Read Online Created In Fire (Art of Love Series) by Donna McDonald - Free Book Online

your father or brother,” Michael said, grinning.
    Carrie snorted. “Not really. I can be just as hard hearted as Dad or Kevin. I probably haven’t exchanged two civil words with those men since I was Alison’s age. Usually I end up in a yelling contest with them until Mom and Crystal start crying. It was hell to watch you dealing with them today while I just stood there too sick to defend myself or you. I’m sorry.”
    Michael tucked her hair back behind her ears. “They’re your family, Carrie—bad in some respects and good in others, don’t you think? I was mad at Mom for leaving Dad for a long time. When I saw Dad suffer, it made me even more upset. I was cold and unfriendly when she came around to visit. It took me a year, but I finally saw that my parents divorced because they had to and that it had been a really hard decision for them.”
    “Yes, but the members of your family don’t physically fight each other,” Carrie said.
    “Sure they do. You broke up a physical fight, remember?” Michael asked, gaining a snicker from her. “Granted—that was the only fight in recent history. My stepmother is a very physical woman.”
    “You don’t seem mad at your parents anymore,” Carrie told him. “Are you really okay with them now?”
    “I’m going to give you my Dr. Shane Larson answer. My part as their child is to accept their decision to end their marriage, but I have to work on it, even at my age, because it still hurts,” Michael said. “I work on it because I love them and they love me.”
    “I could tell there were passionate disagreements about things the first time I saw your whole family interacting together,” Carrie said, smiling sadly. “It was bit intimidating listening to everyone bickering, but I could tell there was love too.”
    Michael smiled back. “I think your father loves you—in fact, I’m pretty sure he does. So it makes perfect sense to keep trying to get him to come around. On the other hand, I may still have to beat the crap out of your brother for hitting me. If you want, I’ll try to do it when you’re not around.”
    Carrie laughed then, mostly because she knew Michael meant it. “Oh, I think I would seriously enjoy watching you beat up Kevin. I’ve always wanted to myself. He’s—he’s worse than Dad in some ways because he’s willing to physically fight anyone, not just members of our family. I still can’t believe he hit you. Now you know why I made sure my sisters moved hours and hours away from all that craziness.”
    “Yeah. They held your brother down pretty good to help me. I’d say you’ve had a lot of influence on them,” Michael said, laughing. “I’ve seen you get between battling men at work.”
    “That’s different. At work I just—,” Carrie began, but lost her train of thought when his dark gaze fixed itself to hers.
    Michael had such a way of focusing on just the thing he was interested in at the moment. It was a very, very appealing trait when all that attention was focused just on her, she admitted.
    “Still waiting for you to finish your thought, babe,” Michael said, laughing as Carrie’s eyes drifted closed. “That medicine kicks your butt every time.”
    “Yes—it does. Michael, I just want you to know you’re the closest thing to a knight in shining armor I’ve ever had,” Carrie said.
    “You don’t have to flatter me out of gratitude,” Michael told her, running a hand over her hair. “I’m happy to slay a few family dragons for you. Not because you’re weak—I know the woman you really are. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll return the favor and slay a few for me. You can start with Shane.”
    Laughing, Carrie pushed off the pillows with the last energy she had and reached behind Michael to grab his ponytail. She stroked it as she used her other arm around him to pull herself forward.
    “Give up that dream. Your brother is twice as big as me. Come here. You’ve been trying to kiss me for days. I think I