kate didn’t even need to look to know her slippers were probably in the same sad shape. Her mother didn’t believe in wasting anything and refused to throw even the most worn things out, even though Kate had bought her a new one of each for her last birthday.
    Kate watched her mother’s thick hands pour the hot milk into the mugs, the delicious scent of chocolate filling the air.
    “I bought the mini marshmallows you like.” Carmen nodded toward the small pantry.
    Kate grinned. “You always remember.”
    Carmen brought the cups to the kitchen table and walked over to a cabinet to retrieve a tin hidden in the back.
    “I always try and have your favorites when you come here,” Carmen said.
    “Which isn’t often enough, right?”
    Carmen placed toasted biscotti on a plate between them.
    Her mother’s voice rose an octave. “I didn’t say anything. I know you come home as often as you can.”
    No matter Kate’s age, her mother had a way of inflicting the Italian guilt that still made Kate feel like a scolded child. “I wish I’d known earlier about the business. Maybe I could have helped.”
    “We didn’t want to burden you. It’s not your place to take care of this family. And it’s time your brother and sister take responsibility.”
    “Well, they’d better knock the chip off their shoulders first, then. What was their deal at dinner the other night? They acted as though they think the new restaurant is a bad idea. And even tonight, they weren’t any more receptive to it.”
    Vinnie and Vicky had all but opposed the restaurant, neither showing their support and confidence that it would work out. Worrisome, given they would be an integral part of the restaurant when it opened.
    “You know how your baby brother hates change. He needs time to get used to it.”
    Vinnie didn’t like the change of seasons, let alone a change in job venue.
    “What about Vicky? I thought she’d be behind it, but her attitude lately has been indifference with a dash of obnoxiousness.”
    “Your sister is going through some issues right now. She’s trying to get her life back on track after the divorce and isn’t her normal self.”
    Vicky hadn’t been her normal self since long before the divorce. Kate had never been successful in getting her sister to confide in her. While Kate wore every emotion on her face, Vicky kept her feelings close at heart.
    “Yeah, well if the restaurant is going to be successful, both of them better step up and show their support. They have a problem listening to others, specifically me—and Nick, too.”
    “I thought my ears were burning. Talking about me?” Nick strolled into the kitchen, tugging Kate’s ponytail when he passed.
    “I wondered how long it would take for you to come down for a midnight snack,” Carmen said.
    “The best part of staying over,” Nick said, rummaging in the refrigerator.
    He grabbed the container of leftover turkey and set it on the counter, then searched until he found the bag of fresh Italian rolls Carmen always kept in the breadbox. He fixed