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

himself a sandwich and joined his mother and Kate at the table.
    “I’m going up to bed,” Carmen said and rose to place her mug in the sink. “That way Vinnie can sneak his Angela upstairs when he thinks I’m sleeping and don’t know what he’s doing in there.”
    Nick and Kate raised their eyebrows at their mother.
    “Don’t look so surprised. I always knew when both of you snuck your dates up there, too.” She planted a kiss on the tops of their heads and made the sign of the cross with her thumb like she always did. “I’ll see you both in the morning.”
    “Goodnight,” they both said.
    “Love you. Sweet dreams,” Carmen said and left the kitchen.
    “Damn if that woman doesn’t have eyes behind her head,” Kate said.
    “And through walls and floors, too,” Nick added. “It’s pretty remarkable how she knows about these things. I always thought I was careful, avoiding the creaky steps and everything. Now that we know, we can have some fun with Vinnie.” He took a large bite of sandwich.
    Kate watched her brother practically inhale his food. Nick always had a huge appetite and a high metabolism that kept him fit. Annoying when she had to be careful what she ate just to squeeze into her jeans. He must have started working out again because his arms looked bigger. She wouldn’t be surprised if he sported six-pack abs, either.
    “When will you see Joey and Gina?” Kate asked, referring to Nick’s ten and thirteen year-old kids.
    “Next weekend. I’ll pick them up Friday night and have them until Sunday. I’ll bring them here during the weekend so Ma can fuss over them,” Nick said.
    Kate nodded. “She’ll enjoy that. It was strange not having them here on Thanksgiving.”
    “Tell me about it. I hate not being able to see them whenever I want, especially on holidays. Franny promised me I’d get them on Christmas.”
    “I know what you’re feeling, but at least you’ll get to see them.”
    Nick reached for her hand. “I know you understand even though this is different than what you went through.”
    Kate squeezed his fingers. “It’s still emotional and frustrating. It’s going to hurt for a while and you can’t do anything to avoid that. I’m here to talk if you need to. Okay?”
    Nick nodded.
    “How are they handling the divorce?”
    “They seem to be fine.”
    “And you?”
    Nick got up and poured a glass of water. After drinking about half of it he turned to Kate. “I’m managing.”
    Kate narrowed her eyes. “You’re full of shit. You look tired and have bags under your eyes to prove it.”
    “I’ve been putting in a lot of hours at the station. I’m trying to make detective.”
    Kate’s eyes lit up. “Great. I’m sure you’ll get it. You’re dedicated to your job.”
    “Yeah. It only cost me my marriage,” Nick said with a shrug.
    Kate crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s bullshit and you know it. You were a good husband and father. It’s not your fault poor taste in spouses runs in the family. Franny didn’t deserve you.”
    Nick sat back down and put his feet up on the chair across from him. “Your opinion, runt, and I’d say you’re highly biased in my favor.” He bit into a biscotti. “But thanks. So what’s going on with you and your architect?”
    Kate’s shoulders tensed. “He’s not my architect.”
    “No, huh? So your hot summer fling with him has cooled off even though he’s moved to New York?”
    Oh, and what a sizzling fling it had been.
    She fidgeted in the chair and didn’t meet her brother’s gaze. “As a matter of fact, yes.”
    “Come on, sis, you see him every day. He’s one of your bosses.”
    “No shit. Tell me something I don’t already know.”
    “I don’t think things are over between you.”
    Kate snorted. “Shows you know squat.”
    “Yeah, then why are you avoiding looking at me?”
    Sometimes it sucked having a cop for a brother. Talking to him could be an interrogation. She’d become good at evading