Read Online Cherish & Blessed by Tere Michaels - Free Book Online Page A

living with another man. She was assuming we were homophobes, and that is just… insulting.” Her face turned red, her eyes glassy with tears. “She is using Kent as revenge and… and… you know, we’ve heard nothing but good things from him for months. He’s crazy about her.”
    Evan sighed. “I’m sorry for Miranda’s behavior, and I understand your frustration.”
    “You do? How nice. Do you also understand that our values are very different than yours?”
    That took him aback.
    “What are you talking about?”
    “We are very antigun in our household, and to be staying here without being told in advance….”
    That blindsided him. Evan couldn’t wrap his mind around what she was saying for a moment. “Told what? That we have guns in the house? I’m a policeman. Matt and I are very comfortable with firearms and storing them safely.” Evan’s hackles were up now.
    “I’m supposed to take your word for it? Everything about this visit has been misrepresented by your daughter.” Cornelia’s voice hit a higher pitch.
    “You came here without knowing anything about us—how is that my fault? Pick up the damn phone if you’re so particular about the kind of people you spend time with,” Evan snapped. “It’s not my responsibility.”
    That brought a nasty expression to Cornelia’s face. “No, your responsibility is raising a child with the right values and morals—I’m surprised she hasn’t announced she’s pregnant yet.”
    The first thought to flash through Evan’s head was Lady, get the fuck out of my house , but self-control prevailed. Barely.
    “You don’t know my daughter, and you don’t know me, so kindly refrain from making judgments like that,” he managed to get out. “And please feel free to get your bags and find a gunless hotel.”
    Evan turned on his heel, heading for the back door because there was no way he could face anyone at this moment. The sliding door thumped behind him as he walked onto the deck.
    Fury ate through his stomach. He tightened his hands into fists, pacing in wild circles as fallen leaves crunched under his feet.
    The nerve. The fucking nerve. He needed to find Miranda and get control back, but for the moment, he wasn’t going near anybody.

Chapter 11

     
    “S OOOO ,” M ATT said as he and Blake walked down the front steps. “Fun family times. All we need is someone else to announce they’re gay and then a drunken fistfight, and I think we qualify for a reality show.”
    Blake laughed, running both hands through his hair. Matt figured he was a good approximation of what Kent would look like in his forties, once he gained about forty pounds and spent some time in the sun. “I’m not really prepared for stuff like this. It’s been just the three of us for years, and this is….”
    “Chaos. Sorry. We really should come with a warning label.” Matt tucked his hands in his pockets, turning left as they hit the sidewalk. About three houses down, he spotted Kent, who was walking slowly with the occasional kick to an imaginary rock.
    “No, no. I understand. Well, I think I understand.” Blake shrugged. “I take it Miranda and Evan don’t always get along.”
    “Polite understatement. I like that.” Matt sighed. “They’re a lot alike. Same exact fighting styles. It’s like an emotional cockfight most of the time. Plus, you know, Miranda doesn’t exactly love me being around.” It was a reality he wasn’t particularly fond of, but he also wasn’t a stupid man. He knew Miranda had never warmed to him like the other three had. He knew about the resentment and the anger. He knew how much she missed Sherri.
    And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about any of it.
    “Ah. The other kids….”
    “What can I say—natural charm and bribery worked really well with them.” He shrugged. “Miranda misses her mom, and I’m a constant living reminder how she isn’t here anymore.”
    “I’m sorry.” Blake matched his steps as they got closer