Cara O'Shea's Return Read Online Free PDF Page A

crossing the lawn to where the others gathered.
    “She’s okay.”
    Cara tossed a glance over her shoulder at Mary. “She doesn’t look okay.”
    Shan sighed. “It’s just the wedding atmosphere stirring up memories. She and Daddy worked things out a long time ago.”
    In her head, Cara knew what Shan said was true, but her heart didn’t understand. Mary, Erin, and Shan had all forgiven Tom for what he’d done and had pressed her to do the same over the years. It was an old argument, one bound to come up with increased frequency now that she was back in town. She knew they all considered today a first step toward healing the rift between her and her father, but she just wanted to get the uncomfortable meeting over with.
    Shan squeezed her arm as they approached the gathered members of the wedding party. Erin waited with Tom at her side. While her sister’s smile was pleading, Tom’s was hopeful.
    “Hello, Daddy.” Cara’s reluctant greeting came out stilted.
    “Cara mine.”
    Seemingly unfazed by the coolness of her greeting, he gathered her to his broad chest, holding her tight even when she didn’t return his embrace. She turned her head, her arms hanging limply at her sides, and met the intense gaze of Finn several feet away. She flushed with embarrassment and dropped her gaze. Tom pressed a kiss to the top of her head, releasing her only when she forced the issue by stepping back.
    She could have kissed the Espizitto’s pastor when he cleared his throat and began instructing everyone on their responsibilities in the proceedings, beginning with Tom. She heaved a cleansing breath when he reluctantly turned away.
    Unfortunately, her relief was short lived. The members of the party began to pair up according to their place in the procession. Finn appeared at her side. He offered her his arm and with her nerves stretched to the breaking point, she accepted, linking hers through his.
    They spent the next twenty minutes running through the process twice. A round of applause and laughter went up when Ryan kissed his future bride. Cara waited until the party members began wandering off toward their tables to make her excuses to leave to a disappointed Erin and Ryan, then slipped back to her table to hug Mary, Shan and the boys. Avoiding Tom where he stood with several men under a towering oak, she made her way through the tables toward the side gate.
    “Running away?” Finn’s deep, softly challenging voice brought her feet to a hesitant stop. She turned chilled eyes on him where he sat with a quiet, watchful Maive.
    “Simply calling it a night.”
    A single black brow arched in response. She lifted her chin, daring him to call her a liar.
    “Leave the girl be, boy. She’s no coward. She’s just confused.”
    Maive’s wise blue eyes held compassionate understanding. Cara longed to say something easy and carefree, and put a lie to Maive’s truth, but she couldn’t seem to make her mouth work. Instead, she swallowed convulsively on the sudden desire to weep.
    Finn frowned and pushed back his chair as if to rise. Maive forestalled him with a gnarled hand on his forearm.
    “Come by Monday morning, Cara O’Shea. We’ll sign those papers.”
    Cara nodded, and did exactly what Michael Finnegan accused her of doing. She ran.

Chapter Five
    A ferocious thunderstorm blew through town an hour before the wedding service, leaving the day sweltering hot and steamy. The fan cooling system in the church was no match for the oppressive heat, and by the time the newlyweds signed the marriage certificate and the last pictures were taken, the men had removed their jackets and the woman were fanning themselves with whatever they could find. The coolness of the air conditioning was a welcome relief when the wedding party arrived at the reception hall.
    Finn noticed Cara’s pallor the moment she exited the ladies’ room, and when Tom O’Shea’s new wife, Hannah, emerged a moment later, he knew the reason. His gaze