Later, after delicious Chinese food, reheated and eaten with glasses of wine while standing at the kitchen counter, he took her back upstairs and had no problem backing up his claim—much to both of their pleasures.
22
“Are you nervous?”
Carter glanced to the passenger side of his SUV, annoyed to see Tara’s wide grin. The answer to her question would have been ‘no’ if he was just meeting up with the McBride brothers for a drink. But considering they were on their way to her parents’ house for a Sunday lunch and he’d been informed everyone would be there, the answer was a resounding ‘yes’.
As he drove through the neighborhood, they passed large, old homes, built back in the time before McMansions when each house on the street was unique. With multiple cars parked in the driveway and on the street, it wasn’t hard to see which house was the McBride’s. As soon as he parked, he walked around and opened her door, offering a hand to assist her down.
She pulled her coat a little tighter to ward off the chill, and he wrapped his arm around her, offering his warmth. She twisted her head to look up and smiled. “Do you think my family can tell that we had sex all night?”
Rolling his eyes, he squeezed her shoulder. “Jesus, Tara. I hope the fuck they don’t know!”
Her laughter met his ears, and he loved the sound. Just as they reached the front door, it was thrown open and Colleen launched herself at him.
“You’re here!” she yelled, giving him a hug before twisting and hugging her mom.
The three of them walked into the large entry foyer, but the space quickly filled. Colleen, still in his arms, began shouting introductions.
“This is my Uncle Sean and his girlfriend, Harper! This is my Aunt Erin and Aunt Caitlyn. This is my Uncle Kyle—”
“Colleen,” Tara admonished. “I know you’re excited, but use your inside voice. And give us a chance to take off our coats.”
“Come on, squirt,” Rory said, pulling Colleen out of Carter’s arms.
Carter turned and helped Tara with her coat, handing it to Erin’s outstretched hands. Shrugging off his own jacket, he thanked her as Erin took it also. Several of the others had moved down the hall toward the den and kitchen, but Harper stepped forward, hugging Tara. Sean’s pretty girlfriend smiled up at him and said, “It’s a little overwhelming, I know. This was me not too long ago.”
He nodded his agreement and smiled as Sean threw his arm around Harper and they followed the others down the hall. Feeling a squeeze around his waist, he glanced down at Tara. He could see worry in her eyes and assured, “Don’t worry, babe. I’m good.”
They walked toward the back of the house, and when they entered the large open kitchen and den, they were met by an attractive woman, her silver hair neatly-trimmed and her blue eyes sparkling. He had no problem recognizing Tara’s mother.
“Carter, welcome to our house. I’m Sharon.”
He took her hand in his own and said, “I’m pleased to be here, Sharon. Thank you for having me.”
It did not pass his notice that Sharon’s gaze took him in before she bestowed her loving smile upon Tara. She leaned forward and kissed her daughter’s cheek, saying softly, “Love you, sweetheart.”
Sharon had barely stepped back before a booming voice came through the back door. He looked over and saw a tall, older man being dragged forward by Colleen.
“Missy, how can someone so little be so strong? I’m coming, I’m coming! I know we’ve got company.”
Colleen did not stop pulling her grandfather’s hand until they got right in front of Carter and Tara. She opened her mouth, then caught her mother’s gaze and seemed to remember that she was supposed to use her indoor voice. “This is my grandpa,” she said, struggling to whisper.
Carter thrust out his hand and said, “Thank you for having me, sir. I’m Carter Fiske.”
“Good to meet you, son. I’m Colm McBride.”
Colm’s handshake was firm, and Carter watched as Tara’s father greeted her much in the same way as her mother. Colm leaned forward and kissed her cheek, softly saying, “Good to see you, beautiful.”
The family soon gathered around the largest table Carter had ever seen. His family certainly enjoyed getting together, and conversation had always been lively when he was growing up. But seeing the McBrides in action was nothing short of organized chaos. Food was passed around, conversation abounded, jokes were told, and stories were shared. By the end of the meal, he felt truly welcomed into their camaraderie.
After dessert, he learned that Colm led the clean-up crew since the women had cooked. Sharon disappeared into the den with Tara, Harper, Erin, Caitlyn, and Colleen. He joined the McBride men in clearing the table, rinsing dishes, and putting away the food.
Sean asked, “Anything new this week on your cases?”
“I interviewed everybody at the clinic but don’t have anything definitive. My gut still tells me that whatever’s happening, it involves someone there.”
Colm leaned his hip against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “Is that the clinic that Erin is going to work at?”
“From what Tara has said, yes. But I don’t think she’s supposed to start for another month.” Rory and Kyle swung their heads around, brows lowered.
“I need to talk to her. I don’t think she should work there,” Colm stated.
“Yeah, try telling her that,” Rory said. “She’s going to do what she wants to do.”
Sean jumped in. “I’ll see if Tara will talk to her. Get her to hold off.”
Without hesitating to wade into the family discussion, he said, “Don’t put Tara in the middle. If you’ve got something to say to Erin, say it yourself.” The four McBride men were silent for a moment, and Carter wondered if he’d overstepped his bounds. Deciding it didn’t matter, he knew Tara was his first priority.
With a chin lift, Colm agreed. “Carter’s right. Tara has enough on her plate right now with the
