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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