Kyle moved next to Carter and asked, “Anything new on Kilton Pharma?”
“My money’s on Beth Washington. I don’t trust her. She’s young and works her looks, which is no crime, but I think she’s got something going on. For the life of me, though, I can’t figure out what it is.”
The sound of a phone ringing caught his attention, and he glanced toward the counter, seeing Tara’s purse. He walked to the den with her phone in his hand. “Sorry, babe, it stopped ringing before I had a chance to get it to you.”
She walked toward him, a smile on her face. Lifting on her toes, she offered him a quick kiss but was interrupted when her phone rang again. “Hello?” Her body stiffened, and her gaze jerked over toward Colleen.
Instantly on alert, he glanced around the room, seeing the other women’s eyes on her. She swiftly walked out of the den, saying, “Calvin? Why are you calling?”
She was now within range of the kitchen, and Carter felt the temperature of the room drop as the McBride men moved closer, the hard set of their jaws matching the glacial glances they were giving each other.
He stepped next to her and placed his hand on her back for support. Her head was tipped down, her hair falling to create a curtain. She was quiet for a moment, then softly said, “I see. I’m very sorry. I’ll tell her, but I won’t bring her.” Another pause was followed by, “Thank you for letting me know.”
She lifted her head and it did not escape his notice that she looked to him first, bypassing her family. She glanced into the den, and he was sure she was checking on Colleen, who was working a puzzle with Harper. Erin, Caitlyn, and her mom had moved closer, but still ignoring her family, she looked up to Carter.
“Calvin wanted to let me know that his father had a heart attack and passed away two days ago. I don’t think he was going to even tell me, but his mother wanted to know if Colleen was going to come to her grandfather’s funeral.”
If he had not known the dynamics before, there was no doubt how the McBride’s felt about that news. Anger snapped about the room, but all he cared about was Tara. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her in tightly
“God forgive me, but what a selfish cow,” Sharon whispered. “They raised a selfish son and barely remembered their granddaughter at Christmas and on her birthday. And now she wants a six-year-old to go to the funeral of a man who hardly had time for her?”
“Sharon, sweetheart…” Colm said, his voice low, but Carter could hear the warning.
It was obvious Tara’s family did not want to say anything that Colleen might overhear, but their anger had not abated. Letting the rest of the gathering fade away, he focused all his attention on Tara. “What do you need from me, babe?”
When she lifted her gaze to him, she shook her head slightly and replied, “I have no idea. After years of dating and being married, I barely knew his parents. Calvin wasn’t close to them, and after the divorce, they only sent a Christmas and birthday card to Colleen but never asked to see her. I wouldn’t have kept her from her grandparents, but neither was I going to force her on them.”
“You’re right about Colleen not going to the funeral. If she doesn’t know these people, then there’s no reason to overwhelm her with another grandmother at the funeral of a grandfather she’s never met. If you feel like you need to go to pay your respects, I’ll go with you.”
She placed her hand on his chest and said, “Thank you. I’m a little shocked right now—and irritated at both Calvin and his mother.” Her smile warmed his heart, and he bent to offer her a soft kiss.
As awareness that they had an audience settled in. It also struck him that the temperature in the room had thawed. Looking around, he was greeted with warm smiles from the women and chin lifts from the men.
Breaking the tension, Rory tossed the dish towel onto the counter. “I’m getting ready to head out.” Saying goodbye to his family, he shook hands with Carter. “Good to have you in the fold, man.”
Harper walked over and gave Rory a hug. Smiling, she asked, “Are you heading to the Celtic Cock? I have it on good authority that a beautiful blonde you’ve had your eye on might be there.”
Rolling his eyes, he quipped, “Aw, girl, you know there’s too much of this awesomeness for just one beautiful blonde.” As the girls groaned from the den, he tossed a wave before kissing his mother goodbye.
Tara asked, “Are you talking about your friend Sandy?”
Harper nodded. “You should see the two of them when they’re together. She watches him, and when he looks, she turns away. Then he stares at her, and if she looks over, he turns away. They’re worse than a couple of teenagers!”
Colleen wandered into the room, and Tara twisted her head around and up, catching Carter’s eye. “Tomorrow is a school day, so we better be heading home.”
He nodded and walked down the hall to collect their coats. As Tara bundled Colleen in hers, he moved over to Sharon to offer his thanks. She pulled him into a hug and patted his back, whispering, “Thank you for taking care of my girls.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Making sure to thank Colm, he said goodbye to everyone else and waited while Colleen received goodbye hugs from the entire family. Finally, with her buckled safely in her car seat in the back of his SUV, he pulled onto the street.
“Are we going home now?” Colleen asked, yawning widely.
“Yeah, sweetheart, I’m taking you
