Focusing back on Sean and Kyle, he added, “So, yeah, I know she’s got a daughter.”
The five men staring at him were silent, their eyebrows raised, although Brock and Brody were fighting smiles as well.
“And Tara?”
This came from Sean, and Carter remained quiet for a moment. “She’s beautiful, intelligent, and a fucking great mom. From all indications, she’s also been a fuckin’ great sister to all of you. She’s spent her life helping others but never complained. She won’t complain because she’s happiest when she’s responsible for people she cares about. The one time that responsibility bit her in the ass was when she fell for a man who didn’t deserve her. Maybe she was just used to taking care of everybody else, and she figured she could take care of him, too.”
He knew he had fired a shot straight to their hearts when all five men winced at his words. But too far gone to care, he continued. “A lot of women would’ve stuck that out and been miserable and made their child miserable, but not Tara. She put everything aside so that her daughter was raised with a sense of love and not guilt. I know you all helped with that. I know the whole family stepped in and helped. But that doesn’t mean that she hasn’t been very alone for a very long time.”
Scrubbing his hand over his face, his shoulders slumped. “I was afraid falling for her might be a mistake. But it wasn’t. The only mistake I made was not preparing her for fallout from my job. A job that every single one of you understand.”
The noise of the bar fell away as the silence around him was deafening.
“You’re in love with Tara.”
The words coming from Sean were not a question but a statement. Nodding, he said, “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”
Brock chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder while looking at the McBride brothers. “Well, hell, boys. Looks like you owe him a welcome instead of an ass-kicking.” He and Brody continued to chuckle as they moved over to a nearby table.
“Are you really in love with Tara?” Kyle asked, his gaze less intense.
“Truthfully? The answer is yes. Does it make sense? Probably not. I wasn’t looking for love. I wasn’t even looking for a relationship. We met because of an investigation, but we spent time together because there was a spark. Something I haven’t felt in a long time.” Sighing, he reached to the back of his neck and squeezed the tight muscles. “But now, she won’t even take my calls so that I can explain.”
Sean’s lips quirked. Kyle grinned. And Rory threw his head back and laughed. Staring at the three, he wondered if he had missed the punchline to a joke.
“Let me tell you about McBride women,” Sean said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Especially the oldest girl in an Irish family. Hurt or mad, you’ll get the same fiery response. But if you get to the other side, you’ll get loyalty like nothing you can imagine.”
Kyle glanced behind him to the Celtic Cock’s owner and bartender. “Torin, send a round over for all of us.”
Torin offered a chin lift, mumbling, “Glad I didn’t have to kick your asses outta here for fighting.”
Carter followed the three McBrides over to the table where Brock and Brody had settled. After a few minutes of drinking, the youngest King brother, Blayze, walked in, and he and Rory joined other firefighters playing pool near the back. Brock soon left, wanting to get back to his woman, Kallie.
Sean finished his beer and stood, staring at Carter for a moment before extending his hand. “Gotta get to Harper, but I’ll say this first. You’re right about everything you said about Tara. And you’re right about her deserving someone good. I’m glad it’s you. You’re going to have to work to get back into her good graces, but it’ll be worth it.”
Clasping Sean’s hand, he shook it firmly. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”
Sean waved toward his brothers and friends and soon followed Brock out of the pub. Left with Kyle and Brody at the table, he wondered if he was going to take more heat about Tara.
“What have you got on Kilton Pharmaceuticals?”
The question from Kyle surprised him, but it was not unwelcome. “So far, I haven’t done much with them. I’ve got my eye on one of their sales representatives who serves the clinic. I saw her give samples to the nurse that we just arrested. Why?”
“I’m working on a case that may indicate they have a security breach. So far, it doesn’t look like anything that would directly affect your investigation, but I’ll let you know if it does.”
“I appreciate that. I’ll do the same for you.”
Brody asked, “Your partner is out now, isn’t she?”
“Yeah. She’s on medical leave until she has the baby, and then will be on maternity leave. At this point, she won’t be back for four months. But my supervisor just handed me Evan, so he’s shifting his other cases and coming over with me.”
Kyle and Brody nodded in agreement. “He’s a good man,” Kyle acknowledged.
Shaking his head, he said, “Hell, if he was such a good partner, he should have been here taking my back when you all showed up.”
Brody laughed, his eyes twinkling. “Not many people are brave enough to go up against the McBrides and Kings.”
“Hell, you’re brave just going up against Tara,” Kyle added.
He sighed. “You’re her brother. Got any words of wisdom for me?”
Kyle sobered and rubbed his hand over his chin. “Tara is tough. She’s had to be. You were right—she was the responsible older sister, babysitter, counselor, and tried to take that role on with her loser husband.
