Created In Fire (Art of Love Series)

by McDonald, Donna

  When she climbed from the car, Michael frowned at the resigned look in her eyes. Her shoulders were drooping so much, she was practically bent forward. She kept her eyes on the ground as she walked, never lifting them to the early September sunshine or the wind blowing in the trees. Michael thought Carrie didn’t even look like herself.

  He was already mad at her family before he even crossed their threshold.

  *** *** ***

  Carrie tapped on the front door of the long brick ranch house she’d grown up in, and opened it quietly.

  “Hello,” she called, stepping inside with Michael close on her heels.

  Her mother dashed out of the kitchen to the hallway, arms open as she came to them.

  “Carlene, why have you stayed away so long? Have you lost weight? You seem thinner,” Maggie Addison said, wrapping her arms tightly around her oldest daughter, fighting not to be hurt when there was no answering hug.

  “Mom, this is Michael Larson. Michael—this is my mother, Margaret Addison,” Carrie said, stepping aside to let Michael shake her mother’s hand.

  “Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Addison,” Michael said politely, taking the woman’s hand in his.

  He was surprised to find her grip a lot firmer than he would have imagined judging from the fact her gaze wouldn’t even hold his for more than two seconds. She was about Carrie’s height and looked very much like an older version of her daughter, except for her very blonde hair laced with even brighter silver strands.

  Michael Larson wasn’t very tall, Maggie thought, but he was very broad shouldered and had a grip of iron. Her husband Ethan wasn’t going to intimidate this one so easily, she thought, ultimately deciding that was a bonus for Carlene. She searched Michael Larson’s face, seeing dark determined eyes assessing her back. It made her a little nervous the way he kept his gaze locked on hers, never looking away.

  “Everyone’s in the back yard. I was just finishing up lunch,” Maggie said, shaking off her nerves. “Take Michael out and introduce him to everyone, Carlene. I’ll be out in a moment with some tea.”

  Carrie reached down and picked up Michael’s hand with her cold one. He looked at her but said nothing as his warm fingers closed around hers.

  Darla and Alison were on the patio when Carrie slid the door open. They fairly jumped into her arms to hug her.

  Here was warmth and love, Michael thought, smiling as the younger girls hugged Carrie and patted her face.

  They chattered on about school and things while Michael took in their similarities to their sister. They would have looked like a set of triplets except for Carrie’s brunette locks. Obviously, her sisters had taken after their mother in appearance.

  Carrie turned to Michael and made introductions, not surprised to see both her sisters perking up considerably as they took in Michael’s appearance.

  Michael’s masculine looks were rustic and earthy. He looked exceptional today in new jeans and a crisp striped shirt that highlighted his shoulders. She wanted to laugh watching Darla and Alison try to rein in their interest, but had to put a hand to her stomach as a nausea wave rolled over her.

  Michael instantly stepped into her, putting an arm around her and a hand over hers on her stomach. “When was the last time you took your medicine?”

  “It’s probably just the stress. I’m still on schedule,” she said, trying to dislodge his hand from her stomach as her both her sisters stood open-mouthed staring at them.

  Her family wasn’t big on public displays of affection and Carrie shook her head at the questions in her sister’s eyes.

  “I’ve had some stomach problems lately. No need to worry. I’m fine. Michael is just nervous. I’ve gotten sick on him a couple of times.”

  “I’m not the only one nervous. You’re practically shaking,” he whispered, looking over her shoulder at two men glaring at him. “So tell me, is that your brother and father glaring at us?”

  Carrie turned slowly and looked out in the yard. Her sister-in-law, Crystal, was off playing with her one-year-old nephew, Jason. Her father and brother stood with arms crossed, staring at the group on the patio.

  Carrie rolled her eyes and sighed, recognizing their body language and what it meant. They were already upset, and all Michael had done so far was touch her out of concern for her health. They had probably seen his long pony tail and concluded he was a heathen. The rest of their judging would have followed from that.

  “Yes,” she answered, her tone as hard and unfriendly as their glares. “Those two are unfortunately the men in my family.”

  “Interesting. They’re both blond. Are you the only brunette?” Michael asked, hoping to distract Carrie from her nervousness with inane questions about details. Plus he was kind of curious how a family of total blondes produced a chocolate brunette with red highlights.

  “Yes,” she answered flatly. “I’m the only brunette. Look, don’t be surprised at anything the men in my family say to me about my appearance or us. They think they have the right to control everything and everyone that goes by the name Addison.”

  “Are you afraid of them?” Michael asked softly, his tone taunting on purpose. He grinned when Carrie glared at him.

  “No. I’m not afraid of them. I just dread the inevitable confrontation over you. I hate confrontation,” she said, crossing her arms and glaring at Michael herself.

  “No you don’t. You wade into confrontation,” Michael corrected. “You stopped my mother and future step-mother from killing each other Friday night without even thinking that you might have gotten physically injured.”

  “I stopped them because I hate confrontation,” Carrie insisted.

  Michael laughed. The woman had held him captive by his hair just yesterday, and his scalp was still feeling the after effects today. “Boy are you in denial. You need to talk to my brother, Shane, though you might want to wait until December when his doctorate is official.”

  “Fine. Be a comedian, but this is not funny. You want to know what I’m avoiding? Come along then. Let’s introduce you to the men in my family and you can form your own opinion,” Carrie declared, picking up his hand to drag him out into the yard with her.

  “Nice to meet you,” Michael said to her sisters, who smiled and waved as he let himself be dragged away.

  He didn’t miss the sympathy in their gazes and wondered if his mouth had gotten him into trouble again.

  Chapter 4

  They hadn’t even reached the two men before Carrie’s father frowned and started asking questions.

  “Carlene, what is wrong with you, girl? You don’t look well. Are you not taking care of yourself?” Ethan stated, stepping forward to hug his daughter, who didn’t hug back.

  He was almost used to her resistance, but it still smarted.

  “I’m fine. Dad, this is Michael Larson. Michael—this is my father, Ethan Addison,” Carrie said, gritting her teeth as her brother’s angry gaze met hers across the other two men.

  “Certainly a scorcher for September, isn’t it? I bet you’re really warm with all that hair weighing you down,” Ethan said, feeling Michael’s grip tighten almost painfully on his momentarily before it eased. So the man had a temper, Ethan thought.

  “If all you’re going to do is make rude comments about Michael’s appearance, we’ll be happy to leave,” Carrie said, lifting her chin to her father.

  Michael narrowed his gaze on Carrie’s face, which seemed very pale in the sunshine, which was indeed warm for September. He turned a frustrated gaze full of warning on her father, satisfied when the man took a small step backwards in response.

  “Actually, my hair is only too warm if I wear it down. I keep it pulled back most of the time,” Michael told him. “Carrie likes it too much for me to cut it.”

  He was pleased when her father brought his gaze back to Carrie’s in surprise.

  While that particular line in the sand was being acknowledged by her father, Michael turned to the other male still glaring at him. Carrie’s brother
vibrated with open and obvious anger. In fact, both he and his father were all but buzzing with some sort of misplaced outrage.

  Michael resented their attitudes, but wanted to sigh over how upset Carrie probably was about their lack of manners in greeting him. If his family had acted like that to her—no, he couldn’t even go there. They would never be so rude to a stranger, not even Shane.

  “You must be Carrie’s brother Kevin,” Michael said, putting out a hand.

  Kevin glared harder and stuck out a hand, capturing Michael’s in a death grip, purposely squeezing hard.

  So much for politeness, Michael thought, having no choice but to return the grip in kind. Fortunately, years of weight lifting combined with the type of work Michael did provided some formidable hand strength.

  Kevin was wincing by the time Michael turned loose.

  When he looked back at Carrie, she was weaving and fighting to stand upright. Michael felt his temper rising as he moved closer to her just in case.

  If either of these men thought they were going to treat Carrie poorly while he was around, they were in for a hell of a surprise. He would play their man games all day long, but not while Carrie watched in dismay.

  “Carrie, you’re looking pale, honey. We probably need to find someplace for you to sit in the shade,” Michael said softly, putting a hand on her arm.

  “What’s wrong with you, girl? Are you too sick to even stand?” Ethan demanded, his gaze suddenly taking in all of his daughter’s countenance. She did look ready to fall over. “I’m your father, Carlene. You’re supposed to answer me when I ask you a question.”

  “No, she’s not,” Michael interjected, putting an arm around Carrie. “You’re bullying her and trying to make her upset, but you’re not going to be doing that to her anymore in front of me. So cut it out. If you want to know what’s wrong, ask your questions without that I’m-your-father chip on your shoulder. And use a decent tone of voice.”

  “Just who do you think you are? We’re Carlene’s family,” Kevin said, crossing his arms and stepping up to Michael. He had several inches on the shorter man. He wasn’t afraid to take him on if needed.

  “Who am I?” Michael said, his voice tight with defiance. “I’m the man who’s going to marry your sister, which makes me her family now.”

  Hearing the simmering anger in Michael’s tone, Carrie put her hand on his arm, patting to get his attention. The last thing she’d meant to happen was for him to feel like he had to defend her to her own family. That wasn’t part of their deal.

  “Michael, it’s okay,” she said. “They don’t bother me. I’m used to the way they talk.”

  “Is what he says the truth, Carlene? If you’re marrying this man, why haven’t you said anything until now? Your 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 looking at Carrie’s face when she’d made the announcement to see what her father was going to say or do. When the fist connected with his jaw from the side and snapped his head around, it caught him completely off-guard. It didn’t move him, but still hurt like hell.

  Then everything seemed to happen in slow motion as his head came back around and turned to face the man who had hit him. Kevin was breathing heavily and had his fist still clenched. It had Michael bracing for a second blow, and telling himself that he was not going to kill him when he hit him back.

  Carrie’s sisters screamed and passed Michael like a blur. He brought a hand up to rub his jaw, watching them both hit their brother like linebackers.

  Behind him, Michael heard something drop and make a lot of noise on the patio. He turned slowly to look at Carrie, who was weaving, hand over her mouth in shock.

  Then Michael watched in complete shock as her mother ran past her ill daughter to catch her husband into her arms.

  Holy shit, Michael thought, watching the unbelievable scene in fascination. He needed to get Carrie out of there before she ended up on the ground. No one but he seemed to care that she was about to be sick any minute.

  So instead of rounding on the man that struck him, Michael reached out and put his arm around Carrie to keep her upright.

  “Michael,” Carri
e said, tucking her head against him.

  “I’m okay,” he said, realizing it was truth.

  Then finally Michael looked at Kevin, who was now being restrained by Darla and Alison, who looked ready to kill him themselves. When Kevin almost broke free once, they tightened their hold on him and whispered ugly threats.

  Michael’s eyes glinted in the afternoon sun as his gaze narrowed on Kevin Addison.

  “Come ahead, Kevin. Hit me again when I’m expecting it and I will take great delight in beating some sense into you while your whole family watches,” Michael warned.

  “I can’t believe Kevin hit you,” Carrie moaned, clutching his shirt. “I’m sorry. So sorry I got you into this.”

  “Why? It’s not your fault your cowardly brother decided to behave like an ass today,” Michael said, his voice soft with her.

  When Carrie sobbed, Michael scooped her up into his arms fully intending to rescue both of them. “Okay, that’s enough of this craziness. We’re leaving now. You don’t have to worry about these people hurting you anymore.”

  Michael turned with Carrie in his arms, wanting to laugh when he saw Darla and Alison had Kevin in a firm lock. There was a pale woman holding a child crying pitifully nearby. With a disgusted look on his face, Kevin tried to break free again, but the girls gritted their teeth and gripped him tighter.

  It was definitely a scene out of a bad movie, Michael decided. Kevin was a villain. Ethan was a hard, unfeeling man. Maggie was a woman torn.

  Only Darla and Alison were exhibiting any sanity, and look what they were forced to do to help Carrie and him. Michael damn well knew where they’d gotten their fierceness from because he was holding the fiercest woman he knew in his arms. So it royally pissed him off that her family could take her down so easily.