Read Created In Fire (Art of Love Series) for Free Online Page A

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,”